Held under the theme “Our Cities, Our Futures: Planning Better Cities for a Better Tomorrow”, the congress reflects the need to move beyond approaches that focus primarily on urban challenges and uncertainties towards more proactive, integrated and implementation-oriented planning, with public well-being as the top priority.
NPC 2026 will also serve as a knowledge festival and professional networking platform, providing opportunities for knowledge-sharing, exchange of experiences and the development of strategic partnerships among stakeholders involved in urban development.
Over the three-day event, the congress will feature five technical dialogues covering key aspects of future urban planning.
The first, “Planning Climate-Resilient Cities”, will focus on urban resilience against climate change, including flood and urban heat risks, resilient infrastructure development, Nature-Based Solutions, blue-green infrastructure and water catchment planning.
The second dialogue, “Planning Inclusive and Liveable Communities”, will explore ways to create inclusive and quality communities through access to affordable housing, quality public spaces, age-friendly development, facilities for women and children, as well as universal design in public amenities and transportation.
The third session, “Planning Smart and Future-Ready Cities”, will examine the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), 3D Digital Twins, urban analytics and real-time sensor systems to strengthen planning processes, decision-making and urban management.
The fourth dialogue, “Planning Better Cities through Good Governance”, will address legal and regulatory reforms, development coordination across administrative boundaries, strengthening local authority capacity, and the digitalisation of planning processes and development approvals.
The fifth session, “Planning Better Cities: From Vision to Implementation – Selangor in Action”, will highlight Selangor’s development experience and implementation initiatives, including the Selangor Structure Plan, Smart Selangor, transit-oriented development (TOD), integrated social housing and local climate action.
The congress will be officiated by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, preceded by welcoming remarks from MIP president TPr Hajah Mazrina Abdul Khalid.
For the first time, the congress’s opening keynote address will be delivered by Denmark’s Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E. Kirstine Vangkilde Berner, reflecting the importance of international cooperation and the sharing of experiences in advancing the sustainable urban planning agenda.
NPC 2026 will also feature an impressive line-up of distinguished speakers, including PLANMalaysia director-general Datuk TPr Dr Alias Rameli, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Datuk Ir Hasni Mohamad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, and sustainable development adviser to the Malaysian Government Datuk Seri TPr Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
The congress will also involve prominent organisations and institutions, including C40 Cities, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and the Malaysian Institute of Landscape Architects (ILAM).
In addition to the technical dialogues and knowledge-sharing sessions, MyCITY Expo 2026, held at the Banquet Hall of the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre, will showcase innovative technologies and solutions in urban development.
The expo will provide a platform for solution providers, developers, government agencies and stakeholders to showcase innovations, exchange ideas and establish networks and collaborations in addressing issues related to climate resilience, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and social equity.
On Nov 4, the congress will also celebrate the National-level World Town Planning Day, recognising the important role of urban planning in shaping more sustainable, inclusive and liveable environments.
The involvement of younger generations will also be emphasised through the Young Planner Forum 2026, a pre-congress event organised by the MIP Youth Wing under the theme “Future Leaders, Better Cities: Reimagining Planning for Tomorrow”.
The forum will provide a platform for young planners, policymakers, industry practitioners and academics to exchange views and explore innovative ideas and solutions to address future urban development challenges.
Meanwhile, MyCITY Run 2026, which will be held as a virtual run this year, aims to encourage community participation through running activities while raising public awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles and sustainable, inclusive and liveable cities.
The highlight of the congress on Nov 5 will focus on implementation, strategic partnerships and the future direction of urban development, with the closing ceremony to be officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
MIP president Mazrina emphasised that urban planning must go beyond the preparation of policies and plans, placing greater focus on effective implementation, coordination among stakeholders and stronger collaboration to ensure urban development delivers meaningful benefits to communities.
Anchored on the theme “Our Cities, Our Futures: Planning Better Cities for a Better Tomorrow”, NPC 2026 is expected to strengthen the role of urban planners as catalysts for change in translating global aspirations and ideas into action at the local level.
These efforts are crucial in realising more sustainable, resilient, inclusive and liveable Malaysian cities, in line with the nation’s development aspirations.
A better urban future begins with the planning and actions taken today.
Those interested in participating in the congress can register at https://forms.gle/iacfWY6G8CRNhSdb8.
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