GreenFORCE at the 36th AESOP Congress in Paris

From July 8 to 12, the 36th annual Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) Congress took place in Paris, hosted by the Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics and the Urban School of Sciences Po. The event gathered nearly 1,200 urban studies experts worldwide, featuring thematic sessions, round tables, keynotes, and field visits under the theme “GAME CHANGER? Planning for Just and Sustainable Urban Regions.”

This edition uniquely integrated urban planning and political science to critically examine territorial transformations and the green transition. Researchers from GreenFORCE, specifically from Co-PLAN, Politecnico di Torino (POLITO) and Nordregio, made significant contributions to the congress. Anila Bejko, Fiona Imami, and Kejt Dhrami, representing Co-PLAN, presented their research in two track sessions. To view the abstracts, click here

The first topic addressed by the GreenFORCE team focused on conceptualizing a Just Green Transition for the Western Balkans. This session showcased the project’s research activities over the past year, emphasizing the need for equitable and inclusive approaches to the green transition in this region. The work underscored the importance of considering social and spatial justice in planning sustainable urban futures.

The second presentation from Kejt Dhrami focused on Citizen Science in Spatial Planning, which highlighted the role of citizen engagement in fostering democratic participation in planning processes. This presentation drew on experiences from the WBC-RRI.net and GreenLungs projects, implemented by Co-PLAN, showcasing innovative approaches to incorporate public input into spatial planning.

A highlight of the congress was a roundtable discussion hosted by the GreenFORCE team, featuring distinguished panelists such as Prof. Stefano Moroni and Dominic Stead. The roundtable, moderated by Yahya Shaker and Erblin Berisha (POLITO), centered on the theme “Just Green Transitions: Transforming or Transitioning to What?” This discussion provided a platform for exploring various perspectives on justice and justness, delving into the core principles of social and spatial justice, and emphasizing the importance of these concepts in achieving equitable green transitions.

The session was enriched by the contributions of Anila Bejko (Co-PLAN) and Alberto Giacometti (Nordregio), alongside Moroni and Stead. The discussion fostered robust debates among over 20 attendees, offering diverse insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with just green transitions.

The GreenFORCE team’s participation at this year’s AESOP Congress was further highlighted by the AESOP Quality Recognition Award received by POLIS University, affiliated with the project.

Until next year’s congress in Istanbul, GreenFORCE looks forward to sharing more insights from the project on the international stage.

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