Call for Papers
International Conference
Reconnect Population to Urban Heritage in the Middle East & Central Asia
University College London
11th-13th July,2017
The organising committee invite you to submit papers, exhibition displays and related proposals for the international conference on ‘Reconnect Population to Urban Heritage in the Middle East and Central Asia’, to be held at University College London, and co-organised by the Bartlett Development Planning Unit, UCL and Silk Cities Initiative. The region, which is geopolitically called the Middle East and Central Asia, is the home of ancient settlements and early human endeavours to form their cities. Urban historic characteristics such as historical city centres still exist in many cities in particularly those along the historic trade routes across the region beside contemporary exercises of city formation. However, the urban continuity that once existed across generation in the physical and social paradigm have been interrupted in the midst of rapid urbanisation, globalisation and urban economic pressures, in addition to the conflicts and frequent destructive natural hazards. These have played a vital role in disrupting cultural connection of the city and its population. It is often a case that dealing with such pressing issues in a historic city is more complex than dealing with those in newly built cities and urban areas.
Taking a forward-looking approach, the conference takes both cross disciplinary and cross sectoral perspectives to examine contemporary challenges of historic cities in the region.The conference also aims to bring researchers and practitioners to explore the discourse of this interruption and how to deal with this pragmatic question of ‘discontinuity’ in the spatial dimension. In addition, it intends to explore the ways in which the knowledge of the subject matter, existing practical lessons and inspirational practices can be shared to inform other practices, from responsive urban projects to community based practices and creative solutions.
The conference will host a mixture of formal presentations, roundtables, workshops and special sessions, as well as informal discussions, networking opportunities and guided walking tour arranged to explore London’s experience on the subject matter. The Conference themes are as follows:
Conference themes
The organising committee would welcome creative proposals, which have the potential to fully engage with the conference participants to address urgent regional cases. Abstract submission is now open; the deadline for Abstract submission is 23rd March 2017. We encourage circulation among the wider group of partners and associates. The conference poster is attached for wider circulation.
For more details about guiding questions, registration or submission of your abstract please follow the conference links on www.silkcities.org and/or www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/dpu/silk-cities. For all enquiries please contact info@silkcities.org.
We look forward to your participation in the Conference.
Silk Cities 2017 Conference Team,
Status: Under Construction
