60th International Making Cities Livable (IMCL)
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
“The Ecology of Place: Research into Communication”
April 26-28, 2024 * Newport, RI USA

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THEME: As humanity confronts multiple historic challenges, our settlements and their characteristics are set to play a central role – especially so in a time of historic rapid urbanization.  Our cities, towns and suburbs are where we interact, move about, consume resources, develop and deploy our technologies, and create most of the impacts we are having on Planet Earth. In that sense, our settlements are major contributors to our challenges – but they also offer an important platform for joining up key issues of emissions and contamination, resource use and depletion, and ecological destruction, as well as opportunities for equitable human development, health, and well-being.

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Following our highly successful 2023 conference in the UK, the International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) invites you to share your work, meet and discuss with others, and join in this collaborative platform for “research into communication.”  We will gather policy leaders, practitioners, community leaders and top scholars, to share lessons and discuss potential collaborations.  We will gather key partners from a number of countries to share their knowledge and collaboration. A major aim of the conference will be to serve as a “springboard” toward new research, new collaborative action, and new ways of communicating and driving the necessary transition ahead.

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Our venue for the conference is the beautiful Bois Dore estate in Newport, Rhode Island, USA, made available through the generosity of Fairfax and Sammons Architects. This facility has ample space for plenaries of up to 150 attendees, as well as breakout spaces and areas for networking, book sales, and exhibition materials. Newport is centrally located on the US East Coast between Boston and New York, with bus and train service as well as lights into nearby Providence. The venue provides an opportunity for collaboration and partnership with a number of universities in Boston, New York and beyond.  

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TOPICS: You may contribute an abstract describing your work (to be presented at the conference, and also developed into a full conference paper if you wish) on any one or a combination of the following topics:

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•    The Ecology of Place: Concepts, Metrics, Practices
•    Why Public Space Matters for ALL
•    The Place of Beauty: Neuroscience, Health and Sustainability
•    The Power of Diversity, Equity, and Web Networks
•    The Power of Patterns, and Timeless Ways of Building
•    The Power of Nature’s Harmony and Symmetry
•    The Dangers of Overspecialization: Overcoming Roadblocks to Reform of the “Operating System for Growth”
•    Cities (and Regions) on Foot: The Power of Urban Walkability and Public Transportation
•    Implementing Ecologies of Place: Technologies, Practices, Finance
•    New Approaches to Public Space Creation and Improvement for All
•    Rapid Urbanization: Implementing the New Urban Agenda
•    Political Organization and “Polycentric Governance”
•    Climate Change and Urban Form: Mitigation, Adaptation, Resilience
•    Financial Tools and Externality Feedbacks: Making It Pay
•    Getting It Built: Sharing Case Lessons in Who, Why and How
•    Sustainable Infrastructure: Complete Streets, Regenerative Utilities, and Public Transit
•    Access For Everyone: Bringing the Benefits of Livable Cites to ALL

 

DEADLINES: 

Abstracts are due January 31, 2024
Notifications will occur by February 15, 2024
Speaker registration is required by March 1, 2024
Papers must be submitted for the e-reader by April 1, 2024

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REGISTRATION FEES:

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Accepted speaker registration is $595.00
Full participant (non-speaker) registration is $745.00

(NOTE: Discounts for non-speakers are available for early registration - consult registration page)
Student (non-speaker) registration is $295.00 (ID required)

 

SUBMIT ABSTRACTS HERE... SOON! (OPENS DEC 4-9)

 

SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE

 

Friday, April 26

   9AM Optional Tours

   5PM  Welcome Reception

 

Saturday, April 27

   8AM Registration

   9AM-5PM  Conference

   7PM Evening Activity

 

Sunday, April 28

   8AM Registration

   9AM-5PM  Conference

   7PM Closing Party