The 58th ISOCARP World Planning Congress, hosted by the Brussels-Capital Region, will bring us together in Brussels for in-person knowledge-sharing and discussion forums, including inspirational Plenary Sessions and Keynotes, Track Sessions with Paper and Case Study Presentations, crosscutting and inclusive Special Sessions and Roundtables, and Workshops and mobile Walkshops in and around Brussels that will allow participants to experience and engage with the local community. While the Congress will feature primarily live and in-person presentations celebrating the connection and networking that is at the heart of ISOCARP Congresses, a two-day Virtual Programme will allow for virtual participation only.
58th World Congress Theme: From Wealthy to Healthy Cities
Focusing on a paradigm shift and necessity for action, ISOCARP and the Brussels-Capital Region welcome city-regions in the Global South and North to come together at the 58th ISOCARP World Planning Congress to explore a new planning agenda for urban health, socio-spatial justice and a new definition of climate resilience, and to advocate for transformative action based on equitable, resilient, and inclusive planning for the well-being of our societies. Read the General Rapporteur's Congress Announcement.
** This is a TENTATIVE Congress Programme and not the final one. Programme structure will be finalized in the coming period.
The Congress Tracks
The four Congress Tracks - Healthy People, Healthy Planet, Healthy Governance, and Healthy Economy - will be explored as the driving forces in a holistic approach to planning that can bring us closer to an economy that is socially, spatially and ecologically just.
 | Focusing on the well-being of all segments of society, Track 1 will explore place-based and socio-spatial planning, and the elements of community such as slow and local food, preventive health and behavior, and the impact of the physical environment on physical and mental health, such as the 15' city, 45' city-regions, housing as the building block of living, and quality public spaces. It will look at approaches for inclusive planning that meets the needs of diverse populations over a lifespan, including children, women, people with disabilities, aging citizens, immigrant and refugees to achieve the well-being of societies. |
 | Track 2 will rethink what a sustainable and resilient planet is, looking at both qualitative and quantitative measures of long-term sustainability and resilience that takes social, regional and intergenerational equity into account. The climate emergency and new reality of pandemics mandates action, and planning that embraces nature-based solutions, climate adaptation and mitigation, de-carbonisation of city-regions, bio-diversity and integration of natural and urban systems, and urban metabolism. |
 | Track 3 explores holistic approaches to urban planning, policy, and governance, that embrace innovative strategies for integrating public health and spatial and community planning. How can data, indicators, and planning methodologies be leveraged to scale up pandemic resilience and citizen well-being, and ensure socio-spatial justice? |
 | At the heart of the Congress Theme, Track 4 explores the ultimate paradigm shift needed to transition from growth-based development, to place-based and circular economies. Looking at what "from wealthy to healthy" means will explore de-growth, cultural and creative economies, localization and local resources-based economies. |