Main topics for thematic sessions

Horizon Europe, the European framework programme for research and innovation (2021–27), consistent with the SDGs, is taken as the general framework for the Symposium’s scientific debate.
Sessions that embrace cross-cultural, transnational and Euro-Mediterranean issues are particularly welcome.

The Symposium aims to give a preferential focus to the “Global South”, a metaphorical concept to indicate the most disadvantaged regions.

Key themes of the Symposium are:
– Refounding cities, reimagining Inner Areas, reconstituting communities
– Identities
– Mobilities
– Demographic decline
– Hyperconnected World
– Ecological challenge

These key themes can be declined to form a collective research agenda, capable of accommodating the interests and sensibilities of the broad and diverse academic community involved.

By way of example, the proposals for thematic sessions may concern the following
topics:

• Urban and Territorial Planning to fight territorial marginalization, reducing inequalities
• Evolving ecosystems and posthumanisms in planning and project
• Regeneration of abandoned areas
• Housing, areas under pressure, and living comfort
• Affordable housing and financialization of assets
• Urban sprawl
• Intercultural dialogue, community-led practices and collaborative governance for social integration, inclusion, and a multicultural society
• Safeguarding cultural heritage, exploring the potential of cultural and creative sectors, and promoting socio-economic transformations
• Multidimensional evaluation of cultural heritage enhancement projects
• Tourism sustainability: carrying capacity, impact assessment, and mitigation measures
• Tourism sustainability transitions and challenges of AI and digitalization
• Gentrification and tourist real estate market
• Cultural tourism, landscapes, and destination management organizations (DMOs)
• Accessibility and design for all
• Gender perspectives in planning
• Urban and regional geographical analysis
• Global value chains, reshaping of business models, job creation, and labour markets
• Strategic planning, complex decision-making processes, and integrated decision-aid evaluations
• Regeneration of urban marginalized areas and public-private partnerships
• Settlement systems and real estate market dynamics
• Economic feasibility and sustainability of building rehabilitation projects
• Key and emerging enabling technologies for digitization and production
• Machine learning, neural networks, computational and artificial intelligence, robotics
• Next generation internet
• Advanced computing and Big Data
• Green and Blue Growth, competitive, clean, digital, and low-carbon industry
• Resilient and effective alternatives to fossil-based economy
• Manufacturing technologies and advanced materials
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Life Cycle Cost (LCC)
• Management of multi-risk scenarios, mitigation strategies, and adaptation to climate change
• Reducing urban and building vulnerability in critical urban contexts for risk mitigation
• Energy sector: production, supply, systems and grids, storage
• Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, adapting social behaviour in view of the SDGs: buildings and industrial facilities in energy transition; energy communities and smart cities
• Transport sector – more climate- and environment-friendly, efficient, competitive, accessible, smart, safe, and resilient
• Rural development, spatial justice, and environment safeguarding
• Social innovation and increase of social capital for Inner Areas
• Territorially innovative solutions for socio-demographic shrinking
• Innovative solutions for ageing society, communities and individuals
• Young generations: mobility trends, territorial identity, and sense of belonging
• Agriculture, food systems, and nutrition security for all
• Socio-demographic dynamics in rural areas, rural wellbeing, and digital transition
• Inclusive territorial socio-ecological policies, climate change adaptation strategies, and smart rural development approaches
• Transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy, sustainable bioeconomy, nature-based solutions, and bio-based innovation systems
• Restoring, sustainably managing, and using forestry and other natural and biological resources from land, inland waters, and sea, to stop biodiversity erosion