RE-DISCOVERING CITIES

National Conference
on
RE-DISCOVERING CITIES
for a sustainable living environment...........
(10-11 April, 2015)
Organised by
School of Architecture
MM University, Sadopur, Ambala
and
Indian Institute of Architects (Chd-Pb Chapter)
Conference Overview
“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only
when, they are created by everybody.” ― Jane Jacobs
City is a living organism which adapts to accommodate the changes occurring in the
components of the urban environment. These changes were slow and not very significant till
the beginning of 20th century but in the 21st century as a result of urbanization; occur so fast
that the city is unable to accommodate them, causing urban sprawl affecting our quality of
life.
The world's urban population has grown from 220 million to almost three billion in this
century alone and UN forecasts show that in 2050, more than 70 per cent of the world's
population will be living in urban areas. As per the estimation of UN, about 180,000 people
are being added to the urban population every day. In India, the percentage of population
living in urban areas has increased from 28.6% in 2001 to 37.7% in 2011 The population of
some cities is 40 times larger than what it was in 1950.
Urban centres provide vast scope for employment in industries, transport, trade and other
sectors. They also offer modern facilities of life. Thus, they act as ‘magnets’ for the migrant
population and attract people from outside. However, developing nations are struggling to
cope up with rapid urbanization which is seriously outstripping the capacity of most cities to
provide adequate services for their citizens. Key issues being faced by cities today are
inadequate basic services (water supply, sewage disposal & solid waste management); traffic
& parking problems; high urban poverty and unemployment levels; increase in housing
shortage & consequent urban slums; degraded urban health & environment (air/water
quality); high energy consumption, lack of respect for built heritage and much more.
As per our Indian Prime Minister’s initiative to build smart cities and improve the character
of our urban areas, amidst a global call for sustainable development, it becomes imperative to
bring together issues related to cities under one roof and deliberate upon them to gear up for
the future. Hence the aim of the conference is to have a dialogue for creating urban
environments that provide healthy socio-economic and environmental conditions for their
residents.
National Conference on “Rediscovering Cities”
Website: www.ncrcmmu.org
About MM University Trust, Ambala
The reputed Maharishi Markandeshwar University Trust, Ambala was founded by a great
philanthropist, Sh Tarsem Garg for social, educational and economical upliftment of the
society in 1993. The trust has the privilege of establishing the first self-financing college,
medical college and Deemed University in the region. The trust has established three
universities at Mullana (Estb: 1995); Sadopur, Ambala (Estb: 2010) and Solan (Estb: 2010).
The MM University Sadopur is a 44 Acres vibrant Campus at Sadopur on Delhi-AmbalaChandigarh National Highway in the suburbs of Ambala towards Chandigarh for bringing
new life to the educational system and providing professional education to the people of the
surrounding region.
About School of Architecture, MMU, Sadopur
The School of Architecture established in year 2011, offers the students a lifetime
opportunity to witness the growth and development of a new settlement, enabling pragmatic
vision on architectural ideas, urban design and landscape design. Human habitat and
environment being the basic concern of the School, the spectrum of academic programmes is
being continuously extended by providing programmes in new fields.The School has taken a
lead in introducing academic programmes in specialized field at Bachelor's level. The School
has always been in the lead in extending education and research to new frontiers of
knowledge. The major thrust of the School is to organize expert lectures periodically by
eminent academicians and industry experts.
The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA)
The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) is the National body of architects in the country.
Having started in the year 1917, this professional body of Indian architects has 14 chapters
and 46 centers. The Institute has a major role to play in promoting the profession of
architecture by organizing and uniting the architects of India in fellowship to promote
aesthetic, scientific and practical efficiency of the profession, both in Practice and in
Education. IIA is represented on various National and International committees connected
with architecture and the building industry and is also actively associated with International
Union of Architects (UIA), Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), and South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which provide international
recognition and exposure to Indian architects.
National Conference on “Rediscovering Cities”
Website: www.ncrcmmu.org
Call for Papers
Authors are invited to submit proposals for the papers under three distinct streams. Other
topics of relevance to Cities are welcome and will be included appropriately in any of the
below mentioned streams:
Session 1: Historic Cities










Issues and Challenges faced by Cities of Yore
Transformation of Historic Cities/Spaces/Plazas/Squares.
City space as a cultural response
Role of Religion in Shaping the Cities
Urban Slums in Historic Precincts
Impact of Traffic and Transport
Regulating Urban Development
Conservation of Historic Cities
Sustainable Historic Cities
Planning Lessons of Historic Cities for Modern Urbanism
Session 2: Cities of 19th and 20th Century










Impact of Industrialization on Cities
Urban Regeneration/Revitalization
Modern Cities and Urban Villages
Urban Mobility (Monorail, Metros, Segregation of Traffic, Public Transport System,
next generation Automobiles)
Waste and Water management
Slums: Issues and Challenges
Ecological and Social Sustenance
Optimization, Reuse and Regeneration of Resources
Provisions for Future Development
Laws and Legislation for Urban Renewal
Session 3: Cities of the Future









Vertical Cities
Sustainable Cities
Smart Cities
Role of Planning Legislation in Future cities
Resource Economics
Holistic Approach to the Planning of Future Cities
City Services
Maintenance and Management of Cities
Urban Landscape
National Conference on “Rediscovering Cities”
Website: www.ncrcmmu.org
Conference Venue and Location
The conference will be held at MM University, Sadopur, Ambala located on AmbalaChandigarh National Highway- 22, just 40 kms from Chandigarh, and is well connected by
road, railways and airways.

Nearest railway station: Ambala Cantt (Indian Railway code: UMB), 10 kms from the
venue.

Nearest bus stand: Ambala Cantt, 10 kms from the venue.

Nearest airport: Chandigarh (code: IXC), 40 kms from the venue.
Auto rickshaws and taxis are available from the railway station and bus stand to the venue.
Ambala cantonment and Ambala City are historic twin cities, just eight kms apart from each
other. Visits to key tourist and historic areas of Ambala and Chandigarh will be organized
after the conference.
Holy Redeemer Church, Ambala
Pinjore Gardens, Pinjore, Panchkula
Rock Garden, Chandigarh
Schedule of the Conference
Time line for the abstract and full paper submission
1.
Call for abstract
1st November, 2014
2.
Deadline of abstract submission
Deadline of abstract submission
1st December, 2014
10th December, 2014
3.
Notification of abstract acceptance
15th December, 2014
4.
Submission of full papers
31st January, 2015
5.
Notification of final papers acceptance
1st March, 2015
6.
Conference dates
10-11 April, 2015
National Conference on “Rediscovering Cities”
Website: www.ncrcmmu.org
Registration Fee details
For Indian/SAARC nations Delegates
Registration till 6th March, 2015
Participant
Registration after 6th March, 2015
INR 3000.00
INR 3500.00
INR 2500.00
INR 3000.00
Research Scholars
INR 2000.00
INR 2500.00
Additional paper(s)
INR 1500.00
INR 2000.00
Accompanying persons
INR 1500.00
INR 2000.00
Students
INR 1000.00
INR 1500.00
Standard
Delegate
(Non IIA members)
Standard Delegate (IIA
members)
For other Foreign Delegates
Participant
Registration till 6th March, 2015
Registration after 6th March, 2015
Standard Delegate
USD 150.00
USD 200.00
Research Scholars
USD 100.00
USD 150.00
Additional paper(s)
USD 75.00
USD 125.00
Accompanying persons
USD 75.00
USD 125.00
Students
USD 50.00
USD 100.00
Note: Registration charges include participation fee, conference kit, lunch and tea/coffee at
conference venue.
For all registration enquiries mail to [email protected]
National Conference on “Rediscovering Cities”
Website: www.ncrcmmu.org
Format of Abstracts
Abstracts are limited to 300 words and should be written in English.
The Abstract must contain:

The title of the paper including the category under which to be placed.

Name and full postal address (including telephone and e-mail) of the author(s).

Key words.

A brief CV of the author(s), not exceeding 100 words.
Authors are responsible for the originality of submitted papers and co-authorship
statement (if and when necessary).
Abstracts should be sent by e-mail to: [email protected]
Submission of Full Papers
The author(s) must follow the following instructions for full paper submission:

The maximum length of the paper is eight pages (including graphics).

File format: Doc file.

Font type and font size: Times New Roman, size 12, line spacing 1.5.

Columns: All text is to be in single-column format. The title, author(s) and
keywords are to be centered and separated by double line spacing. Both right and
left margins are to be justified (ie, straight right and left margins).

Paper size: A4.

Margins: top and bottom 3.0 cm; left and right 2.5 cm.

Provide the graphics (images, tables, graphs etc) in appropriate format in a
separate file also.

Each graphic should bear appropriate caption.

Reference Style: Harvard System.
Note: All submitted papers will undergo a process of peer review and the papers accepted
will be published with ISBN no. in the proceedings of the conference.
National Conference on “Rediscovering Cities”
Website: www.ncrcmmu.org
Organising Committee
Our Patrons
Tarsem Garg (Hon’ble Chancellor, MMU)
Dr SD Sharma (Vice Chancellor, MMU, Sadopur, Ambala)
Chairperson
Ar Surinder Bahga (Chairman, IIA Publication Board)
Convener
Prof Aradhana Jindal (Principal, School of Architecture, MMU, Sadopur, Ambala)
Organising Secretary
Ar Vikas Sharma
+91 8059930012
Joint Organising Secretaries
Ar Eva Prashar
+91 8059933362
Ar Radhika Chauhan
+91 8059933369
Enquiries
[email protected]
National Conference on “Rediscovering Cities”
Website: www.ncrcmmu.org