1st International Conference for New Cities

“Planning New Regenerative Cities” 

New Clark City, The Philippines, 10-13 September 2024

We are thrilled to share that the 1st International Conference for New Cities, “Planning New Regenerative Cities” was an exceptional start to our 60th World Planning Congress Diamond Anniversary Series.  

We are very grateful to the 300+ participants and authors from more than 40 countries of the Global South and North who honoured us with their presence to share four days of knowledge exchange, additional tourist visits, fantastic food, and celebrations that immersed us in the rich Filipino culture and highlighted our new challenges as planners.  

Our biggest recognition goes to the energetic Governor of Tarlac Province, Ms. Susan Yap, as well to Haydee Jacklyn Malubay, head of the Local Organising Committee, to our Conference Team as well as the ISOCARP Secretariat for the organisation of this pioneering inaugural event.  

The conference offered 35 sessions in an overall rich and engaging programme, featuring: 

60+ papers and case studies were presented, after being carefully selected by our dedicated Conference Team, led by our outstanding General Rapporteur, Andy Simarmata (from Jakarta, Indonesia). 

We are also very proud for the success of our innovative “do-track”, a “Planning & Placemaking Charrette” which encompassed a series of workshops and site visits that aimed to produce policy recommendations for New Clark City, while establishing a Planning Manifesto for regenerative new towns and settlements, which aims at complementing UN-Habitats planning guidelines of 2015.   

Last but not least, the regional impact of the WPC60-NCC was noteworthy. The livestream of our Opening Ceremony was watched more than 32.000 times on social media, indicating a high interest in the Conference topics in the Philippines as well as the wider ASEAN region. 

60th ISOCARP World Planning Congress

”Reinventing The (In)visible Cities”

Siena, Italy | 8-12 October 2024

City and Regional Planners met together in October 2024 in Siena, Italy, to “Reinventing the (In)Visible Cities: From Heritage to Innovation, Forging Pathways to Resilience”. Prepared by ISOCARP with 50 volunteers, the Congress attracts 500+ participants coming from 70+ countries to discuss on 430 papers, participate to 10 Urban conversations, 8 Special sessions, 9 high-level Keynotes in plenary sessions, attend to 6 awards, and mobilize 18 young planners and 13 high-level professionals on placemaking charette for the City of Siena.

Thanks to UN-Habitat (Ana Claudia Rosenbach and Michal Mlynár) and UNESCO (Jyoti Hosagahar) the Congress was positioned with key international agencies for planners. The large experience in the preservation of historical centers is source of innovation that inspires urban regeneration based on circular economy, a critical contemporary challenge that drives the new planning paradigm moving from the old fashion “city of speed” to the contemporary “city of proximity” (Carlos Moreno’s 15 minutes city). The new approach in heritage conservation (Jad Tabet) refers to the Historic Urban Landscape Recommendation of UNESCO (2011), a holistic approach based on the city and regional planners’ approach. Several initiatives from UNESCO World Heritage Center (Jyoti Hosagrahar) provide a global framework to share experience and give easy access to innovative experiences on historical centers. Inclusiveness is central in city and regional planning and critical for resilience (Orna Rosenfeld) to face contemporary challenges. Revitalization of cities and towns is critical to reduce the Carbon print of cities. And like a story can change a city, film making is a way to change city planning (Chris Elisara). Starchitects (Massimiliano Fuksas) can play a guiding role to make cities more resilient.  

Our partners for the ISOCARP’s 60th World Planning Congress Diamond Anniversary Series