Access to housing is a fundamental aspect of urban livability, yet in recent decades, it has become increasingly challenging due to several factors. The widespread financialization of housing, characterized by speculative investment and market-driven approaches, has led to inflated prices and reduced affordability for many individuals and families. Concurrently, public bodies have often neglected to maintain social housing stock, further exacerbating the shortage of affordable housing options. Additionally, the rising trend of touristification, where housing units are converted into short-term rentals, has further squeezed the available housing supply, driving up prices and limiting options for permanent residents. The difficulty in accessing housing has far-reaching implications for other dimensions of city development. It affects the social and economic balance between neighborhoods, cities, and metropolitan areas, and also impacts urban sprawl, transportation infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and the overall quality of life for residents. In order to face the current difficulties, innovative approaches are necessary to simultaneously address affordability, sustainability, inclusivity, community development, and technological advancement in housing procurement.

By actively involving residents in decision-making, cities can ensure that their urban spaces and resources are accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status or background. This not only fosters a sense of belonging and ownership among residents but also helps to break down barriers and create more inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. Furthermore, citizen participation empowers communities to advocate for their right to the city, enabling them to take control of their own destinies and address local challenges and opportunities. This not only strengthens the fabric of communities but also builds resilience, as empowered communities are better equipped to adapt and respond to changing circumstances. Moreover, by giving residents a voice in shaping the future of their cities, cities can strengthen democratic institutions and foster a culture of civic engagement and activism. The dynamics of participation in the context of city livability have a direct impact on shaping public space, redefining the notion of what is considered “common,” and encouraging the creation of spaces that reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of the community.

The tensions between economic development and livable cities often arise due to competing priorities and trade-offs. Economic development can lead to gentrification, rising property values, and rents, which displace long-term residents, particularly low-income individuals, and families. This can undermine the affordability and social diversity of neighborhoods, making it challenging for vulnerable populations to access housing, services, and amenities. Rapid urbanization and gentrification can erode the character and identity of neighborhoods, displacing longstanding communities and undermining cultural diversity. Economic growth often leads to increased traffic congestion and urban sprawl, as cities expand outward to accommodate population growth and development. This can result in longer commute times, reduced air quality, loss of green space, and decreased quality of life for residents. Finally, economic development projects may prioritize modernization and urban renewal at the expense of preserving cultural heritage and historical landmarks. On the other hand, many cities rely on maintaining a “traditional” image to remain recognizable and attractive to global tourism.

The environmental impact caused by uncontrolled urban expansion are exacerbated by climate change, which is affecting city livability in various ways. Climate change worsens air quality by increasing pollutant concentrations, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, especially in areas with high levels of vehicular traffic and industrial emissions.  Rising temperatures contribute to heat stress, especially in densely populated areas with limited green space, exacerbating health risks such as heatstroke and dehydration, particularly among vulnerable populations. To mitigate these effects, cities are taking actions by  creating “climate shelters” in public buildings and adopting measures to reduce the urban heat island effect. Furthermore, climate change disrupts ecosystems and habitats, resulting in biodiversity loss and degradation of essential ecosystem services like air and water purification, crucial for human well-being. The scarcity of water resources due to changing precipitation patterns and increased evaporation exacerbates challenges in urban water management. Lastly, climate change causes social and economic disruptions that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating social inequalities. Addressing environmental challenges through a lens of climate justice requires recognizing the systemic inequalities that underlie vulnerability to climate impacts.

The UNESCO Convention on Cultural Heritage of 2003 established culture as a concept to be safeguarded. That event came three decades after the World Heritage Convention. Through that, UNESCO had set up its World Heritage List of protected sites and buildings. The intervening years have seen multiple shifts in how we define heritage – as both material objects and social traditions. Today more than ever before, the distinction is blurred. The streets on which we live, and the monuments we protect are all connected to the traditions and social groupings we celebrate and preserve – whether physically, socially or, increasingly, digitally. What we mean by culture and heritage today then, is an open and diverse question. Our buildings and environments, our cities and neighborhoods, our memorials and our artworks, our cultures and communities are all component parts of what we understand as ‘preservable’ cultural history. The dynamics at play are, however, complex. Conserving architectural heritage can conflict with development models. Community traditions are threatened by globalization. Monuments are often focal points for cultural contestation. Reflecting this scenario, this conference seeks papers on heritage from various standpoints.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the fore the relationship between health and the built environment. Seen at the time as ‘new’ the reality is, this relationship has a long history. The public health profession was born from the housing conditions of the 19th century urban poor. ‘Sick building syndrome’ has been a concern for years. Demands for walkable neighbourhoods are long standing. Housing for the elderly, accessible design, and the broader healthy cities agenda globally, all pre-date COVID-19. Seen in this light, this conference seeks to bring recent experiences and responses into dialogue with these longer standing areas of research into health, wellbeing and environments. It does so through setting up multiple strands including: COVID-19, Public health, environmental psychology, mental health; accessible design and social inclusion; space inequities and cross societal groups; air quality, green spaces, walkable cities, accessible transport; welfare institutions such as hospitals, schools and community centres; behaviors, communities, neighborhoods and housing; connectivity across healthcare and the built environments, and more.