LIFE IN THE NEW GLOBAL CITIES——Call for Conference Papers

　

 

LIFE IN THE NEW GLOBAL CITIES

Call for Conference Papers

July 1-2, 2013

Beijing, China

 

 

Conference Announcement

With ongoing urbanization in emerging market countries, urban development issues have become enduring research subjects in the social sciences and areas of policy focus in governance. How can we explain an increasingly complex urban world and make it better? To provide a platform for exchanging the latest insights in both theory and practice, and to explore the interactive relations between global cities and their residents, the School of Social Development and Public Policy (SSDPP), Beijing Normal University (BNU), will host the Conference on Life in New Global Cities in Beijing on 1-2 July 2013, in cooperation with the International Development and Public Policy Alliance (IDPPA).

IDPPA founding members are:

Fundacao Getulio Vargas [FGV], Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL

Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration [RANEPA], Moscow, RUSSIA

Jindal School of Government and Public Policy [JSGP], Delhi, INDIA

Beijing Normal University School of Social Development and Public Policy [SSDPP], Beijing, CHINA

American University in Cairo [AUC] School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, Cairo, EGYPT

School of Government and Public Policy [SGPP], Jakarta, INDONESIA

 

IDPPA was initiated by SSDPP to connect public policy scholars and practitioners (mainly in major emerging economies) to share academic research, exchange teaching resources, and push forward policy actions. Members of IDPPA are expected to be top public policy schools in developing nations. The 2013 conference is its first annual conference, and over 30 academic participants from member institutions will participate. The conference will present panel discussions and keynote speeches in the first two days and a roundtable in the morning of the third day. Policy makers and NGO leaders will be also invited to share their experiences in urban governance and engage with academics at roundtables. Graduate students are particularly encouraged to present their research in the panel discussion.

 

Conference Themes

The conference aims to highlight international urban studies that systematically and critically explore the state of the art in various aspects of urban development, and link them to the broader trends of new global cities. According to the 2012 United Nations Habitat Wheel of Prosperity, a prosperous city is one that provides the following five key elements, which are also the themes of the panel discussions in our conference.

PRODUCTIVITY- It contributes to economic growth and development, generates income, provides decent jobs and equal opportunities for all by implementing effective economic policies and reforms. The panel on productivity will explore how new global cities are shaped by national economic drivers and shape national economies, as well as exploring new and innovative strategies for fostering economic development in the new global city.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT - Urban infrastructure has a complex relationship with planning practice and urban policies. It provides adequate infrastructure – water, sanitation, roads, information and communication technology--  in order to improve urban living and enhance productivity, mobility and connectivity. The panel on infrastructure development will discuss common issues in global cities, including transportation, energy consumption, investment, and corruption.

QUALITY OF LIFE – It enhances the use of public spaces in order to increase community cohesion and civic identity, and guarantees the safety and security of lives and property. The panel on quality of life aims at gathering reflections on public policies which have the potential to deepen and expand the current debate on urban quality of life, and at coming to a consensus on urban habitability.

EQUITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION – It ensures the equitable distribution and redistribution of the benefits of a prosperous city, reduces poverty and the incidence of slums, protects the rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, enhances gender equality, and ensures civic participation in the social, political and cultural spheres. The panel on equity and social inclusion will introduce how governing practices have contributed to re-claiming equity in global cities, and will exchange policy solutions from an institutional perspective.

SUSTAINABILITY – The protection of the urban environment and its natural assets while ensuring growth and seeking ways to use energy more efficiently are key objectives for the new global city. Reducing pressure on surrounding land and natural resources and minimizing environmental losses by generating creative solutions to enhance the quality of the environment are other guiding concepts for future urban prosperity.  The panel on sustainability will widen the academic horizons in this field by addressing the broad range of strategies available to make the global city of the future economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable.

We are inviting proposals for paper presentations on the above five themes. Proposal ideas beyond these thematic areas will also be considered.

Abstract and Paper Submission

1. Potential participants should submit an abstract to yangtingting@bnu.edu.cn as attachments by Mar 15, 2013. It should include the title of the paper, name of author, affiliation, e-mail, telephone numbers, abstract of no more than 300 words, key words, in MS Word or PDF format.

2. The organizing committee will review the paper abstracts and invite selected participants to participate in the conference. There is no registration fee for selected participants.

3. If selected, the paper needs to be submitted to yangtingting@bnu.edu.cn by Jun 15, 2013, including the title of the paper, name of author, affiliation, abstract, key words, full text and references, in MS Word or PDF format.

Costs and Funding

1. Registration fee is 100 RMB for individual participants.

2. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses and local costs.

3. Meal coupons that cover lunch on July 1 will be given to paper presenters and registered participants.

 

Conference Committee

    Zhang Xiulan (Chair), Dean and Professor, SSDPP

Tel: +86 (10) 13910959315    zhang99@bnu.edu.cn

Tian Fangmeng, Assistant Professor and Vice Director of International Affairs Committee, SSDPP

Tel: +86 (10) 13671360416    tianfm@bnu.edu.cn

Robin Lewis, Professor and Director of Global Partnership Network, SSDPP

Tel: +86 (10) 13611382777     decan1227@yahoo.com

Wang Xinsong, Assistant Professor and Director of International Affairs Committee, SSDPP

Tel: +86 (10) 13910037605     xinsong@bnu.edu.cn

 

Conference Coordinator

Yang Tingting, International Programs Coordinator

Tel: +86 (10) 5880-1861 / +86 (10) 15901456231     yangtingting@bnu.edu.cn

 

Key Conference Information

Deadline for abstract submissions: 1 April 2013

Deadline for paper submissions: 15 June 2013

Conference dates: July 1 - 2, 2013

Conference location: Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

Operating Unit：The International Committee, SSDPP, BNU

 

Conference Sponsors (in formation)

International Development and Public Policy Alliance (IDPPA)

UN Habitat

BRIC Lab, Columbia University New York City, USA

Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University Waltham, MA, USA

 

Conference Details

To learn more about the conference, including speakers, session formats, venue, registration, and the like, please visit (a web link) to access desired information after April 1, 2013.