Conférences et séminaires

INTA Conferences To facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge, develop cooperation between public and private sectors, and build professional competences, INTA’s members organise international and regional meetings on urban issues that require global attention due to most recent urban changes. Urban leaders and practitioners meet and share their extensive knowledge and expertise on the fields under review.

These international events are organised in co-operation with the host institution or city and local key-actors from the private and public sector. The programme is built up around interventions of speakers from different backgrounds all with specific expertise in the topics, and policy debates with decision-makers, often complemented with technical visits and mobile workshops.

For more information on how to apply to host an INTA Conference or Seminar, please contact the INTA Secretariat.

28-31 March 2009 Alexandria, Egypt - New Towns in Egypt: the way ahead

Coference Alexandria, Egypt The phenomena of new urban communities had been emphasized by the beginning of the twentieth century in England. Many countries developed such an idea, foreseen as the proper solution for overcrowded urban agglomeration. The era of new urban communities in Egypt has been evolved from the mid seventies, where the government focused efforts towards achieving a comprehensive sustainable development throughout population redistribution and empowering the utilization of physical, human and economic resources. Influences of international experiences (from Sweden, UK, USA, the Netherlands and Germany) were very comprehensive through the first generation of new urban communities. After thirty years, it is time to evaluate these experiences with their successes and failures, opportunities and threats, in order to capitalize the current and potential resources in parallel with what was achieved through the economic and legislative restructuring.. INTA collaborates with The Egyptian Ministry of Housing in the organization of this international event as a great opportunity to present and discuss in depth the local and international experiences in new urban communities towards achieving contemporary benefits and looking forward to a more promising future.

May 2008 Gdansk, Poland - High Density in City Centre: the Smart high-rise question

Gdansk High rising is on the agenda in Polish major cities. Renewed interest in high rising began in Warsaw, and this trend spread to many of the Polish largest cities. Gdañsk has already received interest from developers to build high and this trend is likely to continue. The issues and factors affecting the success or failure of “smart high rising” and the impact on local economies are complex. At the same time the general public feels it is very emotional, there are as many pros as cons. Thus, there was a need for better discussion to encourage local people to join the debate. The International Conference discussed topics such as the relationship between high-rise development and heritage, smart high-rise and social acceptance, high-rise buildings as urban flagships and tools for economic development and city branding, the impact on the environment and energy use. An INTA Panel preceded the Conference, looking more closely into several high-rise development plans and initiatives in Gdansk and giving advice for implementation.

June 2008 Madrid, Spain - Energy Efficiency of Citiies: new challenges for urban development

Madrid The recent Bali Conference on Global Climate showed how closely related energy security, climate security and global security are. The momentum is building. It seems now to be a convergence of science, economics, technology and finance to guide national as well as international action to address climate change, but the costs of mitigation and adaptation rise substantially as the time passes. Improving efficiency in the way we use and develop urban land, in the transportation sector as well as in the design of commercial and residential buildings can help moderate global climate change while contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

November 2007 Paris, France - Housing the Public Sector

Paris INTA and RATP organised a debate on the land and urban strategies as well as the industrial, social or environmental ones needed to tackle the dilemmas of "Housing the public sector". This theme goes beyond the housing issue as it addresses also the urban dynamics and components of the urban system: real estate markets, equilibrium between centre and periphery, efficiency of public services, social and economic diversity, transport and communication and their environmental impact, etc... The intention of this Conference was to question the relationship between housing and jobs in the public sector in the dense area of large conurbations; how to develop housing on public land belonging either to the State or to Public Enterprises.

November 2007 Saint Denis, la Reunion - Sustainable development strategies for Island

Reunion INTA has been invited by the French authorities to initiate an international in-depth reflection on sustainable development strategies for Island States. Many islands, in particular those in the Indian Ocean, share similar characteristics and development challenges such as a certain degree of isolation, weak internal markets and environmental fragility. But they also share important values, a strong and vivid identity and a deep-rooted sense of reciprocity and solidarity. The Mauritius Declaration of 2005 on sustainable development for islands states in the Indian Ocean underlined the commitment of these peculiar territories to an integrated and sustainable approach to development in order to reduce poverty and improve the living conditions of local populations. This reflection will take the form of an advisory panel cum seminar and will take place in Saint Denis de La Reunion, off the coast of Madagascar, during the first week of December 2007.