Riyadh: Under the patronage of Mayor of Riyadh Region Prince Dr. Faisal bin Ayyaf, an official signing ceremony took place in Riyadh, marking an agreement between Riyadh Region Municipality and the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) to host the 61st ISOCARP World Planning Congress.
According to Saudi Press Agency, ISOCARP, a global association of professional planners, aims to promote sustainable and innovative urban development. The signing event saw ISOCARP represented by President Elisabeth Belpaire, Secretary General Frank D'hondt, and Treasurer Markus Appenzeller, and officially designates Riyadh as the host city for this prestigious international event scheduled from December 1 to 4, 2025.
The agreement highlights Riyadh's achievements in urban development and aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes the creation of efficient cities with sustainable living environments. The Congress will focus on urban transformation in Riyadh and its ambition to become a leading global city in smart and sustainable development.
Deputy Mayor of Riyadh Municipality for Urban Development Eng. Hussain Al-Sudairi stated that hosting the Congress signifies the culmination of Riyadh's growing involvement in international urban planning forums. The municipality aims to strengthen global partnerships and leverage international expertise in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The Congress, themed 'Cities and Regions in Action,' will analyze and identify new pathways in urban planning to improve citizens' quality of life amidst today's complex global challenges. It will serve as a platform to build resilience and explore innovative development models for adaptable cities, reflecting on new planning approaches suited for a rapidly changing world.
The event presents an opportunity to enhance urban planning and leverage Riyadh's growing global stature. It will showcase the city's progress as a model for managing population growth and implementing innovative urban solutions. ISOCARP, a network of over 700 experts from more than 90 countries, facilitates expertise exchange in regional and urban planning.
The Congress has been held annually since 1965 in cities exemplifying cutting-edge urban practices, including Toronto, Brussels, Doha, Jakarta, Rotterdam, Durban, Portland (USA), and Norway. Recent editions took place in Siena, Italy, and New Clark City, the Philippines, in 2024.
Hosting the ISOCARP Congress aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which envisions Riyadh as a sustainable global city, showcasing the municipality's commitment to knowledge exchange and promoting Riyadh's urban journey as a regional model. The gathering provides a platform to learn from leading urban planning practices, elevate Riyadh's standing, and explore solutions to challenges like rapid urban expansion and climate change.
ISOCARP's activities focus on emerging urbanism trends, including revitalizing neglected spaces and integrating digital technologies into planning. Accompanying the main sessions are enrichment events like the Young Planning Professionals Program, Masterclasses, capacity-building workshops, and site visits to Riyadh's landmark projects.
Urban planners, academics, practitioners, and public officials are invited to participate in this global gathering to share strategies for sustainable urban futures. ISOCARP also seeks strategic partnerships from Middle Eastern stakeholders to advance innovative urban development goals.
Learn more about ISOCARP's mission and objectives: https://isocarp.org/mission-objectives/.