Annual Research on Cities Summit (ARCS 9.0) Sustainable Urban Futures: Policy, Planning, Management A Multi-Disciplinary International Conference on February 06-07, 2025 in Khurda, India

Annual Research on Cities Summit (ARCS 9.0) Sustainable Urban Futures: Policy, Planning, Management A Multi-Disciplinary International Conference on February 06-07, 2025 in Khurda, India

Global sustainability rests on achieving sustainable urbanization; re-inventing cities is key to resolving many environmental issues. Realizing this necessitates substantial revision of existing urban policies, planning frameworks and management practices, as well as introduction of new ideas and approaches. As urban areas grow and environmental pressures increase, effective and environmentally conscious governance, ecologically-aware planning, and thoughtful management become central to achieving long-term urban sustainability. Initiatives and innovations in all these fronts are multiplying rapidly, and it is important to examine and understand the variety of efforts and their outcomes. The 9th ARCS therefore focuses on these three aspects of addressing the pressing challenges – on urban policy, planning and management for resilient and sustainable urbanization.

ARCS 9.0 will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to examine critical issues in urban sustainability, providing a platform for disseminating research and discussing best practices. The conference seeks to contribute to the broader understanding of sustainable urban futures through the lens of policy, planning, and management, offering insights into how cities can better prepare for and respond to future challenges. This multi-disciplinary International Conference will provide a forum for academics, students, researchers, professionals and policy makers to explore and learn how urban development policies, plans and projects can align with environmental priorities while remaining sensitive to local conditions.

Contributors are urged to highlight how sustainability initiatives relate to the realities of the global South. As cities pursue the goals outlined in international frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), questions arise about how global policies, initiatives and experiences can be effectively adapted to diverse urban realities of the South, how policies and strategies can address urban and economic growth while promoting equity, environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

Urban and regional planning also plays a pivotal role in determining the trajectory of cities, from near-term resilience to climate shocks to long-term sustainable development. By discussing issues and new approaches to shaping urban spatial organization, infrastructure, inclusion and adaptability to future demands, the conference will explore how planning can respond to the need for more resilient, sustainable and efficient urban environments, particularly in light of increasing environmental pressures and rapid urbanization. Governance frameworks and urban management practices also determine the shape, structure and effectiveness of policies and plans. Existing and emerging urban management practices need to be critically examined, focusing on the systems that ensure cities function effectively in the face of everyday and unprecedented challenges. Effective management encompasses resource allocation, service delivery, and governance mechanisms that must adapt to evolving urban conditions.

The multi-disciplinary ARCS 9.0 conference aims to foster reflective engagement and empirical analysis on how cities can transition toward more sustainable development models. It will explore how policies can be shaped to promote sustainability while addressing the unique needs of different urban contexts, how planning processes can anticipate and adapt to future urban challenges, and how management practices can ensure the efficient use of resources and the resilience of urban systems.

Papers, cases, posters and presentations are invited from across disciplines, fields of practice fields and interest areas. Contributors are encouraged to share completed work as well as work-in-progress.

Papers, cases, posters, presentations, reports and final year thesis on urban and regional sustainability initiatives, projects and process experiences are invited from researchers, academics, professionals, students, civic and policy actors across disciplines and fields of practice. Submissions may relate to any one or more of the tracks, and should be original work of the authors/ presenters. The authors should clearly state their intended track(s) in their registration.

The ARCS 9.0 Conference Tracks are organized around key dimensions of and the central concerns of the conference—policy, planning, and management for urban sustainability – as they apply to various urban dimensions or systems. Participants are encouraged to submit papers or engage in discussions aligned with the following tracks:

1. Policies and governance for sustainable urbanism

This track will explore how urban policies can shape the future of societies and communities, focusing on strategic governance, planning, and implementation to help cities achieve the SDGs. It will examine how policy and governance frameworks can create actionable roadmaps for sustainable urban development, providing opportunities for goal-setting, strategic planning, and effective project management.The track invites submissions on the following aspects and other related areas –

SGDs and urban policies

Urban governance & institutional frameworks

Capacity building and skill development

Strategic management

Urban finance

Education for sustainable urbanism

2. Economy & livelihoods

This track centers on developing sustainable and inclusive urban economies and fostering opportunities for livelihoods across different socio-economic groups, addressing issues related to economic growth, development, and equal opportunities for all. Exploration into emerging “green jobs”, urban sustainability start-ups, new solutions for sustainable livelihoods approaches and other topics as below are encouraged.

Economic development and growth of cities

Informal livelihoods, poverty, and food security

The Gig economy and sustainable livelihoods

Green jobs and green entrepreneurship

3. Sustainable infrastructure and services

This track focuses on sustainable urban infrastructure for essential services: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), sustainable transportation, renewable energy, and the circular economy. The track aims to examine innovative policies and approaches that address the infrastructure needs of growing cities while balancing environmental protection and sustainability, paving the way for long-term urban resilience and livability. Topics may include work in the following areas, among others:

Sustainable mobility

Circular Economy

WASH

Blue, green, and grey infrastructure

4. Environment & Ecosystem

This track focuses on the impact of climate change on urban systems, focusing on risk assessment, vulnerability, and climate-resilient development. It explores nature-based solutions and traditional knowledge for urban management, integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies to create sustainable urban environments, and balancing ecological health with the needs of growing cities in ways that promote long-term resilience and sustainability. Topics may relate to:

Transitioning to net-positivity

Disaster risk reduction and recovery management

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)

Urban ecosystem services and nature-based solutions

Renewable energy

5. Urban Regeneration and Public Spaces

This track examines the role of public spaces in urban regeneration, focusing on how they can enhance sustainability, accessibility, and community connection. Public spaces are essential in shaping cities, influencing social interaction, environmental quality, and economic vitality; green spaces also provide essential ecosystem and nature-based services. SubmWork a multidisciplinary approach to rethinking and redesigning public spaces, ensuring they are resilient, inclusive, and contribute to long-term urban renewal and development. It has the following sub-themes:

Urban Open spaces

Green Place-making and tactical urbanism

Heritage conservation and tourism

Participatory planning for sustainability

6. Smart & Digital Applications

This track focuses on integrating advanced urban planning and management technologies to create sustainable and livable cities. Work pertaining to the application of digital innovations across urban systems and dimensions such as urban governance and planning are encouraged. Discussions on how smart solutions can enhance urban environments, foster resilience and efficiency in managing urban growth and sustainability, pertaining to the following are welcome.

Digital infrastructure

Technological innovation and smart applications

Smart Governance and Citizen Engagement

Big data and AI in urban development

Knowledge management

7. Real estate and affordable housing

Booming real estate markets, driven by rapid urbanization and increasing population is substantially contributing to economic growth, while sparking challenges in equitable access, loss of open and ecologically sensitive places, and expanding carbon footprints. The shortage of affordable housing has become a critical issue in many cities, leading to homelessness, overcrowding, and growing inequality. This track explores solutions to create more sustainable built environments, accessible and affordable housing and preserving critical urban ecosystems. Work on the following, among other topics, are welcomed:

Real Estate and built environment

Land management and governance

Housing for all – policies and processes

8. Inclusive and sustainable planning

This track will feature work on approaches for and diverse aspects of inclusive planning, focusing on the needs and preferences of underrepresented and marginalized groups. Research and practice(s) on plans and initiatives for building resilient, equitable, and sustainable communities that support economic development, social cohesion, and environmental stewardship are invited. This track seeks to ensure that urban planning includes all perspectives by adopting a holistic approach. The theme is further divided into the following sub-themes:

Age-friendly cities

Gender-sensitive planning

Transgender communities in urban planning

Name: XIM University
Website: https://xim.edu.in/
Address: Plot No:12(A), Nijigada, Kurki, Harirajpur, Odisha 752050

XIM University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India. It was authorized by the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 2013, making it the first Jesuit university in India.
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