Urban Planning & Architectural Design for Sustainable Development UPADSD on October 24-26, 2023 in Florence, Italy

The world has suffered considerably from the Covid-19 Pandemic, which is still ongoing to this day even if it is somehow on a lower level. The speed that Covid-19 has spread and the impact that it had on our communities makes us wonder if our cities' planning and designs are equipped to battle not only natural disasters but also health issues, or in this case "A Health Disaster."

Equipping cities with a well-built infrastructure, ready to face the threat of unforeseen disasters is paramount, for preventative measures trump corrective ones. Designing a city poised to face such threats requires a multi-disciplinary approach, one that tackles transit systems, energy resource management, waste management and recycling, public space integration, and the inclusion of gardens and lush forestry. Designing a city with the mental health and well-being of its inhabitants in mind also serves its resilience and sustainability by creating capable, healthy, well-minded individuals who will serve their community and engage in the betterment of their city. Methods that help in achieving mental stability within the community include a focus on open spaces, the inclusion of artistic expression and creative city planning, and cultural preservation.

Many questions arise when determining the optimal method to plan cities’ landscapes or designing streamlined buildings, such as; transportation infrastructure, public open spaces, residential development, community mobilization, food security, local facilities, and many others.

These questions are to be addressed in IEREK's 8th edition of the international conference on "Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development," which will be held in collaboration with the University of Florence. Following the success of the previous 7 editions, the conference aims to discuss the concept of sustainable development and the different approaches that have become essential to modern development.

This conference is organized as one of the important tools that help its attendees in exchanging knowledge and enhancing the research community. IEREK invited all interested architects, environmentalists, engineers, and university students from all over the world aiming to increase awareness about the importance of sustainable development in urban cities.

The conference offers publication after a rigorous peer-review process in either the Scopus Indexed “Advances in Science, Technology, and Innovation” ASTI Book series, which is published by Springer, or in IEREK Press’s international Journal “ARChive”.

Scope

The 8th edition of the “Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD)” conference extensively covers a multitude of topics that pertain to sustainable design practices in urban planning and urbanism. UPADSD aims to envelop topics concerning solutions to the urban sprawl, sustainable societal and residential practices, reliable implementations of public transit, and the importance of artistic expression toward the safety, and liveliness of cities. Furthermore, UPADSD will cover preservation efforts of historical aspects of the city, and deliberate upon their utility for current and future generations, in addition to encouraging user-oriented development.

Statement of Purpose

The majority of people around the world live in cities, and we owe it to ourselves to improve upon our habitat and ensure a sustainable way of life that stands the test of time, particularly in modern times where the devastating effects of climate change are knocking at humanity’s door. UPADSD aims to promote and encourage sustainable development techniques in cities and urban areas, by enriching and publicizing academic literature surrounding the topic. Simultaneously, the conference looks to ensure livable and prosperous lives for cities’ residents, highlighting the importance of artistic expression, reliable transport systems, and the inclusion of greenery & forestry.