Call for Papers: Waterfront Development International Conference 2025

  • June 6, 2025

Call for Papers: Waterfront Development International Conference 2025

 

Conference Theme: Advancing Sustainable, Smart, and Inclusive Waterfronts Development
Dates: November 3-6, 2025
Location: The Spine, Liverpool, UK
Organiser: University of Nottingham
Co-Organisers: IACP-EU, Liverpool School of Architecture (Urban Form and Social Space), Tianjin University, Beijing Jiaotong University, Nanjing University of Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University.
Key Partners: Peel L&P

Call for paper: 26 May, 2025
Deadline for Abstract Submission: 30 June, 2025 (5pm, BST)
Notification of Acceptance: 15 July, 2025
Early Bird Registration: 16 July – 15 August, 2025
Standard Registration: 16 August – 15 September, 2025
Full Paper Submission Deadline: 15 September, 2025
Final Conference Programme Announcement: 15 Oct, 2025

Conference Overview

The Waterfront Development International Conference 2025 aims to bring together academics, practitioners, and policymakers to explore innovative approaches to waterfront development, conservation, and resilience. The conference will feature keynote speeches, paper presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities.

We invite submissions that address the challenges and opportunities in waterfront development, covering themes such as heritage, conservation, environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, smart technology, and socio-economic inclusivity.

Key Themes

Submissions are welcome on, but not limited to, the following themes:

  1. Waterfront Heritage, Conservation & Identity
  • Key Focus:
    • Protecting, preserving and restoring historical and cultural waterfront sites.
    • Integrating cultural identity into modern redevelopment projects.
    • The role of arts and public spaces in revitalising waterfronts.
    • Canal & Harbour-front urban regeneration.
    • Adaptive reuse and modernisation of waterfront spaces.
  • Session Title: “21st Century Waterfront Regeneration”
  1. Community Engagement and Social Equality
  • Key Focus:
    • Inclusive planning processes that incorporate local voices.
    • The role of waterfronts in addressing social inequalities.
    • Case studies of community-led waterfront redevelopment projects.
  • Session Title: “Engaging Communities for Inclusive Waterfront Futures”
  1. Climate Resilience, Biodiversity and Environmental Adaptation
  • Key Focus:
    • Strategies for making waterfront areas resilient to sea-level rise, flooding, and extreme weather.
    • Designing adaptive urban spaces that respond to climate uncertainties.
    • Role of green and blue infrastructure in coastal resilience.
    • Restoration of aquatic and terrestrial habitats in waterfront areas.
    • Strategies for balancing urbanisation with ecosystem health.
    • Urban planning strategies for water-sensitive cities.
  • Session Title: “Building Resilient Waterfronts: Challenges and Innovations “
  1. Smart Waterfronts, Digital Innovation & AI-Driven Design
  • Key Focus:
    • Application of smart technologies for waterfront management and development.
    • Data-driven approaches for monitoring quality and usage of places.
    • Creating interactive and accessible urban waterfront spaces using technology.
  • Session Title: “Smart Waterfronts: Technology for Sustainable Urban Edges”
  1. Waterfront Innovation Clusters, Recreation and Tourism
  • Key Focus:
    • Sustainable tourism models for waterfront areas.
    • Balancing recreational use with environmental preservation.
    • Case studies of successful recreational waterfronts.
    • Role of waterfronts in economic regeneration and innovation.
    • Leveraging waterfronts for startup hubs, tech parks, or maritime industries.
    • Challenges and opportunities in creating economically vibrant waterfronts.
  • Session Title: “Recreation and Tourism on the Waterfront: Economic Growth and Innovation”
  1. Policy and Governance in Waterfront Development (TBC)
  • Key Focus:
    • Governance models for managing waterfront transformations.
    • Legal and regulatory challenges in waterfront development.
    • Case studies of successful multi-stakeholder collaborations.
  • Session Title: “Governance Frameworks for Transforming Waterfronts”

 

Submission Guidelines

Full Paper Abstract Submission:

  • Maximum 300 words, clearly outlining research aims, methods, findings, and relevance.
  • Include title, author(s) name, affiliation, and contact details.
  • Submit via the online submission platform – MS Form.

 

Full Paper Submission:

  • Maximum 8,000 words including references.
  • Must follow the provided formatting template.
  • Papers will undergo a peer-review process.
  • Submit via the online submission platform – MS Form.

 

PhD & Early Career Academics Poster Presentation Submission:

  • 1 x A1 Poster, clearly outlining research aims, methods, findings, and relevance.
  • Include title, names, affiliation, and contact details.
  • Submit via the online submission platform – MS Form.

 

Presentation Format:

  • Oral presentations: 15 minutes x 4 papers + 30 minutes session Q&A.
  • Poster presentations: Dedicated sessions for interactive discussions.

 

PhD Students Award:

We are awarding PhD student’s full paper presentation submission contribution by offering free registration fee to attend the conference.

Publication Opportunities:

Accepted papers will be considered for inclusion in:

  • Special Issue in a Partner Journal
  • Edited Book in an International Publisher

 

Important Dates

  • Abstract Submission Deadline:

    30 June, 2025 (5pm, BST)

  • Notification of Acceptance: 15 July, 2025
  • Early Bird Registration Deadline: 15 August, 2025 (5pm, BST)
  • Standard Registration Deadline: 15 September, 2025 (5pm, BST)
  • Full Paper Submission Deadline: 15 September, 2025 (5pm, BST)
  • Final Conference Programme Announcement: 15 Oct, 2025

 

Registration & Fees

  • PhD Students Award: Free (before 15 August, 2025)
  • Student Registration: £100 (before 15 August, 2025)
  • Early Career Academics Registration: £150 (before 15 August, 2025)
  • Early Bird Registration: £200 (before 15 August, 2025)
  • Standard Registration: £280 (by 15 September, 2025)

Fees include access to all sessions, conference materials, meals (excluding conference dinner), and excursions.

 

Contact and further information

For any inquiries, please contact the Organising Committee at: Waterfront2025@nottingham.ac.uk

For more information, please click the link: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/fac-eng/waterfront-development/index.aspx

We look forward to your contributions and welcoming you to Liverpool in 2025!

IACP Communication Group