EUROPAN 9

Here we have the new edition of one of the most important competition in Europe for young architects and city planners. All the information will be ready on next monday, 5th February, at the official web site.

The generic theme of Europan 9 is "European urbanity, sustainable city and new public spaces".

This edition counts with two Estonian cities, Tartu and Tallinn, as proposed sites.

If you cannot wait till next week, visit the website. Basic information is already launched: http://www.europan-europe.com

Good luck to all you!!!

HABITAT5. HOUSING. NEW WAYS OF INHABITING

From 2nd till 3rd of February will take place in Albacete (Spain) the conferences under the title “Habitat5. Housing. New way of inhabitating”. Organized by Foro Civitas Nova, a very interesting initiative in research, knowledge exchange and awareness of housing and urban development.
Experts in different areas will analyze the habitats where we live from several perspectives: space, technology, social behavior, environment or flexibility.
Even if you cannot attend to the conferences, i would have a look on this web site. They have interesting material on urban studies.
Conferences site:
http://www.forocivitasnova.org/jornadahabita5i.htm (english)

1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF YOUNG URBAN RESEARCHERS

The First International Conference of Young Urban Researchers (FICYUrb) will take place at ISCTE, in Lisbon – Portugal, June 11th and 12th, 2007. The organization of this scientific meeting was born from the will to create a space of interdisciplinary debate. Young researchers in urban studies that work and develop their researches on cities are expected to play a major role in this scientific meeting dynamic’s. The Conference is intended to be an adequate space to disseminate the most recent academic researches in urban studies from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives of the social sciences. While encouraging an international scientific debate, the Conference will provide a place of interchange between young urban studies practitioners and senior academics with a wide experience, especially those invited to the Opening and Final lectures in the meeting.

Call for papers:Those interested must send an abstract of approximately 250 words and a shortBiography-CV by March 16th , 2007. Papers in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French will be accepted. Authors will be noticed by April 2nd , 2007 . Completed Papers expected by May 14th , 2007.Guidelines for authors will be sent soon.

Further information:
https://conferencias.iscte.pt/index.php?cf=3

Alvar Aalto, through the eyes of Shigeru Ban

Are you planning to visit London?? If you are, then you are lucky to find a very interesting exhibition at the Barbican Center.
There is no need to introduce Alvar Aalto, but maybe you do not know that Shigeru Ban in one of the most important architects in the world. He is japanese and his works are very innovative about the use of materials. He was one of the first in using recycling in architecture.
The exhibition faces again the work of Alvar Aalto but through the personal experience of another architect, who belongs to another generation and was born in a different culture.

The exhibition will be open from 22 February till 13 May at the Barbican Centre of London.

More info: http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=4341

Culture and City - call for papers

EUROPEAN FELLOWSHIPS FOR
TRAINING IN URBAN STUDIES
ISSUE 2007:

CULTURE AND CITY
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The importance of the European city for the process of European integration lies to a great deal in the cultural heritage it provides for present urban residents and future generations. On the basis of this strong backbone of identity, cultural heritage as well as cultural expression will generate a place where economic, social and political changes can be collectively faced.

The workshop and the conference will develop scientific research on:
- Culture as a factor for urban regeneration
- Culture as a strategy for social cohesion
- Culture and the creation of innovative milieus

The role of culture has been recognized by cities in order to boost economic development by subsidies to cultural events and investment in cultural buildings. In which way can culture provide a sustainable urban development in ways that attract visitors and enterprise and at the same time enhance citizens’ identity and everyday life? In what ways can cultural and urban regeneration support social cohesion?

VENUE: Karlskrona, Sweden

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION 1st of April 2007
WORKSHOP: 29th June – 6th July 2007
CONFERENCE: 16th – 18th November 2007

For further information about the programme and application procedure, please visit: www.urban-future.net

The 3rd Christina Conference on Women's Studies

GENDER, IMAGES, AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS
March 8-10, 2007, University of Helsinki, Finland

Programme and registration:
http://www.helsinki.fi/kristiina-instituutti/conference/index.htm

Early bird registration closes Monday 15 January!

Registration (by January 15th, 2007)
120 euros
Late registration (after January 15th, 2007)
150 euros

Student fee (by 15th January, 2007)
50 euros
Student fee (after January 15th, 2007)
70 euros

The life in a city without a car

It is possible to survive without a car in a city from the USA. This interesting article explains how the life of a San Franciso citizen changes when he decides to make all his activities by public transportation or bike instead of a car. He compares the expences and the time spent. His feelings and thoughts are also interesting.
I would read it, it is worth: http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/16289155.htm

OMA at Latvia

The Latvian Ministry of Culture announced plans to move forward with its first museum of contemporary art, designed by Rem Koolhaas and the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA). The 16,000 m2 museum, to be built in the port city of Riga, will be Latvia's first new museum of art in over 100 years. Imagined as a multi-functional centre for contemporary culture, the museum will host seminars, concerts and theatrical performances, in addition to housing international exhibitions and a permanent collection of contemporary Baltic art.

Read more: http://www.artdaily.com/section/news/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=18633