ISOCARP Congress Concludes in Riyadh, Municipality Gains Official Membership

The 61st International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) World Planning Congress concluded yesterday in Riyadh with the announcement of Riyadh Region Municipality's official membership in ISOCARP, following days of sessions and workshops that gathered experts, planners, and academics from over 50 countries.

 Riyadh Region Municipality Assistant Deputy Mayor of Urban Planning Saleh Al-Saif noted that the discussions addressed contemporary challenges, including urban, economic, digital, and climate-related issues, emphasizing that the rich professional content and proposals will be translated into modernization policies and projects globally.

 ISOCARP President Elisabeth Belpaire described the event as "exceptional," noting the record attendance of over 1,200 participants and an unprecedented level of generational participation, especially among young planners, reflecting the Kingdom's ambitious spirit.

 The congress also coincided with the launch of the new Young Planning Professionals (YPP) initiative, which aims to empower the next generation to shape future urban development trends.