Join the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and Commonwealth Women in Planning Network (CWIP) on 30th March, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, for a global panel discussion, supported by the University of the Built Environment,exploring how planning systems influence women’s rights, access to land and housing, and participation in decision-making.

This important conversation brings together experienced panellists who will share real-world case studies and practical insights on integrating gender equity into planning practice.

From co-creating solutions with women and girls, to improving access to land, housing, education , infrastructure , and safe public spaces — and ensuring gender inclusion in climate action planning — this session will highlight actionable pathways toward more just, inclusive, and sustainable communities.

We will be holding two sessions to accommodate all time zones.

Event 1

  • Chair: Prof Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu, University of KwaZulu-Natal
    Professor Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu is an academic in the Discipline of Town and Regional Planning, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). She is an NRF-rated researcher. She is currently appointed as a National Planning Commissioner at the office of the presidency. She is also the first black South African born women to be appointed as a full Professor in Town and Regional Planning In South Africa.
  • Shipra Narang Suri: UN-Habitat Senior Policy Advisor to the Executive Director
    Dr. Shipra Narang Suri is the Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Executive Director of UN-Habitat. She is an urban planner with a Ph.D. in Post-War Recovery Studies from the University of York, U.K. Shipra has worked with multiple United Nations entities, international NGOs and private sector organisations, for nearly three decades. She is also a former Vice-President of ISOCARP, the International Society of City and Regional Planners.
  • Shana Debrock, Policy officer, department of Spatial Planning and Environment Flanders
    Shana is a doctor in Urbanism and a policy officer with the Departement of Environment and Spatial Planning Flanders (Belgium). Her focus lies on urban underground space use and planning.
  • Elena Cornaro Policy Advisor, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
    Elena Cornaro is a Policy Advisor on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at the International Institute for Sustainable Development, sharing insights on the just energy transition and equitable transport planning.
  • Mazrina Khalid, Secretary-General, EAROPH International; President, Malaysian Institute of Planners
    Mazrina Khalid Mazrina Dato’ Abdul Khalid is a Town Planner, President of the Malaysian Institute of Planners and Secretary-General of EAROPH, advancing gender-responsive planning, inclusive governance, and resilient, low-carbon cities across Asia-Pacific.
  • Curator: Charlotee Morphet, Senior Lecturer & Programme Lead, University of the Built Environment 


Event 2

  • Chair: Jenna Dutton, Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Association of Planners
    Jenna Dutton is a globally recognized expert on gender in planning and has over 15 years of interdisciplinary cross-sectoral experience delivering mixed-methods research, facilitating meaningful engagement, and shaping equity-focussed planning and policy.
  • Angela Brook, Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer, City of Philadelphia
    Angela D. Brooks is the Chief Housing and Urban Development Officer for the City of Philadelphia, an urban planner and housing policy leader with 25+ years advancing affordable housing, zoning reform, and community development.
  • Aisha Donaldson, Ministry of Planning and Development Trinidad and Tobago
    Aisha M. Donaldson is a senior urban and land-use planning professional with over 20 years of experience in sustainable development, public policy, and participatory governance in Trinidad and Tobago. She currently serves as Senior Land Use Planner and Head of the Policy Development Unit at the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, where she leads spatial policy development, stakeholder engagement, and national planning initiatives aligned with climate resilience and inclusive growth.
  • Sylvia Kasugami Masabo, Assistant Director, Physical Planning , Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Zimbabwe
    Sylvia is Assistant Director responsible for Urban Planning at Zambia’s Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. She is an urban and regional planner, Fellow of the Zambia Institute of Planners and a member of the Women in Planning, Zambia. She has expertise in policy development, governance and participatory planning.
  • Peninah Ndegwa, Founder and Managing Director of Wow Mom Kenya
    Peninah Ndegwa is the a multi-award winning social innovator , Founder and Managing Director of Wow Mom -a social enterprise advocating for Children Friendly cities. With a B.A Urban Planning from the University of Nairobi and an ongoing Masters in Climate Change Adaptation, she believes that if children are not designed for, they are designed out. Peninah has spearheaded an award-winning initiative leading to provision of quality and affordable childcare services market centres in partnership with County Governments serving over 8000 children and counting! Her aspiration is to create cities where all people can access social amenities easily and in dignity, regardless of age, gender, physical ability, or income level.
  • Curator: Charlotee Morphet, Senior Lecturer & Programme Lead, University of the Built Environment