The conference will host key lectures and pave the way for discussions and debates related to the scientific, cultural and socio-economic challenges faced by urban ecosystems. It will focus on evaluating the current situation of Venice and its Lagoon and to develop a "shared vision" for its future.
Such a vision is intended to help guide sound decision-making and further enable the sustainable management of coastal and lagoon urban systems and such unique World Heritage sites.

The Conference conclusions will inspire other World Heritage sites and cities, in particular those in the South-East European and the Mediterranean regions, to use the Venice experience as a role model.

Experts are invited to submit papers for the following 3 parallel sessions:
Session 1 : Responses of the urban ecosystem to the challenges of climate change
Session 2 : Impact of global change on socio-economic development
Session 3 : Culture and development: from restoration to revitalization?

Abstracts are to be submitted no later than July 24, 2011.

For more information please consult the conference website.