AESOP 2025 Annual Congress

Topic:

PLANNING AS A TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION IN AN AGE OF PLANETARY CRISIS

Overview:

With great enthusiasm and anticipation, the Department of City and Regional Planning at the Faculty of Architecture of the Yıldız Technical University welcomes you to Istanbul on July 7-11, 2025 for the 37th AESOP Annual Congress. In one of the world’s most dynamic cities, rich in cultural heritage and history, this year’s congress will focus on the theme, “Planning as a Transformative Action in an Age of Planetary Crisis.” As we gather in Istanbul—a city where East meets West, past meets future, and urban challenges and opportunities converge—we invite you to engage in critical conversations about the evolving role of planning in tackling the unprecedented challenges of our time.

The congress theme reflects the urgency of addressing planetary crises, including climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequalities, and resource depletion. At the heart of this crisis is a socio-economic system that continues to promote growth-oriented development and relies on unsustainable practices, reinforcing deep-seated inequalities and social exclusion. In this age of planetary crisis, the time has come to move beyond the narrow focus on growth as a measure of success. It is critical to shift our thinking and adopt alternative approaches that prioritize the people and the planet.

As a transformative action field, spatial planning is uniquely positioned to contribute to a more just, sustainable, and resilient future. Through engaging keynote speeches, thought-provoking panels, and interactive sessions, we seek to address these interconnected challenges through the lens of spatial justice, ethics and care. Our aim is to provide a platform for bold ideas, innovative solutions, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, we will explore how planning can reshape cities, regions, and communities to navigate these crises and inspire systemic change for a thriving planet.

We look forward to welcoming participants from across the globe to share insights, foster connections, and envision a shared future. Beyond the conference sessions, Istanbul itself will serve as an inspiring backdrop—a living laboratory where ancient traditions and modern urbanism coexist, presenting various challenges and controversies and offering valuable lessons for planners everywhere. Join us as we come together to push the boundaries of planning and embrace its transformative power in this critical moment for our planet.

The 37th AESOP Annual Congress 2025 addresses the following scientific tracks:

1. TRACK 01: POSTGROWTH URBANISM – Looking “Beyond Growth” for Ecological Balance and Social Equity in Cities and Regions
2. TRACK 02: PLANNING AND LAW – Law as a catalyst for change; Legal frameworks for planetary transformation and just transitions
3. TRACK 03: MOBILITY – Planning for Inclusive, accessible, sustainable, innovative forms of urban mobility systems
4. TRACK 04: GOVERNANCE – Institutions, actors and ideas crossing boundaries and enabling learning
5. TRACK 05: ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE – Sustainable cities and climate action: the role of planning in addressing the environmental and climate challenge
6. TRACK 06: URBAN CULTURES AND LIVED HERITAGE – Transformative power of culture and heritage; Risks and threats on cultural landscapes
7. TRACK 07: INCLUSION – Planning responses to shifting demographic landscape; Vulnerable populations; Political, natural and anthropogenic triggers of migration
8. TRACK 08: EDUCATION AND SKILLS – Planning education responses to social, economic, and environmental challenges; Innovative pedagogical approaches, knowledge and skills
9. TRACK 09: URBAN FUTURES – Changing mindset; Novel and innovative narratives for a equitable, and just future
10. TRACK 10: THEORIES – Critical approaches to planning theory and practice
11. TRACK 11: EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES – Emerging digital technologies, transformative planning, and spatial systems
12. TRACK 12: DISASTER-RESILIENT PLANNING – Planning for the Unexpected; Disaster preparedness, management and recovery; Disaster-oriented urban solutions; Resilience and risk mitigation
13. TRACK 13: HOUSING AND SHELTER – Planning for affordable housing; New models of living; Homelessness; Shelter for refuges and vulnerable population
14. TRACK 14: ETHICS, VALUES AND PLANNING – Upholding justice in an age of crisis
15. TRACK 15: PROPERTY MARKET ACTORS – Property market actors in shaping cities, challenges of financialization, policies and strategies to overcome multi-faceted crisis
16. TRACK 16: FOOD – Planning for just and sustainable food systems; Food security; Food safety
17. TRACK 17: PUBLIC SPACE – Transformative power of public spaces, Planning for Inclusion, Equity and Transformation
18. TRACK 18: TOURISM – Overtourism, commodification of culture and nature, responsible tourism, regenerative tourism

Important dates:

05 December 2024: Call for abstracts open (Congress Tracks)
16 December 2024: Call for Special Sessions and Roundtables open
15 January 2025: Deadline for abstract submissions (Congress Tracks)
15 January 2025: Deadline for Special Session and Roundtable Applications
24 January 2025: Special Sessions and Roundtables notifications
07 February 2025: Deadline abstract submission for presentations included in Special Sessions
10 March 2025: Abstract notifications
10 March 2025: Early Bird Registration open
08 April 2024: Full Paper Submission open
15 April 2025: Early bird registration deadline
30 April 2025: Registration deadline for presenters to be included in the Congress Program
31 May 2025: Full paper submission deadline
16 June 2025: Late registration deadline for participants without paper presentation

For Abstract Submission Questions: aesop2025.abstract@yildiz.edu.tr