Habitat Professionals Forum Meeting (Closed)

In 1995, the International Federation of Housing and Planning (IFHP), the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and the International Union of Architects (UIA) - who later will be founding members of the HPF - were approached to organize the “Forum of Professionals and Researchers” at the 1996 Conference for Habitat II. The conclusions of all forums were presented to the General Session as a Report of Committee II. In 1998, UNEP Executive Director Dr. Klaus Toepfer also became the Acting Executive Director of UNCHS(Habitat). Early in his term, IFHP and ISOCARP approached him and raised the need to establish a Habitat Professionals Forum(HPF). The 17th Session of the Commission on Human Settlements met in Nairobi during 05/14 May 1999. The initiation meeting of HPF was a side event of this session and met on May 6th. It was convened by the Executive Director and attended by over 50 professionals and representatives of professional organizations.
The idea of establishing the Forum was accepted, an “Interim Steering Committee” was formed which included the: International Federation of Housing and Planning (IFHP),International Union of Architects (UIA),International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP),Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP), Commonwealth Association of Surveyors and Land Economists (CASLE),Arab Urban Development Institute, Centre for African Settlement Studies and Development (CASSAD),International Federation of Surveyors (FIG),International Association of Surveyors (IAA). The HPF Steering Committee held its first substantive session in New York during 25/27 October1999, at UN Headquarters. Every WUF and Conferences for Habitat (including PrepComs and preparatory events for this Forums and conferences) HPF has a meeting (side event) to discuss subjects related to the Urban Agenda with all its members and its also the representative of the mayor group Professionals. During this meeting we are also going to have elections for next HPF Chair.