2nd International conference on sustainable architecture and urban development

Introduction

The increasing urbanization of many parts of the world coupled with other globally critical issues such as environmental pollution, energy consumption, and resources shortage are resulting in major urban crises in many parts of the world. A strong emphasis nowadays is placed upon improving the sustainability of the built environment "from cradle to cradle". This is attributed to the growing public awareness of the importance of "sustainable development" practices, which also enhances quality of life. Public governance and the construction industry are confronted by the push for sustainability. A fresh and holistic approach to designing, constructing and managing the built environment addressing building and the spatial environment is required, which will need to address buildings and he entire spatial environment. New sets of regulatory practices, indicators, measurements, and priorities are emerging with application at all scales - from individual buildings to the district and city-scale level.

Building on the successful international conference Sustainable Architecture and Urban Development held in Tripoli, Libya in 2009,  the second edition for the international conference on Sustainable Architecture and Urban Development will be held.

The conference aims to address the various aspects of urban development considering the implications of applying the principles of sustainability. Of particular interest for the conference is sustainability in the Arab world cities. These cities are undergoing one of the fastest rates of development in the world. However, this rapid, often erratic, and sometimes traumatic growth has not occurred without unwanted consequences in the built environment.

The theme of the conference is "Sustainable Architecture and Urban Development". It aims to provide a forum to examine and discuss solution-oriented, practical methods for implementing sustainable development, and to stimulate more ideas and useful insights regarding architecture and urban development within the context of sustainability. The event will feature international prominent Key Speakers, Academic Sessions, Roundtable Discussions and other interactive discussions, to ensure that all participants will greatly benefit from this conference and its international format.

Conference Theme and Research Tracks

Urban Planning & Urban Design for Sustainability
- Urban sustainability and the move to low carbon development
- Integrating of Renewable Energy Sources for Urban development
- Eco-Design and Eco-Friendly Development
- Eco-System and Biodiversity
- Transit-Oriented Development: Health and Walkability
- Emergent Urban Patterns
- Retrofitting the Existing City
- Green Development and Construction Systems
- Sustainable Housing and Compact Urban Neighborhoods
- Traditional Neighbourhoods Design/Neotraditional Design
- Eco-Mobility: Sustainability in Transport
- Innovative Waste Management Concepts
- Landscape Architecture, Productive Urban Landscape and Urban Farming

Design for Sustainability
- Low Energy Architecture
- Low Cost Building
- Design with Nature
- Sustainable Construction Materials, Systems & Technologies
- Smart and Bioclimatic Architecture
- Building Envelopes and Innovative Façade Systems
- Sustainable Vernacular Architecture
- Ecological, Social and Cultural Sensitivity
- Sustainable Urban Design
- Sustainable Design and Human Behavior: Changing Lifestyles
- Sustainable Renovation and Restoration
- Adaptive Re-use and Brownfield Development
- Cultural Heritage and Eco-Tourism
- Zero-Carbon & Low Energy Housing and Mixed-use Development
- Green Building (case studies)

Whole Life Urban Sustainability and its Assessment
- Measures, Assessment Theory, Complexity and Uncertainty
- Measuring Sustainability: Assessment and Buildings Performance
- Sustainability Assessment of Cities and Districts; Emphasizing Environmental, Economic and Social Assessment.
- Whole Life Thinking
- Whole life Assessment
- Sustainability Assessment Methods, Process, Applications and Limitations
- Benchmarking Systems and Schemes for Best Practice
- Parameters of Sustainable Urbanism
- Indicators of Sustainability

Governance & Local Planning for Sustainability
- Stakeholders Participation
- Sustainability in Developing Countries
- Need for Change - Implications of Legislation on Local Planning
- Legislative Empowerments for Sustainability
- Economical Viability versus Sustainability
- Accountability in Governance Practices: Impacts on Sustainability
- Governance Structures and Resource Management
- Community Governance
- Social Inclusion, Equity and Design for an Ageing Population
- Planning for Sustainability: local versus national initiatives
- Transferring Good Practice in Sustainable Development: Implication for Governance
- Role of the Third/ or Voluntary Sector in Sustainability

Climate Change Versus Sustainability
- Climate Change Impact on the built environment
- City, Community and Building for Resilience – preparing for the carbon and climate crunch
- Sustainability Opportunities and challenges
- Theory and Principles of Eco-City, Philosophy in Practice
- Energy Use and Management
- International Organizations, Initiatives, and Standards on Sustainability