We introduce a collaborative big project: a first global IUPF Emerging Communities Forum, with the aim to discuss current trends and challenges for cities and communities. However, this event will be different than the typical “scientific” or “professional b2b” meeting.
It will be inspired by the main motivations of IUPF and other international players as a bridge between emerging economies, their professionals and leaders, and the global political agenda.
IUPF aims to offer 'underrepresented' regions of the world the opportunity to ask questions, deliver statements but also propose bold solutions, inspired by their energy and way to solve their challenges.
But we also invite the other players, thinkers and decision makers to join: International agencies, researchers, politicians, investors.
Date: Wed 7 - Fri 9 October 2026
Venue: Istanbul, Turkey.
About the institution
IUPF - International Urban Professionals Forum
The International Urban Professionals Forum (IUPF), foudned in 2025, is a global, voluntary professional organization aimed at creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban spaces through collaboration and knowledge sharing. It connects experts in planning, engineering, and design to support local communities. Download our brochure here
Who we are
We are an international, multi-disciplinary and multi-generational team of planners, designers, experts and educators. We are dispersed accross 4 continents, working for this event to be memorable and unique.
Press below to see our individual profiles and get in touch with us.
Emerging Communities Forum: A Manifesto for New Urban Narratives
For too long, urban conferences have focused on the professions that build cities rather than the communities that inhabit them. The Emerging Communities Forum 2026 marks the turning point where community ingenuity takes center stage.
We want to change this and invite you to be part of this moment!
Methodology
We will create workgroups or topic groups, which will meet and present each day related case studies and invite for a moderated exchange. The sessions will be open, participative, active. All delegates shall be invited to provide input and be part of each discussion. At the end of the session, rapporteurs will prepare a report, one page summary with the most important takeaways of each discussion.
The main objective is to connect between disciplines, generations, regions, income groups, cultures, and any other representative groups, and generate a fruitful discussion. The suggested method of presentation of study cases is the storytelling, delivered in multiple fashions.
Not a Call for Abstracts, but a Call for Stories
We introduce a paradigm shift for urban professional gatherings. By replacing the "Academic Abstract" with a "Call for Stories," we hope to effectively dismantle the hierarchy that often silences the very communities we want to bridge.
This approach transforms the ECF from a series of lectures into a "Human Library", which also reacts to iPA being a knowledge HUB for Turkish Communities.
To lower the threshold, the application form should feel like an invitation to a conversation, not a job interview. We want to ask participants: What is the story of your community that the world needs to hear?
3 days and 3 tier Optimism-Challenge-Synthesis
We introduce an innovative, challenging and fun dynamic. We divide the forum in three days, starting with a first positive, optimistic day with a hopeful discussion. The second day will challenge each of the findings of the first day and leave many more questions than answers. The morning of the third day we elaborate final statements in each workgroup that take the best findings of day one and warn about the difficulties and challenges found on day two.
INCLUSIVE AND AUTHENTIC: Automatic translation and interpretation
We want to incorporate AI to support participation, questions, statements, etc, in the native language of the participants, which shall increase their confidence and authenticity of exchange. All inputs will be immediately translated into English and shared on a screen. Rapporteurs will help to compile this exchange into a final document during day 3 morning.
Day 3 afternoon will close the event with the IABP/ GDA awards (tbc), and a final statement of each workgroup. The evening will incorporate the farewell dinner with all participants in a representative, multicultural and inclusive site in Istanbul.
Here you will find information about our latest Forum developments. Forum Team Members also will find additional material reserved for internal teams, such as workgroup reports and schedule of meetings.