Candidate Data Appearing in the Ballot

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I am a specialist in urban and regional planning, with a focus on environmental planning, sustainability, and sustainable tourism. My career spans eighteen years in urban planning at the Ministry of Municipalities and an academic path at King Saud University, where I have been a faculty member in the Urban Planning Department since 2000. I also managed the university’s first science park, supporting innovation and research. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from King Saud University in 1982 and completed my Master’s and PhD in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Florida in 1993 and 1995. I have held senior positions in the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, led the Urban Planning Department at King Saud University, and served as Project Manager and CEO for Riyadh Technology Valley. I also chaired the Saudi Society for Urban Sciences. I currently work as an associate professor at King Saud University.

Many reasons prompted me to nominate myself for the board elections of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), including:

1. The ISOCARP professional and academic reputation on a global scale.

2. The lack of participation and representation from our Arab region, the Middle East, and West Asia.

3. My academic and professional experience, having worked for 18 years at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs in several municipalities, and since 2000 at King Saud University in the Urban Planning Department, teaching male and female undergraduate and graduate students specialising in sustainable urban and regional planning. I also have research experience across many areas relevant to ISOCARP, including planning and sustainable development, urban management, smart cities, housing, and sustainable tourism.

4. If elected, backed by my background and my passion for serving the field of urban and regional planning and experience as the Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Society for Urban Sciences for more than six years, I will help to develop and suggest creative ideas for best practises and developing more programs and expand the geographical impact of ISOCARP globally and motivate and attract new members and subscribers to ISOCARP from our region, as well as increase communication, coordination and cooperation in several areas professionally and academically with ISOCARP and its various specialisations. Finally, I acknowledge the best practice criteria and the Code of Ethics.

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Distinguished members, my name is Funmilayo Tokunbo Modebola-Fadimine, a Nigerian from Sub-Saharan Africa. I am seeking your support for a seat on ISOCARP’s Board. I am an urban planner, environmentalist, and GIS specialist with over 15 years experience. As an urban planner with the Ondo State Government, I perform dual function: Deputy Director in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, and GIS Officer of EIB-Assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB). I am a Registered Town Planner (RTP)) and a member of several national and international professional organizations. I presently serve as the General Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Ondo State Chapter, Chair of the International Conferences and Linkages Committee, Secretary of the Advisory Council of NITP, South-West Coordinator of the NITP Presidential Greenery Committee and have served as National Financial Secretary of NITP. I am affiliated to the Geoinformation Society of Nigeria, African Planners Institute, International Metropolitan Fellowship, International Urban Professional Forum, and Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria.

I am an accredited training provider, Ondo State coordinator for Young Foundation Line for Social Development, and the Matron of the NITP Young Planners Forum, Ondo State Chapter.

I have served as a track team member in several ISOCARP congresses. My commitment to ISOCARP led to my engagement in the mobilisation of new members not only from Nigeria but other countries.

My vision for ISOCARP is to see a truly inclusive organisation where all members, regardless of their region, feel truly heard, represented and included. If elected, I will prioritise members' welfare, particularly affordability of all ISOCARP fees and ensure there is quality membership increase.

I will continue to uphold the values of ISOCARP and I am committed to assisting the leadership in realizing all set goals if given the opportunity.

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I stand for election to ISOCARP with a deep commitment to shaping a more just, healthy, and regenerative urban future. Based in Australia and originally from Germany, working in the so-called Global South (West Africa and Asia), my professional life has unfolded across continents, giving me a strong appreciation for the cultural, political, and ecological diversity that are pillars of our global planning community.

For more than two decades, I have worked at the intersection of urban design, public health, climate-responsive planning, and social impact strategies. I am currently teaching and researching in Urban Design and Town Planning at the University of the Sunshine Coast, where I lead research and teaching focused on urban well-being, informality, play and childhood development, spatial justice, and the transformation of public space. My career spans academia, government, NGOs, and industry—reflecting my belief that good planning solutions emerge from transdisciplinary cross-sector collaboration and collective intelligence.
I have held numerous international leadership roles on boards and advisory groups for organisations advancing children’s rights in cities, public space equity, and inclusive urban governance. These experiences have shaped my strategic orientation toward values-driven leadership, evidence-informed decision-making, and building cultures by nurturing conditions in which trust, accountability, and joy in shared purpose can grow.

My engagement with ISOCARP includes contributing to a range of activities, such as co-leading the Community of Practice Urban Health (including the Special Issue Journals with Cities & Health), knowledge exchange at global forums such as WUF, and co-organising tracks and special sessions in the ISOCARP congresses over the years. In addition, I’ve been advocating globally for planning on more-than-human wellbeing. I believe ISOCARP has a unique capacity to convene, inspire, and guide the next evolution of planning practice.

If elected, I will prioritise:

1. Advancing planetary and community health as core planning principles as part of ethical practice;
2. Strengthening global partnerships across disciplines, sectors, and regions to nurture an ecology for innovation;
3. Cultivating nurturing conditions for knowledge production, exchange and capacity building, especially for the emerging young talents within our community.
4. Championing regenerative, health-responsive, and culturally situated forms of urbanism that (re)turn to philosophy and critical inquiry as the professional standard for our century.

I seek to serve with humility, ambition, and a resolute commitment to the authenticity and public good.

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I am a Belgian urban and regional planner and professor at the University of Antwerp, where I teach in the Master’s program in Urbanism and Spatial Planning. Alongside academia, I work as a senior planner at OMGEVING, a design office that has been an ISOCARP Institutional Member for over 30 years.

Between 2013 and 2016, I served as ISOCARP Vice-President and Treasurer. This experience, combined with nearly 40 years of planning practice and academic engagement, motivates me to renew my commitment to the society. My priority is to strengthen governance through transparency and sound financial management, essential for sustainable decision-making and organizational resilience.

My involvement with ISOCARP spans multiple dimensions: co-leading Young Planning Professional workshops (Wroclaw 2017), leading Urban Planning Advisory Teams (Durban 2018), contributing to congresses worldwide, and helping organize the Antwerp Congress in 2007. Recently 2024, I joined the Health Scan Taskforce to address financial challenges facing ISOCARP.

Today, I combine professional practice with research and teaching, and I chair the Urban Spatial Planning Committee of Antwerp. This dual perspective—academic and applied—enables me to advocate for knowledge exchange and innovation within ISOCARP.

I believe in an ambitious, inclusive future for our society and would be honored to contribute as a board member.

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Since graduating from the Institute Technology of Bandung 24 years ago, I have held a professional career as an Indonesian urban and regional planner. Not only did I establish the urban planning consulting firm NUA and the urban knowledge centre Citieslab, but I have also been developing contemporary planning models as an academic at the University of Indonesia, especially after obtaining my doctoral degree at Universität Bonn, Germany, in 2015. My belief and dedication to this profession led me to serve as the President of IAP for two terms. From 21 provincial chapters and 2,500 members, IAP now has 34 provincial chapters and more than 4,000 members. I have also successfully initiated the forum of urban planning associations in Southeast Asia, which currently comprises six member countries.

I first crossed paths with ISOCARP when we pitched Jakarta–Bogor to host the 2019 Congress. We welcomed 700+ participants from 44 countries to Jakarta—the first ISOCARP Congress ever held in Southeast Asia. From a street-food night in the capital to a live demonstration of our region’s chaotic yet vital commuting patterns, we brought our uniqueness to the Society. Since then, I’ve become deeply embedded in ISOCARP, serving on the Scientific Committee and, in 2024, stepping up as General Rapporteur at the Manila Congress.

For me, ISOCARP keeps me current, challenges my assumptions, and serves as a meeting place where we can share our planning story with the world. And every Congress reminds me that I’m part of something much bigger. Those personal experiences that planners around the globe should have as well, and that would make ISOCARP more relevant to them. Besides Congress, my key priority areas if I am elected include young planning professional programs and the planning advisory team. Making ISOCARP happier, more meaningful, and more relevant to global discourse on urban development is what you can expect from me as an executive committee member if elected.

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I am Professor Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu, based in South Africa, currently serving as a National Planning commissioner, Alternate chair of South Africa Council or planner and senior editor for Journal of Climate Interaction, Tylor and Francis, UK. I have a longstanding dedication to ISOCARP. Over the years, I have actively contributed to the society’s growth, and I am eager to serve as a Board member to shape its future.

I hold a PhD in Town and Regional Planning and I am the first Black woman in South Africa to attain a full professorship in this field. My journey with ISOCARP began as a Young Planning Professional (YPP) at the 2016 Gdynia conference in Poland, which ignited my passion for international collaboration. I was also part of the local organizing committee for the 2016 Durban Congress, and a for chair local organising committee for YPP which attracted over 90 participants from 20 countries.

Since then, I have served as a Co-General Rapporteur for ISOCARP Congresses in Doha and the online conference during COVID-19, as well as a Track Rapporteur in Canada and Siena, Italy. I am a member of the scientific committee, a participated as a speaker at several Cyber Agora, a jury member for multiple awards, and co-editor of the upcoming ISOCARP Review Diamond Edition 2025. These roles have deepened my understanding of ISOCARP’s strengths and growth opportunities.

My vision for the Board is to foster greater inclusivity, regional representation, and capacity building particularly for young planners and underrepresented regions such as Africa, Asia, and North America. I am committed to creating opportunities for emerging professionals, promoting diversity of thought, and strengthening strategic partnerships. I believe that nurturing new talent whilst working with experienced professionals and amplifying underrepresented voices will position ISOCARP as a more dynamic and impactful organization, advancing sustainable, equitable cities worldwide.

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I am based in Australia, with professional roots in South Africa and long-standing collaboration across the Commonwealth, Europe, and the Pacific. This global experience deeply informs my approach to planning, leadership, and international cooperation.

Professional background:
Professionally, I bring 20+ years of professional planning experience, currently serving as Professor of Urban Planning and Associate Dean Research at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). I am professionally registered with SACPLAN (South African Council for Planning), a certified planner with the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), and a member of the South African Planning Institute. My work spans academia, practice, industry partnerships, and international advisory roles, with a focus on sustainable urbanism, climate resilience, and community development.

Current affiliation:
At UTS, I have held senior leadership roles including Head of School of Built Environment, Director of the Green Infrastructure Research Lab, and now Associate Dean (Research). My portfolio includes research strategy, governance, global partnerships, and capacity building across diverse disciplines.

Experience in professional bodies:
I currently serve as President of the Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), leading 40+ national planning institutes. I previously served as Treasurer of the Australasian Green Infrastructure Network (AGIN), and is part of the Commonwealth Sustainable Cities Initiative, working closely with UN-Habitat, the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Association of Architects, Commonwealth Engineering Council and Commonwealth Local Government Forum. These roles provide extensive experience in governance, global advocacy, and decision-making.

Previous engagement in ISOCARP activities:
I previously served as advisory member to the ISOCARP Board (2021-2022), was the inaugural Curator of the ISOCARP Cyber Agora, served on the ISOCARP Scientific Committee, and formed part of the Women in Planning Leadership Group. I have participated in ISOCARP Congress activities, and contributed to peer-review processes. These roles deepened my understanding of ISOCARP’s mission, membership, and global platforms for knowledge exchange.

Vision and key priorities for ISOCARP:
If elected to the Board, I would prioritise strengthening the international standing and influence of the planning profession, supporting ISOCARP’s leadership in climate-resilient and nature-positive planning, and deepening partnerships with global institutions to advance policy impact. Building on this, my academic background would enable me to contribute to ISOCARP’s knowledge base, research outputs, and publication opportunities, helping to position the Society as a leading source of global planning expertise.

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I wish to join the ISOCARP Board to strengthen the Society’s global leadership and to contribute a strategic Global South perspective grounded in institutional experience, international cooperation, and a strong commitment to sustainable urban development. With over 15 years of experience in planning, governance, and public policy, I have led major urban initiatives, including SDG localization, climate-resilient strategies, gender-responsive urban planning, and data-driven territorial management in complex metropolitan environments.

I have coordinated national and international collaborations that connected cities, ministries, global organizations, and planning institutions across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, particularly during my tenure as President of both IPPLAN (Fortaleza’s Planning Institute) and InREDE (the Brazilian Network of Planning Institutes). These roles strengthened my capacity for strategic decision-making, stakeholder engagement, transparent governance, and multilevel coordination — all central responsibilities of the ISOCARP Board.

My international engagement includes active collaboration with major city and planning networks such as AMIMP (Mexico), MTPA and FNAU (France), UCCLA and CPLP (Lusophone countries), MINURVI (the Latin American and Caribbean Forum on Housing and Habitat), SAPLAT (Argentina), and IBU (Bolivia). These partnerships have allowed me to expand South-South cooperation, connect institutions across regions, and build bridges that can enhance ISOCARP’s presence and relevance in Latin America, Africa, and the Lusophone world.

I believe ISOCARP plays a crucial role in shaping global urban debates, advancing professional excellence, and connecting planning communities across regions. I am committed to helping expand the Society’s presence and relevance in the Global South, fostering stronger partnerships with city networks and universities, and contributing to a future-oriented, inclusive, and resilient global agenda. It would be an honor to serve on the Board and help advance ISOCARP’s mission, values, and long-term strategic direction.

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I am architect, planner and academician, based in New Delhi, India. I am Director of School of Architecture, LPU, India. I am graduated from Chandigarh, India and Post-graduation from Milan, Italy, actively involved in academia and research. Advisory member of various think tanks and invited expert and worked global leaders including Prime Ministers, Governors, Ambassadors, Nobel Prize Laureate, Mayors, Policy makers, United Nation, UN Habitat and other. Apart from being member of ISOCARP, I am of other global institutions, like Planners 4 Climate Action, UN Habitat, Asian Network of Industrial Heritage, Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats. Awardee, Most Admired Education Influencers in India 2022, Global Educational Influencer 2020 & Young Achiever Award 2009. Jury in global awards including ‘WAF, Singapore and Miami, WAN, UK etc. I served as task force member for ‘Young 20’, and expert in ‘Urban20’ during G20 Summit India. Keynote speaker in BRICS Urban Forums 2024, 2025.

I have been member of ISOCARP from almost a decade. Contributed General Rapporteur for Siena Conference, YPP, Congress team member for specialized tracks during the congress in Doha, Toronto, committee member and other occasions including keynote speakers in various associated conferences of ISOCARP in Austria, Serbia, Slovenia, Poland and others.

Experiences of varied scale projects, ranging from urban scale to iconic buildings. Publications, lectures, workshops on issues of cities, community planning, health, climate at global forums e.g. Spain, USA, UK, Poland, Portugal, China, Africa, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan including Columbia University, Harvard, Cambridge University, AA London and others.

As board member, I wish to contribute my expertise to ISOCARP team for global outreach in Asia and other parts of world with initiatives of partnering local institutions, experts, leaders. Engagements with youth and experienced professionals to work together and ISOCARP as a catalyst for this cause.

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I am honored to be nominated as a Board Member for ISOCARP.
I am originally from Turkey and currently reside in Cyprus. I am a tenured Professor of Architecture and Urbanism (Urban Design) at the Department of Architecture at Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU).

I have been the Director of EMU Urban Research and Development Center (URDC) since 2014. Additionally, I served as the Director of the EMU Press Executive Board from 2018 to 2025. Previously, I was a Visiting Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where I also acted as the Interim Director of the Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Graduate Programs from
September 1, 2018, to May 2019. I served as the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at EMU from October 2010 to October 2016. My main research interests include Architectural and Urban Design Education; Urban Morphology; Sustainable Urbanism, SDGs, and their roles in Planning and Design Disciplines and Higher Education; Cultural Heritage Conservation; and the Preservation of Industrial Heritage in Cyprus.

Recent projects I have led include developing Urban Design and Conservation Guidelines in Alsancak Village, Kyrenia, Cyprus; the Nicosia Turkish Municipality Terminal Area Urban Renewal, Improvement, and Design Project: A Strategic Approach to Urban Design; the Landscape Design of a Memorial Park in
Nicosia, and designing the Linear Park and Pathways along the Pedieos River/Kanlıdere in Nicosia, Cyprus—all of which were research-based projects carried out under EMU Urban Research and Development Center.

Since joining ISOCARP, I have actively and voluntarily participated in a variety of the Society's events and activities. I took part in the preparations for ISOCARP's training event for WUF11. I served as a Congress Team member for the 58th ISOCARP Congress in 2022, co-coordinating Track 1 on Healthy People. In 2023, I was part of the Congress Team for the joint 5th Urban Economy Forum and 59th ISOCARP World Planning Congress (UEF5+WPC59), co-coordinating Track 1 on Acknowledge Community Values. I was also involved in the Mini UPAT organization in Sienna, at the 60th World Planning Congress. I have been a Scientific Committee Member of ISOCARP for the past three years, working with great colleagues. Recently, I joined the organizing team for the 61st World Planning Congress, which is being held in Riyadh. As a SciComm member, I served as a jury member for the Gerd Albers Awards last year and as a co-editor of the ISOCARP review the previous year.

I believe ISOCARP is a very rich, dynamic organization, with valuable and dedicated colleagues from around the world working toward a shared vision: ‘make cities and regions inclusive, safe, healthy, resilient, and sustainable through integrative participatory placemaking and urban & territorial planning.’ It is a place for learning and sharing views and experiences. My enthusiasm for volunteering with ISOCARP stems from a desire to contribute to its vision and mission alongside all other members.

If elected, I would like to serve and support ISOCARP as a Board Member, bringing my experience at both the administrative and academic levels to the Society, especially by supporting events, activities, and publications, and
helping to establish new collaborations. If I am elected, I will work to:
- Strengthen the link between academia and practice, ensuring that our congresses, publications, and projects continue to serve as learning laboratories for innovation in urbanism.
- Advance equity and diversity in our professional community, empowering young professionals, women, and underrepresented voices to take more active roles.
- Expand ISOCARP’s impact through partnerships, aligning our initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and global urban agendas such as the New Urban Agenda and the Paris Agreement.

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My professional motto is to lead by example, hard work and commitment to the Better Cities globally. I am a proud member of ISOCARP (the Society). I was introduced to the Society by Mr Ulrich Graute. My Australian mentors Mr Jim Coleman (member of the Society for over 4 decades), Mr Jeremy Dawkings and Dr Sarah Hill encouraged me to actively contribute the Society’s activities. Through my earlier organisations and planning engagements I have been associated with ISOCARP for over 15 years. With my wife Ruth and 2 young children, I live in Sydney, Australia. I was born in India and keeps a very strong professional and personal link with my birth country and the Region.

I am an Associate Professor at UNSW Cities Institute and a planner with the State Government, where I led strategic plans for Bradfield, Australia’s newest city. Previously, I served as Regional Director and Senior Advisor at Metropolis World Association, representing over 120 cities on global governance initiatives like the New Urban Agenda and SDGs. I hold a PhD in Governance from the University of Sydney, adjunct appointments at three universities, and degrees in Architecture, Design Management, and University Teaching, plus certificates in Leadership, Global Diplomacy, and Corruption. My background includes managing design and development projects such as airports and commercial buildings, giving me broad expertise in international urban planning and management.

I am affiliated with the Australian Institute of Urban Studies, ETI Sorbonne University Paris, UNAA, ASEAN Cities Networks, Smart City World Congress, and ASADI (India) academic board. These positions involve active engagement and financial oversight. Previously, I held board roles with the World Economic Forum’s Urban Panel, Geneva Foundation for Governance & Security, Citiscope (Reuters), UN Compact Cities, FIABCI, and the Institute of Culture & Society at WSU. I have participated as an expert and jury member for over 48 international city awards, strategic reviews, audits, and scholarship panels including ISOCARP governance and finance review committees.

My vision for The Society is to make it the most respected international organisation for planning and sustainable cities and urban regions, where members and partners are proud to be involved.

My three priorities are:
1 Promoting city and regional planning through government outreach, training, and partnerships;
2 Leveraging ISOCARP’s global diversity and youth as key economic and financial strengths; and
3 Improving governance, transparency, and members' trust using technology and open data.