2009 Hyderabad

The Commission has identified 3 main issues :

1) interdependent urban systems,

2) change & conflict within cities, 

3) sustainability and social justice.

They cover seven specific urban problems
– more complex urban systems, contested social spaces, creation of sustainability, dilemmas of aging cities vis a vis new cities and new spaces, increasing insecurity – socio-economic and politico-administrative, urban heritage and conservation – all challenges for efficient urban governance, with cases for ‘inclusive’ approach and strategies for partnerships involving governments, private firms, non-government organizations  and stake holders.

Multilayered Cities and Urban Systems is a transversal topic of the 3 main issues of the Commission:
Multilayerism is characteristic of large settlements with extensive history of diverse connections and interactions, manifest in morphological structures and functions articulated as spatio-temporal specificities. The complexities of existence and coordinations (critical aspects of global-local functionaries) are constant challenges for effective administration, specially with increase in resistance from ‘groups’ asserting their ‘right’ to ‘spaces of existence’ and ‘domination’. Urban settlements form the most important and visible platforms for their enactment and thereby most vulnerable enclaves of the global arena, commanding understanding, explanations and quick interventions to ensure security, in an increasingly interconnected world. The agenda of the Millennium Development Goals emerges as a mirage and must necessarily be debated and resolved to sustain development and global peace. To meet this objective, the present theme has been identified from the platform of the IGU’s Urban Commission

Under the all-encompassing title Multilayered Cities and Urban Systems: Structures, Functions, Transactions and Transitions, the conference proposes to research on debate/discuss the following and related themes:

1. Urban Structures & Systems – Evolution and Implications for Sustainable economy and Environment  – Independence and the Interdependencies
2. Multilayered cities -Mega-cities and Glocalisation – Morphology, Livelihoods, Lifestyles; Formal-Informal Sectors
3. Resources and Urban Requirements – Water, Energy, Services, Other Infrastructure
4. Security and Conflict – for the Economy, the people, the environment – vulnerable areas and marginal people
5. Urban Infrastructure – Amenities Tourism – Amenities and Ambience

Multilayerism – The Theme

Settlements with long historical experiences and varied interactive networks and linkages from diverse economies and cultures produce variations in the structural configurations in respective urban systems and cities. They coexist and sometimes function on the basis of complementarities, but can also have conflicting relation. These have greater significance with respect to old civilisations and cultures, particularly of the old world, with each successive experience forming layers of presence projected in the cultural traits, architectural designs and politico – economic profiles across the urban morphologies. The spaces that each try to carve for themselves invariably involve a kind of confrontation between equals and further marginalisation of the vulnerable sections (people and sectors) in the case of unequals. Efforts at self preservation have given rise to interest groups and organisations in their cause, but the need for their sustenance in economies with limited formal infrastructure is high. The hitherto limited exploration of ‘Multilayerism’ is confined to technological and sociological concept and its relevance to metro cities and systems of the old world being high, the concept gathered consideration for examination in 2005, when the proposal to organise the Urban Commission meeting in Hyderabad was presented to the Commission in Tokyo and Santiago de Compostela in 2005 and 2006, with the formal presentation in 2008 in Tunisia.

The objective is to examine the structures and frameworks of the urban system and the cities, existing and operating, the kind of interactions they enjoy, the systemic and structural strengths and weaknesses present and approaches to tackle them, with comparative studies constituting lessons to learn from and the imperatives of these to safety and security, to financing and governance, and to planning and development is significant.

They include essence of Multilayerism, Observable structures & conceivable solutions/approaches, Elements of urban economies & Ecologies, Hazards, Conflicts and Methods of inclusion and Environmental protection, understanding the elements of functional & infrastructural diversity & approaches to synchronise & synergise with equal commitment to ambience & public safety, Recognition of the formal & informal processes as integral part of the urban system, Replicable models for efficient functioning -strategies.

Participants may view the respective ‘local’ situation to facilitate comparisons construction of a global perspective and significance of specific factors across the world.

Contact Address : Pr. Geetha Reddy Anant / Dr. P. Niranjan Kumar,

Email : mailto:igu.uc2009@gmail.com

Contact Address : Pr. Geetha Reddy Anant / Dr. P. Niranjan Kumar,

Email : mailto:igu.uc2009@gmail.com

*Note : The Registration includes conference Kit, Proceedings, Tea and local Tours. Arrangement of five days’ (31^st July-4^th Aug. 2009) Lunch will incur an addtional cost of US$ 50 per head.

Contact Address : Pr. Geetha Reddy Anant / Dr. P. Niranjan Kumar,

Email : mailto:igu.uc2009@gmail.com

***Note : Includes Transport, Stay, Breakfast, Entrance Fee, Road Tax, Bottled Mineral Water, Lunch

Contact for Clarifications :

State Bank of Hyderabad,

International Services Branch,

First Floor, Prabhat Towers, Chappek Road,

Gunfoundry, Hyderabad – 500 001

Phone : 91-040-23210058, 23210068

Fax : 91-040-66666563

Email : mailto:isbsbh@sbhyd.co.in

OR

Through Fed.Wire : 026009593

SWIFT Code: SBHYINBB002

IFSC : SBHY0020071

Ac/No.: 62088494291

Below, there is a PDF document with some useful advice
to pay the conference fees from Lienhard Loetscher. Don’t forget to
download it !

Conference_fees_-_Advise_for_Bank_transfers_4Febr09.pdf

**
: 24 Hours Room Service, Refrigerator, Tea/Coffee Maker in all rooms, Newspaper, Laundry Service, Cable TV, EPABX enabled telephone facility, Gym, Sauna, Swimming Pool, Health Spa, Multi-cuisine Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Internet Connection, Doctor on Demand, Medical Facilities, Safe Deposit Box, All Major Credit Cards Accepted, Money Exchange Facility, Car Rental Facility, Travel Desk Facility.

Note : Transportation from these Hotels to Conference Venue at stipulated times will be taken care of by the Organisers.

Business Session : 4.00-5.00 p.m. onward : Valedictory Programme 5.30 p.m.

The half day trips – on related themes – Informal Sector, Corporate sector, the EEZ – & sponsored dinner/lunch

Excursion – Hyderabad – Bangalore – Chennai

Hyderabad040209.pdf