City futures 2009 : City futures in a globalising world

Dublin Core

Aims of City Futures in a Globalising World

The central aim of the Madrid Conference in 2009 is to lift the quality of international dialogue about urban issues by:

* Creating a whole conference sharply focussed on international exchange.
* Engaging different disciplinary perspectives and approaches.
* Welcoming papers that address policy concerns – local, regional, national and international – that speak to the impact of policy on the ground.

Conference Themes

This conference calls for papers relating to one or more of the following themes. We welcome scholars from diverse disciplines as well as practitioners.

* Climate change, resource use, and urban adaptation. How sustainable are modern cities? What policies are being introduced to tackle climate change?

* Knowledge and technology in urban development. How are cities harnessing knowledge and technology to increase the quality of life for their citizens? Whither local economic development in a rapidly changing world?

* Community development, migration and integration in urban areas. How are cities coping with rapid population movements – both into and out of cities? What are the implications for housing, urban regeneration and community building of international population shifts?

* Urban governance and city planning in an international era. Sound city governance and urban planning are critical to urban success. What are the implications of current trends for political and managerial leadership? How should cities position themselves internationally?

* Architecture and the design of the public realm. The quality of architecture and urban design affects the quality of life in cities. What innovations are taking place in urban design and planning at street level? Are cities redesigning themselves to cope with new challenges relating to, for example, public safety?