The eighth edition of the International Conference on “Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development” was held in collaboration with the University of Florence in Italy, and took place physically and virtually from the 24th to the 26th of October, including attendees from all corners of the world.

This conference is organized as one of the important tools that help its attendees exchange knowledge and enhance the research community. IEREK invited all interested architects, environmentalists, engineers, and university students from all over the world aiming to increase awareness about the importance of sustainable development in urban cities.

The conference covered a wide array of topics that pertain to the sustainable development of cities and architectural constructs. Some of the main topics that were discussed include:

1- Urban Design Strategies for Climatic Mitigation

2- Urban Design: Development, and Management

3- Innovations in Architectural Design Methods and Technologies

4- Integrating Art and Culture in Urban and Architectural Landscapes

5-The Future of Urbanism and Sustainable Design

6-Reinventing the Built Environment: Emerging Trends and Innovations

Day 1:

Welcoming Session:

The Opening Ceremony started with online registration and welcoming speeches from the Conference Chair, Prof. Francesco Alberti, and IEREK’s founder, Dr. Mourad Amer.

Short welcoming speeches were given by the conference chair Professor Francesco Alberti, Prof. Giuseppe De Luca, Director of the Department of Architecture (DiDA), University of Florence, Italy, Prof. Ferdinando Trapani, Professor at the Urban Planning Department of Architecture, Polytechnic School University of Palermo, Italy, and A welcoming word by Dr. Mourad Amer, CEO of IEREK.

Following the speeches, a brief presentation was given that introduced IEREK as a company and its activities to the audience.

Plenary sessions:

A plenary session followed introducing the first keynote speaker Francesca Olivieri,
Associate professor at the Department of Construction and Technology in Architecture of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, whose speech was entitled: “Measuring the benefits of nature-based metropolitan solutions. Madrid case studies.”

Following the keynote speeches, parallel sessions 1, 2, and 3 took place.

The First Session of the conference titled “Architectural Design Methods and Technologies” was moderated by Janina Sánchez Cárdenas, Architect and Landscape Architect at edit, Norway, Dr. Rosa Romano, Associate professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy, Dr.  Giulia Misseri, Researcher at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy.

The Second Session of the conference titled “Fostering Public Space and Place Identity” was moderated by Dr. Jocelyn A. Rivera-Lutap, Associate Professor / Dean, College of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila,
Philippines, Dr Giulio Giovannoni, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy and Eleonora Giannini, Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy.

The third Session of the conference titled “Urban Design: Development, and Management” was moderated by Dr. Paola Gallo, Associate professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy, Jaire Cagigal, Researcher at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador and Dr. Andrea Testi, Research fellow at the University of Florence, Italy.

As the sessions went on, multiple authors presented their research in person and online, taking questions from the audience, and answering them as best they could.

After a discussion and a Questions and Answers session, the first conference day ended with a Panel session where final remarks and feedback were discussed.

Day 2:

The second day started with online registration, followed by a keynote speech by Professor Alcestis Rodi, Professor of the Department of Architecture at the University of Patras. Whose speech was entitled: “New Architecture in Historic or Sensitive Contexts: Concepts and Mutations in Urban Design.”

Following the keynote speech, parallel sessions 4 ,5,6, and 7 took place.

The fourth Session of the conference titled “Improving Urban Resilience” was moderated by Dr. Lbylou Bandala-Golla, Chairperson, Department of Environmental Planning College of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Dr. Maria Rita Gisotti, Associate professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy, Dr. Michael Davis Maks, Senior Lecturer-Researcher of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador and Dr. Giulio Hasanaj, Researcher at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy.

The fifth Session of the conference titled “Art, Culture and Heritage” was moderated by Dr. Eleni Tracada, Senior Lecturer in Built Environment (Architecture), College of Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Derby, UK, Dr. Massimo Carta, Associate professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy, Dr. Elena Tarsi, Researcher at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy and Dr. Antonella Radicchi, Researcher at the University of Siena, Italy.

Following session 4,5, a short lunch break was issued, and the final session was set to begin soon after.

The sixth Session of the conference titled “Energy and Transport” was moderated by Dr.  Francesco Alberti, Associate professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy. Dr.  Giovanna Acampa, Associate professor at “Kore” University, Enna, Italy, and Dr. Cristina Piselli, Assistant professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy.

The seventh Session of the conference titled “The Future of Urbanism and Sustainable Design” was moderated by Dr. Silvio Cristiano, Assistant professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy, Bianca Galmarini, Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy, Dr. Alessandra Donato, Adjunct professor at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy, and Dr. Maria Vittoria Arnetoli, Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Architecture (DIDA), University of Florence, Italy.

As the sessions went on, multiple authors presented their research in person and online, taking questions from the audience, and answering them as best they could.

After a discussion and a Questions and Answers session, the first conference day ended with a Panel session where final remarks and feedback were discussed.

Day 3:

On the final day of the UPADSD conference Prof. Alberti spoke about Florence's rich history at the closing of the event, The speech was entitled: “Living in a Heritage City:  Florence between Past and Present.” 

Wrapping up, final remarks, and a closing ceremony were held, Then All participants also enjoyed a walking tour through Florence's World Heritage site.

The tour includes visits to three historic complexes undergoing rehabilitation to accommodate new urban functions:

1. the former monastery of Sant'Orsola, which is set to become a cultural and crafts hub;
2. the "Granaio dell’Abbondanza” (granary of abundance), a 16th-century granary (later barracks), recently transformed into an Innovation Centre.
3.  The Murate complex, a former prison carved out of an ancient convent has become over the years a mixed-use neighborhood.

The world has suffered considerably from the Covid-19 Pandemic, which is still ongoing to this day even if it is somehow on a lower level. The speed that Covid-19 has spread and the impact that it had on our communities makes us wonder if our cities' planning and designs are equipped to battle not only natural disasters but also health issues, or in this case "A Health Disaster."

Equipping cities with a well-built infrastructure, ready to face the threat of unforeseen disasters is paramount, for preventative measures trump corrective ones. Designing a city poised to face such threats requires a multi-disciplinary approach, one that tackles transit systems, energy resource management, waste management and recycling, public space integration, and the inclusion of gardens and lush forestry. Designing a city with the mental health and well-being of its inhabitants in mind also serves its resilience and sustainability by creating capable, healthy, well-minded individuals who will serve their community and engage in the betterment of their city. Methods that help in achieving mental stability within the community include a focus on open spaces, the inclusion of artistic expression and creative city planning, and cultural preservation.

Many questions arise when determining the optimal method to plan cities’ landscapes or designing streamlined buildings, such as; transportation infrastructure, public open spaces, residential development, community mobilization, food security, local facilities, and many others.

These questions are to be addressed in IEREK's 8th edition of the international conference on "Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development," which will be held in collaboration with the University of Florence. Following the success of the previous 7 editions, the conference aims to discuss the concept of sustainable development and the different approaches that have become essential to modern development.

This conference is organized as one of the important tools that help its attendees in exchanging knowledge and enhancing the research community. IEREK invited all interested architects, environmentalists, engineers, and university students from all over the world aiming to increase awareness about the importance of sustainable development in urban cities.

The conference offers publication after a rigorous peer-review process in either the Scopus Indexed “Advances in Science, Technology, and Innovation” ASTI Book series, which is published by Springer, or in IEREK Press’s international Journal “ARChive”.

Scope

The 8th edition of the “Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD)” conference extensively covers a multitude of topics that pertain to sustainable design practices in urban planning and urbanism. UPADSD aims to envelop topics concerning solutions to the urban sprawl, sustainable societal and residential practices, reliable implementations of public transit, and the importance of artistic expression toward the safety, and liveliness of cities. Furthermore, UPADSD will cover preservation efforts of historical aspects of the city, and deliberate upon their utility for current and future generations, in addition to encouraging user-oriented development.

Statement of Purpose

The majority of people around the world live in cities, and we owe it to ourselves to improve upon our habitat and ensure a sustainable way of life that stands the test of time, particularly in modern times where the devastating effects of climate change are knocking at humanity’s door. UPADSD aims to promote and encourage sustainable development techniques in cities and urban areas, by enriching and publicizing academic literature surrounding the topic. Simultaneously, the conference looks to ensure livable and prosperous lives for cities’ residents, highlighting the importance of artistic expression, reliable transport systems, and the inclusion of greenery & forestry.

• 1. Urban Design Strategies for Climatic Mitigation

  1.1. Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions in Urbanism
  1.2. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Architecture
  1.3. Adaptive Architecture and Construction
  1.4. Mitigating the Impacts of the Urban Heat Island Effect
  1.5. Carbon Sequestration in the Built Environment

• 2. Urban Design: Development, and Management

  2.1. Sustainable Transport and Reliable Transit Systems
  2.2. Urban form: Density and Connectivity
  2.3. Public Open Spaces
  2.4. Sustainable Local Facilities
  2.5. Residential Sustainable Development
  2.6. Inequality and Suburban Sustainable Design

• 3. Innovations in Architectural Design Methods and Technologies

  3.1. Reducing Waste by Utilizing Circular Economies
  3.2. Innovations in Building Envelope Design
  3.3. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Sustainable Design
  3.4. Emerging Technologies in Sustainable Architecture
  3.5. The Future of Low-Carbon Architecture and Net Zero Energy Buildings
  3.6. Architecture and Urban Agriculture: Green Roofs and Walls

• 4. Integrating Art and Culture in Urban and Architectural Landscapes

  4.1. Urban Public Art as a Tool for Place-Making
  4.2. Cultural Heritage Revitalization and Cities’ Identities
  4.3. The Intersection of Architecture, Urbanism, and the Arts
  4.4. Creative Placemaking for Inclusive and Resilient Cities
  4.5. Urban Culture and the Art of Storytelling
  4.6. The Role of Technology in Enhancing Urban Cultural Experiences

• 5. The Future of Urbanism and Sustainable Design

  5.1. Sustainable Urban Design and Energy Efficiency
  5.2. The Future of Urban Housing: Affordability and Livability
  5.3. Urban Infrastructure and Resilience Planning
  5.4. Innovative Water Management Solutions for Cities
  5.5. Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency in Urban Environments
  5.6. Sustainable Transport and Reliable Transit Systems

• 6. Reinventing the Built Environment: Emerging Trends and Innovations

  6.1. Prefabrication and 3D Printing in Architecture and Construction
  6.2. The Future of Work and Live-Work Spaces in Urban Settings
  6.3. The Integration of Nature and Technology in Building Design
  6.4. Innovations in Building Materials and Construction Techniques
  6.5. The Future of Public Space and Urban Design
  6.6. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Urban Planning and Design

All accepted submissions to the conference, after a rigorous double-blinded peer-review process by the respective and a highly-extinguished Editorial Board, will be published in one of the following:

• Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation (ASTI), an IEREK Interdisciplinary book series published by Springer Nature. (Scopus indexed)  

About ASTI

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) is a series of peer-reviewed books based on important emerging research that redefines the current disciplinary boundaries in science, technology and innovation (STI) in order to develop integrated concepts for sustainable development. It not only discusses the progress made towards securing more resources, allocating smarter solutions, and rebalancing the relationship between nature and people, but also provides in-depth insights from comprehensive research that addresses the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as set out by the UN for 2030.

The series draws on the best research papers from various IEREK and other international conferences to promote the creation and development of viable solutions for a sustainable future and a positive societal transformation with the help of integrated and innovative science-based approaches. Including interdisciplinary contributions, it presents innovative approaches and highlights how they can best support both economic and sustainable development, through better use of data, more effective institutions, and global, local and individual action, for the welfare of all societies. The series particularly features conceptual and empirical contributions from various interrelated fields of science, technology and innovation, with an emphasis on digital transformation, that focus on providing practical solutions to ensure food, water and energy security to achieve the SDGs. It also presents new case studies offering concrete examples of how to resolve sustainable urbanization and environmental issues in different regions of the world. Read More.

The ASTI series is fully indexed in Scopus and any chapter/ paper published as part of this series will be seen on the Scopus database. Some titles have been successfully indexed or submitted for indexation in Web of Science (ISI).

A special issue at the International Journal on

Journal of Namibian Studies; a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal (ISSN print 1863-5954; ISSN online 2197-5523) which focuses on topics related to history, culture, politics, society, and the environment. Authors are invited to submit their extended papers to the Journal to be published in a special issue.

• IEREK Press Journals, a multidisciplinary publisher that aims to cultivate and disseminate research.

Environmental Science & Sustainable Development (ESSD)

ESSD is a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal that aims to systematically develop the research-driven curiosity and evidence-based discourse of aspiring scholars that seek to contribute to the academic community. As the world is currently living in an age of information where sources are widely available on the Internet, we at ESSD seek to efficiently utilize the available information to help create robust and evidence-based knowledge. In the process, we offer researchers, in general, and young and aspiring ones in particular a quicker way to get their work published and gain exposure through online open access. We pride ourselves on getting submitted work to be published quickly, through the use of our worldwide pool of subject specialist peer reviewers. Find out more about ESSD International Journal here.

The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive)

ARChive is an open-access journal that publishes conference proceedings on a wide range of topics relating to social sciences. Consequently, it accepts original research papers on a wide spectrum of subjects. ARChive is a journal published on behalf of researchers that perpetually make an effort to contribute to their fields and provide them with high visibility of research submitted. The series publishes, both, theoretical and experimental high-quality papers of current and perpetual interest. It serves to cultivate, propagate, and essentially archive academic research that has been authored and submitted for academic conferences.

Find out more about ARChive International Journal here.

Proceedings of Science and Technology (Resourceedings)

Resourceedings is an open access journal that publishes conference proceedings. Conference proceedings compromise of different disciplines, ranging from Engineering including built environments, architecture, and sustainability. Disciplines also include Technology and Energy. Resourceedings is a journal that publishes research articles that shed light on different crucial issues in order to provide them with solutions and suggestions. The journal publishes articles submitted by researchers of interest in different fields.

Find out more about Resourceedings International Journal here.

BAHETH International Journal - Arabian Researchers Database (Arabic Papers only)

“BAHETH” in Architecture, Engineering, and Technology, is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes original academic research in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, and Technology. The journal welcomes research in the Arabic Language with an English Abstract. Papers submitted to this journal in Arabic must be presented in the English Language in the conference.

Find out more about BAHETH International Journal here.

The University was established in 1321 by the Florentine republic, and now it develops cooperation with research institutions and academics from all over the world to promote scientific and cultural internationalization, and it became one of the privileged destinations for international researchers and students. Florence is considered as an important international historic and cultural center, famous for the best-known and magical sights in Italy like The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza Duomo.

University of Florence (Università degli Studi di Firenze)

Registration

To help the organizers plan for inter-disciplinary dialogue, participants are requested to choose from the conference themes/ Topics upon registration.

They must also refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in registering and/ or submitting their contributions:

NOTE: If you are contributing as an Author of a submitted abstract (for publishing consideration and/or presentation), and regardless of attendance, the fee for the registration is the same. See and Conference Fees for more information.

Types of Participation

1. Attend/ Present in-person or Online and Publish in indexed Conference proceedings

The conference offers a Physical attendance option for your convenience. That said, participants will have a chance to present their abstract/research, on campus, and have their work considered for publication in the ASTI Series by Springer as part of the conference proceedings.

See Author Instructions and Conference Fees for more information.

2. Registration to publish in the proceedings without presenting/ attending

If your full paper is accepted, it may be published in the conference proceedings book in the Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation Book Series by Springer (indexed in Scopus) even if you are not attending the conference. In this case, the accepted work will not be included in the final conference program. See Author Instructions and Publishing Opportunities for more information.

3. Non-presenting participant

Non-presenting participants may also wish to attend the conference as Audience Members or Co-authors contributing to an already submitted abstract/ paper. See Conference Fees for more information.

Notes to consider:
* Attendance online and in-person are possible upon confirmation with the conference secretariat/ coordinator at [email protected] and following Conference Fees covered.

* The participation fee is uninform for all options presented above.

* For participants wishing to attend in-person, a visa invitation letter will be provided upon request, for which case a copy of your passport will be required. The invitation letter can only be provided after acceptance and full payment.

* Before planning your trip, be sure to check travel restrictions to the conference’s hosting country. Visit travel information and restrictions, and send in your questions if you have any to the conference coordinator at the email [email protected]

IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, based on the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.

Authors must refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in submitting their abstracts/ papers:

Step 1: Abstract Submission Process

• The author should prepare and submit an Abstract of at least 150 – 300 words through the website.
• The abstract should be concise and clearly state the proposed research study's purpose, results, and conclusions.
• The author should select the most relevant topic for the paper from the corresponding conference topics.
• The author can use/download an Abstract Writing Template prior to submission
• To submit your abstract, you first need to (1) click on the “Register” button on the conference page, (2) click on “Submit Now” and:
  • Select the Topic in which you are making the submission
  • Insert the title of your study in the "Paper Title" section
  • Insert the full abstract in the "Abstract" section/upload a file in the .pdf, .doc, .docm, or .docx format
  • Add in writing 3 – 5 keywords that define the field, subfield, topic, and research area covered by the article to help other researchers understand and find your work.
  • Provide the names, affiliations, and E-mails of all authors/ co-authors involved
  • Confirm your submission by ticking having read the instructions and “submit Abstract”

Step 2.1: Abstract Acceptance

• After acceptance of your abstract of at least (150 – 300 words), you will receive a proforma invoice and specific instructions to complete the payment online or by bank transfer (See Conference Fees) to confirm your participation,
• Once your abstract has been accepted, please refer to the important dates tab and carefully review the announced dates to avoid late payment, as late payment comes at an extra charge (early bird/regular/late).
• After successfully completing payment, you will be issued upon request with the following:
  • A signed/ stamped abstract acceptance letter
  • Please note that acceptance of participation, abstract submission, and extended abstract/short paper submissions all have different deadlines. To stay up to date and avoid paying extra fees, or delaying your paper, please carefully review the important dates tab.
  • Receipt of Payment/ Payment Invoice
  • Visa Invitation Letter, if needed
• After abstract acceptance, you may be given the option to extend the abstract to publish your work in the conference proceedings in ASTI published by Springer Nature (indexed in Scopus/SCImago) (optional not obligatory).

  This is not a prerequisite for presenting your work at the conference. Meaning, you can present your submitted abstract without intending to publish your work.

Step 2.2: Abstract Extension / Short Paper (Optional)

• Your short paper / extended abstract should be 4 – 6 pages long and submitted before the paper submission deadline, in English, and fit within one of the conference topics.
• The Extended abstract i.e., the short paper should follow the research paper structure as follows: Abstract (+keywords), Introduction, problem statement, and study aim, Review of the Literature, Methodology, results and conclusion/ discussion, References list using the Paper Writing Template.
• The submission (short paper i.e. extended abstract) should be made following the same procedure followed for the abstract or sent to the conference email.
• Here: Authors may need more pages than the allotted maximum of 6 to insert figures, tables, appendixes, etc. In this case, they can submit regular papers (max. 12 pages) with the same fixed fee. For a detailed outline of the fees, please refer to the payment table in the conference fees tab.
• The conference does welcome Arabic submissions (with abstracts written in the english language), which will only be considered for publication in BAHETH by IEREK Press.

Step 3: Rigorous Peer Review Process (double-blind)

This process can only be initiated after payment completion and confirmation:

• If submitted, the extension (short paper) will be preliminarily checked (iThenticate plagiarism/ similarity screening Software, readability, and scope) and it will be peer-reviewed. If similarity issues are detected, the following will apply:
  • % from all sources: 10-15%
  • % from one source: 3-5%
  • Higher than 30% (all sources): Reject completely
  • Lower than 30% (all sources): Ask for revision to decrease the similarities
• IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/ taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, on the basis of the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.
• Each paper/ chapter is evaluated by a minimum of two reviewers, after which a final decision by the responsible Editor is made. There is no maximum to the number of times a paper can be reviewed, depending on the quality of the submission.
• If your short paper is accepted by the Editors for publishing with comments/ requested modifications, our Editors (publishing department) will contact you once a decision is made and you will be asked to revise and correct it. After resubmission, it will be re-checked. Note: There may be more than one round of peer review and the decision rests with the editors of the title. Missed deadlines may result in complete exclusion/ rejection from the final publication.
• If your short paper is accepted for publishing without edits/ comments, the corresponding author will be contacted to provide the final version of their chapters/ papers following Springer Guidelines and sign the Springer consent-to-publish (CTP) form to authorize publication in the conference proceedings.
• A back-and-forth process: modifications will be sent back to the responsible Editor/ Series Editor and another round of evaluation conducted where needed. Participants/ Authors should regularly check their emails (Junk/ Spam folders).
• If you are not interested in publishing an extended abstract in the proceedings in ASTI by Springer Nature, please inform the conference support ([email protected]).

Step 4: Extended paper 

• After the conference, the authors of the best papers will be invited to submit an extended version of their research, 8 – 12+ pages in length, (optional) of their short papers for publishing in an edited volume to be published by Springer Nature.
• Publishing your short paper (i.e., extended abstract) in the conference proceedings does not prevent the submission of the full version for publishing consideration after the conference if the similarity percentages (SR%) in Step 3 are taken into account.

ORCID, which stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID, is a global, not-for-profit organization that aims to provide unique identifiers for authors, researchers, and scholars. ORCiD effectively eliminates duplication and errors regarding author names, affiliations, previous works, and all related academic data.

IEREK is a proud member of ORCiD, and we contribute directly to their initiative of clear and identifiable markers for researchers and scholars. As the first Egyptian partner to ORCiD in the organization’s history, we strongly believe that by utilizing ORCiD’s database and verification services, we become one step closer to achieving an accurate, and identifiable academic landscape.

We encourage our authors to input their ORCiD ID when registering for one of our conferences, submitting an abstract, or a full paper. By doing so, you directly link your research to your identity and affiliation and can showcase your various academic efforts all in one place. By Registering your ORCiD ID, you also increase your works’ visibility and provide easy access to your entire library of research and academic activity.

Click here to learn more about ORCiD, and here to register your ORCiD ID for free.  

• The fee covers:

  • The conference Kit inclusive of: a printed abstracts book, a softcopy of the abstracts book on a USB/CD, Conference notebook, IEREK pen, Conference Flyers/ Printouts.

  • IEREK Participation/ Contribution Certificate

  • Preliminary Acceptance Letters

  • Consideration for publishing in the IEREK ASTI series by Springer or IEREK Press

  • Lunches and Coffee Breaks

• If multiple abstracts are submitted by the same first author submitted to the conference, a 25% discount is applied to each additional submission.

• Each research paper should have one main author who should pay the full fee (Author fees) regardless of attendance. Co-authors, each, have their own fees to pay to attend the event. This applies to online attendance as well as physical attendance.

• A research paper fee allows only one author, whether main or co-author, to attend the conference and receive only one copy of the conference Abstract book in both hard and soft copies. Extras can be requested for an additional fee.

• Professionals are categorized as participants who are not affiliated with universities such as practitioners, policymakers, entrepreneurs etc.

• Students must provide proof of enrollment in a university by providing an enrollment certificate or a valid university ID (with issue/ expiry date) etc.

• Offer DIDA Affiliates (full and associate professors, lecturers and PHDs) participating with their own contributions (paper) a 50% reduction on conference fees automatically applicable to issued invoices.   

• Offer DIDA audience members free attendance (non-inclusive of merchandise) upon registration.        

• Offer DIDA co-authors free online access to the conference or 50% reduction on physical/ in-person attendance fees automatically applicable to issued invoices.

B. Extra Fees

Loyalty Membership Discounts

The more you attend, the more you're rewarded! 
IEREK offers its loyal participants with the following discounts depending on his/her attendance: 

*The aforementioned discounts are only applicable during Regular and Late Payment times. For more information, please refer to 'Important Dates'.

Payment Methods

 Payment of the registration fee can be made via the following methods (only after online registration):

1. Bank transfer 

Kindly send a request to the conference coordinator/ email and CC [email protected] to receive bank details to complete the payment.

2. Online payment gateway (PayPal)

Participants who would like to complete their payments online must send a request to the conference coordinator/ email and CC [email protected] to receive a customized link to complete their payments.

3. Cash in IEREK branches

Payment in person can be arranged. Please contact the conference coordinator/ Email to receive further information.

Payment Terms and Guidelines:

• The Confirmation/Payment Completion period will take place from 30 April 2023 to 01 October 2023. Early bird/ early payment discounts are available till May 2023. Read more on Important Dates. For information on payment dates, kindly send a request to the conference coordinator/email and CC [email protected] to receive payment details to complete the payment.

• Authors who have registered and completed payment for virtual attendance CAN request a change to physical attendance. However, a change from physical to virtual is NOT possible.

• After online registration and payment, the registration fee cannot be reimbursed.

• Final Acceptance/ rejection of your full/ extended paper (if submitted) can only be given after the peer review process.

• Inclusion in the conference program, acceptance letters issuance and consideration for publication must be preceded by registration and payment completion.

• Online Payment (only) should only be completed once a proforma invoice is issued with respective instructions for successful payment.

• Contact our Financial Department for inquiries/ requests.

Attending conferences is very beneficial, especially, on the professional level; conferences are full of people promoting new ideas which will expand your knowledge and undoubtedly help your career.

• Open Discussions:We bring together leading academic scientists to exchange and share their experiences and research results in all fields. Furthermore, you get to converse with other researchers from different universities and countries. You learn from experts in the field. It is a great opportunity to find more about your field and listen to ideas that could help inspire research ideas of your own.
  
  
• Internationally Accredited Certificate:The participants are granted internationally recognized certificates which will be added to their certificates of experience or could be presented to the official authorities concerned.
  
  
• Publication: The conference proceedings will be published by one of IEREK Press' Journals, either in "Resourceedings" or "ARChive". High-quality manuscripts, based on scientific committee evaluation, will get the chance to be published either in Environmental Sciences & Sustainable Development (ESSD) by IEREK Press or as a book chapter in the ASTI book series by "Springer".
  
  
• Research Technologies:Conferences also can expand your resources by providing a great opportunity to promote gathered information on new technologies related to your research. Moreover, they let you test them out, share teaching tools and techniques, or even obtain samples of textbooks.
  
  
• Networking:Conferences help in networking which often increases your chances of collaboration in future projects. As you can engage with respectable professors and discuss with them the very latest research projects they could be working on.
  
  
• Academic Reputation:Attending many conferences will make you a known figure in academic circles, not to mention the benefits for your C.V as it will show that you are an active member of the academic community.
  
  
• Conference Proceedings Material:Delegates will have the choice of receiving the conference proceedings as either a hardcover book or in digital format on a CD. The CD will additionally contain proceedings from previous conferences in this series.

Moreover, all conference papers are archived online in the E-Library of IEREK‘s website where they are immediately and permanently available to the international scientific community.

For IEREK's Previous Publications, Please Click here

- Urban planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) held in Lecce of Italy in October, 2015.

Elsevier

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Special Issue: Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD)

Publication Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/18770428/216?sdc=1

- Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) – 2nd Edition held in Palermo Italy in October 2017.

Springer

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Series.

Urban and Transit Planning

(Selected Papers) Publication link: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030173074

IEREK Press

The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive)

 Vol 2, issue #1 (2018): Urban Planning and Transport

Publication link: https://press.ierek.com/index.php/ARChive/issue/view/13/showToc

- Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) – 3rd Edition held in Cairo, Egypt in December 2018.

IEREK Press

The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive)

Vol 3, issue #2 (2019): Recent Studies in Urban Sustainability and Future Cities' Planning

Publication link: https://press.ierek.com/index.php/ARChive/issue/view/32/showToc

- Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) – 4th Edition (Online Conference) in November 2019.

Springer

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Series.

Advanced Studies in Efficient Environmental Design and City Planning

Publication link: http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030651800

- Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) – 5th Edition (Online Conference in Collaboration with Florence University, Italy) in July 2020.

Springer

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Series.

Urban and Transit Planning - 2nd Edition

Publication link: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-97046-8

IEREK Press

The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive) 

 Vol 5, issue #1 (2021): Urban and Environmental Studies

Publication link: https://press.ierek.com/index.php/ARChive/issue/view/52/showToc

-Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) – 6th Edition (Online Conference in Collaboration with Florence University, Italy) in September 2021.

Springer

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Series.

Urban and Transit Planning - 3nd Edition.

Publication link: https://link.springer.com/book/9783031209949

IEREK Press

The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive) 

 Vol 6, issue #1 (2022): Urban & Architectural Revitalization and Heritage Preservation

Publication link: https://press.ierek.com/index.php/ARChive/issue/view/56

The 1^st International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD 2015) was held in the University Of Salento- Lecce Italy.  The conference was chaired by Professor Fabio Pollice (Department Of History, Society and Human Studies, University Del Salento) and organized by IEREK. 

The 2^nd International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD 2017) was held in association with Università degli Studi di Palermo.  The conference was chaired by Prof. Ferdinando Trapani (Associate professor in Urban Planning, Department of Architecture, Polytechnics School at the ‘Università degli Studi di Palermo’) and organized by IEREK.  

The 3^rd International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD 2018) was held under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Education and Scientific Research in Egypt, and Mr. Mohamed Farid Khamis, Founder of El Shorouk Academy and the main sponsor of this conference. The conference was hosted by The Higher Institute of Engineering in El-Shorouk Academy in cooperation with the League of Arab States, The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), The Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI), and The Center for Environment and Development for The Arab Region in Europe (CEDARE).

The conference was held from the 13^th to the 15^th of December at JW Marriott Hotel Cairo, Egypt. It was chaired by Prof. Gouda Mohamed Ghanem (Vice Chairman of El Shorouk Academy– Egypt) and was organized by IEREK.

The 4^th International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD 2019) was held as an Online conference.  The conference was chaired by Professor Hocine Bougdah (Research and Education Consultant, IERS-UK / Visiting Lecturer, University of Westminster, London, UK.) and organized by IEREK. 

The 5^th International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD 2020) was held as an online conference in collaboration with the University Of Florence, Italy.  The conference was chaired by Professor Francesco Alberti (Professor at the Department of Architecture (DiDA), University of Florence, Florence Italy.) and organized by IEREK.

The 6^th International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD 2021) was held as an online conference in collaboration with the University Of Florence, Italy.  The conference was chaired by Professor Francesco Alberti (Professor at the Department of Architecture (DiDA), University of Florence, Florence Italy.) and organized by IEREK.

The 7th International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD 2022) was held as a Hybrid conference in collaboration with the University Of Florence, Italy. The conference was chaired by Professor Francesco Alberti (Professor at the Department of Architecture (DiDA), University of Florence, Florence Italy.) and organized by IEREK.

- For participants who need Entry Visas to the country where the conference will be held, IEREK will issue the corresponding invitation letter for accepted applicants to facilitate visa issuance.

- Please notice that we will endeavor to assist you in obtaining a visa but the responsibility is yours and the decision rests solely with the appropriate Embassy.

Invitation Letter Issuance Process

1- In case the participant is an author who has submitted a research paper to the conference, it must get accepted by the Scientific Committee

2- Required participation fees must be paid

3- The participant should send the following information to the conference's official email:

* A clear copy of passport

* Passport number

* Full name as written in your passport.

* Date of Issuing and Expiration

* Date of Birth

* Email address of the nearest Embassy/Consulate to you

* Mobile Number including country code

4- Conference coordinator will issue the needful invitation letter and send a copy to the participant's email, in addition to another one to the corresponding email address of embassy/consulate

5- The participant should print out the invitation letter along with all other required documents by the embassy/consulate and apply for VISA

Florence is famous with the best-knowns sights in Italy that it would take weeks to see everything in it, also it is one of Europe’s most popular cities. It has many breathtaking views and tourist attractions from museums to churches and palaces.

The following are some suggestions of places to visit while you are in Florence, Italy:

1.The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Piazza Duomo

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, nestled within the enchanting Piazza Duomo. This architectural marvel showcases the finest masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, crafted by renowned artists such as Donatello, Giotto, Michelangelo, and Ghiberti. Admire the intricate inlaid marble exteriors, and step inside each building to marvel at the mesmerizing stained glass works of art.

2- The Arno River

Follow the path of the Arno River, a majestic watercourse that winds its way through Florence, contributing to the city's rich history and economy. As you traverse along its banks, you'll witness the river's vital role in shaping the city's morphology and urban development. The Arno River originates on Monte Falterona in the Casentino area of the Apennines, and initially takes a southward curve. The river turns to the west near Arezzo passing through Florence, Empoli and Pisa, flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea at Marina di Pisa. With a length of 241 kilometres (150 mi), it is the largest river in the region. It has played an important role in the history and economy of Florence. The current morphology of the Arno River in Florence is heavily influenced by the urbanization of cities that develop along rivers.

Discover the engineering marvels of the retaining walls designed to protect nearby structures, and appreciate the ongoing efforts to preserve and stabilize the riverbanks. Learn about the Arno River's significance as a lifeline for the region of Tuscany.

3-Santa Maria Novella

Step into the breathtaking world of Santa Maria Novella, a captivating church renowned for its magnificent Gothic and Renaissance architecture. This prominent religious site, dating back to the 14th century, stands as a testament to Florence's cultural heritage. Marvel at the intricately detailed façade that reflects the church's rich history as the primary Dominican convent during the Renaissance. Delve into the depths of artistry as you explore the church's vast collection of artworks, including mesmerizing frescoes by masters such as Masaccio and Ghirlandaio

EDEmbark on this unforgettable journey through the heart of Florence, where the splendor of the Renaissance awaits at every turn. Let the city's artistic and cultural atmosphere captivate your senses and leave an indelible impression on your conference experience.

4.Uffizi Palace and Gallery

The gallery is one of the world’s top art museums that contains magnificent paintings from 14th to 16th centuries painters which changed the face of western art. Its collections are staggering in their quality and diversity. The building stretching along the river wasn’t only intended as a residence, but also as governmental offices and scientific studies. The octagonal Tribuna that is considered as one of its loveliest spaces, was commissioned to display the most prized jewels and paintings of Francesco I de' Medici.

5. Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio was built in 1345 and considered as the oldest bridge in Florence. The purpose of the bridge was to link the two sides of the Arno and the Medici with arches topped by a jumble of shops which is one of the city’s prettiest scenes. The shops became the home of Florence’s talented goldsmiths and a stroll across that show dazzling array of fine jewelry.

 A.Physical Attendance

Airports

Florence Airport, Peretola

8.6 km from University of Florence / 22 minutes by car

Address: Via del Termine, 11, 50127 Firenze FI, Italy

Location on map: Florence Airport

Phone: +39 055 30615

Aeroporto Firenze “Regional airport”

7.9 km from University of Florence / 20 minutes by car

Address:  Via S. Piero a Quaracchi, 50145 Firenze FI, Italy

Location on map: Aeroporto Firenze

Phone: +39 055 30615

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport

106 km from University of Florence / 1 hr 20 minutes by car

Address:  Via del Triumvirato, 84, 40132 Bologna BO, Italy

Location on map: Bologne Gugliemo Marconi Airport

Phone: +39 051 647 9615

Pisa International Airport

85.3 km from University of Florence / 1 hr 12 minutes by car

Address:  Piazzale D'ascanio, 1, 56121 Pisa PI, Italy

Location on map: Pisa International Airport

Phone: +39 050 849111

Bus stations

San Marco Rettorato

55 meter from University of Florence / 1 minutes by walking

Address: 50121 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Location on map: San Marco Rettorato

Piazza Di San Marco

85 meter from University of Florence / 1 minutes by walking

Address: 50121 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Location on map: Piazza Di San Marco

San Marco Chiesa

110 meter from University of Florence /1 minutes by walking

Address: 50121 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Location on map: San Marco Chiesa

Museo Di San Marco

130 meter from University of Florence /2 minutes by walking

Address: 50121 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Location on map: Museo Di San Marco

Hotels

Grand Amore Hotel & Spa-4 stars’ hotel

290 meter from University of Florence / 3 minutes by walking

Address: Via dei Servi, 38/A, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Phone: +39 055 035 1500

Location on map: Grand Amore Hotel

Hotel Panorama Artinside- 3 stars’ hotel

290 meter from University of Florence / 4 minutes by walking

Address: Via Camillo Cavour, 60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Phone: +39 055 238 2043

Location on map: Hotel Panorama Artinside

Hotel Veneto- 3 stars’ hotel

350 meter from University of Florence / 4 minutes by walking

Address: Via Santa Reparata, 33, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Phone: +39 055 289433

Location on map: Hotel Venento

Hotel Athenaeum- 4 stars’ hotel

550 meter from University of Florence / 2 minutes by car

Address: Via Camillo Cavour, 88, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Phone: +39 055 589456

Location on map: Hotel Athenaeum

To Download Conference Flyer & Poster Click Here

The print ISSN number of the International Conference on "Urban Planning & Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) " is 2636-3690

The online ISSN number of UPADSD conference is 2636-3704

To download The Conference Program, Click Here

                    Urban regeneration and heritage preservation in the historic center of Florence

Walking tuor (approx. 5.5 km) through the World Heritage site of the center of Florence. The tour includes visits to three historic complexes undergoing rehabilitation to accommodate new urban functions:

• The former monastery of Sant'Orsola, which is set to become a cultural and crafts hub;
•  The "Granaio dell’Abbondanza” (granary of abundance), a 16th-century granary (later barracks), recently transformed into an Innovation Center;
• The Murate complex, a former prison carved out of an ancient convent and which has become over years a mixed-use neighborhood.

The first edition of the International Conference on “Environmental Design, Material Science, and Engineering Technologies” was held in Abu Dhabi University in Dubai as the main host, and in collaboration with Sharjah University and Istituto Marangoni. The conference took place physically and virtually from the 22nd to the 24th of April 2024, including attendees from all corners of the world.

This conference is organized as one of the important tools that help its attendees exchange knowledge and enhance the research community. IEREK invited all interested architects, environmentalists, engineers, and university students from all over the world aiming provide a platform for attendees to exchange ideas, collaborate, and find solutions to pressing challenges in the areas of Engineering technologies, Architecture, Environmental Design, Materials Science and More. The conference covered a wide array of topics that pertain to the sustainable development. Some of the main topics that were discussed include:

1- Architectural Design, Urban Planning and Infrastructure
2- Sustainable Materials & Techniques
3- Engineering Technologies and Fabrication Techniques
4- Enhancing Urban Sustainability: Policies, Planning & Performance
5- Renewable Energy, Environmental Integration and Impacts
6- Towards Sustainable Living: Green Solutions & Technologies
7- Sustainable Design and Construction: From Concrete Innovations to Biomimetic Architectural Solutions
8- Art, Creativity, Interior Design, Fashion and Media Production

Day 1:

Welcoming Session:

The Opening Ceremony started with online registration and welcoming speeches from the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, Prof. Ghassan Aouad, Prof. Montasir Qasymeh, Professor & Associate Provost for Research and Academic Development at Abu Dhabi University and IEREK’s founder, Dr. Mourad Amer.

Short welcoming speeches were given by the conference chairs Dr. Mohamed ElKaftangui, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Interior Design, Abu Dhabi University, Dr. Zafar Said, Associate Professor at the Department of Sustainable Renewable Energy Engineering University of Sharjah, Prof. Paolo Caratelli, Caratelli, Professor, Program Leader of Interior Design, Head of Research at Istituto Marangoni, Prof. Osama Mohamed, Professor of Civil Engineering, Chair of Architecture Department, Abu Dhabi University and A welcoming word by Dr. Mourad Amer, CEO of IEREK.

Following the speeches, a brief presentation was given that introduced IEREK as a company and its activities to the audience.

Following session the welcoming notes, a lunch break was issued.

Plenary sessions:

A plenary session followed introducing the keynote speakers Dr. Nabil Ibrahim Mohareb, Dr. Zafar Said, Prof. Francesco Fioretto and Mr. Scott Jewett.

Following the keynote speeches, parallel sessions 1, 2, 3 and 4 took place.

The First Session of the conference titled “Technology and Sustainability: Architectural Design and Urban Planning” was moderated by Dr. Rim Meziani, Dr. Fatmaelzahraa Hussein and Ms. Anamika Mishra.

The Second Session of the conference titled “Sustainable Materials & Techniques” was moderated by Dr. Manish Kewalramani.

The Third Session of the conference titled “Engineering Technologies and Fabrication Techniques” was moderated by Prof. Evgeny Barkanov, Dr. Khaled Al-Aribe, and Dr. Mostafa Rashed.

The Fourth Session of the conference titled “Art, Creativity, Interior Design, Fashion and Media Production” was moderated by Prof. Paolo Caratelli, Dr. Ahmed Abdelaziz Elshakhs, and Ms. Irina An.

As the sessions went on, multiple authors presented their research in person and online, taking questions from the audience, and answering them as best they could.

After a discussion and a Questions and Answers session, the first conference day ended with a Panel session where final remarks and feedback were discussed.

Day 2:

The second day started with the online registration then a welcome speech was given by the conference Co-chair, Dr. Ihsanullah Obaidullah, Assistant Professor, Chemical and Water Desalination Engineering Program, College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, followed by our keynote speakers Dr. Nadia Charalambous, Associate Professor, at the Department of Architecture, University of Cyprus, Mr. Raza Jafri who is the Founder & CEO of MetaWorldX, Tech Entrepreneur, Speaker and Advisor, Dr. Mark David Major, Associate Professor at Department of Architecture and Design, College of Engineering, Abu Dhabi University, Prof. Alexandra Delgado Jimenez, Professor at Nebrija University, Higher Polytechnic School, Madrid, Spain and Dr. Tarek Teba, Associate Professor in Architectural Heritage, Portsmouth School of Architecture, University of Portsmouth, UK.

Following the keynote speech, parallel sessions 5 ,6, 7, 8 and 9 took place.

The Fifth Session of the conference titled “Sustainable Urban Futures: Innovations in Architecture, Energy, and Wellbeing” was moderated by Prof. Lucia Martincigh and Dr.

Rania Obead.

The Sixth Session of the conference titled “Enhancing Urban Sustainability: Policies, Planning & Performance” was moderated by Dr. Apostolos Kyriazis, Dr. Nadia Mounajjed and Dr. Nand Kumar.

The Seventh Session of the conference titled “Renewable Energy, Environmental Integration and Impacts” was moderated by Dr.  Dr. Sofiah Hamzah and Dr. Saher Javaid.

The Eighth Session of the conference titled “Towards Sustainable Living: Green Solutions & Technologies” was moderated by Dr. Mohamed El Amrousi and Dr. Mark David Major.

The Ninth Session of the conference titled “Sustainable Design and Construction: From Concrete Innovations to Biomimetic Architectural Solutions” was moderated by Prof. Osama Mohamed.

As the sessions went on, multiple authors presented their research in person and online, taking questions from the audience, and answering them as best they could.

After a discussion and a Questions and Answers session, second conference day ended with a Panel session where final remarks and feedback were discussed.

Day 3:

The final day of the EDMSET 2024, started with a workshop by Dr. Nabil Mohareb, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture, American University in Cairo, Egypt titled “The Dynamics of Motion: Decoding Movement in Urban Open Spaces through Simulation”

This workshop explored dynamic movement within urban open spaces, employing advanced spatial configurational analysis to understand and simulate the intricate patterns of motion that define our interactions with the urban environment. "The Dynamics of Motion" workshop was designed to provide participants with methodologies and applications of movement analysis in urban planning and design, focusing on simulating pedestrian behavior to inform more effective and responsive urban spaces.

Wrapping up, final remarks, and a closing ceremony were held.

To Download Conference Flyer & Poster Click Here

To download The Conference Program, Click Here