Call for Young Professional (YP) Applications for the Young Professional's Think Deep Program (YPTDP)

The Tunnelling Association of Canada (TAC), in collaboration with the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) and ITACUS - the ITA Committee on Underground Space, is pleased to announce that the upcoming Young Professional's Think Deep Program (YPTDP) will be held during the ITA World Tunnel Congress 2026 in Montreal, Canada.

Workshop Title: From Line to Life: Reimagining Montreal's Old Port

This international workshop will bring together 24 selected Young Professionals, both local and international, for an intensive collaborative experience focused on innovative urban and underground planning in the context of Montreal's Old Port.

Workshop Background

ISOCARP in partnership with ITACUS (International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association's Committee on Underground Space) have recently made an agreement with the Tunneling Association of Canada (TAC) to host the next Young Professionals Think Deep Program (YPTDP) Workshop in Canada.

The Young Planning Professionals Programme is a crucial component of ISOCARP's dedication to promote and enhance the planning profession and commitment to facilitate knowledge for better cities with the young generations. The Programme facilitates a unique creative spirit within the Society, and it has become a source of new ideas, innovation and rejuvenation not only for the Society but also for our partners; and has made a huge impact on participants' professional lives, in the name of the universal vision of promoting and enhancing the planning profession.

TAC is thrilled to partner with ITACUS and ISOCARP, as it fulfills its association missions to promote and advance the development and use of subsurface space in Canada.

TAC, ITCAUS and ITACUS is setting up of a YPTDP for young members, working together with ISOCARP. The core idea is to combine the proven methodology of ISOCARP's YPP with the concept of working crossdisciplinarity on underground planning issues. The Montreal YPTDP workshop will focus on redeveloping the Old Port and looking to relocating critical infrastructure underground. The workshop will be held in Montreal, Canada between May 12 to 16, 2026 just prior to Montreal hosting the world at the World Tunnel Congress.

For more information on the workshop, please visit the ISOCARP website ISOCARP in partnership with ITACUS to host the next Young Professionals Think Deep Program (YPTDP) Workshop in Canada – ISOCARP.

Call for Local Young Professionals

The workshop will consist of both local and international YP participants.

• International participants wishing to participate are to fill out an application by visiting the ISOCARP website.
• Local (Canadian) Young Professional (YP) wishing to participant, must fill out an application through the Tunnelling Association of Canada (TAC) by filling out this online application. Applications are due no later than February 27, 2026.

Local YP Submission Eligibility and Criteria

• Young Professionals are 35 years or younger in the 2026 calendar year.
• Young Professionals must demonstrate education/professional background in a relevant discipline pertaining to the anticipated workshop topic including but not limited to:
  • Tunnel and Underground Infrastructure Engineering/li>
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Urban Planning
  • Architecture
  • Rail Engineering
• Selected local YPs will be responsible for their own expenses including travel, accommodations.
• Selected YPs must be able to participate each of the 5 workshop days.