In Dalian, 2008, we looked at urban sprawl, in Porto 2009, we concentrated on Low Carbon Cities in respect of the developed world, in Nairobi 2010, the subject matter focused on sustainability in developing economies. In Wuhan 2011, the overall concept is to attempt to understand how the different alternatives and initiatives can now be blended together with careful attention being paid to all of the policies that have already been discussed in our previous Congresses. The over arching idea, with this event, is to bring to a close the sustainability cycle. ISOCARP has once again taken the lead and proposed to study the rapidly urbanising world. There is a clear need to meet the rapidly developing challenge in areas of the world where urban growth is continuing rapidly, often, perhaps, in uncontrolled ways.

The subject of Liveable Cities in an urbanising World, to be discussed and analysed during our 47th Congress, implies that there must be an awareness among policy makers and, of course, planners in both the growing and developed economies, to the fact that all new developments must surely comply with the fundamental principles of sustainability. This encouraging possibility is forcing us to look at and evaluate the different options that have been applied globally in order to implement the defined policies for sustainability.

In Wuhan we will have interesting and dynamic discussions taking place under this challenging umbrella. Experts from all over the world will be present, planners and policy makers from the rapidly urbanising world will participate and share their experiences, and planners, experts, and policy makers from the emerging economies will also mutually share their problems and their proposed solutions.

Beyond its professional content, Wuhan 2011 will offer the usual unique and interesting human ambience which has come to be associated with all of our Congresses. The friendship, the social gatherings that encourage informal discussions and networking in an atmosphere full of experience and knowledge in the beautiful and magical surroundings of Wuhan, China, will be something very special indeed.

Finally, before extending a warm invitation to all of you to be part of this special event that only takes place once a year, let me express my admiration and gratitude to the hard working ISOCARP team who come from all over the world together with the Local Organising Committee for their immense efforts in putting together this Congress which really does promise to be a truly memorable one.

We will meet in Wuhan!

Ismael Fernández Mejía
President of ISOCARP