The Tenth Edition of the International Conference on “Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development” (UPADSD)

The tenth edition of the International Conference on Urban Planning and Architectural Design for Sustainable Development (UPADSD) was held from October 21st to 23rd in Florence, Italy, in collaboration with the University of Florence. The event adopted a hybrid format, welcoming both onsite and virtual participation from around the world.

Organized by IEREK, the conference served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and research collaboration, bringing together architects, environmentalists, engineers, academics, and students to engage in a global dialogue on the future of sustainable urban development. Its primary goal was to promote deeper understanding and practical approaches toward sustainability in urban planning and architectural design.

The sessions covered a wide range of topics essential to advancing sustainable cities and built environments, including:

Day 1:

Welcoming Session:

Opening Ceremony

Short welcoming remarks were also delivered by distinguished speakers, including:

Plenary Sessions

The Plenary Session opened with an insightful keynote address delivered by Prof. Effrosyni Giama, Associate Professor at the Energy Process Equipment Design Laboratory, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her presentation, titled “Redefining the Built Environment: Pathways, Challenges, and Solutions,” explored innovative approaches to sustainability, addressing both the opportunities and challenges in transforming the built environment for a more sustainable future.

Parallel Sessions

Following the keynote presentation, the conference proceeded with three parallel sessions, each focusing on a key theme within the field of sustainable urban development. Throughout the sessions, numerous authors presented their research both onsite and online, engaging in interactive discussions with participants.

Book Presentation

In collaboration with the PhD Program in Sustainability and Innovation for the Design of the Built Environment and Product System, University of Florence, a special book presentation session was held featuring the authors of “Design in the Anthropocene: Sun, Water and Soil.”

The presentation was led by Michael Maks Davis, Lizeth Lozano, Adriana Mejía, and Jaire Cagigal, and published by Editorial Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador.

This session provided valuable insights into the book’s exploration of sustainable design principles in the context of the Anthropocene era, emphasizing the intricate relationships between natural resources, architectural practice, and environmental responsibility.

Day 2:

The second day of the conference began with online registration, followed by an engaging keynote speech delivered by Prof. Miguel Amado, Full Professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon.

His presentation, titled “Planning the Sustainable City – Decarbonizing the Current City to Build the Future Sustainable City,” explored strategic approaches to transforming existing urban environments into low-carbon, sustainable cities. Prof. Amado highlighted the importance of integrated planning, energy efficiency, and community engagement in achieving long-term urban sustainability.

Parallel Sessions (Day Two)

Following the keynote speech, the conference continued with six parallel sessions.

Throughout these sessions, participants presented their research and engaged in insightful discussions, exploring innovative strategies and tools for achieving resilient, inclusive, and technologically advanced urban environments.

The third and final day of the conference featured a guided tour titled “The Reuse of Old Monasteries in Florence: A Trip Between Past, Present, and Future.”