London, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Sydney, Shanghai, Dubai are leading global hubs of finance and commerce, research and development, education and media, art and culture, entertainment and tourism. They consist of an intriguing and yet irresistible mixture of past and present, history and commercialism, monuments and leisure culture. Contrasts and paradoxes present these megacities as exceptional phenomena of artificiality and naturalness, livelihood and unpredictability, whose horizontal and vertical mobility has imposed an unmistakable tempo upon the course of the world and has shaped particular physical and mental geographies.
The conference will explore the singular nature of the symbols that represent the world’s cosmopolitan metropoles. It will also focus on the fascination exerted by these large urban areas and their complex character as unrivalled sites of self-confidence and assertiveness, progress and sophistication.
The main objective of the event is to bring together all those interested in examining the intersections between their professions and/or interests and some distinct aspects of metropolitan life, providing an integrated approach for the understanding of the mechanisms that lie behind the undisputed global centres.
Topics include but are not limited to several core issues:
selfish or generous cities?
past and present
travel and transport
art and architecture
crime and conflict
historical, cultural and tourist landmarks
multiculturalism and exclusiveness
myths and legends
wisdom and humour
media representations
Paper proposals up to 250 words and a brief biographical note should be sent by 25 February 2018 to: urbanstudies@lcir.co.uk.
