Living and walking cities

XV International Conference Minor communities: renewal and valorisation Parma, 19th June 2008 Università degli Studi di Parma, Aula Magna, Via dell’Università, 12 Brescia, 20th June 2008 Facoltà di Ingegneria, Aula Modulo, Via Branze, 38 The International Conference “LIVING AND WALKING IN CITIES”, at its fifteenth edition, looks every year at different themes about quality of life in urban areas. This year, the XV International Conference, focusing on “minor communities” aims to be a further step towards a problem solving approach to urban form and mobility in our towns. The event is organised with the University of Parma. The co-organisation of this Conference underlines the linkage between the schools, both involved in COST C27 “Sustainable development policies for minor deprived communities”, and the importance of the proposed goal. The Conference will provide a stimulating opportunity for researchers, planners and technicians to explore key issues and future prospects for minor communities also due to the current urban practices and policies promoted at the different levels. Sustainability topics often should be implemented in territories characterized by small “urban settlements” with relevant building pressures and unsustainable development proposals. The main goal of the Conference is to explore the results of the existing European and National policies on minor communities. The debate aims to create a civic society for sustainable communities development encouraging new models for partnership among different territorial authorities regarding landscape protection and economic (touristic) development. The XV International Conference “Living and walking in cities – minor communities: renewal and valorisation” is organised in “invited speakers” and “free” sessions. The “invited speakers” session will deepen “Sustainable development policies for minor communities: some best practices”. The “free sessions” will focus on the following subjects • historical minor communities: new protection strategies; • historical minor communities: some new strategies in accessibility; • rural areas: opportunities for territorial valorisation; • small specialized urban settlements: new development policies; • low density areas and metropolitan areas: complementary approaches. Official languages Italian and English Scientific secretary Università degli Studi di Brescia – DICATA For more information: http://www. ing.unibs.it http://www.unipr.it