This year, the 73rd World Town Planning Day falls during COP27. To mark the day the Global Planners Network has released a statement calling for nations and cities to urgently deliver inclusive and ambitious climate measures and support a just transition to net zero climate resilience.
Every person and community in the world today is threatened by a deepening climate and biodiversity crisis compounded by conflicts and Covid-19. Our statement calls for urgent action to stop any further irreversible degradation of the natural world and adverse impact on communities globally before the window for action closes.
Planners around the world are ready and willing to help in responding to these challenges. Planning is needed to support communities to adapt, thrive and build resilience for a truly sustainable future.
It is the firm belief of the Global Planners Network that planners throughout the world have the unique skills, the talent, the desire, and the commitment to tackle the global crisis we now face. Planners stand ready to play their part to harness transformative changes for a better, fairer, more sustainable future.
Read the statement in full here
World Town Planning Day events
In addition to the publication of our statement we would also like to highlight some fantastic events hosting by planning organisations from around the world to mark the day. These include:
The American Planning Association
The American Planning Association invites planners, urban designers & placemakers to register for the APA World Town Planning Day 2022 virtual online conference. This year’s theme is: Think Global, Plan Local, and will take a look at the role of the Planning Profession as central to the implementation at the local level of the New Urban Agenda and UN-Habitat Sustainable Development Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The Canadian Institute of Planners
Since 2018, students and professionals across Canada have come together to present and discuss cutting-edge and emerging research topics in geography and planning. On the occasion of World Town Planning Day (November 8, 2022), the Canadian Institute of Planners will host an online planning student research symposium to gather, share, and learn from one another.
The Royal Town Planning Institute
On World Town Planning Day The RTPI will be hosting a webinar on Resilient Cities. This is free for members and £30 for non members. The webinar will discuss what Urban Resilience has meant for planning.
The Society of Urbanists of Peru (Spanish language event)
This year’s free event aims to unite urban planners and designers, as well as other professionals specialised in urban work and the general public, around the theme: ‘Advances in Urban Planning in the Post-Pandemic City’.
New Zealand Planning Institute
Local branches will be hosting events to commemorate World Town Planning Day. We encourage you to come together with your peers and celebrate how good planning improves the lives of people and benefits society at large. Our work has an impact on everyone so take the time to pause and reflect on the great work you do.
The Turkish Planning Association (Turkish language event)
This annual conference will be hosted by Eskişehir Metropolitan Municipality and will feature discussions on justice, nature, climate, space and society.
For more information click here
About World Town Planning Day
World Town Planning Day takes place every November 8th, bringing planners and communities together to celebrate how good planning improves the lives of people and benefits society at large, creating places to live, work and play. Argentinian professor Carlos María della Paolera started World Town Planning Day in Buenos Aires in 1949, and today, planners from over 30 countries celebrate the occasion with lectures, school competitions, fundraising, charity events, planning awards and street festivals.