To open a wide public discussion and reveal best practices, the International ECHOPOLIS 2018 Meeting will be developed in 3 full conference days 26, 27 & 28 November 2018. It is, thus, is calling for contributions, that is papers on research & technological development and concrete case-studies in the following 9 areas :

Thematic areas

1st Thematic area : Natural and tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage as Strategic Territorial Development Resources

  • Natural and cultural heritage as strategic territorial resources
  • Natural and cultural heritage as resources that can boost economic growth and jobs
  • Territorial aspects of natural and cultural heritage – role in territorial cohesion
  • Societal aspects of natural and cultural heritage – role in social cohesion
  • Natural and cultural heritage to encourage dialogue between different cultures
  • Natural and cultural heritage to encourage dialogue between generations
  • Nation and city branding
  • European Green Belt and TEN-G (Transeuropean Networks- Green)
  • Cross-border areas, natural and cultural heritage.
  • Culture and sustainability : a forth pillar ?

2nd Thematic area : Linking natural and cultural heritage

  • Culture as ecosystem service
  • Culture as main driver in influencing ecosystems and biodiversity and in shaping landscapes
  • Natural and cultural heritage as defining element of European identity.
  • Natural parks ( incl.Natura 2000 Network) and ecosystem services
  • Natural parks (incl.Natura 2000 sites) associated with cultural sites
  • Natural parks ( incl.Natura 2000) and tourism, recreation and/or spiritual reflection
  • Natural parks ( incl.Natura 2000) and historical and archaeological sites
  • Natural parks (incl. Natura 2000) and cultural sites in cities
  • Natural parks ( incl.Natura 2000) and Green Infrastructure
  • Spiritual value of world natural heritage and Natura 2000 sites
  • Inspirational values of world natural heritage and Natura 2000
  • Natural and cultural tourism
  • Natural and cultural values of landscapes
  • Natural and cultural heritage and regeneration of deprived areas
  • Conservation and management of historic gardens

3rd Thematic area : Marine natural and cultural heritage, Maritime spatial planning and Cultural values

  • Marine natural and cultural heritage, planning and management
  • Maritime Spatial Planning and marine antiquities
  • Maritime Spatial Planning and cultural values
  • Marine antiquities and diving tourism
  • Marine Natura 2000 and Marine Protected areas
  • Marine Protected Areas in the Areas Beyond National Juridictions
  • Marine natural and cultural heritage and marine tourism
  • Marine cultural heritage and local development of insular communities
  • Marine ecosystems and underwater noise pollution
  • UNESCO Cultural heritage Vs Natural hazards at European and Global scale

4th Thematic area : Climate change, natural hazards and cultural heritage

  • Earthquake disasters, storm and flood disasters
  • Threats to cultural heritage by global climate change
  • Uncontrolled urban development and environmental pollution threatening cultural heritage
  • Wars, ethnic conflicts, barbaric acts of destruction, pillage as threats to cultural heritage
  • Disaster risk management regarding natural and cultural heritage
  • Incentives for risk management and mitigation
  • Building resilience of cultural heritage to cultural disasters by cities and regions
  • Initiatives to improve the protection and conservation of Heritage sites facing natural disasters and climate change

5th Thematic area : Sounds & Soundscapes as elements of the culture of the places  

  • Sound Innovations to Improve and create natural and cultural attractiveness
  • Sound environment of monuments
  • Noise pollution and its impact on natural and cultural attractiveness and tourism
  • Soundscapes, Cultural Heritage and Tourism
  • Sound Cultural Heritage and Soundscapes
  • Acoustic ecology and protection of biodiversity and of natural and cultural heritage
  • Urban innovations involving specific population groups (eg immigrants and refugees) to promote dialogue between cultures.

6th Thematic area : Cultural heritage, archaeological sites, monuments and sensory landscapes

  • Lighting design of archaeological sites and monuments
  • Lightscapes and cultural / archaeological sites
  • Sound, soundscapes and cultural / archaeological sites
  • LED and low-cost lighting in archaeological sites
  • Lighting and highlighting of artworks, lighting and museum spaces
  • Presentation of realized projects for the rehabilitation and promotion of archaeological sites – Emphasis on sensory landscapes ( lighting, sound design..)
  • Lighting environment of monuments
  • Light pollution and its impact on natural and cultural attractiveness and tourism

7th Thematic area : Shaping places with nature and culture

  • Cultural capital of public space
  • Public space and cultural differences
  • Designing public space with nature and culture
  • Connected public spaces
  • Digital networking of public spaces
  • Media facades/active facades
  • Lighting in public space
  • Acoustics in smart cities – urban soundscapes
  • Small urban spaces
  • Smart urban equipment
  • Urban mapping / visual maps, sound maps
  • Cultural heritage and sustainable developement – use of RES
  • Urban Green infrastructure
  • Green gentrification

8th Thematic area : Natural and cultural heritage : legal frameworks, planning, management, governance, marketing, funding

  • Harmonised legal frameworks for protection
  • Integrated management approaches, plans and planning tools
  • New information technologies
  • Synergies and collaboration opportunities in terms of planning and management
  • Modes of management of integration of nature and culture across Europe
  • Evolutionary governance and Natura 2000
  • Innovative approaches to raising public awareness of nature conservation
  • Natural and cultural heritage and the role of non-governmental organisations
  • Engagement and empowerment of local residents and stakeholders
  • Monitoring impacts of activities ( e.g tourism) on the overall sustainability
  • Natural and cultural heritage and city/region branding
  • Natural and cultural heritage and urban/territorial attractiveness
  • Educational and volunteering issues linked with natural/cultural heritage interplay
  • Participatory governance of natural and cultural heritage
  • Biodiversity and culture in terms of policies and funding opportunities
  • Methodologies to better integrate biodiversity and cultural landscapes management
  • Natural and cultural tourism

9th Thematic area : New mapping and surveying technologies for natural and cultural heritage – Geographic Information Systems

  • Digital and 3-D reconstruction /modeling
  • Computational photography
  • Virtual augmented reality and other techniques in cultural, historical and natural heritage
  • Mixed reality and gamified interaction technologies in cultural heritage and creative industries
  • Integrated historical maps and archeological data using digital technologies
  • Underwater and submarine photography – Marine diving technologies.
  • Earth observation systems, tools, data – GIS – PPGIS