Call for papers
There is an emerging conventional wisdom about European cities which argues that they are vital to the future of our societies. They are engines of regional and national development in advanced economies dependant on innovation, human capital and connectivity. In an era of high mobility, cities can offer high quality environments and sustainable patterns of development. They can also provide social and cultural vitality in the context of increasing population diversity and fluidity. Indeed, many cities are currently undergoing revitalisation.
Yet many questions remain for urban policy and research...
- Is the new thinking consistent with the challenges of social inclusion?
- Are consumption-orientated urban strategies sustainable in economic and ecological terms?
- Are there losers as well as winners among cities in the more competitive environment?
- What are the roles of national governments and the EU in balancing territorial cohesion and globalisation?
- Can fuzzy concepts of cohesion, competitiveness and sustainability be sharpened and can the propositions linking these processes be validated empirically?
- What happens to neighbourhoods?
Workshop themes
Papers are invited which address these or related questions around the themes identified below; further information available from the Workshops page.
- Resurgent European Cities
- Diversity, Cohesion and the Richness of Cities
- Branding the Distinctive City
- The Urban Environment and 'Quality of Place'
- Neighbourhood Dynamics and Urban Vitality
- Strategies for Viable and Vital Neighbourhoods
- Urban Governance
- Community Activism and Civic Innovation
- Health and Public Policy
- Real Estate Development and City pPlanning
- Housing Organisation and Finance
- Urban Form, Transport and Sustainability
- The Role of Higher Education in Cities and Regions
The organisers particularly welcome innovative, forward-looking papers which could include theoretical contributions and think-pieces on how to secure urban vitality; evaluations of policy and practice in individual cities and countries; and reflections on the experience of cross-national policy transfer.
Papers which explore relevant issues beyond the themes identified are also welcome.
