CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - AESOP 2025 ISTANBUL CONGRESS

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - 37^th AESOP Annual Congress 2025 Istanbul, Türkiye

July 7 - 11 2025

‍PLANNING AS A TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION IN AN AGE OF PLANETARY CRISIS

Dear AESOP Colleagues and Friends,

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.

We invite you to submit your abstracts for the following scientific tracks:

TRACK 1: Postgrowth Urbanism 

Looking “Beyond Growth” for Ecological Balance and Social Equity in Cities and Regions 

TRACK 2: Planning and Law

Law as a catalyst for change; Legal frameworks for planetary transformation and just transitions

TRACK 3: Mobility

Planning for Inclusive, accessible, sustainable, innovative forms of urban mobility systems

TRACK 4: Governance

Institutions, actors and ideas crossing boundaries and enabling learning 

TRACK 5: Environment and Climate

Sustainable cities and climate action: the role of planning in addressing the environmental and climate challenge

TRACK 6: Urban Cultures and Lived Heritage:

Transformative power of culture and heritage; Risks and threats on cultural landscapes 

TRACK 7: Inclusion

Planning responses to shifting demographic landscape; Vulnerable populations; Political, natural and anthropogenic triggers of migration

TRACK 8: Education and Skills

Planning education responses to social, economic, and environmental challenges; Innovative pedagogical approaches, knowledge and skills

TRACK 9: Urban Futures

Changing mindset; Novel and innovative narratives for a equitable, and just future

TRACK 10: Theories

Critical approaches to planning theory and practice

TRACK 11: Emerging Technologies

Emerging digital technologies, transformative planning, and spatial systems

TRACK 12: Disaster-Resilient Planning

Planning for the Unexpected; Disaster preparedness, management and recovery; Disaster-oriented urban solutions; Resilience and risk mitigation

TRACK 13: Housing and Shelter

Planning for affordable housing; New models of living; Homelessness; Shelter for refuges and vulnerable population

TRACK 14: Ethics, Values and Planning

Upholding justice in an age of crisis 

TRACK 15: Property Market Actors

Property market actors in shaping cities, challenges of financialization, policies and strategies to overcome multi-faceted crisis

TRACK 16: Food

Planning for just and sustainable food systems; Food security; Food safety

TRACK 17: Public Space

Transformative power of public spaces, Planning for Inclusion, Equity and Transformation

TRACK 18: Tourism

Overtourism, commodification of culture and nature, responsible tourism, regenerative tourism, 

Please visit the AESOP 2025 ISTANBUL CONGRESS website for more information!

SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT

For General Questions:

aesop2025@yildiz.edu.tr

For Abstract Submission Questions:

aesop2025.abstract@yildiz.edu.tr 

CALL for Round Tables and Special Sessions will open soon!

CALL for the AESOP PhD Workshop in Istanbul on 2-5 July 2025 will open soon!

More information regarding the congress will be continually updated on the website. 

We are looking forward to receiving your submissions!

Kind regards,

Zeynep Enlil, Professor of Urban Planning YTU, Chair of the Conference Local Organising Committee and the AESOP 2025 Congress LOC

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