Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability – On Sustainability Research Network and the University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal

ABOUT US
Founded in 2005, the On Sustainability Research Network is brought together by a common concern for sustainability from a holistic perspective, where environmental, cultural, economic, and social interests intersect. We seek to build an epistemic community where we can make linkages across disciplinary, geographic, and cultural boundaries.

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CALL FOR PAPERS
https://onsustainability.com/2024-conference/call-for-papers
Place: The University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal and Online
Format: A mix of live, pre-recorded, and in person (at scale that’s allowed) presentations and social interaction spaces.
Dates: 24-26 January 2024
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SPECIAL FOCUS
Pathways to Sustainability Innovation: Perspectives from Civil Society, Government and Business
Sustainability is an interconnected domain between the natural environment, the economy, politics, culture and society. It should be integrated into every decision made about the future. There are many pathways to sustainability innovation. Theoretical and practical perspectives may help generate innovations in technology, governance, business practices and economics. All of us have a stake in the conservation of the natural environment but we may struggle to find the optimal paths towards sustainability. Civil society groups play a vital role in innovating local solutions and in monitoring local environmental change. Government may play a contradictory role, promoting environmental regulations while also supporting unsustainable economic models. Similarly, businesses may research and develop low carbon technological innovations while using accounting models that treat environmental degradation as an externality.

Through examining the roles of these three stakeholders – civil society, government and business - the theme of sustainability innovation will be explored at the Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability. Innovations are needed that respect and nurture the ecological realities and planetary boundaries within which all sustainability initiatives take place. Innovation requires participation, with every agent (women, men, children, the elderly, families, villages, business and government) playing an active role in mitigating the impacts of human activity. Education, monitoring and assessment is essential at all levels and across all sectors if environmental policy and governance is to promote adaptations and improvements to our relationship with nature.
We warmly welcome proposals for papers, workshops, interactive sessions, posters and exhibits on the theme of pathways to sustainability innovation and on all dimensions of sustainability. The conference will appeal to scholars, activists, business people and government policy makers. We look forward to welcoming you to this blended conference either online or as an in-place participant in Aveiro, Portugal.
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CONFERENCE THEMES
Theme One – MULTIPLE LEGACIES: HERITAGE, TRADITIONS, LOCAL ECOLOGIES, KNOWLEDGE, VALUES, PROTECTION
Theme Two – EXTRACTIONS: FOOD, WATER, ENERGY, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, REUSE, DISTRIBUTION, ACCESSIBILITY, NON-MATERIAL EXTRACTIONS
Theme Three – DIGITAL SUSTAINABILITY: SUSTAINABLE DIGITALIZATION, SMART COMMUNITIES, SMART MOBILITY, GREEN TECHNOLOGIES, ELECTRONIC WASTE
Theme Four – SUSTAINING CRISIS: (DE)GROWTH, ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIES, GREENWASHING, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL MOVEMENTS
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Fourteenth International Conference on The Constructed Environment – Constructed Environment Research Network and Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria

ABOUT US
Founded in 2010, The Constructed Environment Research Network is brought together by a common shared interest in human configurations of the environment and the interactions among the constructed, social, and natural environments. As a Research Network, we are defined by our scope and concerns and motivated to build strategies for action framed by our shared themes and tensions.
https://constructedenvironment.com/about
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CALL FOR PAPERS
https://constructedenvironment.com/2024-conference/call-for-papers
Place: Universität Wien, Vienna, Austria and Online
Format: A mix of live, pre-recorded, and in person (at scale that’s allowed) presentations and social interaction spaces.
Dates: 5-6 April 2024
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SPECIAL FOCUS
Asocial Forms: Reconfiguring Possibilities of Urban Space
In our cities, the built environment and physical forms play crucial roles in shaping social interactions and community building. However, many urban spaces have come to be characterized by “asocial forms,” physical structures and spaces that lack connections to other parts of the city or do not foster social interaction between individuals. These forms can contribute to a sense of isolation and disconnection among residents, leading to a fragmented and asocial society.
This conference explores the relationship between asocial forms and social life in the urban environment, examining the ways in which the design and use of urban spaces can either facilitate or hinder social interaction. Societal shifts long in the making have contributed to today’s conditions, such as suburbanization, individualization through single-family housing, car-dependent isolation, and technology that caters to the individual over the collective. It can be argued that by reconfiguring asocial forms and creating more opportunities for social interaction, cities can foster a sense of community and enhance the overall well-being of residents.
Through a critical examination of current conditions, case studies, and best practices, the conference provides insights into how urban designers, planners, and policymakers can promote social connections and create more inclusive and livable cities.
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CONFERENCE THEMES
Theme One – THE DESIGN OF SPACE AND PLACE
Theme Two – CONSTRUCTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Theme Three – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
Theme Four – SOCIAL IMPACTS
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