From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of R Zeiss
Sent: 01 March 2004 14:12
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: Fwd: SUMMER ACADEMY ON TECHNOLOGY STUDIES 2004


we would like to announce the 6th "INTERNATIONAL SUMMER
ACADEMY ON TECHNOLOGY STUDIES":

ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS

6th International Summer Academy on Technology Studies: "Urban
Infrastructure in Transition: What can we learn from history?"

Deutschlandsberg, Austria, July 11 - 17, 2004

Organized by Inter-University Research Centre for Technology, Work
and Culture (IFZ), Graz.

Cities are powerfully shaped by socio-technical networks and
infrastructures. These organize and mediate the distribution of people,
goods, services, information, waste, capital, and energy within, and
between, urban regions. The quality of urban life (50% of the world's
population live in cities) depends heavily on urban infrastructures and
service systems (water, sewage, energy, transport, telecommunications).
Achieving sustainable urban infrastructure networks is vital if cities are
to thrive or even function in the long term.

The Summer Academy 2004 will focus on the transition of urban
infrastructure in view of changing framework conditions and new
challenges in a historical perspective. A starting point is the
contemporary debate about urban infrastructure, in which you hardly
can find a reference to historical experiences. This is precisely where
the discussions of this year's Summer Academy will raise the
following questions:

- What can historical analysis of the development and design of
urban technical infrastructure systems contribute to an understanding
of the current transition process?

- What can we learn from history to manage current challenges for
our water, electricity, telecommunications, and transport systems?

- What can we learn from history for a sustainable design and
governance of infrastructure technology networks in the present and
future?

The main objectives of the Summer Academy are to explore:

- the process of transition of urban technical infrastructure systems
and urban technology networks in a historical perspective,

- strategies for a more sustainable, i. e. socially and environmentally
friendly design of urban technologies as an issue of technology
studies and technology policy,

- the contribution of urban infrastructure systems for a sustainable
development of cities or urban areas in general.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Participants are encouraged to present a paper related to one of the
following topics:

1) Political aspects of urban technology
This topic focuses on the question of organization, regulation, design
and governance of urban infrastructure concerning the following
issues: Relationship between market/politics and the private and
public sector of the economy; systems of services of general interest;
structures of governance, measures of managing technical progress
(transition management), technical regimes, path dependencies;
actors (private and public institutions, municipalities, countries,
national states, trans-national actors); decision-making process and
role of key decision-makers in determining the choice of services to
be provided (system builders); concepts of participation, beyond
centralization.

2) Social aspects of urban technology
This topic of the social impacts or the social importance of urban
infrastructures includes the following issues: Systems of technical
infrastructures as a socially and environmentally sound technology;
impacts on the environment; concepts or visions of public assistance
or fundamental public services; changes in the understanding of
services of general interest (or in the definition of basic needs);
tensions between technical network integration and social, political
and cultural integration/disintegration processes; relationship
between citizens and public authorities; users, consumption patterns,
life-styles.

3) Cultural aspects of urban technology
This topic focuses on the interaction between the transformation of
urban infrastructures and cultural change (discourses). The main
issues in this context are: Interrelations between the process of
modernization (transition of urban technology) and cultural change;
theories of infrastructure; discourses of modernization, technology as
a symbol of modernity, ideas/visions and self concepts of modern or
(in a contemporary context) sustainable cities; urbanity; criticism of
urban technology and civilization.

Please submit a one page abstract and a maximum of one page on
your work and research background.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 2, 2004. You will be
notified of acceptance by April 19.
A maximum of 40 participants will be accepted.

The language of the conference will be English.

FEES
EUR 290.-
The fee covers the conference proceedings and materials, coffee
and refreshments as well as social events during the week.

Accommodation
EUR 358.- to EUR 418.-
The charge includes accommodation (six nights) and half board
(breakfast and lunch) for the period of Sunday evening to Friday
evening.
Rooms have been reserved by the organisers.

GRANTS
A special grant scheme covering travel costs, accommodation and
fees will be open to NIS (New Independent States of the former
Soviet Union) Young Scientists. Participants from Central and South
Eastern European and developing countries may also request
financial support.

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
For further information or registration form, please visit our web site:
http://www.ifz.tugraz.at/index.php/sumac
or contact: Peter Wilding
IFF/IFZ (Inter-University Research Centre for Technology, Work and
Culture)
Schloegelgasse 2, A - 8010 Graz, Austria
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
phone: (+43) 316 / 81 39 09 - 32
fax: (+43) 316 / 81 02 74

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