The collaboration between the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) continues to grow, reaffirming the shared commitment of both organisations to advancing planning education, research and international academic cooperation.
During the World Planning Schools Congress 2026 in Helsinki, representatives of AESOP and ACSP met on several occasions to exchange ideas, reflect on common challenges and identify new opportunities for collaboration across the global planning community.
One of the highlights of this year's programme was the AESOP–ACSP Roundtable, "From Reflection to Transformation", convened by Hossam Hewidy and Antonio Raciti. The session brought together colleagues from both Associations to discuss one of the key questions facing planning education today: how can planning schools balance the need to respond to current professional practice while preparing future planners to address emerging societal challenges?
The discussion demonstrated that, while educational traditions and institutional contexts may differ between Europe and North America, both communities share a common ambition: educating planners capable of contributing to more just, resilient and sustainable futures. Participants reflected on the relationship between planning education and professional practice, highlighting that collaboration, critical thinking and openness to different perspectives remain essential foundations for the future of planning education.
The dialogue between AESOP and ACSP extended beyond this dedicated session. Another important moment of collaboration focused on the next generation of planning scholars. The international roundtable "Connecting the Next Generation: Regional Networks and Global Alliances in Planning Academia" was facilitated by Qingyuan Guo (London School of Economics and Political Science), Chair of the AESOP Young Academics Network (2025–2026), and brought together representatives of young planning networks from across the world to exchange experiences, discuss common challenges and explore opportunities for stronger international cooperation.
The panel featured Donato Casavola, Chair of the AESOP Young Academics Network, representing the European planning community; Ivis Garcia (Texas A&M University), President of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP); Shruti Syal (Virginia Commonwealth University), Chair of the Global Planning Educators Interest Group (GPEIG); Dang-Dao Nguyen (National University of Singapore), Co-President of the Young Urbanists of Southeast Asia (YUSEA); Isuru Biyanwila (University of Huddersfield), representing the Young Planner Forum of the Institute of Town Planning Sri Lanka (ITPSL); and Birsu Kambur (Izmir Institute of Technology), who contributed the perspective of an early-career researcher within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral programme.
The discussion highlighted both the diversity of institutional and regional contexts in which young planning scholars operate and the many common challenges they face. Participants explored opportunities for stronger cross-regional collaboration, greater exchange of knowledge and experiences, and the development of lasting connections between young academic networks worldwide. The session reaffirmed the shared commitment of all participating organisations to supporting the next generation of planning educators, researchers and practitioners through international dialogue and cooperation.
These initiatives demonstrate the growing convergence between AESOP and ACSP in promoting international dialogue, mutual learning and joint initiatives that benefit planning schools, researchers and students worldwide.
AESOP warmly thanks our colleagues at ACSP for their continued partnership and looks forward to further strengthening this collaboration in the years ahead through joint events, exchanges and shared initiatives that contribute to the development of planning education on a global scale.
