The Riyadh Region Municipality announced that the 61st World Planning Congress “ISOCARP”  (ISOCARP), which the Municipality will host from 1 to 4 December 2025, has accepted 545 scientific papers out of 719 submissions for participation in the congress’s sessions and specialized tracks — a record-breaking figure in the organization’s 60-year history.

This unprecedented number reflects the global research community’s strong interest in the congress and highlights its growing status as a leading platform that brings together experts, planners, and researchers from around the world to discuss emerging trends in urban and regional planning and to showcase international experiences that contribute to building more efficient and sustainable cities.

The accepted papers cover a wide range of topics addressing the realities and challenges of contemporary cities, including climate resilience, digital transformation, population growth management, development of critical infrastructure, inclusive governance, quality of life, and data-driven and AI-powered planning models. The papers also explore new pathways for urban development and the evolving needs of cities amid economic, social, and technological changes.

The papers will be presented in plenary sessions, key tracks, and workshops, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange among specialists, decision-makers, and city leaders, and for building intellectual bridges that enhance global urban planning capabilities and advance professional practices. The contributions also serve as a platform to showcase innovative research and introduce new insights into the future of cities.

Riyadh Municipality looks forward to benefiting from the congress’s scientific outputs and applying relevant insights to support ongoing urban development programs in the capital, reinforcing its efforts to improve quality of life and develop sustainable and resilient urban environments that align with its vision of building a thriving city that meets the aspirations of its residents.