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October 1, 2026 – Abstract/Proposal Submission Deadline

Sections below:  Call for Participation  ||| Topic Categories & Participation Options ||| Submission Link ||| Key Participation Policies & Deadlines |||  Local Host & Program Review Committees

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON URBAN AFFAIRS 

APRIL 14 – 17, 2027 | MARRIOTT MARQUIS | NEW YORK, NEW YORK

From Conflict Zones to Havens of Democracy:
Cities at the Crossroads

Given their scale and concentration of population, cities are primary settings where human choices take shape. They are also powerful indicators of how societies are progressing—or devolving. Within cities, global, regional, and local policies can produce outcomes ranging from rights violations, inequality, displacement, and environmental degradation to community resistance, climate action, wage reform, and affordable housing initiatives.

Understanding these outcomes—and the complex forces that shape them—requires a multidisciplinary approach. This conference brings together researchers, planners, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders to exchange insights and develop strategies that advance more equitable and sustainable urban futures.

All disciplinary backgrounds are welcome. While submissions on a broad range of urban issues are encouraged, several key subthemes are of particular interest.

TOPIC CATEGORIES

Cities as Global Landscapes

  • Cities as Conflict Zones, Reclaiming and Rebuilding
  • Cities in Global Networks (ex. finance, trade, investment, communications)
  • Cities as Migration Centers, Urban Demographic Change, Immigration Politics

Resilient Cities–Planning and Policies

  • Arts, Culture, Preservation and Heritage in Sustainable Cities
  • Disaster Planning and Management
  • Environmental & Energy Policy Challenges in Cities and Urban Green Futures
  • Infrastructure, Transport, Accessibility & Mobility in Urban Areas
  • Urban Design, Land Use, Public Space, Growth Management
  • Urban Health (e.g. care crisis and disease), Quality of Urban Life
  • Urban Technology, Media and Communications, Smart Cities, Digital Divides

Rights to the City

  • Community Development, Gentrification, Neighborhood Change
  • Civil Rights of Urban Residents, Indigenous Rights
  • Economic and Social Exclusion by Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Identity, Age
  • Urban Housing Affordability, Market Dynamics, Homelessness
  • Urban Education, Labor and Employment in Cities, Urban Entrepreneurship
  • Urban Income/Wealth Disparities, Poverty, Wage Gaps, Food Insecurity
  • Urban Violence, Public Safety Challenges

Democracy Under Stress: Institutions and Governance

  • Urban Economic Development Strategies, Urban Fiscal Policies
  • Metropolitan and Regional Dynamics, Development Politics
  • Urban Public, Private & Non-Government Roles, Philanthropy & the City
  • Urban Political Activism and Social Movements

PARTICIPATION OPTIONS

Anyone can register and attend the conference. Persons who wish to be on the conference program may submit one of the following:

  1. Individual Paper Abstract. Abstract describing research questions, methods and outcomes for a completed paper. See abstract guidelines here.
  2. Research Brief. An abstract describing: proposed, in process, or new research that may have preliminary findings. Alternative to a poster.
  3. Research Panel. This option requires submission of 3-5 individual research papers. Each paper must have an author who agrees to make a formal presentation.
  4. Roundtable. This option is a formal discussion by 3-5 individuals. It is appropriate for commentaries on special topics as well as reviews of recent publications.

KEY PARTICIPATION POLICIES & DEADLINES

/ / / / / ONE-SESSION POLICY / / / / /

  • To maximize participation and reduce scheduling conflicts, attendees may participate in only one (1) conference session (panel, roundtable, or research brief). This policy is strictly enforced. Any session proposal that includes a person who is listed in another proposed session, will be placed on an indefinite hold until one of the proposals is revised. Exception: Persons in sponsored sessions AND official UAA professional development sessions can participate in one additional session. No one can participate in more than two sessions, regardless of their exception status.

October 1, 2026 – Abstract/Proposal Submission Ends. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT LATE SUBMISSIONS.
Abstracts and pre-organized session proposals are due by 11:59PM Central Daylight Time (CDT) October 1. Acceptance or rejection notices will be sent by October 16, 2026. Pro Tip: UAA does not extend deadlines or accept excuses for missed deadlines. Think of each deadline like an airline boarding deadline: if you miss it, the opportunity has departed. ☺

November 16, 2026 – Registration deadline for all accepted presenters and moderators.
Registration is completed online, and all major credit cards are accepted. Failure to register by the deadline will result in exclusion from the conference program. Membership is not required to register. However, members of UAA, APNHR, ENHR, EURA, ISA, and RSA receive discounted registration rates.

 February 1, 2027 – Last day to request conference registration refund (Administrative fee: $250 for non-students; $150 for students)

Local Host Committee

This information will be updated in August.

Program Review Committee

This information will be updated in August.