Planning’s Future - Futures Planning: Planning in an Era of Global (Un)Certainty and Transformation

The Third World Planning Schools Congress 2011 4-8 july 2011 perth convention exhibition centre Perth, western australia WPSC 2011 host organization, The University of Western Australia, is one of Australia’s premier universities with an international reputation for excellence, innovation and enterprise. As well, the Congress will benefit from the involvement of planning schools across the Australian and New Zealand Association of Planning Schools (ANZAPS) region and planners from State and Local governments and private enterprises across Perth. The last decade was marked by the Global Financial Crisis, the decade ahead will no doubt offer planning a raft of new challenges but it also presents planners – academic and professionals – an opportunity to highlight the role of planning in ameliorating these challenges. WPSC 2011 will showcase contemporary and innovative research and thinking about the future of planning and the role of planning in dealing with future challenges in developed and developing nations. We look forward to welcoming the best planning scholars to Perth, Western Australia in July 2011. With policy makers globally bracing themselves for the wide-ranging ramifications of climate change, future population growth and social diversity, amongst other concerns, urban and regional planning issues are being given unprecedented attention by Governments worldwide. In such a climate, the hosting by The University of Western Australia of the third World Planning-Schools Congress (WPSC) in Perth, Western Australia from 4-8 July 2011 is destined to attract up to 1,000 of the world’s finest planning scholars, researchers and students from across the nine planning education regions that make up the Global Planning Education Association Network (GPEAN). In addition, WPSC 2011 will be seeking to involve professional planning practitioners in innovative ways so as to bridge the so-called ‘gap’ in planning theory and practice. In summary, this should pave the way for a dynamic and engaging exchange of ideas on the 10th anniversary of the WPSC’s first meeting in Shanghai back in 2001. The 2011 WPSC – which centres on the theme “Planning’s Future - Futures Planning: Planning in an Era of Global (Un)Certainty and Transformation” – is being held in one of the globe’s most isolated capital cities, and, as one of Australia’s fastest growing capital cities, the greater Perth metropolitan area serves as an ideal case study. To capitalize on this, a number of field visits will be conducted to explore the environmental, social, economic and physical planning opportunities and challenges presented by the metropolitan area and its surrounds. On top of the learning opportunities on offer, Western Australia boasts stunning beaches set amongst kilometres of breathtaking, untouched coastline, majestic oldgrowth Karri forests, one of the world’s largest fringing reefs and vast, rugged open spaces. And, at any time of year, there is always a chance to escape on an exotic, sun-soaked getaway. WPSC 2011 seeks to bring planning educators and researchers together along with planning policy makers and other practioners to discuss future challenges and opportunities. A Congress not to be missed. In my role as Chair for WPSC 2011 and on behalf of The University of Western Australia and my colleagues from ANZAPS we all look forward to welcoming you to Perth from 4-8 July 2011. Visit the official site: www.wpsc2011.com.au