Conference Topics
Part 1: Architecture of the Mediterranean Context
Session 1: Mediterranean Architecture and Biophilic Design
(Dr. Sara Alsaadani, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt)
1.1. Multi-scalar Mediterranean Design: Building-to-district level Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and urban resilience.
1.2. Design for Diversity: Integrating cultural identity and social pluralism into modern architectural practice.
1.3. Sustainable Regional Vocabularies: Thermal mass techniques combined with modern lightweight, sustainable materials.
1.4. Structural Nature-Integration: Performance analysis of green roofs, passive ventilation, vertical facades, and traditional courtyards.
1.5. Passive Energy Strategies: Advanced daylighting concepts and the integration of next-generation renewable energy technologies.
1.6. Carbon-Negative Foundations: Engineering foundations using calcined clays, carbon-sequestering aggregates, and local bio-materials.
1.7. Digital Geo-Architecture: Utilizing geotechnical sensors and digital tools for site-specific sustainable design.
1.8. Sacred and Utopian Spaces: Conservation strategies and contemporary design for religious and spiritually significant architecture.
Session 2: Mediterranean Urbanism, Urban Spaces, and Social Identity
(Prof. Shams Naga, Naga Architects)
2.1. Biophilic Well-being: Psychological and physiological benefits of nature-integrated urbanism in dense Mediterranean hubs.
2.2. Eco-Urban Biodiversity: Strategies for integrating indigenous flora into urban streetscapes to strengthen local ecosystems.
2.3. Urban Digitalization: Integrating digital layers, augmented reality, and public Wi-Fi into contemporary urban public realms.
2.4. Morphology and Spirituality: The influence of religion and spiritual practices on Mediterranean urban form and public space use.
2.5. Reclaiming the Waterfront: Balancing industrial port logistics with pedestrian-oriented design and resilient public spaces.
2.6. NbS for Heat Island Mitigation: Cooling Mediterranean cities through strategic green infrastructure and thermal management.
2.7. Coastal Resilience: Nature-based solutions for mitigating flood risks and storm surges in vulnerable coastal cities.
2.8. Scaling Mediterranean NbS Frameworks: Regional cooperation between North African and Southern European economies.
Session 3: Cultural Landscapes and Heritage Preservation
3.1. The Living Heritage Mosaic: Managing tangible heritage, intangible culture, and ancestral nomadic routes.
3.2. Archaeological Landscape Management: Professional conservation of ancient terrains and subterranean heritage.
3.3. Rural-Urban Friction: Assessing the impact of rapid urbanization on historic village cores and land-use patterns.
3.4. Heritage-Led Revitalization: Regenerating declining rural settlements through cultural tourism and local industries.
3.5. Preservation Governance: Integrating community engagement, social equity, and contemporary policy frameworks.
3.6. Adaptive Reuse: Transforming heritage sites for sustainable future functions while maintaining historical integrity.
3.7. Climate Impact on Culture: Evaluating threats to historic sites from sea-level rise, erosion, and extreme heat.
3.8. Community-Centered Heritage: Models for social equity and local participation in long-term heritage stewardship.
Part 2: Sustainable Landscape, Infrastructure, and Smart Cities
Session 4: Green Infrastructure and Mediterranean Ecological Networks
(Prof. Nabil Mohareb, The American University in Cairo, Egypt)
4.1. Climate-Adaptive Green Infrastructure: Planning multifunctional urban greening for regional climate adaptation.
4.2. Parks as Social Infrastructure: Designing urban green spaces as recreation and social equity hubs in high-density cities.
4.3. Landscape Infrastructure: Designing urban greening systems for extreme arid zones.
4.4. Ecological Connectivity: Designing habitat corridors across fragmented urban–agricultural landscapes.
4.5. Urban Microclimate Design: Integrating urban form, materials, and greening strategies for thermal comfort and heat resilience.
4.6. Planning for Equity: Designing multifunctional landscapes that balance ecological health with social equity.
4.7. Multimodal Transit Hubs: Developing passenger and freight networks that minimize habitat fragmentation and protect ecological connectivity.
4.8. GIS-Based Spatial Data Infrastructure: Enabling cross-border regional planning and environmental governance.
Session 5: Resilient Networks and Artificial Landscapes’ Technologies
5.1. Geotechnical Tunneling and Bridge Design: Innovations for resilient transportation infrastructure in seismic Mediterranean zones.
5.2. Integrated Smart Grids: Managing energy peaks and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) distribution in high-density tourism hubs.
5.3. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS): Engineering solutions to mitigate Mediterranean flash floods and recharge urban aquifers.
5.4. Circular Waste Management: Digitalization and automation of waste collection and resource recovery in high-density districts.
5.5. Artificial Coastal Engineering: Environmental impacts and aesthetic design of reclaimed land and artificial shorelines.
5.6. Urban Nightscapes: Implementing smart lighting and IoT sensors to enhance safety and energy efficiency in Mediterranean cities.
5.7. 3D Printing for Habitat: Advances in large-scale 3D printing using local soils and artificial coral scaffolds for reef restoration.
5.8. The Mediterranean “Smart Village”: Future scenarios for high-speed connectivity and digital services in remote rural and island communities.
Part 3: Geomorphology, Geo-sciences, and Geospatial Technologies
Session 6: Geospatial Technologies and Environmental Monitoring
6.1. Remote Sensing for Crisis: Utilizing satellite imagery for real-time monitoring of forest fires, desertification trends, and natural disasters.
6.2. High-Resolution Mapping: Applications of LiDAR and photogrammetry in documenting changing Mediterranean topographies.
6.3. Land-Use and Land-Cover (LULC) Multi-Temporal Analysis: Tracking decades of landscape change through geospatial data.
6.4. Marine Pollution Monitoring: Tracking plastics and chemical spills in the Mediterranean Sea using multi-spectral satellite sensors.
6.5. AI Predictive Modeling: Machine-learning applications for early warning systems for earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis.
6.6. Urban Digital Twins: Modeling city infrastructure health and resource flows for data-driven decision-making.
6.7. GeoBIM Integration: Merging Building Information Modeling (BIM) with GIS for holistic landscape and structure management.
6.8. Geospatial Ethics and Data Sovereignty: Addressing privacy, governance, and ownership of sensitive cross-border geospatial data.
Session 7: Geological Evolution, Coastal Engineering, and Resilience
(Prof. Vinita Vishwakarma, Dean of research at Galgotias university, India)
7.1. Seismic Microzonation: Tectonic analysis and hazard mapping for historic coastal cities and archaeological sites.
7.2. Karst System Protection: Managing the vulnerability of Mediterranean limestone geomorphology to pollution and urban sprawl.
7.3. Mountainous Geohazards: Modeling landslide susceptibility and debris flows in rugged Mediterranean hinterlands.
7.4. Advanced Geotechnics: Addressing construction challenges on expansive “Red Clay” and other regional soil types.
7.5. Strategic Coastal Realignment: Adapting shoreline infrastructure through managed retreat and sea-level rise modeling.
7.6. Bio-Cemented Shorelines: Applying microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and seagrass restoration as hybrid coastal defenses.
7.7. Offshore Energy Foundations: Engineering solutions for floating wind, wave, and solar platforms in deep Mediterranean waters.
7.8. Sediment Dynamics: Monitoring beach nourishment and sediment bypass systems to combat coastal erosion.
Part 4: The Technology and Resource Nexus
Session 8: Water–Energy–Chemical Innovations for Mediterranean Resilience
(Prof. Mohamed Chehimi, Université Paris, France)
8.1. Circular Desalination & Brine Valorization: Low-impact desalination, mineral recovery, nano-membranes, and solar-powered systems.
8.2. Advanced Water Reuse & Contaminant Removal: Nano-adsorption, microplastic removal, and energy-efficient wastewater reclamation for agriculture and industry.
8.3. Decentralized & Island Water Systems: Modular, low-energy treatment and solar-chemical disinfection for remote and island communities. Rainwater harvesting infrastructure.
8.4. Atmospheric & Rainwater Harvesting Technologies: Fog, dew, and rainwater capture enhancement by functional coatings and surface chemistry. Design of biomimetic surfaces to enhance water recovery.
8.5. Water–Energy Coupling & Storage Solutions: Solar-desalination integration, flow batteries, and salinity-gradient (blue) energy systems. Solar fuels and electrolysis.
8.6. Hydrogen & Resource Recovery from Wastewater
Photocatalytic water splitting and chemical resource extraction in urban treatment plants.
8.7. Sewage Sludge management and treatment (Conversion of sewage sludge into carbon-rich materials, fertilizers, and valorization by composting).
8.8. Porous materials for green rooftops (Enhancement of the Water-Holding Capacity of Green Roof Substrates)
8.9. Moisture and temperature effects on modern building: Moisture and structural integrity; heat-induced expansion and contraction of materials; solutions for durable, safe, and energy-efficient constructions under varying environmental conditions.
8.10. Nature-Based Recharge & Hydro-Heritage Revitalization: Sponge-city design, groundwater recharge, and modernization of traditional cisterns and irrigation.
8.11. WEFE Nexus & Transboundary Water Governance: Integrated water–energy–food–ecosystem planning and cooperative aquifer management for regional stability. Joint monitoring, data sharing, and sustainable extraction limits. Solar-powered irrigation. Resilience to climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity.
8.12. Management of Sustainable Water Resources
Session 9: Nanotechnology and Molecular Engineering (The Micro-Scale)
9.1. Self-Healing Heritage Materials: Utilizing nano-capsules and bio-mimetic mortars for automatic crack repair in historic masonry.
9.2. Nano-Catalysis for Hydrogen: High-efficiency catalysts for hydrogen production in Mediterranean saltwater.
9.3. Smart Nano-Sensors: Real-time detection of heavy metals and microplastics in regional fisheries.
9.4. Chemical Soil Stabilization: Utilizing nano-silica and polymers to enhance the geotechnical properties of local soils.
9.5. Targeted Nano-Remediation: Applying magnetic nanoparticles to remove pollutants from sensitive coral reef environments.
9.6. Molecular Preservation of Stone: Nano-lime and functionalized silanes for protecting ancient limestone structures.
9.7. Bio-Molecular Health: Investigating the Mediterranean microbiome and its role in regional carbon cycles.
9.8. Smart Building Envelopes: Integrating nano-coatings and adaptive shading fabrics responsive to real-time UV intensity for passive cooling.
Part 5: Economic Integration, Tourism, and Sustainable Development in the Mediterranean
Session 10: Global Logistics Hubs and Economic Integration
(Prof. Angeles Sánchez, University of Granada, Spain)
10.1. Green Logistics and Industrial Symbiosis: Transforming Mediterranean ports into “Green Energy Hubs”.
10.2. Digital Trade, Blockchain and FinTech: Exploring innovative funding like “Blue Bonds”.
10.3. Geopolitics of Chokepoints and Trade Corridors: Strategic roles of the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar.
10.4. Multimodal Connectivity and Regional Trade Agreements.
10.5. Techno-Economic Feasibility and Green Tech Investment.
10.6. Resilient Supply Chains and SME Strategy.
10.7. Specialized Zones and Industrial Development: Entrepreneurship in the Circular Economy.
10.8. Economic Valuation of Ecosystems and Cultural Heritage.
Session 11: Responsible Tourism Models
(Prof. Stella Kostopoulou, University of Thessaloniki, Greece)
11.1. Tourism vs. Heritage: Balancing high-volume visitation with physical preservation of coastal cities.
11.2. Diversified Ecotourism: Promoting the Mediterranean hinterland through religious, cultural, and agro-tourism initiatives.
11.3. Regenerative Slow Tourism: Engaging visitors in active restoration of local ecosystems and historic sites.
11.4. Dynamic Carrying Capacity: Modeling visitor flow to prevent ecological and social degradation in historic sites.
11.5. Gastronomic Diplomacy: Leveraging Mediterranean culinary heritage to support local SMEs and circular economies.
11.6. Smart Destination Management (SDMS): Utilizing digital tools to manage seasonal fluctuations and resource demand.
11.7. Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Legislative approaches to balance tourism growth with community well-being.
11.8. Visitor Experience Technologies: Enhancing education and engagement at historic sites through digital innovation.
Session 12: Economic Challenges to Foster Sustainable Development
(Prof. Angeles Sánchez, University of Granada, Spain)
12.1. Socioeconomic Inequalities and Poverty in All Its Forms.
12.2. Economic and Social Cohesion of the Territories.
12.3. Health Economics and Well-being.
12.4. Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Lifelong Learning Opportunities.
12.5. Labor Market Dynamics and Trends in Unemployment.
12.6. Techno-Economic Analysis: Evaluating commercial feasibility of nano-enabled water technologies in the MENA region.
12.7. The Welfare State: Developments, Financing, and International Comparisons.
Part 6: Security, Society, and The Human Right to Resilience
Session 13: Mediterranean Corridors: Security, Human Narratives, and Urban Governance
(Prof. Khalid Alkassmi, The American University in the Emirates, UAE)
13.1. Integrated Mobility Corridors: Developing secure and efficient cross-border transport networks.
13.2. Maritime Surveillance: Monitoring international waters and the impact of non-state actors on maritime security.
13.3. Border Tech & Migratory Ethics: Examining the political and human impact of high-tech surveillance in migratory zones.
13.4. Mediterranean “Value-Scapes”: How cultural and social values drive territorial management and land-use policy.
13.5. Literary Migration Studies: The role of migration narratives in shaping the collective identity and literature of the basin.
13.6. Gendered Governance: Empowerment of women in grassroots movements and Mediterranean resource management.
13.7. Youth Agency & Stability: Addressing youth employment and political inclusion as drivers of regional stability.
13.8. Urban Diplomacy: The rise of city-to-city networks (MedCities) as a primary driver of Mediterranean cooperation.
Session 14: Post-Colonial Landscapes and Radical Humanities
14.1. Radical Humanities: Exploring trans-Mediterranean connectivity beyond traditional state-centric frameworks.
14.2. Decolonizing the Basin & Cartographic Justice: Re-mapping the Mediterranean to reflect indigenous spatial traditions that pre-date colonial borders.
14.3. Narrative Bridges: Closing the cultural and digital gap between the Northern and Southern shores.
14.4. Ethics of Climate Refugees: Social science perspectives on cities acting as sanctuary hubs for climate-displaced populations.
14.5. The “Cemetery-Sea”: Navigating the moral crisis of the Mediterranean as a migratory site of memory and shared loss.
14.6. Virtual Underwater Heritage: Utilizing AR/VR to democratize access to sunken Mediterranean civilizations.
14.7. Peri-Urban Ethics: Managing unregulated urban sprawl and its threat to historic agricultural belts.
14.8. Hydro-Sociology: Analyzing the social tension and ethics surrounding the “human right to water” in arid regions.
Part 7: Human Resilience, Wellness, and Heritage Protection
Session 15: Blue Health and Urban Wellness
15.1. The Soundscape of Wellness: Protecting the acoustic heritage and ‘Blue Health’ of coastal environments from urban noise pollution.
15.2. Dietary Wellness: Traditional diets as tools for reducing chronic disease in the urban South.
15.3. Acoustic Comfort: Designing “Quiet Zones” in dense cities to mitigate urban noise pollution.
15.4. Therapeutic Landscapes: The role of hospital gardens and “healing forests” in regional architecture.
15.5. Urban Heat Vulnerability: Epidemiological analysis of heat-related illness among vulnerable populations.
15.6. Blue Space Accessibility: Promoting social equity in the “Right to the Sea” for marginalized communities.
15.7. Vector-Borne Diseases: Monitoring environmental shifts that influence pathogen spread in the basin.
15.8. Virtual Reality Blue Spaces: Delivering wellness benefits to patients in inland or clinical environments.
Session 16: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Heritage at Risk
16.1. The “READY” Framework: Strengthening capacities for protecting heritage from climate disasters.
16.2. Seismic Structure Resilience: Engineering and chemical stabilizers for earthquake-proofing masonry.
16.3. Fire-Smart Cultural Landscapes: Vegetation-based firebreaks to protect rural heritage sites.
16.4. Digital Twins for Risk Mitigation: Simulating damage from storm surges and flash floods in real-time.
16.5. Reconstruction Ethics: Debating “Build Back Better” vs. “Authentic Preservation” in disaster-struck zones.
16.6. Community First Aid: Training citizens in the stabilization of cultural assets post-emergency.
16.7. Satellite-Based Alerts: Integrated geospatial data for real-time risk alerts in archaeological sites.
16.8. Climate-Displaced Heritage: Legal frameworks for the digital preservation of heritage in sinking zones.
Part 8: Marine Frontiers and Sustainable Agri-Systems
Session 17: The Blue Economy and Marine Governance
17.1. Blue Carbon Potential: Economic and chemical analysis of Posidonia oceanica (Seagrass) as a carbon sink.
17.2. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP): Balancing offshore energy, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation.
17.3. Sustainable Fisheries: Integrating traditional knowledge with chemical-sensing technology.
17.4. Maritime Desalination Impact: Biological effects of deep-sea brine discharge on benthic ecosystems.
17.5. Circular Blue Bio-Economy: Utilizing invasive species for pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
17.6. Green Cruise Industry: Decarbonizing Mediterranean tourism ports for zero-emission operations.
17.7. Blue Finance: Scaling marine restoration and coastal resilience through innovative “Blue Bond” mechanisms.
17.8. Underwater Heritage Trails: Promoting conservation through scuba-based archaeological tourism.
Session 18: Sustainable Agriculture and Innovative Food Systems
18.1. Agro-Ecological Adaptation: Regenerative farming and agroecology practices tailored to water-scarce climates.
18.2. Heirloom Biodiversity: Conservation of heirloom seeds and traditional Mediterranean crop varieties.
18.3. Soil Carbon Sequestration: Organic farming strategies for turning semi-arid soils into carbon sinks.
18.4. Silvopastoral Systems: Integrating trees and livestock for enhanced biodiversity and drought resistance.
18.5. Agrivoltaics: Combining solar energy production with traditional Mediterranean orchards to provide shade for crops and maximize land use.
18.6. Circular Agri-Logistics: Reducing food waste and energy use in Mediterranean supply chains.
18.7. Regenerative Practices: Implementing soil-health recovery models across fragmented agricultural landscapes.
18.8. Climate-Smart Supply Chains: Technologies for enhancing resource efficiency in food production.
Session 19: Emerging Frontiers in Mediterranean Intelligence and Ethics
(Prof. Claudia Fabiani, University of Perugia, Italy)
19.1. Cyber-Physical Water Security: Protecting digitized water grids from ransomware and hybrid warfare.
19.2. The Ethics of ‘Seawilding’ & Rights of Nature: Legal and moral debates over granting personhood to the Mediterranean Sea and its ecosystems.
19.3. Submarine Cable Sovereignty: Governing the underwater data cables that underpin the digital economy.
19.4. The “Blue Carbon” Economy: Economic potential of seagrass restoration for global carbon offset markets.
19.5. Sonic Ecologies: Monitoring noise pollution to protect marine biodiversity and human wellness.
19.6. Outer Space for the Inner Sea: Utilizing CubeSats for community-led environmental monitoring in North Africa.
19.7. Just Transition Energy Partnerships: Preventing ‘Energy Neocolonialism’ in large-scale renewable export deals between the Northern and Southern shores.
19.8. Hydro-Socialism vs. Commodification: Philosophical tensions regarding the privatization of liquid assets.
