Advisory Note in the Response to the Coronavirus Situation

Update on the 56th ISOCARP World Planning Congress

Published 19 August 2020

In view of the substantial uncertainties brought about by the current pandemic, the restrictions to international mobility which are likely to remain in place in the near future, and the ongoing risks associated with the safety and feasibility of holding large events, the ISOCARP World Planning Congress Committee and the Local Organising Committee agreed to postpone the Congress in Doha, Qatar to 8-11 November 2021. A range of virtual events will replace this year's traditional Congress format and lead to an ongoing exchange over the year, starting with online events between 8-10 November this year. The Congress Committee is working on the necessary arrangements to structure and program these activities. Please wait for further announcements regarding final submission deadlines and programme schedule. We continuously update the website with more information as we transition into online format. Should you have any concerns, please contact us at congress@isocarp.org. Thank you. 

On behalf of the Organisers of the 2020 ISOCARP World Planning Congress 

Neeanne Balamiento, ISOCARP Congress Director
Frank D'hondt, ISOCARP Secretary General
Martin Dubbeling, ISOCARP President

56th ISOCARP World Planning Congress Abstract Submission Deadline Extended until 15 May

Published 28 April 2020


The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) remains determined and hopeful that our 56th ISOCARP World Planning Congress will take place as planned from 8 to 12 November, in downtown Doha, Qatar. We hope you have marked the event high in your calendar and will contribute with a paper or case study presentation. Abstract submission has been extended until Friday, 15 May 2020 (10:00 PM UTC)

In addition to the paper and case study presentation, you may also submit session proposals within the defined tracks or organise standalone special sessions - as explained in communication and on the Congress website. 

As the pandemic health crises will need time and wisdom to overcome, the Doha Congress will wholeheartedly factor in the Post-Covid-19 planning scope into the initial Post-Oil scope. Hence, papers, case studies and special sessions focused on the pandemic challenges and opportunities are warmly welcome. More details will follow later.

Be assured that the health and safety of in-person Congress participants remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor the pandemic situation and follow recommendations and guidelines issued by global and local health authorities. 

Please submit your abstract via the Congress online platform. For more information about the Congress, please visit our website and follow the ISOCARP Facebook Page

For any questions or concerns, please contact us at congress@isocarp.org.

On behalf of the Organisers of the 2020 ISOCARP World Planning Congress

Neeanne Balamiento, ISOCARP Congress Director
Frank D'hondt, ISOCARP Secretary General
Mubarak Al-Naimi, Local Organising Committee Team Leader

Advisory Note in the Response to the Coronavirus Situation

Published 23 March 2020


In response to the 2019-Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has created uncertainty in the staging of various events around the world, the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) together with our partner and hosting organisation, the Qatari Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), would like to provide you with an update regarding the '56th ISOCARP World Planning Congress' scheduled for 8-12 November 2020 to take place in Doha, Qatar. 

The safety and well-being of our members, delegates, partners and sponsors as well as our staff are our utmost priority. Considering that this is an exceptional public health situation that is rapidly evolving, we feel that it is our duty to share with the members and partners our approach and contingency planning for the 2020 Congress. 

The 2020 ISOCARP Congress will proceed as scheduled. 
Whereas the coronavirus situation is changing every day, there are currently no plans to cancel or postpone the Congress format unless the global situation should require so. We remain vigilant and mindful of our responsibilities, working actively with our local partner to closely monitor the situation and ensure that appropriate precautionary measures are planned for to safeguard the health of our participants.

We are truly grateful for the ongoing support of our members and partners at this time and we have not experienced any substantial impacts so far. Therefore, we request and strongly encourage you to submit your abstracts on or before 24 April 2020. All accepted abstracts of authors who will register for the Congress will be published in the Proceedings

We will publish updates on a regular basis and provide more information about logistical matters here and on isocarp.org. For updates on the current guidelines and measures in Qatar, you may visit the website of the Ministry of Public Health

Please feel free to contact us at congress@isocarp.org should you have any questions or concerns. We will do our best to address them promptly.

On behalf of the Organisers of the 2020 ISOCARP World Planning Congress 

Neeanne Balamiento, ISOCARP Congress Director
Frank D'hondt, ISOCARP Secretary General
Martin Dubbeling, ISOCARP President

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