The conference entitled: City Environment, A Smart Model of Cooperation: University – Local Authorities – Business to be held 20-21 October 2017 in Nowy Sącz, is a response to challenges of 21st century: the need for the sustainable design of cities and residential areas, as well as the necessity of finding innovative solutions together with improving the model of cooperation of the different ‘actors’ responsible for creating the space we inhabit.  The organizers of the conference through their long cooperation have become aware of the significance of these challenges.

Participants of the conference will try to create a model of cooperation between universities, local authorities and local businesses. We hope they will demonstrate fields of interest, motivations, tools and procedures which are capable of driving forward a continuous cooperation.

The future development of cities and the raising of living standards depend on the development of business enterprise, the activities of local authorities and the awareness of their inhabitants. The research and education activities of new university staff should support these fields. In turn from business, local government and citizens we may expect incentives to undertake activities and generate ideas and projects.

Integration of all the stakeholders involved in the creation of the residential environment is crucial, especially as European Union funds  finish and there is the pressure to find other possibilities for developing cities. Integration is necessary to achieve common goals, and architecture, urban planning and space planning are fields where multilateral   groups to a broad discussion about the possibilities, forms and effects of cooperation between University, local authorities and business in order to achieve the sustainable development of the environment of our cities.

We intend the discussion to focus on the following topics:

• Demonstration of the effects of previous bilateral and trilateral cooperation in solving spatial, social and investments problems

• Exposing and discussing the organizational, legal and mental barriers that impede cooperation

• Expressing new needs, possibilities and expectations on the part of University, local authorities and business

• Attempting to create a new model or models of cooperation serving the fields of spatial, investment and social issues.

Since the Chair of Housing Environment is organizing the conference we expect the mutual development of residential areas to be an important part of the discussion as well as urban planning, architecture and local residential policy.