Background and Objectives
The ISOCARP Award for Planning Process recognises excellence in collaborative, inclusive and innovative planning processes that place participation and co-creation at the centre of urban and regional development.
While many planning initiatives demonstrate strong technical and design quality, successful implementation depends equally on meaningful stakeholder engagement and collaborative decision-making. This Award celebrates planning processes that move beyond conventional consultation by actively involving communities, public authorities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders throughout the planning process.
The Award aims to recognise planning initiatives that demonstrate how inclusive governance, transparent decision-making and collaborative practice contribute to more sustainable, equitable and resilient urban outcomes.
Purpose of the Award
The Award seeks to:
- Recognise excellence in collaborative planning processes
- Promote meaningful public participation in planning
- Highlight innovative approaches to stakeholder engagement
- Showcase transferable planning methodologies
- Encourage planning practices that strengthen trust, transparency and community ownership
Eligibility
The Award is open to organisations and institutions responsible for designing or implementing collaborative planning processes, including:
- Planning firms and consultancies
- Municipal planning departments
- Local government authorities
- Regional planning agencies
- National planning institutions
- Ministries responsible for planning and territorial development
Project Status: Projects may be completed, under implementation or in advanced stages of delivery, provided that the planning process can be clearly demonstrated.
Eligible Submissions
Submissions may include planning processes related to:
- Strategic plans
- Urban and regional plans
- Regeneration programmes
- Climate adaptation initiatives
- Public space projects
- Community-led planning initiatives
- Policy development processes
- Participatory governance programmes
Other planning initiatives demonstrating outstanding collaborative practice are also encouraged.
Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Inclusiveness of stakeholder engagement
- Transparency of the planning process
- Responsiveness to local context
- Innovation in co-creation methods
- Capacity building and knowledge sharing
- Implementation potential
- Replicability and scalability
- Contribution to sustainable and equitable outcomes
Jury
The jury consists of five experienced ISOCARP members with expertise in collaborative planning, governance and urban development.
Award Categories and Recognition
The ISOCARP Award for Planning Process recognises excellence through the main Award and an additional Special Mention distinction.
Award
The Award recognises an outstanding planning process demonstrating excellence in participation, co-creation, collaborative governance and inclusive decision-making.
Recognition and Benefits
- One year of complimentary ISOCARP membership
- Official ISOCARP Award Plaque
- Official ISOCARP Award Certificate
- Promotion through the ISOCARP website, newsletter and social media channels
Special Mention
Special Mention recognises planning processes that demonstrate noteworthy contributions to collaborative and inclusive planning practice.
Recognition and Benefits
- Official ISOCARP Award Certificate
- Promotion through ISOCARP communication channels
Submission Fees
The following fees apply per submission. A 10% discount is available during the Early Bird submission period.
| Applicant Category | Early Bird Fee | Regular Fee |
|---|---|---|
| ISOCARP Members | €450 | €500 |
| Non-Members | €900 | €1,000 |
Applicants may submit multiple entries. Fees apply to each submission.
Submit Early and Save 10%
Take advantage of reduced submission fees for the ISOCARP Award for Planning Process 2027. Submit your entry by the Early Bird deadline to benefit from a 10% discount.
11:59 PM CET
11:59 PM CET
Submission Requirements
Each application must include:
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Completed Online Entry Form
A completed application form providing the essential information about the planning process.
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Publishable Project Summary
A concise, publishable description of the planning process, limited to 150 words.
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Written Description
A description of the planning process, project or policy, limited to 10,000 characters including spaces.
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Visual Supporting Material
Drawings, maps, diagrams, photographs, posters, timelines or other graphic representations illustrating the planning process, limited to four A3 pages.
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Optional Video
Applicants may submit a short video illustrating the planning process, stakeholder engagement activities or implementation outcomes.
File Submission: Supporting materials may be uploaded directly through the application form, subject to a maximum file size of 64 MB, or provided through an accessible cloud-sharing link. Applicants must ensure that all submitted materials can be accessed by the jury.
Application Procedure: Applications must be submitted electronically. Applications requiring payment will only be considered complete once the applicable registration fee has been received.
Awards Ceremony
Recipients of the ISOCARP Award for Planning Process 2027 will be announced during the official Awards Ceremony at the ISOCARP World Planning Congress 2027.
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Congress Dates: 27–30 April 2027
Contact
For enquiries about the Award or application process, please contact:
Dr Shi Nan
ISOCARP Director of Awards
shinan@isocarp.org
ISOCARP Awards Team
awards@isocarp.org
Apply Here
Complete the official application form below to submit your entry for the ISOCARP Award for Planning Process 2027.