RTPI champions planning and partnership approaches at World Urban Forum

Central to the RTPI's contribution to the World Urban Forum (WUF13) was the message that the challenges facing our communities cannot be solved alone. Discussions reinforced the importance of working collaboratively to create more sustainable and inclusive places for all.

Bringing together over 52,000 delegates from 176 countries, WUF13 connected governments, professionals, academics, and civil society to address the urgent issues shaping our cities and communities. This year’s theme, “Housing the world: safe and resilient cities and communities”, provided a powerful platform to share ideas, shape policy, and advance solutions to the growing global housing crisis and deliver more equitable and climate resilient development. 

A call for urgent action

Discussions throughout the forum emphasised the need to rethink housing beyond simply building homes, with. delegates calling for a more holistic approach that links housing with land, infrastructure, transport, services, and economic opportunity. There was optimism around the power of collaboration and agreement that lasting change will depend on integrated, climate resilient planning and stronger partnerships.

RTPI at the forefront of global advocacy 

Led by Vice President Samer Bagaeen FRTPI, the RTPI played a prominent role in championing the planning profession as a central part of the solution to global challenges. Along with Director for International Mark Hand MRTPI, and International Manager Béatrice Crabb MRTPI — the RTPI delegation played an active role in 15 events, alongside coordinating the Global Planners Network presence and engaging extensively with stakeholders.

Dedicated members of the RTPI also joined the team, including the Immediate Past President Helen Fadipe MBE FRTPI, the Young Planners Trustee, Dr. Simeon Shtebunaev MRTPI and International Committee member Olafiyin Taiwo FRTPI, demonstrating the commitment of the RTPI community to advancing the profession on the global stage. 

Bringing together the global planning community 

A highlight of the event was the RTPI’s leadership in coordinating a collaborative exhibition booth under the Global Planners Network, bringing together national and international planning organisations including the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP)  together with the American Planning Association (APA),  National Institute of Urban Planning (INU),  the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), City Space Architecture (CSA), and the Global Planning Education Association Network (GPEAN). This provided a strong, unified platform to promote the value of planning throughout the six-day forum. 

Showcasing UK expertise and innovation 

The RTPI was also an active partner in the UK Pavilion, contributing to five events focused on practical solutions and partnership working. These sessions provided an opportunity to showcase key RTPI resources, including our Futureproof New Towns research and the joint RTPI/TCPA guide Planning for the Climate Crisis: A guide for local authorities 

Supporting planning capacity and advocating for planning-led solutions 

In addition, the RTPI supported a capacity-building training session, reinforcing the importance of strengthening planning skills and knowledge. The institute also collaborated on further events alongside international partners, broadening its impact across the programme. This included: 

• Chairing a Global Planners Network event discussing the role of the planning community, challenges and opportunities for the future, 

• Contributing to a dialogue on intergenerational housing and the role of urban systems in delivering flexible and adequate homes as part of a holistic planning led approach to development  
  
  
• Contributing to a dialogue on a proposed International Landscape Convention is arguing is an essential infrastructure and part of system thinking approach together with planning.  As the real challenge in cities and city-regions is not simply delivering more homes, but delivering places that are liveable, resilient, healthy and socially coherent. 
  
  
• Speaking at the launch of a Habitat Professional Forum Framework for transformative recovery from disasters. 

Influencing global discussions 

At the UN-Habitat Local and Regional Governments Roundtable, Vice President Samer Bagaeen emphasised the importance of equity-focused and integrated planning systems. He highlighted that addressing the housing crisis is not simply about increasing supply, but about delivering the right development in the right places. 

Crucially, he stressed that: “The fundamental question is not just how many homes we build, but what kind of cities and communities we want to create” and that “while planning systems alone cannot eliminate inequality, without equitable planning systems, inequalities risk becoming entrenched”. 

RTPI further contributed to the Professionals Roundtable, calling for planning to be properly resourced and for the profession to receive the recognition it deserves globally. 

A shared sense of responsibility and hope 

Despite the scale of the challenges facing cities worldwide, WUF13 was marked by a strong sense of collective responsibility and hope. Many innovative solutions are already being implemented across the globe, offering practical examples of what can be achieved through collaboration and forward-thinking planning. 

RTPI members continue to play a vital role in these efforts, often leading innovation and applying their expertise to deliver better, more inclusive outcomes for communities. 

Looking ahead 

Through its International Strategy, the RTPI is committed to promoting the value of planning as a key driver of a prosperous, fair, sustainable and peaceful world, aligned with global commitments on climate change and sustainable development. 

To stay updated on RTPI’s international work and global engagement, follow the RTPI International LinkedIn page.