The City. Analyzing Contemporary Transformations and Structures –
\nBielefeld 03\/12<\/p>\n
09.03.2012-10.03.2012, Bielefeld, IBZ, Universit\u00e4t Bielefeld, 33615
\nBielefeld, Germany
\nDeadline: 01.10.2011<\/p>\n
Today, we focus on different aspects of urbanity when we talk about
\ncharacteristics of and challenges for contemporary societies and their
\nbuilt environment. Depending on the respective point of view,
\ndemographic changes, the anticipated climate change potentially altering
\nhuman behavior, the different appreciation of knowledge and information
\nor transformations in production patterns are taken as factors affecting
\nthe appearance, the characteristics and the functions of the places of
\nsocieties – and therewith also of cities.<\/p>\n
Social sciences dealing with urban phenomena generally ask for the
\ninterrelations of the social and the physical\/spatial. Urban structures,
\nunderstood as results of social processes, are in focus.But there are
\ndifferent thematic traditions: In Germany, social inequality in cities,
\nresulting in social and spatial segregation, has long been a topic of
\ngreat importance. In the Anglo-American context, housing and racial
\ndifferences have been major research areas for several decades. In
\naddition to these specific traditions of studying the city, phenomena
\nthemselves show regionally differing characteristics, greatly visible in
\nthe cases of shrinking cities and mega cities. And processes of urban
\ntransformation have always had transnational, maybe even global facets,
\ntoo, as it can be seen in the case of global cities.<\/p>\n
The workshop asks for both urban transformations and urban structures
\nthat can be analyzed by social scientists. What are recent developments
\nand transformations of cities? What are the specific challenges
\nresearchers are confronted with in these cities? How can we adequately
\nanalyze and analytically formulate contemporary urban phenomena? In what
\nrespect do cities possess features that are specific for the late 20th
\nand beginning 21st century, i.e. what are typical structures? What kind
\nof social transformations influence the character of cities and in how
\nfar do cities in turn influence social developments? In what respect can
\ncities be understood as specific physical-spatial structures resulting
\nof (social) developments?<\/p>\n
This workshop aims at bringing the social scientist’s perspective on
\ncontemporary urban transformations and structures into focus. What
\nspecific challenges are inhabitants, city planners, but also we as
\nresearchers confronted with? What is life like in (post)modern cities,
\nhow can these cities be characterized? What kind of relation exists
\nbetween cities and the societies they are embedded in? Therewith,
\nquestions arise concerning both the adequate theoretical framework for
\nurban transformations and structures and their thorough empirical
\nanalysis. Additionally, the workshop asks for methodological reflections
\non adequate forms of researching these developments.<\/p>\n
The workshop consists of two parts: (1) We invite PhD candidates in an
\nadvanced state and PostDocs in an early state to send proposals for
\npresentations dealing with the questions mentioned above from a
\nsociological or closely related perspective. (2) Master students from
\nall fields who work on the topics named are encouraged to apply for a
\nposter session to present their work.<\/p>\n
With this, the discussion on contemporary urban phenomena shall be
\ndeepened and the discipline of (urban) sociology reflected during the
\nworkshop.<\/p>\n
Character of workshop:
\nThe workshop is designed to be a discussion-intensive platform for
\nexchanging research results and ideas. The participants are encouraged
\nto allow extra time in advance for preparing the discussion of
\nparticipants’ full papers and presentations. To facilitate the
\ncirculation of papers, data, and other useful material, a Wiki will be
\nset up in the beginning of 2012.<\/p>\n
The workshop will be opened by a keynote lecture that will introduce
\ninto the topic. Workshop language is English. Selected papers will later
\nbe published in the journal InterDisciplines. Journal of History and
\nSociology.<\/p>\n
Abstracts:
\nPlease send an abstract of app. 500 words until 1st Oct 2011 to
\ncities@uni-bielefeld.de, indicating whether you apply for a presentation
\nor a poster, and include a short CV of yours (max. 2 pages).<\/p>\n
Time schedule:
\n1st Oct 2011: deadline for submitting abstracts; for presentations: app.
\n500 words, language: English; for posters: app. 500 words, language:
\nEnglish or German
\n1st Nov 2011: announcement of acceptance
\n15th Jan 2012: deadline for submitting full papers; applies only for
\npresentations; 5-7000 words, language: English
\n30th Jan 2012: circulation of full papers among participants
\n9th-10th March 2012: workshop<\/p>\n
Further information:
\nThe workshop will take place at the University of Bielefeld, Germany,
\nand is funded by the Bielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology.
\nThe workshop organizers will compensate for the participants’
\naccommodation in Bielefeld (1 night). In addition, Master students who
\nhave successfully applied for the poster session will be issued a small
\ngrant for participation.<\/p>\n
Inquiries can be send to Anna-Lisa M\u00fcller at cities@uni-bielefeld.de.<\/p>\n
Anna-Lisa M\u00fcller
\nBielefeld Graduate School in History and Sociology, Universit\u00e4t Bielefeld
\nhttp:\/\/www.uni-bielefeld.de\/bghs\/personen\/profile\/anna-lisa_mueller.html <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The City. Analyzing Contemporary Transformations and Structures – Bielefeld 03\/12 09.03.2012-10.03.2012, Bielefeld, IBZ, Universit\u00e4t Bielefeld, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany Deadline: 01.10.2011 Today, we focus on different aspects of urbanity when we talk about characteristics of and challenges for contemporary societies and their built environment. Depending on the respective point of view, demographic changes, the anticipated climate … <\/p>\n