Thematic tracks

1. Digitalscapes and Daily life

Key Words- Smart Cities, Urban Services and Surveillance, Urban Spaces Enhanced by Digital Layers, Redefining Social Interaction and Digital connectivity, Urban Design and Placemaking in the Digital Age.

“Digitalscapes and Daily Life" explores how digital technologies shape contemporary urban experiences, particularly through smart cities, urban services, and surveillance. It examines the integration of digital layers into urban spaces, which enhance both functionality and connectivity. These layers redefine social interactions, fostering new forms of digital connectivity and altering everyday life. The concept emphasizes the role of urban design and placemaking in this digital age, where physical spaces and virtual realms converge. It highlights the challenges and opportunities of designing spaces that foster inclusivity and adaptability, ultimately reshaping urban living, interactions, and identity within a digitally augmented environment.

2. Place Identity, Cultural expressions and Community Dynamics

Key Words - Place articulations, Societal impact and engagement, Convivial spaces, Public Space Management. Tactical Urbanism.

“Place Identity, Cultural Expressions, and Community Dynamics" examines how the articulation of place influences societal engagement and cultural expression within urban environments. It explores the significance of convivial spaces—areas that foster social interaction and community building—and their role in shaping collective identities. The concept highlights the societal impact of these spaces, encouraging active participation and engagement in public life. It also focuses on public space management and the transformative potential of tactical urbanism, where temporary interventions are used to reclaim and reimagine spaces. This approach fosters a sense of belonging, nurtures local culture, and strengthens community dynamics through collective action and creativity.

3. Geographies of temporality

Key Words- Ephemerality of Public spaces (Cultural, Festival, Disaster Ephemerality etc.) Informality in Urban Environments, Shifting Landscapes of Public Life

"Geographies of Temporality" explores the transient nature of public spaces, focusing on their ephemerality in various contexts such as cultural events, festivals, and disasters. It examines how these temporary spaces shape urban environments and public life by creating shifting landscapes of interaction. The concept also addresses the role of informality in urban spaces, where informal uses and practices contribute to the evolving character of cities. By understanding the fluid and transient qualities of these spaces, the concept highlights how temporality influences social engagement, cultural expression, and the dynamic relationships between people and their environments in ever-changing urban contexts.

4. Everyday Infrastructure and Connectivity

• Public infrastructure and Urban commons, Public toilets and their cultural perceptions, Waste management and recycling practices.
• Walkability, Accessibility, Informal transit systems, The social life of commuting, Street-level interactions along transit corridors.

"Everyday Infrastructure and Connectivity" examines the often-overlooked systems that shape daily urban life, including public infrastructure and urban commons. It explores the cultural perceptions of essential services such as public toilets and the role of waste management and recycling practices in sustaining communities. The concept highlights the importance of walkability and accessibility, particularly in informal transit systems, which facilitate movement and connection across cities. Additionally, it delves into the social life of commuting and the street-level interactions that occur along transit corridors, revealing how these everyday infrastructures foster both mobility and social engagement, while shaping urban connectivity and public life.

5. Shared Urban Realm and Inclusivity

Vulnerable Groups – Different Income groups, Gender, Disability, Older adults, Child, etc. Inclusive spaces, Survival Migration, Right to Public Spaces.

"Shared Urban Realm and Inclusivity" examines the importance of creating urban spaces that are accessible and equitable for all individuals, especially vulnerable groups such as low-income communities, women, people with disabilities, older adults, and children. The concept focuses on fostering inclusive spaces that cater to diverse needs, ensuring equal opportunities for engagement and participation in public life. It explores the dynamics of survival migration and the right to public spaces, emphasizing the need for urban environments that prioritize inclusivity and social integration. Ultimately, the shared urban realm seeks to promote social justice by recognizing and addressing the needs of marginalized populations.