Start Date : 23 Sept 07   End Date : 26 Sept 07 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark, May 23, 2007

2007 marks a pivotal year for cities and world population. We have crossed over into an urban era where 51% of the world’s population now lives in cities. A century ago, the percentages were 10% urban, 90% rural. At the current rate of movement the prognosis is 60 % urban, 40 % rural by the year 2030.

Is the world turning into a single endless megacity? The “Futures of Cities” is the essential question behind and theme of the International Federation of Housing and Planning’s 51st IFHP World Congress in Copenhagen, September 23-26, 2007.

All indicators tell us that the number of cities is on the rise. The surge of megacities and the urban world at large can be seen as a huge problem or as a positive potential. It is a matter of making the best of our urban world. It is a matter of altering our perception of cities – from bad and black – to glad and green. It is a matter of embracing cities and optimizing them for the future. It is a matter of implementing sustainable planning, building, housing and spatial solutions.

“The future is multifaceted and so are cities. There is no single specific scenario true to all cities. The challenges and potential solutions differ greatly from one city to the next. This is what we want to address,” says “Futures of Cities” Project Manager Regitze Marianne Hess.

The world congress has already enlisted some of the world’s leading figures within their respective fields including the architects Rem Koolhaas, Ken Yeang and Jan Gehl, along with Richard Burdett, LSE Professor Centennial in Architecture and Urbanism, and Peter Newman Professor of City Policy. In addition, the Danish Minister for the Environment Connie Hedegaard and Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Ritt Bjerregaard along with Klaus Bondam, Mayor of Technical and Environmental Affairs, will speak at the congress.

The congress is highlighting the topics of sustainable planning solutions, best building practices, housing the urban population and urban quality. Among many other relevant issues, the congress will address: the surge in growth of the world’s megacities; the bridging of urban regions; the formation of urban corridors and problems of shrinking cities; the challenges of large-scale projects; green building technologies and construction of urban identity; housing in relation to welfare, market and state; affordable housing; high density living and the inhabitation of high-rises; urban liveability, healthy cities, mobility in the public realm, urban ecology, art, tourism and what constitutes urban quality and how it relates to urban life.

An expected 700 policymakers, practitioners, researchers and students from more than 40 countries will come together in Denmark’s exciting capital of Copenhagen, for a trilogy of events: 51st IFHP World Congress, IFHP 2007 Student Congress; and the IFHP Ranko Radoviã - Student Competition.

Will the world turn into one megacity? “The Futures of Cities” is the forum where 700 people will exchange knowledge and insight and voice opinions and ideas. Come listen to what they have to say and join in the debate in Copenhagen, September 23-26, 2007.

Regitze Marianne Hess
Project Manager, IFHP 2007 Copenhagen
T: +45 32 88 52 41
E: info@ifhp2007copenhagen.dk