The VI International PhD Seminar - Urbanism and Urbanization

The VI International PhD Seminar- Urbanism and Urbanization
Venice 27-29 October 2011
Location: Italy

The PhD program in Urbanism of the Factulty of architecture in Venice (IUAV) will host the sixth International PhD Seminar - Urbanism and Urbanization in the autumn of 2011.The seminar invites PhD candidates working on a dissertation topic relating to the theory, history or practice of urbanism to present heir work and thereby seeks to confront and discuss the themes and approaches of different international PhD programs in urbanism and the related disciplines. Following a biannual cycle, the VI International PhD seminar will follow the first International PhD seminar that was organized by KU Leuven in February 2004 and others by UPC Barcelona, IUAV Venice, TU Delft.

The theme of the VI U&U Seminar is 'The Next Urban Question: themes, approaches, tools'. Three main aspects can be identified today that define an “urban question” different from the past: first, the growing distance between the rich and the poor, second, the environmental risks, and third the mobility crises. The ‘question’ is and will be ‘urban’ because it is in the urban context that the largest part of the world population lives. It is in the context of the city that the question is most apparent and gains a sense of urgency.

The first aspect asks for a reflection on spatial and social justice, questioning the ways in which social opportunity is spatially distributed and seeking ways to foster equitable forms of spatial differentiation.

The second aspect, the environmental crisis, reveals the problem of a democratic solution (environmental justice) and demands critical review of the way in which urbanism has began to appropriate the ecological agenda. Even more so, the mobility question (understood in the broadest sense of the word), poses a direct threat to the urban condition as new (neo liberal) governance models introduce new and hard lines of in and exclusion between plugged an unplugged, connected and bypassed groups and individuals.

All three aspects demand a new engagement of design at different scales, building new arenas of designerly research and original knowledge production. Taking up this engagement requires reflection on the epistemological status of design (as knowledge producer), on the role of design in the exploration of alternative futures, on its capacity to bring about effective change.

With the help of ongoing researches and the contributions from the participating universities, the seminar aims to document and discuss the ways in which urbanism is changing, studying the perspectives that are being adopted and their genealogies.. We invite presentations of different forms of urban research, urban analysis and critical design research which while presenting the case under investigation – critically explore the general theme.

Short and 'full papers'
The seminar invites full papers that present a coherent piece of research or dissertation chapter, as well as short papers that address methodology, research question or articulate a starting point for PhD research. Full papers will be organized in thematic sessions. Short papers will be organized in thematic workshops. A selection of seminar contributions will be published.

Abstract guidelines
PhD candidates interested in presenting a paper should submit an abstract of maximum 1000 words by May 21st. The scientific committee, taking into account the interest of the themes proposed, will select the papers to be presented during the seminar by July 8th. Upon selection of the various contributions, we will invite respondents in function of the subject of the papers submitted. The selected papers will be submitted in a final version to the scientific committee and to each respondent before September 15th. Abstracts should be sent via e-mail to: urbanism.urbanization@iuav.it. Please include the following information: Full name, affiliation, e-mail-address, thesis supervisor, working title of dissertation, anticipated date for thesis defense. Indicate if you intend to submit a full paper (4000-8000 words) or a shorter workshop paper (2000 - 2500 words, typically for researchers in the early stages of their PhD discussing research question, thesis set up).

Important dates
Deadline abstracts May 21st, 2011
Notification of acceptance July 8th, 2011
Full paper due September 15th 2011


Organizing committee
Valentina Bandieramonte
Michiel Dehaene
Lorenzo Fabian
Kaveh Rashidzadeh
Paola Vigan?

Scientific committee
Cristina Bianchetti
Margaret Crawford
Bruno de Meulder
Han Meyer
Dominique Rouillard
Bernardo Secchi
Joaquim Sabat?
Kelly Shannon
Thomas Sieverts
Marcel Smets
Maria Chiara Tosi
Paola Vigan? (chair)

more info www.uu2011.eu

Contact
Valentina Bandieramonte and Kaveh Rashidzadeh: urbanism.urbanization@iuav.it.

PhD program in Urbanism, c/o IUAV School of Doctorate Studies
Palazzo Badoer
San Polo 2468
30125 Venice
Email: urbanism.urbanization@iuav.it
Visit the website at http://www.uu2011.eu