World Town Planning Day 2009

27-Apr-10

Diamond Anniversary of World Town Planning Day
Buenos Aires 1949 – 2009 London

World Town Planning Day (WTPD) was founded in 1949 in Argentina by the late Professor Carlos Maria della Paolera. ‘A special day to recognise and promote the role of planning in creating liveable communities’. Sixty years on it was celebrated globally, notably at linked events in Buenos Aires ( Dia Mundial de Urbanismo 8th – 9th November) and following on in London. On Tuesday 10th November Portcullis House Westminster was the venue for the UK launch of ‘Planning Sustainable Cities’. In the evening RTPI London hosted a WTPD seminar at Canning House, the Latin American think tank located in Belgrave Square alongside the Argentine Residence.

In a greeting to London planners Claude della Paolera, Presidente Asociacion Amigoes de la Ciudad Buenos Aires (and son of the founder of WTPD) paid tribute to the early support for WTPD extended by British planners Sir Frederic Osborn and Thomas Sharp. In 1949 London member Tony Rouse had been studying architecture at the University of Buenos Aires. Speaking at Canning House sixty years later he was able to offer a rare contribution.

Following the lead set by WTPD ‘Heritage’, ‘Earth’ and other days have entered the global calendar. ‘Environment Day’ - 5th June dates from 1972 (Stockholm) and last year it was celebrated by RTPI London in association with the New Zealand and Australian Planning Institutes. They very kindly lent support for WTPD 2009, joining with Argentine professionals, representatives of ISOCARP and the Commonwealth Association of Planners. Other insights were contributed from Canadian, African, Middle East and Afghan perspectives.

The venue, location and speakers made for an unique RTPI London diamond anniversary event. The pioneering concepts of WTPD would seem to offer continued inspiration for the future. The last twelve months have seen ‘Green Britain Day’ - 10th July and ‘Nelson Mandela Day’ -18th July, two new days that focus on areas of planner expertise within the built environment and communities.

Lester Hillman
29th December 2009