The 63rd International Making Cities Livable Conference

From 6 July to 10 July, the 63rd International Making Cities Livable (IMCL) Conference will take place in Latvia, including at Jelgava Palace. The conference is dedicated to regenerative architecture and urbanism, urban renewal and resilience after various global challenges. The conference will bring together architects, urban planners, researchers, practitioners, municipal representatives, non-governmental organisation leaders and academic experts from around the world. Participation is free of charge for students and staff of Latvian universities by entering the discount code “LATVIAN”.

The main theme of the conference, “Regenerative Architecture and Urbanism: Recovery and Resilience After an Age of Disruption”, will focus on how cities are able to adapt to social, political and environmental challenges while preserving cultural and historical identity and local character. Participants will discuss European and global experience in urban renewal, seeking solutions for a more sustainable, human-centred and resilient urban environment of the future.

The conference will take place in Riga and Jelgava, offering an opportunity to get to know two different contexts of urban development. During the event, excursions, practical workshops, plenary sessions, discussions and meetings with local experts are planned. In Jelgava, the main conference venue will be Jelgava Palace (2 Lielā Street).

The conference programme will begin on 6 July in Riga with architecture and urban environment tours, including a tour of Old Riga, a visit to Riga Central Market and a visit to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, as well as the opening event. From 7 July, the conference will continue in Jelgava with urban environment exploration, meetings with local stakeholders and plenary sessions at Jelgava Palace. From 8 July to 10 July, conference sessions, thematic workshops and the closing plenary session on future solutions for urban development are planned for participants.

A special benefit for Latvia’s academic community – Latvian students, teaching staff, researchers and academic personnel are invited to participate in the conference free of charge. The organisers emphasise that this is an opportunity for representatives of Latvian higher education and research institutions to meet international industry experts, gain new contacts and engage in discussions on the sustainable development of the urban environment.

Overall, the conference topics will cover urban regeneration and resilience, housing affordability and mixed-use development, a pedestrian-friendly environment and public health, cultural heritage preservation and adaptive renewal, the use of artificial intelligence in urban design, human-friendly urbanism, as well as climate adaptation and sustainable development.

Latvia has been chosen as the conference venue, taking into account the country’s and cities’ experience in overcoming various historical and geopolitical changes while preserving their identity and cultural heritage. The organisers emphasise that Latvia’s experience can also serve as a valuable example for other countries and cities.

The conference partners are expected to include such international organisations as The King’s Foundation (United Kingdom), the International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism, the Congress for the New Urbanism, UN-Habitat, as well as several universities and professional organisations.

The International Making Cities Livable Conference has been organised since 1985 and is one of the most significant interdisciplinary and international forums in the field of urban development. The previous IMCL conference in Potsdam, Germany, brought together participants from Europe, America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

More information about the conference and registration is available on the website: imcl.online/latvia.