RGU to host inaugural international urbanism conference

The event will open debate on issues around border urbanism and the effects of divided cities due to border and segregation of land. 

Taking place at the Garthdee campus from September 5-7, Urbanism at Borders will feature a number of high profile speakers, such as Professor Alan Dunlop, who has recently backed calls for a bridge linking Scotland and Northern Ireland, and RGU Visiting Professor, Normal McLennan, who will discuss the energy share at the border regions and inter-Sino-British trade share.

Architect Neil Gillespie will deliver a keynote on the uniqueness of architectural professional at inter-regional Scottish-English practices, and Greg Hall, Associate Dean at Mississippi State University will discuss ‘Profession at an Intersection: Global Challenges in Architecture Practice and Education’.

The conference delegates and speakers will discuss the critical issues and various patterns of urbanism at and around border regions and to question its effect in terms of political, social, economic and built environment on various border typologies around the world.

Dr Quazi Zaman, from RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment, who is organising the conference commented: “We have invited architects, planners, historians, political analysts, humanitarian experts, human geographers and other colleagues from allied disciplines to join us for this inaugural conference looking at border urbanism.

“We have a great variety of topics, ideas and case studies on border and its related issues, such as transient settlement, border as catalyst of inner urban changes, mobility and land-lock issues.

“We look forward to welcoming our guests from all over the world for this inaugural conference and are excited at the discussions and debate which will take place.”

The Urbanism at Borders conference will move locations each year, with the next two years planned for Madrid and Budapest.