As the Liverpool conference gets nearer, the number of registrations is already approaching the ideal number of 200-220.

It looks like being a really interesting, informative and international event, with a good spread of participants from many different countries from across the world. And Liverpool both as Cultural Capital of Europe and as the subject of exiting planning projects is buzzing!

What is special for me personally is that the top representatives of the major UK national planning organisations - Gideon Amos of the TCPA and Janet O'Neill of the RTPI - will meet together with their counterparts from the major international planning organisations - myself from IFHP and Pierre Laconte from ISOCARP - will be attending. A unique opportunity to meet together!!

And then to think that all four of us will also have the chance to hear and talk to such top experts as Profs Peter Hall and Michael Parkinson. I am really looking forward to the occasion.

As usual IFHP will hold its twice annual Bureau meeting just before the conference. This time there will be a number of important points on the agenda that could determine the future course of IFHP as we strive to improve our service to members and our core-business of generating knowledge and ideas in housing, urban development and planning.

Francesc Ventura i Teixidor
President of IFHP