ABOUT

IASTE Ltd. is a nonprofit organization established in the State of Oregon on January 17, 2019, with an office in Eugene, Oregon. The organization supports the mission and activities of the International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE), an international scholarly association dedicated to the study of traditional dwellings, settlements, architecture, urbanism, cultural landscapes, heritage, and the built environment.

IASTE Ltd. advances academic research, education, publication, and professional exchange through international conferences, scholarly meetings, workshops, lectures, and related programs. Its activities also include IASTE’s publications, such as the Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR) and the Working Paper Series (WPS), as well as maintaining the association’s website, logo, membership communications, conference materials, and other institutional resources. Through these activities, IASTE Ltd. promotes interdisciplinary dialogue and international scholarship on traditional environments and their relevance to contemporary cultural, social, and urban challenges.

IASTE Vision and Mission

The vision extends beyond the preservation of heritage to embrace its adaptation and relevance in contemporary contexts. IASTE sees traditional knowledge systems not as static remnants of the past but as dynamic frameworks that inform urbanism, architecture, and planning in ways that address modern challenges such as climate change, displacement, and social inequality.

Vision
The International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments (IASTE) envisions a world where cultural traditions, indigenous knowledge, and vernacular practices are recognized as essential resources for shaping sustainable and inclusive environments. Its vision is rooted in the belief that cities and settlements are not just physical spaces, but living cultural landscapes that embody histories, identities, and collective memory. By advancing interdisciplinary research, global dialogue, and comparative analysis, IASTE aims to position traditional environments as key references for building more equitable, resilient, and culturally grounded futures.

Mission
The mission of IASTE is to foster scholarly exchange and critical inquiry into the meaning, values, and transformation of traditional environments across the globe. Its core objectives include:

  1. Promoting Interdisciplinary Scholarship: IASTE brings together architects, planners, historians, anthropologists, and policy makers to explore the intersections of built form, culture, and society. By creating a platform for rigorous academic debate, the association advances new theories and methodologies for understanding traditional environments.
  2. Nurturing a Global Community: The association is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive network of scholars and practitioners. Its biennial conferences, workshops, and publications provide opportunities for dialogue that transcends geographic, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries. This global exchange enriches both research and practice, ensuring that diverse voices and perspectives are represented.
  3. Supporting Emerging Scholars: A core component of IASTE’s mission is to encourage the participation of young researchers and practitioners. Through travel grants, paper awards, and mentorship, IASTE invests in the next generation of scholars, helping them to develop their research and contribute to international discourse.
  4. Critical Engagement with Policy and Practice: IASTE’s work is not confined to academia. The association actively engages with pressing global issues such as urban growth, housing crises, and cultural displacement. By connecting traditional knowledge with contemporary policy frameworks, IASTE advocates for development strategies that respect cultural continuity while embracing innovation.
  5. Knowledge Dissemination: The association publishes the journal Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review and a series of working papers, which disseminate cutting-edge research to a wide international audience. These platforms serve as authoritative references in the fields of architecture, urbanism, and cultural studies.


IASTE Board of Directors
Mark Gillem, President/Treasurer, University of Oregon, USA.
Montira Horyangura Unakul, Vice President, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Hesham Khairy Issa, Secretary General, University of Oregon, Egypt.

IASTE Advisory Council
Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem, York School of Architecture, UK
Heba Farouk Ahmed, Independent Scholar, Egypt
Howayda Al-Harithy, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Mohamad Al-Jassar, Kuwait University, Kuwait
Hamad Nassar Alsaiari, King Saud University, KSA
Anne Marie Broudehoux, University of Quebec, Canada
Tiago Castela, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Cecilia Chu, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Ho Puay Peng, National University of Singapore
Chee-Kien Lai, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore
Mui Ho, Independent Scholar, USA
Ipek Türeli, McGill University, Canada

IASTE Founders
Nezar AlSayyad, University of California, Berkeley, USA, Founder & President Emeritus of IASTE.
Jean-Paul Bourdier, University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A, Founder.

IASTE Mailing Address
207 East 5th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
USA
Phone: 1.541.712.7832
Email: Coordinator@iaste.org