Resilience in Urban and Regional Development. From Concept to Implementation
International Conference, 27/28 March 2014 in Berlin
Call for Abstracts
In contrast to sustainability, the definition of resilience relates to the ability of ecosystems to absorb shocks and disruptions and to maintain central functions in a system to the greatest possible extent even when exposed to stress. Of significance here is not only the development of robust and resistant structures, but also the establishment of a regional system with a high level of adaptive capacity that can both reactively and proactively adjust to changing framework conditions. A resilient urban region is characterised particularly by ecological, economic and social integrity.
The aim of the conference, to be held in 2014, is to position and embed the concept of resilience in the theoretical context, to define determinants of resilience, and to illustrate the various perspectives of resilience research. The operationalisation and empirical investigation of regional and urban resilience are particular focuses of interest. An especial aim is, for instance, to present proposals for measuring concepts, indicators and investigative strategies so that empirical findings can provide a basis for developing practical guidelines and recommendations for action for the various actors in spatial planning and spatial development. In the last decade the concept of urban and regional resilience has been much discussed and has been further developed in many areas. Today academics, politicians and decision-makers are concerned with the question of how resilience in cities and regions emerges and can be developed. However, in particular the practical instrumentalisation of the resilience concept, and the measurability and empirical verification of resilience have to date been very little researched and should be discussed within the framework of this conference.
The conference is to be divided into a number of specialised panels.
- The panel "Concepts, Interrelations and Determinants" is intended to focus on differentiating the resilience concept from the concepts of vulnerability, adaptability and sustainability. The aim is to provide answers to questions concerning the reasons for and the determinants of resilience.
- The second panel is concerned with current topics in resilience research. Directions for the further conceptual and practice-oriented development of the topic area are to be indicated. Focuses can include social resilience (city, demography and sociology), ecological resilience (climate change, risk and disaster), economic crisis, recovery and innovation, urban distress and revitalisation, and policy and governance for resilience.
- The panel "Operationalisation of Resilience" focuses on the empirical investigation and measurability of regional and urban resilience. Proposals for measuring concepts, indicators and investigative strategies are to be discussed.
- The fourth panel considers the implementation and application of resilience strategies. Empirical findings should be used as a basis for the development of practical guidelines and recommendations for action for various actors in spatial development and spatial planning.
The conference on "Resilience in Urban and Regional Development. From Concept to Implementation" is being organised by the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS). The DLGS is sponsored jointly by the Leibniz Institute of Ecological and Regional Development (IOER), the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) and the Academy for Spatial Research and Planning (ARL).
Abstracts of papers are invited from interested scientists, in particular from young academics, from those working in the fields of politics and public administration, and from representatives of professional bodies. Travel costs for presenters travelling to the conference from outside Germany can be subsidised on application.
It is planned that papers based on the presentations will be published in a refereed scientific journal. The conference language is English.
- Please visit the website of the DLGS for the required form and for further information regarding the submission of abstracts: www.dlgs-dresden.de/konferenz-2014
Please note the following key dates:
- November 1, 2013: deadline for submitting abstracts
- December 1, 2013: notification of acceptance of paper (by e-mail)
- January 1, 2014: publication of programme / beginning of registration period
Please address any enquiries regarding the call for papers or the conference to:
Dr. Andreas Klee, Academy for Spatial Research and Planning (ARL):
Klee@ARL-net.de
(for content-related questions)
Angélique Griguhn, Academy for Spatial Research and Planning (ARL):
Griguhn@ARL-net.de
(for organisational queries)
