Third International Conference on Infrastructure Systems and Services 2010 in Shenzen, China

Next Generation Infrastructure Systems for Eco-cities

The third international conference on infrastructure systems and services will take place November 11 – 13, 2010, and is sponsored by

the Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen Graduate School – School of Management, based in Harbin, China, and the Next Generation Infrastructures Foundation, based in Delft, the Netherlands. Academic co-sponsors are the Shenzhen Graduate School of HIT, and the Delft University of Technology. Technical co-sponsor of the conference is the IEEE Systems, Man & Cybernetics Society.

Conference scope

The pressure on metropolitan areas and urban regions is increasing as an ever increasing share of the world’s population is migrating from rural areas to city areas. Already, more than 50% of the global population lives in densely populated urban areas. National, regional and municipal authorities are facing the daunting challenge of accommodating population and economic growth in such a way as to ensure social inclusiveness and in harmony with the natural environment. Infrastructure systems play a particularly crucial role in this endeavour, as infrastructures constitute the backbone, the nerves and arteries of the urban system. Infrastructure systems must ensure the adequate provision of water, energy and mobility services, and the effective removal of waste water and solid wastes, so that a healthy living environment is available for the city’s inhabitants. At the same time, infrastructure related services shape the people’s behaviour: If adequate public transport systems are lacking, citizens will strive to have their own transportation means, even if the consequence is massive congestion and pollution of their own living environment. If electricity services are not reliable, all who can afford it will have employ their own diesel fuelled generators. If houses and office buildings are not well designed and constructed, energy wasting air conditioning and heating systems will be massively used.

Infrastructure systems co-evolve with the city and the citizens’ changing demands. In view of the high capital intensity of infrastructure systems, infrastructure planners and designers have to cater for population and economic growth, for technological innovation and for changing user preferences in the future as a function of e.g., demography and education level. The sustainable development of a city is not a one time goal – it is an on-going process in which the harmony between society, the economy and the natural environment has to be ensured at all times.

The complexity of infrastructure systems requires scientists and practioners to join forces across disciplines and infrastructure sectors to develop and test theories, models and tools to ensure that the infrastructures of the future will function at their full potential. While many other meetings are sector-specific and narrow in focus, this conference offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gaps across disciplines and sectors, and to build cross-cutting networks to effectively steer the development of infrastructure systems towards a more sustainable and secure future.

Conference topics

We solicit contributions of original research relevant to the design and management of present and future infrastructure systems in the context of sustainable development, and specifically eco-cities. Papers addressing the conference theme, Next Generation Infrastructure Systems for Eco-Cities, will be especially solicited.

Relevant topics will include, but are not limited to:

• Ecological impacts of infrastructure systems

Eco indicators for infrastructure design, ecological impacts of infrastructures and the use of infrastructure related services, eco design, life cycle analysis in infrastructure design, cross-sectoral impacts, etc.

• Eco-cities

Definitions, best practices, institutional translation of best practices, user experiences, incentive systems encouraging eco-design, incentive systems ecouraging eco-behaviour, community involvement, public services in eco-cities, etc.

• Dealing with complexity challenges

Complex adaptive systems, systems-of-systems concepts, large-scale systems, complexity science, innovative modelling approaches, complex network theories, emergent behaviour, multi-actor systems, multi-agent modelling, etc.

• Impacts and applications of new technologies

Novel ICT applications, intelligent systems, simulation and control, multi-agent control, intelligent transportation networks, smart power grids, smart metering, etc.

• Flexibility and efficiency of infrasystems

Strategic asset management, dealing with uncertainties, flexibility options, standardisation, etc.

• Reliability and security in infrastructure service provision

Safety, reliability and quality assurance, security engineering, network robustness and resilience, critical infrastructure protection, cyber-security, etc.

• Governance of infrastructures

Common pool resources, market structures, public values, network regulation, competition law, etc.

• Other keywords:

Redundancy, complexity, interdependence, connectivity, efficiency, scale, network theory, complexity theory, risk management, unpredictability, power law distributions, co-evolution between technology and institutions, coherence, transition of technical and institutional systems, ownership, public budgeting or financing, innovative contracting, etc.

For more information about the conference please consult the website of ‘Next Generation Infrastructures‘