ISOCARP at WUF 2008
ISOCARP’s Networking Event at the World Urban Forum a Success
The International Society of City and Regional Planners, headquartered in The Hague, hosted a Networking Event at the World Urban Forum, organised by UN-Habitat. WUF took place in Nanjing, China, between 3 and 6 November 2008.
The theme of the networking event, “Urban Growth and Sprawl”, built on the findings of the 44th ISOCARP World Congress which was held in Dalian, China, in September. Presenters included ISOCARP members Shi Nan, Secretary General of the Urban Planning Society of China, Mairura Omwenga, Chairman, Urban Planning Chapter, Architectural Association of Kenya and ISOCARP Africa Coordinator; and Tom Wright, Executive Director, Regional Planning Association, New York. Derek Martin, Secretary General, International Federation of Housing and Planning, was invited as a Respondent. The event was moderated by Pablo Vaggione, Secretary General of ISOCARP.
The presentations tackled the issue of urban sprawl providing a valuable local perspective. The cases of Jianyin, China; Nairobi, Kenya; and New Jersey, USA were introduced. This panoramic and practical view looked for possible similarities and lessons to share from the experience of developed, developing, and rapidly developing economies.
About 120 persons attended this ISOCARP event, filling up the assigned room. The attendees, mainly in the planning profession, engaged in a lively debate with the presenters. Questions and contributions came from delegates from China, Nigeria, Philippines, South Africa, Sweden, Uganda, and the United States amongst other countries, representing a broad scope of interest groups, from grassroots organisations to experts in the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
ISOCARP is a non-governmental organisation which brings together experienced planners who are actively engaged in planning research, policy and practice. The society was founded in 1965 and has members from over 70 countries. Headquartered in The Hague, it has regional offices in Brussels, Belgium; Cancún, Mexico; Nairobi, Kenya and Sitges, Spain.
Introduction by Pablo Vaggione, Secretary General, ISOCARP
Presentation by Tom Wright, Executive Director, Regional Planning Association, New York
Presentation by Shi Nan, Secretary General of the Urban Planning Society of China