A Global Urban Summit Exploring Resilience, Quality of Life, and the Future of Cities

Riyadh – BETH
30 November 2025

The Riyadh Municipality will host tomorrow (Monday) the 61st World Planning Congress (ISOCARP) in the Saudi capital, in partnership with the International Society of City and Regional Planners. The congress runs from 1–4 December 2025 under the theme:

“Cities and Regions in Motion: Planning Pathways Toward Resilience and Quality of Life.”

The event highlights Riyadh’s growing global stature as an emerging hub for urban innovation and a leading platform for international dialogue on the future of cities—fully aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambition to build thriving, efficient, and future-ready urban environments.

Riyadh… A Global Laboratory for Urban Transformation

The congress provides an important platform to strengthen international partnerships among planners, city leaders, and global experts. It also showcases Riyadh’s efforts in developing modern urban environments that enhance quality of life, improve infrastructure efficiency, and rely on data-driven and technology-enabled planning models.

This year’s discussions span a wide spectrum of urban topics, including:

Climate resilience

Digital transformation

Inclusive governance

Urban equity

Quality of life

Managing population growth and natural resources

Developing critical infrastructure

Data-driven planning and artificial intelligence

New sustainability pathways for urban development

A Rich Program: Ministerial Sessions, Technical Workshops, and Field Tours

The congress features a diverse program that includes:

High-level plenary sessions with ministers, mayors, and leaders of global organizations

Interactive workshops with senior planners, engineers, and international experts

Specialized masterclasses

Field visits across Riyadh showcasing major transformations in:

Urban design

Population growth management

Public space development

Housing

Transportation

Infrastructure modernization

Empowering the Next Generation of Planners

The congress will also launch several new initiatives, most notably the Young Planners Initiative, which invites emerging professionals to shape their visions for the future of cities.

In addition, high-level political dialogues will bring together city leaders and policymakers to outline new directions for sustainable urban development.

The 2025 edition coincides with the 60th anniversary of the International Society of City and Regional Planners, marking six decades of global influence in advancing urban planning practices.

Riyadh’s Urban Ambition: A Path to Global Leadership

Hosting this major global event affirms Riyadh’s position as one of the region’s leading centers for urban planning and development. It reflects the capital’s rapid transformation and its aspiration to become a world-class city in:

Urban design

Sustainable planning

Growth management

Development of integrated living environments

Enhancing quality of life

—all while capitalizing on Riyadh’s strategic regional and global role.