Will the environmental, economic and social challenges facing many parts of the world provide new opportunities for regional cities to develop alternative forms of urban living which are fundamentally different from those of the rapidly expanding metropolises?
February 3rd - 5th 2016
Call for papers
This international conference explores the changing face of regional urbanism, asking if the environmental, economic and social challenges facing many parts of the world will provide new opportunities for regional cities to develop alternative forms of urban living which are fundamentally different from those of the rapidly expanding metropolises. Inspired by recent debates about the over-riding economic, political and cultural dominance of London in the United Kingdom, and the survival of regional cities in the north of the country, this conference will take place in a key regional town, Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, located along the ‘Trans-Pennine Corridor’ between Leeds and Manchester.
Through an examination of such issues as environmental sustainability, cultural/civic identity, transportation, health and well-being and social/economic development, the conference will offer a platform for multi-disciplinary debate between academics, policy-makers and practitioners. The conference, which will be hosted by the Centre for Urban Design, Architecture and Sustainability at the University of Huddersfield, is aimed at urban designers, planners, architects, geographers, sociologists, philosophers, policy makers, urban theorists, historians, landscape architects, economists, conservationists, educationalists, health specialists and politicians.
Submission of abstracts for paper presentations (400 words maximum) or posters (A3 size boards) are invited to address the overarching focus of regional urbanism in the era of globalisation. Themes may include, but are not limited to:
The Challenges of Globalisation
- Regionalism in the Shadow of Global Cities
- Centre vs. Periphery
- Relationships between the Metropolis and the Regional City Network
- Emerging Geographies of Power: The Disappearance of Distance
- Re-inventing a Regional Identity
- International Transferability of Urban Design Skills
Sustainability of the Urban Environment
- Strategies for Sustainable Development
- Improving Urban Infrastructure
- Regional Planning Initiatives
- Housing and Poverty
- Designing for Rapid Urbanisation
- Landscape and Topographical Relationships
Regional Geographies
- Urban vs. Rural
- Transport planning and infrastructure
- Public Sector Role in Urban Design and Planning Challenges
- Post-industrial Regeneration
- Regional Planning Initiatives
- Governance and Localism
Historical and Cultural Dimensions
- Continuity and Change
- Cultural Identity and Attachment to Place
- Heritage and Local Histories
- Civic and Participatory Space
- Regional Architectural and Area Conservation
- Urban Morphologies
Health and Well-Being
- Future of Regional Health-Care
- Enhancing Community Cohesion and Social Innovation
- Impact of Ageing Population
- Addressing Long Term Unemployment
- Housing, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Safety
- Case Studies of Participatory Urban Design
Managing Social and Economic Change
- Competing with the Metropolis
- Decline of the Commercial High-Street
- Redefining the Work vs. Leisure Model
- Future of Service and Manufacturing Sectors
- Cultural Exchanges, Social Innovation and Community Engagement
- Role of the ‘Academy’ in Addressing Urban/Social Decline
- Urban Design Implementation in Regional and Global Contexts
Abstracts can be submitted to: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=rueg2016
Please ensure you include on your submission your name, affiliation and email address.
Please ensure you include on your submission your name, affiliation and email address.
Conference proceedings and publication opportunities:
Publication: Conference proceedings of abstracts will be published for the conference and an edited book of selected papers is planned after the conference.
More information at the official web of the event.
