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Full stories can be seen at Urbanicity News European Neighbours' Day: let's bring together our citizens! Malawi organises its first Urban Forum Mayors, local authorities say urban dimension crucial to climate change talks Open City presented at Urban Age South America Conference Local and regional governments across the world face the financial and economic crisis CEMR Policy Committee : "Local and regional authorities can help tackle financial crisis" Renewable energy: CEMR calls for full involvement of local and regional authorities Biodiversity loss, an economic threat to cities and towns First high-level UN-HABITAT visit to Iraq in five years Espoo, Ghent and Newcastle win EUROCITIES awards How governments are propelling urban growth The Glocal eCities Network Program Re-Imagining Cities: Urban Design After the Age of Oil A Future Within Reach 2008 Urban Future:The cities of the developing world are spectacularly ill-prepared for the explosion in urban living Second announcement of CEMR's 24th general assembly: a glimpse of what you can expect Biodiversity loss, an economic threat to cities and towns Highlighting the urban dimension at the global climate change talks
. To read the full stories and more news, please visit http://www.urbanicity.org/Site/News/default.aspx
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January Urban Futures: the challenge of sustainability Water Efficiency in Urban Areas International Conference on Humane Habitat Good Urban Governance for Inclusive and Sustainable Cities Climate Change and Urban Poverty
February European Renewable Energy Policy Conference Space. Contestation and the Political International Conference on Design Principles and Practice
March Contesting and Sustaining the City International Advanced Mobility Forum Sustainable Cities and Regions Parallel Patterns of Urban Growth
For a full listing of forthcoming conferences, visit: Urbanicity Events
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Announcement and Call for Abstracts reminder - Velocity 2009 Velo-city 2009 aims to return to the roots of previous Velo-city conferences, in other words, to show the role that cycling plays in urban areas.
One of the key factors in creating habitable cities is an integrated sustainable transport system, and cycling plays a prominent role in this. The characteristics of bicycles prove that cycling is an undeniably urban mode of transport: they take up very little place, they’re quick for short distances, they don’t cause pollution and they’re quiet, healthy and cost-effective. This important challenge of giving cycling a proper place in urban mobility policies has given rise to the theme of Velo-city 2009: RE-CYCLING CITIES. The bike has made a comeback in many European cities, such as Paris, Munich and Barcelona, and has played a pioneering role for years in cities such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Munster, Gent and Groningen. Our wish is to see this trend extend to other European cities. Call for Abstracts and Posters - Your abstract has to be written in English with a maximum of 500 words and should be submitted by January 31 at the latest. Please use this form to submit your abstract. Programme - Full information on the exciting and diversified programme can be found at: http://www.velo-city2009.com/programme-en.html
Register Now - INTERMODES 09 INTERMODES is the first international convention devoted to intermodality in passenger transport. It takes into account all transport modes: air traveling, trains, taxis, individual cars, car-sharing, biking, walking, etc... Intermodality introduces fluidity into travel, and everything involved with it : interoperability, signage, electronic ticketing, accessibility, real-time information, safety, comfort. INTERMODES is aimed at all international players in the passenger transport sector: elected officials, international authorities, community groups, manufacturers, operators, researchers wishing to contribute towards perfecting intermodality on the domestic and European levels and/or developing solutions that promote intermodality. These solutions will be presented during the Convention and through the associated modular exhibition, an innovative - multimedia only - exhibition concept. This first edition of INTERMODES will focus on the EU new member states.Benefit from a reduced rate by booking now. More information and online registration is available at www.intermodes.com
Call for Papers - European Transport Conference 2009 Share your solutions to transport challenges Deadline for the receipt of abstracts: 6 February 2009 Do not lose the opportunity to present a paper at this prestigious conference. We are waiting for your abstract! You can also download a 'Call for Papers' brochure electronically (pdf) from www.aetransport.org or to request a copy by post, please contact: Christine Carr Tel: +44 20 7348 1971 e-mail: christinec@aetransport.org See you in 2009! Special offers available:
Register Now - International Advanced Mobility Forum 2009 A promising programme: The conference programme, which is constantly being updated, can be found on www.iamf.ch/multimedia/docs/2008/12/Program_15_12_08.pdf Register now to attend: Reduced registration fees apply until 31st January 2009.
“The Permanent Oil Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities”, what about Transport & Infrastructure? According to the IEA World Energy Outlook 2008 that was published last November 12th we will by 2015 need at least 7 million barrels per day more oil than is produced, with resulting large oil price increases and volatility. This will inevitably lead to technological, economic and sociological challenges already within the next decade. An economic sector that will enormously be affected is Transport and Infrastructure. Fuel intensive ways of people and goods transportation (road transport, aviation) will become more expensive, whereas less fuel intensive transportation (rail transport, shipping) may expect a boost. This will have serious implications for our commuting and recreational travel, transport logistics and consequently for urban and infrastructural design. A new way of thinking about energy and a fossil fuel-dependent society is necessary and will offer visionary leaders opportunities to make a difference. At the international congress The Permanent Oil Crisis, Challenges & Opportunities, leaders from many sectors will address the challenges we face and suggest how to turn these into business opportunities. For more congress information or registering, please visit www.permanentoilcrisis.com
Register Now - Counter Terror Expo 2009 Counter Terror Expo will bring together the major international organisations involved in countering the threat across the globe. With a unique focus on counter terrorism, don’t miss this opportunity to hear the most up to date global security issues from senior representatives of organisations including NATO, INTERPOL, United Nations and ACPO :
Workshops: In addition to the main conference Counter Terror Expo will also feature a range of practical and technology focused workshops. The workshops format will allow an in depth look specific technologies being deployed in the counter terrorism arena and will also be explore the technologies through a series of real life case studies to provide understanding of the equipment and its role in the fight against terror. Exhibition: Counter Terror Expo focuses on the international threat of terrorism and what can be done to tackle the threats and strengthen state security. Counter Terror Expo will showcase a wide range of high technology security solutions from over 120 leading vendors. More details are available at: http://www.counterterrorexpo.com
Call for Papers - CITIES 3.0: SMART, SUSTAINABLE, INTEGRATIVE will be the topic of REAL CORP 2009 - 14th International Conference on Urban Planning, Regional Development and Information Society in Sitges (Spain / Catalonia) from 22 - 25 April 2009, www.corp.at The CALL FOR PAPERS is still open until December 15th for reviewed papers (abstract, approx. 1000 characters; full paper until Feb. 15th) and REAL CORP 2009 asks for FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF CITIES
and the role of planners in shaping the liveable cities of tomorrow. The major questions to be dealt with at the conference in April 2009 and related to which we invite your contributions are:
There will also be a business-exhibition and possibilities to present companies and products - if interested have a look at our business-folder at http://www.corp.at/Download/CORP2009/realcorp2009sponsor.pdf
Conference Update – Singapore International Water Week 2009 Singapore opens Marina Barrage Singapore’s global hydrohub aspirations have been given a major boost with the opening of Marina Barrage by its Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 31 October. This new icon in Singapore’s Marina area creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir and the first right in the heart of the city. Besides boosting Singapore’s water supply, the barrage also alleviates flooding in the low-lying city areas and provides a lifestyle venue for all to enjoy. The idea of Marina Barrage was conceived more than 20 years ago. A massive 10-year clean-up of the Singapore River, one of the main rivers feeding the Marina Reservoir, was completed then. Back in the 1970s, Singapore River was like an open sewer – dirty, smelly and heavily polluted, a stark contrast to the clean and free-flowing Singapore River of today. It was Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, then Singapore’s Prime Minister, who had the vision of building a dam across the Marina Channel to turn the body of water into a freshwater reservoir. This unique project is one of the best examples of how Singapore has successfully integrated its water solutions with the growing needs of urban cities. By adopting a holistic approach to water management and investing in technology, the city-state has overcome its water challenges in the last 40 years putting in place a diversified and sustainable water supply known as the Four National Taps – water from local catchment, imported water, reclaimed water branded NEWater and desalinated water. “Ensuring that Singapore has an adequate and secure supply of water has been a massive national effort. Since independence, we have steadily expanded our water catchments and invested in water technologies,” said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the official launch of Marina Barrage. “We have also turned our vulnerability into a capability – today Singapore is well known for its knowledge and expertise on water management, and our water engineering companies have won contracts to build water facilities all over the world,” he added. With the barrage in place, the reservoir will be converted into fresh water through natural flushing in six months to one year. With a water catchment area one-sixth the size of the island, Singapore’s first reservoir in the city can supply 10 percent of the country’s water needs. With this new reservoir, as well as two others under development, Singapore’s water catchment will increase from half to two-third of its land area by 2011. The Marina Barrage will be the star showcase at next year’s Singapore International Water Week to be held from 22 June to 26 June at Suntec Singapore. With the theme, Sustainable Cities – Infrastructure and Technologies for Water, the second Water Week will offer global delegates opportunities to tour several of the country’s state-of-the-art water facilities including the newly completed Marina Barrage, Deep Tunnel Sewerage System and NEWater Visitor Centre. Through the event’s Technical Tours, delegates can get a deeper insight into Singapore’s experiences and know-how in finding sustainable water solutions. Says Khoo Teng Chye, Chief Executive of PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, ‘‘We would like to share our experiences with the delegates who will be here to learn about infrastructural and technological water solutions next year. But most of all, we want to inspire visitors, especially those who come from countries endowed with very little natural water resources, that with good foresight, clear vision, sound governance and strong willpower, anything is possible and sustainability is within everyone’s reach.’’ d 5th December 2008, Faro, Portuga
Final Call for Papers – EVS 24 – Towards Zero Emission Largest number of abstracts received - ever! The 40th International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exposition (EVS) series, organized by the World Electric Vehicle Association (WEVA), Conference Topics
Research projects comparing different technologies, their energy need or efficiency, their life cycle analysis or similar analysis including comparisons between technologies based on battery, hybrids, fuel cells/hydrogen, bio fuels etc and the impact to reduce emissions on a large scale in a well to wheel perspective.
Second Announcement - CEMR General Assembly 2009 The second announcement of Council of European Municipalities and Regions' 24th general assembly is now available. It includes a detailed programme of the different sessions and speakers. CEMR's general assembly.will be held from 22 to 24 April 2009 in Malmö, and over 1,200 local and regional representatives are expected to attend. The first day will focus on a political debate on the international and European challenges local and regional government have to prepare for and adapt to in the best way. The second day will address issues surrounding democracy and governance, demographic change, public services, cohesion policy and the cooperation between the EU and its neighbours. A session will examine the role of local government in international development and the new kinds of partnerships growing at local government level. The third day will be organised around two major themes: local solutions to tackle climate change, and twinning in a changing Europe. A final plenary session will be devoted to what local government can do now to prepare for tomorrow. The second announcement also provides practical information on how to register for the general assembly as well as on the technical visits and accompanying tours to be held after the three-day event. More information is available at: http://www.ccre2009.se
Water Environment Federation (WEF) Offers Global Exhibiting Opportunities WEF International Pavilions provide your company with a venue to introduce and distribute your products and services into the global market. In 2009, WEF will host pavilions at WETEX in Dubai, Wasser Berlin in Berlin and the China Water Show in Shanghai. These shows have been strategically chosen to maximize your exposure to markets that are in need of equipment and services to enhance environmental sustainability. Exhibit under the WEF banner in a prime location and increase your global presence. WEF International Pavilion benefits include:
Plus much more...For more information and to reserve, go here.
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| Conference Round-up |
Call for Abstracts: Interdisciplinary Conference at York University Conference on Human Security in the Arab Region |
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Over 60% of Europeans and over half the world’s population live in urban areas, and these figures are set to rise.