A week dedicated to cities and urban planning at Sciences Po

From 8 to 12 July, the Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE) and the Urban School of Sciences Po hosted the 36th annual AESOP Congress, the Association of European Schools of Planning. Throughout the week, nearly 1,200 urban studies experts from around the world participated in thematic sessions, round tables, keynotes, and field visits centred around the theme "Game changer? Planning for just and sustainable urban regions".

The singularity of the AESOP Congress at Sciences Po was its close integration of urban planning and political science to critically examine territorial transformations and the green transition, major issues for the future of European societies. It provided a unique platform for urban planners, sociologists, political scientists, and geographers to share their research on these topics.

In addition to theoretical debates, participants enjoyed organized visits in anticipation of the Paris Olympic Games, thanks to the partners of the Urban School. These excursions concretely illustrated the challenges and successes encountered in implementing sustainable and equitable urban strategies, enriching discussions and providing practical examples of ongoing urban projects in the Paris metropolitan area, such as urban renewal projects, city greening initiatives, and the repurposing of military or industrial buildings.

In summary, this week dedicated to urban planning not only strengthened ties within the academic and professional community but also opened new ways for thinking about and planning the cities of tomorrow.

Key Figures

1,700 communication proposals received during the call for papers
Nearly 1,200 participants (the largest conference in the history of AESOP and the largest scientific event ever organized at Sciences Po)
Speakers from nearly 60 countries
Over 220 sessions in total and up to 30 parallel sessions
More than 70 poster presentations
20 field visits in the Paris metropolitan area