Riyadh joins ISOCARP and concludes the 2024 City Planners Conference
The Saudi capital, Riyadh, concluded yesterday the 61st session of the International Council of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), in an exceptional event that culminated in the official announcement of the Riyadh Municipality's membership in this prestigious international organization. This achievement reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading global center in urban planning and sustainable development.
A global event with a Saudi flavor
The conference, organized by the Riyadh Municipality in cooperation with the International Association of Urban and Regional Planners, witnessed broad participation, with over 1,200 experts, planners, and academics from more than 50 countries worldwide. Over the course of the conference, participants discussed the future of urban planning and the challenges facing contemporary cities in light of the rapid transformations the world is experiencing.
This event is particularly significant given its timing and location; Riyadh is experiencing an unprecedented urban renaissance as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which prioritizes quality of life and the humanization of cities. Riyadh's hosting of this event at the King Abdulaziz Historical Center is a symbolic gesture, blending the authenticity of heritage with a vision for the future.
Strategic dimensions and international affiliation
The Riyadh Municipality's membership in the International Council on Carpentry and Development (ISOCARP) is a strategic step that opens up broad horizons for the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise. Founded in 1965, ISOCARP is a global network of leading professional planners, and joining it aims to enhance Riyadh's presence in international planning forums and benefit from global best practices in developing infrastructure and public spaces.
In this context, Saleh Al-Saif, Assistant Undersecretary for Urban Planning at the Riyadh Municipality, affirmed that the fruitful discussions held by the council will translate into practical initiatives and programs. He noted that the challenges addressed included urban, economic, digital, and climate issues, in addition to the role of data and artificial intelligence in improving quality of life.
Youth empowerment and the future of planning
The council meeting coincided with the launch of a new version of the “YPP – Youth Planners” initiative, a step reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering the next generation of planners. This initiative provides young people with a creative platform to present their future visions and contribute to shaping urban development trends, ensuring the sustainability of planning solutions and the transmission of expertise.
International praise for the organization
For her part, the President of the International Organization of Urban and Regional Planners, Elizabeth Belbayer, praised the event's impressive organizational level, describing it as exceptional in terms of the number of attendees and the diversity of participants. She affirmed that Riyadh provided an inspiring environment that blends innovation and heritage, noting that cooperation with the Riyadh Municipality will continue beyond the conference to transform its outcomes into tangible projects that serve both people and the city.
The conference concluded by emphasizing that its outputs will represent a knowledge legacy that will be preserved electronically for the benefit of decision-makers and planners around the world, thus consolidating Riyadh’s role as an international platform for shaping the future of cities.
