The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) Annual Conference was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from October 22–25, 2025, bringing together planning educators and researchers from around the world.
During the conference, the International Association for China Planning (IACP) organized a series of successful events. On October 22, the IACP co-sponsored the “AI for Urban Planning” Symposium, organized by Prof. Zhong-Ren Peng (University of Florida), Prof. Li Yin (University at Buffalo), Prof. Wei Zhai (University of Texas at Arlington), and Prof. John Landis (University of Pennsylvania). The symposium attracted nearly 450 participants both onsite and online, generating lively and insightful discussions on the applications of artificial intelligence in urban planning research and practice.
On the evening of October 23, the IACP Business Meeting and Reception took place, attended by over 100 members and guests from across the globe. Dr. Zhilin Liu (Tsinghua University), Immediate Past Chair of the IACP Board of Directors (2023–2025), opened the meeting by presenting a summary of the past year’s achievements, including the celebration of IACP’s 20th Anniversary, the successful hosting of the 19th Annual Conference in Xiamen, and ongoing initiatives such as junior scholar workshops, virtual seminars, and the European Chapter activities.
Following the report, Dr. Zhenhua Chen (The Ohio State University), the newly elected Chair of the IACP Board of Directors (2025–2027), introduced the new Board members and outlined the organization’s strategic plans for the coming years. Dr. Chen emphasized that in today’s uncertain global environment, dialogue and exchange between international and Chinese planning communities are more important than ever.
He also highlighted that strengthening connections across different regions—including Europe, Asia, and the Americas—through diversified organizational platforms and forms of engagement, as well as increasing support for young scholars, will be key priorities for the coming years. These efforts aim to make IACP an even more internationally influential and inclusive professional organization.
Dr. Chen further introduced the upcoming 20th IACP Annual Conference, which will be held July 10–12, 2026, in Xi’an, China, and warmly invited scholars and institutions to participate.
A major highlight of the evening was the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IACP and ACSP, represented respectively by Dr. Zhenhua Chen and Dr. Raymond Mohamed, the outgoing ACSP President. The MOU marks a historic step toward deepening collaboration between the two associations in the areas of academic exchange, research cooperation, and global planning education.
The event concluded with a lively reception, where scholars and practitioners from around the world engaged in warm exchanges and networking. During the evening, IACP also presented its 20th Anniversary Memoir Collection, celebrating the association’s legacy and strengthening its sense of community and shared purpose.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all members and friends who joined and supported IACP’s events at ACSP 2025.
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