Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILIPPINES TO HOST ISOCARP INTERNATIONAL PLANNING CONGRESS IN 2024
2023-10-20
Ms. Haydee Jacklyn Malubay giving her remarks after ISOCARP President Pietro Elisei (left) announced the selection of the Philippines as host of the next Congress,
13 October 2023, Toronto – The Philippines was selected to host the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) Planning Congress in 2024. This was announced during the handover and closing ceremony of the 59th ISOCARP World Planning Congress in Toronto on 13 October 2023.
Urban and environmental planner Haydee Jacklyn Quintana Malubay, who is a member of ISOCARP, represented the Philippines during the Congress and was the prime mover of the bid.
Earlier this year, Ms. Malubay submitted a unique proposal for the hosting of the Congress with the theme of “Adaptive Reutilization,” which involves repurposing unused or underutilized structures. The proposal showcases New Clark City, which is located in the towns of Bamban and Capas in Tarlac, for this planning principle. The bid to host the Congress was supported by the provincial government of Tarlac and the Central Luzon Regional Development Council led by Governor Susan A. Yap along with other groups in the Philippines.
“We have very unique and interesting planning challenges given our geology and geography – being in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the typhoon belt. Our resilience adds to the beauty of our country and the warmth of our people. As our Champion for the bid, Governor Yap is fully committed to this exciting initiative, cognizant of the value and the momentum it will generate, not only for her region and our country, but for the eastern part of the world, and the global south,” Ms. Malubay said during her remarks.
Shortlisted for the hosting of the Congress in 2024 along with New Clark City, Philippines were Cairo, Egypt; Sienna, Italy; Suwon, South Korea; and Ondo, Nigeria.
ISOCARP is based in The Hague, The Netherlands and has international institutional and individual membership coming from more than 90 countries. Its annual Congress, which is held in a different city every year, addresses vital topics in the field of city and regional planning such as urban regeneration, planning for land and water, creative economy and low carbon cities. END