The Urban International: International Urban Institutions and Their Comparative History

The research investigates the network of (for the moment) 27 international urban institutions concentrating on the history of two institutions, the IFHP-International Federation for Housing and Planning and UCLG- United Cities and Local Governments, its characteristics, network of participants, changes in its policies as well as the role of countries, institutions, groups and individuals in its decisions, policies and intellectual output. The IFHP was created as the International Garden-Cities Association in 1913 and still exists. UCLG was created as IULA-International Union of Local Authorities also in 1913 and still exists. The work investigates the role of these institutions in the international flow of planning thought and practice, in urban management as well as their role in the constitution of a transnational community of planners. One of the questions to be discussed is how far certain national, regional and particular experiences in housing, planning and management were adopted in certain periods by the institutions. In another direction, the resonance or influence of certain ideas and policies of the IFHP and UCLG in specific, national or regional experiences in housing, planning and related areas will also be explored.