Congress Tracks

ISOCARP members and other planning practitioners and researchers will be invited to submit abstracts of conference papers with overall focus on the conference theme “Planning New Regenerative Cities”, with following indicative main and sub-themes or -tracks:  

Track 1: New City Planning & Development: Navigating the Future

With the projection of rapid increase in urban population, the direction will be expansion of cities thus metropolitan management will be key to sustainability.   One of the major challenges will be how cities will work, collaborate and coordinate with each other to ensure that creative financing strategies, land management, infrastructure finance, and incentive policies are implemented amidst converging challenged of climate change, technological disruptions and demographic shiftsThis track explores papers and presentations that highlight cases of strong collaboration between different cities and municipalities, and enabling  private sector strategic investments and have demonstrated effective metropolitan action. Some examples that can be taken as lessons that other cities and metropolises can emulate and replicate.  

Track 2: Brownfield urban planning & development: Vibrant New City Density

The changes in urban property trends due to the COVID-19 pandemic and decarbonization strategy will be crucial. Making more energy-efficient infrastructures and sustainable buildings is the critical agenda for new cities. Is high-rise city development still relevant to new township planning? Is Neutral Carbon City manageable? And how can seamless integration of new and existing cities be achieved? These are the rising questions for this track.  

Track 3: Climate adaptive and resilient (new) cities:  Advancing Adaptive Resource Reutilization

Planning new cities with nature is mandatory and urgent. Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s commitment is a testament to this urgency. Beside Nature-based Solutions, circular/regenerative energy and waste are hot topics. Food security, Human security (potential displaced people), recycling-waste, etc. can be other key issues in this track.    

Track 4: New cities and digital economy: Smart Circular Cities and Neighbourhoods

The digital economy may be the backbone of new city development due to expansive digital infrastructures and the new dominance of Generation Z, who are more exposed to and comfortable with digital technologies. This generation, having grown up in a digital world, is driving demand for high-tech jobs and services. As a result, cities in the near future will likely focus on fostering industries linked to cybersecurity, e-commerce, software development, gig economy, etc. Planners should be aware of the shifts in commercial and residential trends, especially when planning new cities and communities. New land uses and urban planning instruments should be designed. 

At the same time, the realities of climate change require an accelerated shift towards resilient communities. Such a shift is characterized by the efficient use of resources. Thus, an urban fabric and spatial logic which encourage and support circular economies are important for developing climate smart and sustainable cities.  

In addressing the twin green and digital revolution, urban planners can expect a significant shift in their profession to involve tech-driven positions. Roles that explore using Artificial Intelligence, big data analysis, blockchain and machine learning and other new and emerging technologies to provide solutions for communities’ needs will be in high demand. However, technology is not a panacea and planners must be strategic in its use. Tech-driven approaches must be balanced with more traditional tools to promote economically vibrant, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly cities.  

With some of these conditions and needs described for future cities, urban planners must harness the power of data today, to create more efficient, sustainable, and livable urban spaces in the near future. Cities and Communities will be intrinsically linked to an interconnected network of digital systems (Smart & Circular Cities and Neighbourhoods), where planners have the power to leverage the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced data analytics to optimize everything from traffic management to energy consumption, waste management, and public safety. Digital tools will enable planners to simulate and model urban development scenarios, allowing for better decision-making and more responsive city and regional planning. 

Track 5: Culturally rooted and inclusive healthy new cities & towns: Sense of New Place

One strategy is to bring everyone closer together into the new city planning. Culturally rooted wellbeing and livability can be considered as the key performance indicators for new cities. Making more people healthier with the new structure of cities (more sports and health-fitness facilities, promoting active and non-motorised mobility, and adequate open space and nature) is an urgent agenda for new towns.