WELCOME by the PRESIDENT
WELCOME by the PRESIDENT
Dear colleagues and friends,
The 43rd Congress “Urban Trialogues” focuses on strategic projects to be implemented in agreement between a diversity of actors and stakeholders, mainly emphasizing the gap between planning and implementation. This topic is particularly challenging to planners worldwide. We hope that many of them will be interested in presenting their experiences and thoughts. As part of its aims, ISoCaRP wishes to promote planning education and to participate in the development of the planning profession, in the context of worldwide urbanisation.
This year’s Congress will therefore again be preceded by Young Planning Professionals’ workshops. One will be held in Antwerp, in accordance with the pattern of previous years. The other one will be held in Brussels, under the responsibility of the Belgian Chamber of Planners and will focus on the strategic development of the European Quarter. Antwerp and other progressive cities will take advantage of the 4th ISoCaRP Summit of Policy-makers. ISoCaRP is grateful to the Mayor of Antwerp, Mr Patrick Janssens, who provided for this opportunity, as well as the opportunity to host the Congress in his fascinating city. Antwerp is one the largest ports of Europe, and one of its oldest. Its unique cultural mix and openness to the world are part of a long tradition. We encourage our participants to stay a few days more and discover its historic heritage, its contemporary architecture and its vibrant cultural activities.
See you in Antwerp, warmest regards to you all.
- Pierre Laconte, President ISOCARP
INVITATION by the CITY of ANTWERP
All over the world, not in the least in Western Europe, cities have undergone a thorough transformation during the last decades. Some cities undeniably succeed better than others in meeting the challenges that they are facing. What about our city? Antwerp has a glorious past, and its future is still open. Our major challenge is to ensure that the Antwerp of the future will be at least as attractive as the Antwerp of the past.
If we want to turn Antwerp into the best possible living and working environment for its diverse inhabitants and visitors, we need a clear and coherent vision for its physical space. This has been achieved in the Strategic Structure Plan which defines the major spatial choices for the next 15 years. It contains concrete projects as well as implicit measures for crucial areas. As the city and its territory are rapidly being transformed by a number of large structural operations, this strategic document will safeguard good spatial texture and will guarantee a high quality level for all projects to come.
There are no other instruments as powerful as city planning, urban development and architecture when it comes to creating an attractive living environment. We take great pleasure and pride therefore in inviting you to join us in Antwerp for the 43rd ISOCARP International Planning Congress. We are confident that the City and the Local Organising Committee will spare no efforts to making this a successful and rewarding congress.
- Patrick Janssens, Mayor of Antwerp / Honorary President LOC
- Ludo Van Campenhout, Vice-Mayor for Urban Planning / President LOC