The 56th ISOCARP World Planning Congress – in its first virtual edition – has started. We have just concluded two plenary sessions and the first round of parallel sessions on 8-10 November 2020. We are looking forward to meeting all registered attendees virtually in all the other upcoming events from December 2020 until February 2021.
We are providing below the most important instructions to participate in our online events. Please take your time to read the following guide in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs). It only takes a few minutes, and it will help you enjoy the virtual experience and fully benefit from all the opportunities we are providing.
1. Do I need to register to attend the sessions of the Virtual Congress?
Yes, you need to register and pay the fees--either as regular attendee or as presenting author--to be able to attend the sessions of the Virtual Congress.
All relevant information regarding fee categories and registration can be found via the following links:
2. How can I navigate the Virtual Congress?
We are using three platforms for the Congress. Please familiarise yourself and check out the details, guidelines, and instructions via the links below:
- For Presenting Authors and Invited Speakers
- For Participants and Non-presenting Attendees
- For Session Chairs and Moderators
- Gather.Town – Our Virtual Meeting Place
- The Congress Website
IMPORTANT: To join the Virtual Sessions via Zoom, please download and install the software onto your device well in advance. We recommend using a computer, laptop or tablet instead of a mobile phone.
3. What are the Sessions and Forums I can join?
As a registered attendee, you are entitled full access to all events: Special Sessions, Forums, Paper and Case Study Presentations during the entire period of the Congress (8 November 2020 – 4 February 2021). Check out all the topics and the full timetable on the detailed programme.
4. I am a registered presenting author. Where can I find my presentation schedule?
As a presenting author, you can find your speaking assignment and schedule on your Congress account. Please log in to your account and check your profile updates at "My schedule" or "Sessions I am speaking at" tabs on your Dashboard.
We are finalising the programme and sessions for the December 2020-February 2021 events, if your schedule is not yet available on your profile, please bear with us as we complete the roster of presenters.
5. As a registered presenting author, do I need to submit a pre-recorded video and presentation file before my schedule?
The parallel sessions of the Congress will be a combination of live and pre-recorded presentations. All speakers/presenting authors are expected to present live and participate actively during their session. Nevertheless, all presenting authors (except session proposers and speakers for special sessions) are required to pre-record their presentations and upload the same on the Congress website. These pre-recorded videos will be available in advance to all registered attendees for the entire duration of the Congress. Similarly, pre-recorded videos may be used in case speakers are unable to present live due to critical time zone issues. All (live) parallel sessions will be recorded for archiving and will remain accessible to all registered attendees.
All requirements and guidelines to submit the pre-recorded videos and presentation files can be found here.
6. Where can I access the pre-recorded videos of presenting authors?
As a registered attendee, you will have access to the pre-recorded videos of presenting authors during the entire duration of the Congress via this page (Menu: Virtual Presentation > Prerecorded Presentations) of the website. Note that access is exclusive to registered congress participants, so you need to log in first to your account to be able to access this page.
7. Where can I find the presentation files of presenting authors?
Available only to registered attendees, you may access the presentation files of presenting authors via the detailed programme. You need to log in first to your account, go to the specific session (click it) on the detailed programme, and click 'slides' from the panel menu on the right side of the screen. When all the presentation files have been submitted, we will create a dedicated page on the Congress website, where you can easily find the presentations.
8. Where can I access the Zoom links for the Sessions?
The links to the virtual sessions will be sent a day before the events and on the day itself (as a reminder). During the opening events of the Congress we have received some reports of missing emails with access links. Therefore, please check the spam and promotion folders of your mailbox. We will keep sending you email reminders with the links to our sessions.
9. I missed some of the Virtual Sessions. Where and how can I watch these?
As a registered attendee, you will have access to the recordings of the live sessions via this page (Menu: Virtual Presentation > Event Recordings). Note that access is exclusive to registered congress participants, so you need to log in first to your account to be able to access this page.
10. What is the Virtual Meeting Place?
The Virtual Meeting Place is our very own interactive space, where you can walk in and out of conversations as naturally as in real life – but this time – in a virtual Congress lobby. Our Virtual Meeting Place is hosted by Gather.Town platform, a proximity video chat that will be open to all Congress participants during the entire duration of the Congress (8 November 2020 to 4 February 2021).
The credentials to access the platform have been sent to all registered Congress attendees via email.
Related pages:
11. Where can I download my copy of the ISOCARP Review 16: Post-Oil Urbanism?
As a registered Congress participant, you have access to the e-book version of the ISOCARP Review 16 Post-Oil Urbanism. Download (Menu: About ISOCARP > ISOCARP Review - Volume 16) your copy and read outstanding contributions of ISOCARP members and other planning professionals. You need to log in first to your account to access the e-book.
If you are interested in receiving the printed edition of the Review, you can order your copy on-demand.
Other questions? Drop us a line at congress@isocarp.org.