Sila Ceren Varis Husar, a PhD. postdoctoral researcher, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the Slovak University of Technology (STUBA), actively participated in the 36th Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) Annual Congress 2024 (Picture 1). Themed “GAME CHANGER? Planning for just and sustainable urban regions,” this congress brought together leading academics and practitioners to discuss transformative approaches in urban planning.
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Picture 1: Opening of the 36th AESOP Annual Congress 2024
Day 1: Presentations, Invited Speeches and Sessions
Dr. Varis Husar commenced her engagement at the congress by presenting in a special session titled “THE FUTURE OF PLANNING: WHAT ARE WE FACING AND HOW DO WE PREPARE?” (Picture 2) hosted by Prof. Thorsten Wiechmann, Chair of Spatial Planning and Planning Theory at the School of Spatial Planning, TU Dortmund, this session was a focal point for forward-looking discourse in the planning field. Her presentation, “Navigating Tomorrow: AESOP Young Academics Network’s Take on the Future of Planning,” emphasized innovative perspectives and strategies from the network of young planning academics.
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Picture 2: Presenting “Navigating Tomorrow: AESOP Young Academics Network’s Take on the Future of Planning”
Later, Dr. Varis Husar presented a collaborative paper in the Track 10 Education Session 3 – Techniques and Professionalism. This paper, co-authored with Assoc. Prof. Milan Husar (STUBA) and Assist. Prof. Asli Ulubas Hamurcu (ITU), was titled “Multinational Planning Course Proposal for Healthy Cities” (Picture 3). This work highlighted the importance of cross-border educational initiatives in fostering healthier urban environments supported by EU funds in the frame of Blended Intensive Programme.
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Picture 3: Dr. Varis Husar and Dr. Ulubas Hamurcu presenting “Multinational Planning Course Proposal for Healthy Cities”
In the evening, Dr. Varis Husar was an invited speaker at an event themed “CITIES BEYOND GROWTH NOW. TOMORROW WILL BE TOO LATE,” hosted by Prof. Izabela Mironowicz from Gdańsk University of Technology (Picture 4). Here, she joined a panel of esteemed academics, including Assoc. Prof. Federico Savini (University of Amsterdam), Prof. Andrea Frank (University of Birmingham), Prof. Peter Schmitt (Stockholm University), and Prof. Zeynep Şirin Enlil (Yildiz Technical University). This event focused on urgent strategies for sustainable urban development beyond traditional growth paradigms.
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Picture 4: Evening Event Engaging with Distinguished Academics on the topic of “CITIES BEYOND GROWTH NOW. TOMORROW WILL BE TOO LATE.”
Day 2: Postdoc Project Presentation and Chairing Sessions
On the second day of the congress, Dr. Varis Husar presented her postdoctoral project, SASPRO2 – REGINNO, in a session she co-chaired with Prof. Stefanie Dühr from the University of South Australia. The session, titled “Actor constellations: public engagement, knowledge and democratization,” included her presentation “Human Agency and Regional Development: Planning, Knowledge Practices and Innovation in Slovak Regions” (Picture 5). This presentation underscored the critical role of human agency in regional planning and innovation.
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Picture 5: Dr. Varis Husar presenting SASPRO2- REGINNO project preliminary results
Throughout the congress, Dr. Varis Husar was actively involved, not only by presenting her work but also by chairing various sessions and engaging in discussions (Picture 6). Her active participation and contributions were recognized with an award for her role as the Chair of the Young Academics Network Coordination Team for the 2023-2024 period (Picture 7). This recognition underlined her leadership and commitment to advancing the field of urban planning.
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Picture 6: Dr. Varis Husar chairing the final session of Track 18 Actor Constellations
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Picture 7: AESOP General Assembly Acknowledgements and prize ceremony including Dr. Varis Husar for her role as the Chair of the Young Academics Network Coordination Team 2023-2024
Dr. Sila Ceren Varis Husar’s participation in the 36th AESOP Annual Congress 2024 exemplified her dedication to fostering just and sustainable urban regions, as well as her active involvement in the academic community. Her presentations and collaborative efforts highlighted the importance of innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches in addressing contemporary urban challenges.