Beijing Forum 2012 – Sub-forum: Inheritance of World Cities Spirit – Lessons and Innovations – The 5th International Workshop of RSAI in China
Beijing Forum 2012
Sub-forum: Inheritance of World Cities Spirit – Lessons and Innovations
The 5th International Workshop of RSAI in China
Call for papers
At the occasion of Beijing Forum 2012, a sub-forum on the above-mentioned theme will be jointly organized by the Beijing Development Institute of Peking University, Regional Science Association of China (RSAC) and Regional Science Association International (RSAI). The event will take place in Beijing, China, 2 – 4 November 2012.
Thematic Description
‘The challenges and opportunities – new thinking in new reality’ is the invitation extended by the Beijing Forum (2012) to global scholars for discussion and reflection on ways how to deal with the uncertainties and risks brought by the drastic changes of the world situations so as to contribute wisdom and strength to each country’s reform and development, as well as social harmony and progress. The City Sub-Forum will focus on the evolving spirit of world cities: Autonomy, inclusiveness, equity and participation as well as the important role of its inheritance in building harmonious cities and promoting their sustainable development. While this sub-forum is designed to stimulated awareness and understanding among key stakeholders on the role of inheritance and development of the world cities spirit, it is hoped that sharing innovative stories and lessons will result in a call for joint efforts towards a healthy world cities spirit and a renewed resolve to harness social and economic progress stemming from globalization.
Urbanization is the inevitable trend in the course of human civilization. More than half of the world population lives in cities and the rate of urbanization is on a rapid rise. The trend of rapid urbanization increases human welfare, which enables more people to enjoy the modern amenities of urban civilization but also brings in new side-effects. The widening gap between the rich and poor in cities, the tremendous pressure put on the urban environment and management by bulging urbanized population, the escalating tensions between human beings and nature, the impact of foreign culture on the local culture are all serious issues acutely felt in times of rapid urbanization, particularly in world cities. As the backbone of globalization, world cities shoulder different missions from ordinary cities. As the bridges that interconnect the world, they are entrusted with the task to serve both their country and the world at large, and to promote globalization. Political, economic and cultural interactions shape the distinctive environment of world cities that bring about a unique urban culture and spirit of the city.
We need autonomy and innovation to give a full play to the features of the world cities; we need accommodation and inclusiveness to build harmonious and diversified culture; we need fairness and equity to promote common prosperity; we especially need active participation to build our world cities! Autonomy, inclusiveness, equity and participation are the core principles of the spirit of world cities; furthermore, its inheritance and development trajectory is an indispensable part of their makeup. It is an aspiration of scholars, politicians, entrepreneurs and citizen to find a certain philosophy to create a highly-adaptable human environment, inherit and develop the spirit of world cities and build harmonious and sustainable world cities.
This sub-forum invites preeminent experts, scholars and city managers in the field of urban development and management throughout the world to the debate on the essential importance of inheriting and developing the spirit of world cities as well as its development paths and approaches. Through creative thinking, we would like to shape better city management modes based on healthy world cities spirit to deal with the huge challenges brought by globalization, to enhance human well-being, and ultimately to sustain harmonious and livable cities for the long term.
There will be 4 thematic topics for this sub-forum:
1) Global political, economic and cultural interactions and the spirit of world cities;
2) Self-identity, creative class and city branding amid homogenizing trends autonomy and innovation;
3) Common prosperity of world cities: inclusiveness and equity;
4) Inheritance and development of the spirit of world cities: participatory urban development.
Application Process
The forum welcomes interested scholars, politicians and city managers to join our debate. You are required to submit your application form (http://www.narsc.org/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Application%20Form-BJ%20Forum%20City%20Sub-Forum.pdf) with the abstract of your presentation by the 31st of July 2012. The selection results will be announced in early August 2012, followed by an official invitation from the Secre
tariat of Beijing Forum. In order to simplify the application process, please send your application and abstract directly to us by email (the Organizing Group for the City Sub-Forum, Beijing Forum). Official invitation and logistical arrangements will be taken over by the Secretariat of Beijing Forum after the selection process for this sub-forum. However, we will continue to work closely with all the selected participants on academic matters. We will also send you further instructions on online submission of full papers, official registration, etc., and provide any further assistance to accommodate your participation in this event.
Financial Assistance
All selected participants will receive full financial assistance covering their travel and accommodation costs. The detailed policy is provided in the introduction on Beijing Forum.
Contact Information
Please contact us at:
Dr. CAI Mantang, Coordinator City Sub-Forum, Beijing Forum 2012
Tel.: +86-10-8252-9560
Fax: +86-10-8252-9539
Email: BJDI@pku.edu.cn
University of Azores | Rua Capitão João D’Ávila
9700-042-Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal
Phone/Fax: (+351) 295 332 001
www.regionalscience.org | E-mail: rsai@apdr.pt