7-9 September 2026 in Cardiff

The annual UK-Ireland Planning Research Conference (PRC) will take place in Cardiff from 7–9 September 2026, hosted by the School of Geography and Planning at Cardiff University as it celebrates 60 years of planning education.

This milestone offers a unique opportunity to reflect on six decades of shaping planning scholarship and practice, while looking ahead to the future of planning across the UK, Ireland, and beyond.

PRC brings together planning scholars and practitioners from across the UK, Ireland, and internationally to explore a wide spectrum of issues affecting urban and rural areas.

The conference includes several strands alongside the main programme:

• the annual Planning Schools Forum (PSF) meeting
• a dedicated PhD workshop
• the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Research Excellence
• organised study tours of the city.

Recent hosts include Ulster University (2025), University of Reading (2024), University of Glasgow (2023), and University of Manchester (2022).

Join us in Cardiff to celebrate 60 years of planning education at Cardiff University and contribute to shaping the next chapter in planning research and practice.

Key dates

• Call for Abstracts opens – 1 April 2026
• Registration opens – 1 April 2026
• Call for Abstracts closes – 8 June 2026
• Early registration discount ends – 20 July 2026
• Overview programme published – 27 July 2026
• Programme published – 31 August 2026
• Conference dates – 7-9 September 2026