About ISOCARP
The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) is a global association of experienced professional planners. It was founded in 1965 in a bid to bring together recognised and highly-qualified planners in an international network. The ISOCARP network brings together individual and institutional members from more than 80 countries worldwide. As a non-governmental organisation ISOCARP is recognised by the UN, UNHCS and the Council of Europe. The Society also has a formal consultative status with UNESCO.
Although ISOCARP members work in many different fields they share a common interest in the spatial and environmental dimensions of urbanisation. They advise key decision-makers, proposing and supporting projects for intervention in a spatial context through general or specific actions.
The objectives of ISOCARP include the improvement of planning practice through the creation of a global and active network of practitioners. ISOCARP encourages the exchange of professional knowledge between planners, promotes the planning profession in all its forms, stimulates and improves planning research, training and education and enhances public awareness and understanding of major planning issues at a global level.
The association‘s main event is the annual World Congress, which focuses on a globally-significant planning theme and which takes place in a different country each year. Prior to the congress Young Planning Professional Workshops are organised. This YPP programme seeks to bring together emerging young planning professionals from all over the world to tackle ‘real-world’ planning projects.
Smaller-scale events such as seminars and working groups are also organised.
All ISOCARP activities are covered in publications such as the ISOCARP Review, the International Manual of Planning Practice (IMPP), Congress proceedings and special project reports.
ISOCARP recognises excellence through the Society’s award programme.
ISOCARP Urban Planning Advisory teams (UPATs) assists sponsor organisations by offering the extensive experience and expertise of ISOCARP members to work on important local or international planning projects, programmes and policy initiatives.
ISOCARP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2011
President - Ismael Fernández Mejía (Mexico)
Secretary General - Alex Macgregor (Scotland, UK)
Vice Presidents
Awards and Communication - Dirk Engelke, Germany
Publications - Chris Gossop, United Kingdom
Technical Assistance - Jim Colman, Australia
Treasurer - Manfred Schrenk, Austria
Urban Planning Advisory Teams - Francisco Pérez Arellano, Mexico
Young Planning Professionals - Zeynep Merey Enlil, Turkey
HEADQUARTERS - The Hague, The Netherlands
Programme Manager - Gaby Kurth
Office Manager - Monica Ornek
