Profile

INTA is a global membership association where public and private policy-makers and urban practitioners come together to share knowledge, experience and performing tools for integrated urban development.

INTA is not a city network: it is an association of urban decision makers and practitioners. INTA is not a professional association: it is a place where planners, architects, developers, engineers, investors, etc. engage with public authorities and companies, with researchers and community, economic, environmental, social and spatial stakeholders to jointly create strategies for sustainable urbanity, connecting all issues critical to the integrated development of urban territories.

History
INTA was born in 1976 in Paris as the International New Town Association, at a time when large-scale urban development projects were conceived in support of the general economic growth. INTA’s founders believed in the importance of exchanging international experiences and know-how between all the actors involved in those ambitious projects reshaping territories and living environment. Today, INTA’s members are still convinced that only by putting the efforts of all urban actors together, a sustainable and integrated urbanity can be attained.

Working Method
To facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge, develop cooperation between public and private sectors, and build competences, INTA’s members co-produce solutions through international and regional exchanges on urban issues that require careful attention. INTA’s International Secretariat coordinates the network and its international activities: an Annual World Urban Development Congress, Conferences and Seminars, the World Urban Development Council, Prospective Roundtables, Brainstorm sessions, Study visits and Advisory panels, in which a group of members advises another member institution on a particular urban project.

Approach and Areas of action
The reach of INTA covers urban development on all scales, but a common thread runs through all activities: integration of the sectoral policies implemented by public and private sectors in areas such as strategic territorial planning, public spaces, urban forms and architecture, innovation and the knowledge economy, mobility and accessibility, local public services, new patterns of production and distribution, creative clusters, economic attractiveness, housing, urban regeneration, heritage and tourism, social inclusion, territorial marketing, local governance, sustainability and energy efficiency, etc. Only when integrated, such policies make it possible to reshape territories, their functions, social life and economic activities. These policies are the drivers of changes for many territories, such as New Towns, neighbourhoods, municipalities, metropolitan areas and urban regions. Innovative approaches are opportunities to draw up and to induce new forms of dialogue and negotiation, as well as new relationships between social players, resulting in an effective system of urban governance.

Read more about INTA's Approach in the Charter
Read more on Areas of Action

Membership
Joining INTA means entering into an international network of high-level urban policy makers and practitioners, which will facilitate your decision-making and problem-solving and will give you access to the most useful contacts, knowledge and know-how in your field.

INTA membership gives you the opportunity to connect with a global network of peers; to give a wide international visibility to your projects and initiatives and to access cutting-edge information that will help you to make sound policy choices and provide you with support for strategic debate on the future of urban development.

Membership will allow you to contribute to the decision-making processes of national and international urban development authorities and to receive international advice offered by other INTA members as voluntary advisory services.  

Other INTA membership benefits include entry at considerable discounts to INTA activities and to those of partner organisations, unlimited access to e-library and e-directory, priority participation to World Urban Development Council, advice and brainstorming, visibility in Congress and on materials, …