JiscMail Logo
Email discussion lists for the UK Education and Research communities

Help for SIMSOC Archives


SIMSOC Archives

SIMSOC Archives


SIMSOC@JISCMAIL.AC.UK


View:

Message:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Topic:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

By Author:

[

First

|

Previous

|

Next

|

Last

]

Font:

Proportional Font

LISTSERV Archives

LISTSERV Archives

SIMSOC Home

SIMSOC Home

SIMSOC  April 2009

SIMSOC April 2009

Options

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Subscribe or Unsubscribe

Log In

Log In

Get Password

Get Password

Subject:

Call for Papers, "Modeling Spaces – Modifying Societies"

From:

Martin Zimmermann <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Martin Zimmermann <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:50:48 +0100

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (109 lines)

Call for Papers

"Modeling Spaces – Modifying Societies"
Conference organized by the graduate program Topology of Technology of the 
Darmstadt University of Technology

To be held at the Fraunhofer IGD, Darmstadt, Germany, 7 – 9 October, 2009

Phenomena recognized as spatial arrangements are complex—thus we need 
tools to cope with them. Models can serve as tools for researchers and 
practitioners alike. There are two distinct yet interwoven aspects of models, 
both of which will be addressed by this conference: models as analytical 
devices and models as a reference for intervention. Models and other forms of 
abstract representations are generated to organize findings and to simulate 
options. In decision-making processes models have an enormous impact in 
that they provide guidelines for implementations as well as legitimation in 
situations of conflict, even though they are also increasingly understood as 
constructions.
Out of the great variety of spatial phenomena, climatology is a good example 
to show how models are constructed and affect society. They are used to 
analyze spatial patterns theoretically as well as to legitimize intervention in 
the political sphere. Global climate models are approximations of complex 
physical processes and enable researchers to simulate the climate system.
The General Circulation Model allows predictions of various scenarios. Such 
scientifically-based statements simplified the implementation of the Kyoto 
Protocol. They increased public awareness and led to a growing market for 
renewable energy. Similarly, the case of modernist urban planning highlights 
how the analysis of problems was recast in plans for action. Population 
densities and the variety of space usages in the industrializing cities were 
perceived as the root of various social deficiencies. Subsequently, abstract 
models based on the ideals of dispersion and the separation of functions 
shaped cities throughout the latter half of the 20th century.
Both examples show that the status of models depends significantly on the 
contexts in which they are developed and employed. First, the nature of any 
model is determined by the goal to be achieved; modeling is always designed 
to serve a particular aim and can take on many forms. Still, the applicability of 
models is related to the specific conditions under which they are designed, 
proposed and tested—therefore, the transfer of a model from one area to 
another is not always justified. And, furthermore, the way in which models are 
perceived often endows them with considerable normative power. Is it perhaps 
the case that model-building in research and society are deeply problematic in 
that such abstractions may develop into self-fulfilling prophecies? Moreover, 
models govern planning and simulation, processes which are in many ways 
interwoven with model-building. Hence, models do not only provide 
systematized information, but are also explicitly directed at the future.
While it is beyond doubt that models create instrumental knowledge, the 
distinctive spatial dimension of models is open to discussion. Are there specific 
ways of modeling three-dimensional spaces, for example particular forms of 
visualization? Do spatial arrangements offer specific kinds of information for 
analysis and intervention—as is probably the case in logistics and 
architecture? Is a model more forceful if it refers to certain localities, because 
attachment to place gives rise to a feeling of involvement or concern—as in 
the rapidly growing interest in Geographical Information Systems (GIS)? Or is 
the spatial distribution of researchers and practitioners themselves an issue 
that reflects on model building?

This conference aims to increase our understanding of the power and 
limitations of models, their construction and effects in the sciences and in 
fields of practice. It provides a forum for the discussion of qualitative and 
quantitative models composed of verbal propositions, numerical abstractions, 
and visualizations. Of particular interest are issues that cut across established 
scientific disciplines and analyze the boundaries between science, technology, 
society, and politics. A preliminary list of subject areas comprises:
-      architecture and social work
-      urban planning and policies
-      system sciences and management
-      the history and future of infrastructures
-      sustainability science and resources management
-      climate science and emission regulations
-      geography (incl. GIS and GPS and their commercial application)
-      behavioral sciences and human health
-      philosophy, ethics and spatial order

The conference explicitly aims at bringing scientists and practitioners from 
outside the academy together. To simplify discussion and the exchange of 
information and experience, plenary speeches will be complemented by smaller 
workshop-like sessions. Keynote speeches will be held by:

- Paul N. Edwards (University of Michigan): “Versions of the Atmosphere:
Climate Models, Data Models, Global Space and Time”

- Amy Hillier (University of Pennsylvania): “Mapping Social Patterns: The 
Making and Unmaking of Inequality”

- Roland W. Scholz (ETH Zürich): “Transdisciplinarity, System Sciences, and 
Prospective Modeling in Regional Transformation”

- Oskar von Stryk (TU Darmstadt): “Models and Simulation in Engineering:
Dynamics of Motion and Robot Intelligence”

The conference is organized by the graduate program Topology of Technology 
of Darmstadt University of Technology and is financed by the German 
Research Foundation (DFG). The interdisciplinary graduate program focuses on 
the interdependencies of technology and space.

The conference will take place at the Fraunhofer IGD, Darmstadt, Germany, 7 –
 9 October, 2009. Darmstadt is situated 30 kilometers south of Frankfurt am 
Main.
We invite proposals that include an abstract of no more than 2,000 characters 
and a brief CV. Deadline for submission is May 31, 2009.
Proposals should be submitted to the conference website at 
www.modelingspaces.com. Applicants can expect approval by July 15. The 
final program will be advertised in the second half of July.
Accommodation will be provided for accepted presenters and their traveling 
costs will be covered up to 150€ for participants from Germany, 300€ for 
participants from within Europe and 600€ for international participants. The 
conference fee amounts to 130€ (applications for a fee waiver may be filed).
For further information please visit our website at: www.modelingspaces.com.

Top of Message | Previous Page | Permalink

JiscMail Tools


RSS Feeds and Sharing


Advanced Options


Archives

March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998


JiscMail is a Jisc service.

View our service policies at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/ and Jisc's privacy policy at https://www.jisc.ac.uk/website/privacy-notice

For help and support help@jisc.ac.uk

Secured by F-Secure Anti-Virus CataList Email List Search Powered by the LISTSERV Email List Manager