I - Nature, environment and sustainable territories

The construction of sustainable territories depends primarily on the balance between environmental and economic dynamics, but also on social, cultural and educational dynamics placed at the service of planning and spatial planning. The central objective is always in the environmental and intergenerational dimensions that allow societies of tomorrow to enjoy the territorial resources on which the territory development and planning is based, as well as the quality of life of its populations.

In this context, it´s intended to present studies that have as their central theme the relationships between nature, the environment and society, albeit with a focus on major environmental issues in the world today. More specifically, in this thematic axis, it is proposed the presentation of studies on:

Climate and environmental changes and implications for spatial planning - Climate action (the climate and the territory), particularly in the meeting of climate change mitigation policies at a global level with planning practices at a local level;

Water management and hydrographical basins (regions) sustainability - The problems of water management, particularly at the level of sustainable management policies for basins and hydrographical regions, with particular emphasis on the uses of water, the territorial inequalities arising from them and the conflicts present in using a multiple-use resource;

Nature and risk societies - In relation to the two previous sub-themes, studies of natural and environmental risks, as well as the way in which society produces them, confronts them, resists them and recovers from them.

Although all Physical Geography themes are, of course, welcome, taking into account the general theme of the meeting, it´s appealing to present studies that address the aspect of interface or articulation between nature and society in the way of territories construction, evolution, disturbance and development.

II - Sustainable urban spaces

Sustainability can be seen as a characteristic of a particular territory, and as a process of transformation over time in the relationship between society and space. It´s, however, as an ambition and a utopia that the concept, imprecise like others, gains more strength and allows for a better scientific research (and public policies) orientation, even when it´s only intended to understand the past and the present.

The challenges facing geographers and others in understanding territorial transformations and in reinforcing the social usefulness of geographic knowledge have an important focus on urban spaces. In fact, not only do most people currently live in urban spaces (which in Europe reaches 75%), but it’s in cities and in different concentrations of people, businesses, information and power that the essentials of the future are played in relation to its greatest challenges, such as sustainability.

In this sub-theme, presentations submission in very different areas is encouraged, with the urban space as an object or basis for investigation and reflection. In particular, it’s considered:

Cities and regions in ecological and digital transition - the centrality of cities in the ecological and digital transition, for example in terms of policies and behaviour in the areas of accessibility and mobility and management of large amounts of data;

Health and construction of wellness spaces - the relevance of the geographic dimension of health, as is well demonstrated with the Covid-19 pandemic, when urban spaces are essential and there is a special understanding of the geographic expression of health policies and their effects, and other dimensions of well-being stand out (for example regarding the green spaces importance);

Inclusive and sustainable cities/economy, innovation and sustainability - the social and economic pillars of sustainability, especially in its relationship with inclusion and innovation, whether in creating the city for all or in the affirmation of cities in a better world;

Planning and governance challenges the importance of planning theories, methods and practices, as well as the study of the urban governance evolution and characteristics, multi-level articulations and new examples of articulation between planning, public policies and territorial governance.

III - Tourism, heritage and sustainability

Tourism is, nowadays, a way of occupying leisure time, especially cherished by people, making the search for mobility, with leisure motivation, a necessity for a significant part of the population. Assumed both as an indicator of democratisation of access and practices and as responsible for their elitization, tourism is an increasingly significant economic activity in the socio-economy of many countries. Thinking of tourism as a development tool associated with sustainability is therefore essential.

At the same time, it is intended to focus on the supply of cultural heritage and creative activities, since they are no longer proposals of a supplementary nature, but are in fact a way for territories to facilitate the use of their cultural heritage and promote the relationship between tangible and intangible attributes.

To these objectives can be added research and analysis on the local impacts of tourism, stressing the recognition of the people who live in each territory as part of the offer and not an obstacle to the enrichment of the tourist experience.

In addition, there is research into the increase in the length of stay, knowledge of the traveller profile, motivations, strategies to satisfy and exceed expectations, images and brands of the territories and marketing, both in areas of high tourism density and intensity, and in areas of low density.

This sub-theme seeks to approach tourist attractiveness, with a qualified offer, allowing smart interpretations of the management practices of cities, their areas of influence and territories, in general. Rural areas are also thematically integrated. Despite the demographic decline and the identified abandonment, they increasingly combine resilience, landscape revitalization, innovation, or even social and cultural recovery. These characteristics associated with low densities, natural elements and practices that induce inclusive and sustainable scenarios, become incremental to the tourism supply, which in association with culture and heritage give rural areas a significant added value.

Tourism and its geographies can therefore define multiple situations of territorial qualification, promoting development in a sustainable and inclusive manner. All these issues will be at the centre of the analysis, not forgetting interpretations that may look at tourism as less positive for the territories, through exaggerated exploitation of resources, and negative impacts on planning, due to violations of environmental restrictions, devaluation of participatory management, price inflation resulting from increased demand and seasonality of tourism activity.

More specifically, in this thematic axis, it is proposed to present studies on:

Tourism, heritage, and local development

Leisure, territory, and sustainability

Smart tourism and tourist experiences

Tourism dynamics in rural and low-density territories.

IV - Education for sustainability

The idea of Education for Sustainability arises because we are facing a planetary emergency, which seriously threatens the present and the future of the human species and biodiversity. The limits of our planet are being exceeded, largely as a result of man's actions. However, if man is responsible for the degradation of the biosphere, he is also capable of taking informed measures to reverse this process.

To move towards the transition to a sustainable society, a profound transformation in the way people think and act is important. Therefore, Education plays a fundamental role, since it allows training citizens capable of making conscious decisions, and who act responsibly at the level of the environment, considering conomic viability and social justice for current and future generations. Education contributes to a correct perception of the current situation of the world, allows to deepen the causes and, above all, helps to define/design the necessary measures to face the existing problems and contribute to the behavioural changes that allow its implementation.

Specifically, in this thematic axis, it is proposed the presentation of studies, namely at the level of:

The role of Institutions in Training for Sustainability - The approach promoted by institutions (Basic and Secondary Education and Higher Education) at all levels and contexts for sustainability. Implementation of sustainability plans/strategies by Higher and Secondary Education Institutions (public and private).

Teacher Training - Educators are powerful agents of change. The importance of training in basic competencies (knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values) of citizens. Development processes of sustainability competences among young people through innovative, transformative, and action-oriented teaching-learning practices.

Curriculum and Sustainability - The place of education for sustainability in the National Curriculum of Basic, Secondary and Higher Education. The issue of sustainability in the learning provided to students, in a disciplinary, interdisciplinary and/or holistic perspective. Theory and practices on Education for sustainability.

The role of Institutions in the Community - Institutions (Basic, Secondary and Higher Education) play an important social and community role. The development or participation in projects that promote sustainability proves to be central to the training of more capable decision-makers (public and private), to the introduction/development of plans, actions, or strategies for sustainability and to the training of citizens capable of making conscious and responsible decisions, even if they no longer have a formal connection to an educational context.