According to the Public Relations Office of Pars University of Architecture and Art, the ceremony began with a discussion on the history and significance of World Town Planning Day, followed by a specialized panel featuring esteemed urban planning professors, including Dr. Pirooz Hanachi, Engineer Alireza Ghahari, Dr. Simin Hanachi, Dr. Azin Bahrampouri, Dr. Mostafa Behzadfar, Dr. Nasim Hasani, and Dr. Ali A’ta.

During the panel, the professors discussed current challenges and opportunities in urban planning, offering practical insights on sustainable urbanism, social interaction in urban design, and strategies for reducing environmental impacts in urban development.

Engineer Alireza Ghahari emphasized that “society needs urban planners more than anything else” and noted that urban planning is a broad discipline that requires deep knowledge across various subjects. He stressed that cities are at the heart of societal transformation, and urban planners should engage directly with people to effectively apply their expertise.

Dr. Simin Hanachi, comparing urban planning education past and present, stated: “A good city requires both a good manager and a good planner.” She highlighted the need for collaborative efforts among various sectors to create livable urban environments tailored to community needs.

Dr. Nasim Hasani explored the role of artificial intelligence in urban planning, stressing that an urban planner’s knowledge must extend beyond their core field to include economics, sociology, and psychology. She emphasized that planners should serve as bridges between the public and administrative systems.

Dr. Mostafa Behzadfar pointed to the future of urban planning as being rooted in augmented reality (AR), spatial reality (SR), and extended reality (XR), predicting that traditional facilitation methods will become obsolete. He asserted that the most pioneering planners will be entrepreneurial professionals who define their own roles.

Dr. Azin Bahrampouri noted that young planners have the potential to shape a bright future, emphasizing that public participation is key to achieving ideal cities. “A successful planner,” she said, “is someone who listens carefully and understands community needs.” She also called for interdisciplinary approaches that integrate science, art, philosophy, and economics.

Dr. Ali A’ta, sharing his experiences in various professional roles, described planners as facilitators who persistently pursue urban demands until solutions are found. He also noted that, similar to architecture, academic ideas often clash with real-world execution, highlighting the need to develop urban democracy.

In conclusion, Dr. Pirooz Hanachi, reflecting on his tenure as Mayor of Tehran, stated that urban planning, though a scientific field, holds immense political potential. He observed that Iran has one of the highest urbanization rates globally and pointed out that overlapping governance structures are a major issue in Iranian cities.

Dr. Hanachi also outlined career opportunities for urban planning students, stating that their work can have a direct impact on people’s quality of life.

At the end of the event, students shared their questions and concerns, creating an interactive and inspiring atmosphere between the academic staff and attendees.

This memorable ceremony served as a significant step toward raising awareness and motivating students to play an influential role in shaping the cities of tomorrow.