Warm welcome to the 58^th ISOCARP World Planning Congress in Brussels, Belgium! 

Also this year 's congress puts forward a critically important theme that speaks to our challenging times. One that needs your and our collaborative out-of-the box thinking, critical reflection, learning and advancement. The exchange across borders, cultures, sectors, generations, genders, and experiences from South and North are much needed and the WPC offers this unique value. 

Cities and urban communities must be planned and managed in a healthier way to mitigate the compounded crises of pandemics, climate change and biodiversity loss. How can we enable both health and wellbeing of all citizens and our planet? What shift do we need in governance and economy? 

I look forward to our Congress to exchange innovative theories & practices to turn unsustainable spaces into healthy places. I invite you to join this promising congress journey, meet friends and make new connections. 

The world is coming to Brussels, a truly diverse and inspiring place to together go in search of a new and just planning agenda and to bring about healthy change and action.