[THEME] [TRACKS] [DEADLINES] [REQUIREMENTS] [COMMITTEES] [SPONSORS]
[WELCOME RECEPTION] [KEYNOTE SPEAKERS] [GRANTS & AWARDS] [VENUE]
[WALKING TOUR] [HOTELS] [POST CONFERENCE TOURS] [EGYPT VISA]
CONFERENCE THEME
Over many years, IASTE has helped shape the discourse around frameworks of tradition in the built environment. Since our conference in 2000, at the start of this new millennium, IASTE has defined tradition as a transient process and a never-ending contingent and dynamic project to define and redefine the past and operationalize it for the purposes of the present. Our previous conferences have attempted to examine, among other topics, the value of tradition, the manufacture of heritage, the consumption of tradition, identity and tradition, and fundamentalist traditions. We have learned from previous IASTE conferences that values are ever changing, and identities can never be fixed. It is precisely this dynamism of culture that we seek to explore further in IASTE 2025.
The theme of the conference “Cosmopolitanism and Tradition” builds on previous IASTE conferences and will be held in Alexandria, Egypt. «Cosmopolitan» is here used to describe places where people of various ethnic, cultural, and/or religious backgrounds live together and interact with each other. The term comes from the ancient Greek kosmos,” world,” and polis,” city.” A person described as cosmopolitan is thus a” citizen of the world.” Yet, like many other notions, cosmopolitanism is a multidimensional and contested concept and has meant different things to different people at different times.
The three main tenets that form the core of cosmopolitanism are individualism, universalism, and multiculturalism. Individualism means that every person has the right to choose a course not determined by the nation. Universalism means that every person, irrespective of class, gender, race, or religion is equally worthy of recognition by others. Multiculturalism promotes the idea that different groups should be able to coexist and maintain their unique identities, traditions, and practices while participating in a larger society.
In the twenty-first century, cosmopolitanism has reemerged in the context of globalization as a way of understanding the implications of social, cultural, and political transformations and contacts that transcend territorial boundaries. The essence of cosmopolitanism is the idea of moving beyond one’s specific communal, territorial, and cultural attachments to give allegiance to the wider human community. Its proponents point to the declining capacity of territorially bounded political units, and raise the hope that cosmopolitans will gradually establish institutions and values which are not embedded within national societies. Opponents of cosmopolitanism are usually nationalists who define the concept negatively as a rhetorical weapon against alien cultures and ideas they see as threatening national traditions. The relationship between cosmopolitanism and tradition is complex. On the one hand, cosmopolitanism encourages people to embrace and celebrate different cultures, which can lead to the preservation and revitalization of traditional practices and customs. On the other, critics argue that cosmopolitanism can undermine traditional cultures by promoting homogenized, globalized views and practices that challenge local traditions and identities. This fear is often tied to the perceived danger of Western cultural values and the global dominance of Western media and technology. Yet many cosmopolitan cities have also found ways to balance the celebration of diversity with the preservation of traditional cultures. Cities like Alexandria, Istanbul, and Hong Kong have substantial histories of cosmopolitanism, having been home to many different cultures and civilizations throughout time. Nowadays it is London, New York, and Los Angeles that epitomize this meeting of diverse cultures.
This conference seeks to investigate the relationships between urban tradition and cosmopolitanism. The organizers of IASTE 2025 invite prospective participants to engage in a dialogue regarding how built environment traditions can learn from the experiences of cosmopolitan cities. As in past IASTE conferences, scholars, professionals, and practitioners from anthropology, architecture, architectural history, conservation, design, folklore, geography, history, planning, urban design, landscape architecture, urban studies, and related disciplines are encouraged to submit papers that address one of the following tracks:
TRACK I: 
EVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF COSMOPOLITAN BUILT ENVIRONMENTS AND THEIR TRADITIONS
Papers in this track should examine the pluralist past and the multilayered history of cities in the global North and South, and interrogate the connection between their urban fabric and rural hinterlands. Papers should attempt to address some of the following questions: What constitutes a cosmopolitan community? What is common between cosmopolitanism and indigenous tradition? What are the origins of cosmopolitanism? What is the connection between colonialism and cosmopolitanism? What is the connection between cosmopolitanism and multiculturalism?
TRACK II:
ATTRIBUTES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF COSMOPOLITAN SPACES AS NEW TRADITIONS
Papers in this track are encouraged to interrogate the problems and opportunities of hybrid built environments within multicultural contexts in an attempt to identify the qualities of cosmopolitan spaces. Questions that need to be posed include: What are the attributes of cosmopolitan architecture? Does a cosmopolitan community necessarily create a cosmopolitan built environment? How does a cosmopolitan community maintain its identity?
TRACK III:
OPEN TRACK
As with previous IASTE conferences, IASTE members and scholars who have produced new and innovative work on popular, vernacular, indigenous, spontaneous, and other forms of traditional dwellings and settlements that may not directly address the theme of the conference are invited to participate in this open track. Papers will be selected on the basis of quality and will be assigned with other similar papers in theme sessions.
SPECIAL SESSIONS/PANELS
IASTE 2025 is offering special sessions and panels related to conference themes that are collectively organized or sponsored by specific groups or institutions. To facilitate outreach to researchers from disciplines not normally engaged with IASTE, or to introduce new topics or debates, such proposals are again welcome in 2025.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Deadline for abstract submission: July 15, 2024
Notification of acceptance of abstracts: September 15, 2024
Deadline for registration: November 1, 2024
Deadline for Presenters registration: January 1, 2025
Deadline for WPS paper submission: March 1, 2025
Deadline for presentation submission: April 15, 2025
Conference activities: May 23-26, 2025
Post-conference tour: May 27, 2025
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Please refer to our website (iaste.org) for detailed instructions on abstract submissions. A one-page abstract of 500 words and a one-page CV are required. For further inquiries, please email coordinator@iaste.org. Proposals for complete panels of four to five papers are also welcome. Please indicate the track in which the panel fits. Panel submissions must include an overall abstract in addition to abstracts and CVs from all proposed speakers. IASTE may accept the panel as a whole or only accept individual abstracts and place them in appropriate tracks. All papers must be written and presented in English.
Contributors whose abstracts are accepted must preregister for the conference, pay the registration fee of $450 (which includes a one year IASTE membership), and are expected to prepare a full-length paper of 20-25 double-spaced pages. Registered students and spouses may qualify for a reduced registration fee of $250 (which also includes a one IASTE membership).
Please note that expenses associated with hotel accommodations, travel, and additional excursions are not covered by the registration fee and must be paid directly to the hotel or designated travel agent. The registration fee covers the conference program, conference abstracts, and access to all conference activities, theme sessions, keynote plenary talks, receptions, and a walking/bus tour of the city.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
Prof. Abdelaziz Konsowa, President, Alexandria University
Prof. Ahmed Zayed, Director, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
CONFERENCE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Mark Gillem, University of Oregon, IASTE President and Conference Director
Mohamed Assem, Alexandria University Local Conference Director
Hesham Issa, Cairo University, IASTE Secretary General and Conference Co-Director
Nezar AlSayyad, U.C. Berkeley, IASTE President Emeritus and Program Committee Chair
Montira Horayangura, UNESCO, IASTE Vice President
Adnya Sarasmita, IASTE Conference Coordinator
Dina Taha, Alexandria University Local Conference Coordinator
Mohamed El Gamal, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Marwa El Wakil, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
LOCAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Ahmed AbdelMoneim, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Aya Samir Badawy, Alexandria University
Mohamed El Awwad, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Zeyad El Sayad, Alexandria University
Emad Khalil, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Dina Nassar, Alexandria University
SESSIONS COMMITTEE
Nezar AlSayyad,Chair, Mohamed Gamal Abdelmonem, Hassan Abdel Salam, Heba Abul Fadl, Adham Hany Abulnoor, Heba Ahmed, Howayda Al-Harithy, Khaled Ali, Mohamad Al-Jassar, Sahar Attia, Hany Ayad, Anne Marie Broudehoux, Cecilia Chu, Lyndsey Deaton, Hazem Eldally, Dalila Elkerdany, Emad Elsherbiny, Hesham El-Shimy, Nevin Gharib, Tarek Farghaly, Yasser Farghaly, Akram Farouk, Joseph Godlewski, Nouby Mohammed Hassan, Basill Kamel, Mui Ho, Puay Peng Ho, Alaa Mandour, Ibrahim Maarouf, Dietrich Neumann, Ayman Othman, Rania Raslan, Ashraf Salama, Gehan Selim, Dina Saadallah, Heba Safey Eldin, Tanu Sankalia, Dina Shohayeb, Ahmed Soliman, Mau Sobti, Ipek Tureli, Maye Abbas Yehia.
CONFERENCE SPONSORS AND LOCAL PARTNERS
University of Oregon
Egyptian Engineering Syndicate
Geoscan
Orouba Misr Development
Arab Contractors
Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Center (ALEXMED)
CONFERENCE WELCOME RECEPTION
A welcome ceremony and reception will be held at the Bibliotheca Alexandria on the evening of Thursday, 22 May 2025.
CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
IASTE CONFERENCE GRANTS AND PAPER AWARD
IASTE offers several awards for best papers delivered at the conference to be published in Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review (TDSR). Most of the awards carry a monetary stipend, and they include:
The Jeffrey Cook Award for the best paper by a scholar is given for an exceptional contribution to the study of traditional dwellings and settlements in a manner that challenges standard scholarship and engages the built environment from an interdisciplinary perspective.
The Eleni Bastea Award is given to the best paper on a city or urban settlement theme at the conference.
Mui Ho Conference Attendance Fellowships [SUBMIT APPLICATION] Application open November 1, 2024
are small awards offered to scholars from the global south to offset registration fees before the conference and to cover travel or accommodation expenses disbursed during or after the conference. The IASTE conference organizing committee selects the fellowships based on an abstract and, later, a paper that makes a special contribution to the conference theme.
IASTE Conference Attendance Grants award [SUBMIT APPLICATION] Application open November 1, 2024
stipends on a merit-based basis to graduate students and junior scholars. The fund can offset registration fees before the conference or reimburse travel or accommodation expenses disbursed after the conference.
CONFERENCE VENUE: Bibliotheca Alexandrina
A center of excellence in the production and dissemination of knowledge and a place of dialogue, learning, and understanding between cultures and peoples.
CONFERENCE WALKING TOURS
Alexandria Between Two Statues (Duration: 240 Minutes)
Welcome to Alexandria, a city where the convergence of history and modernity creates a unique and captivating atmosphere. Established by Alexander the Great, Alexandria has been a beacon of cosmopolitanism, continuously shaped by a rich tapestry of diverse cultures and influences. As we traverse its streets, you will witness the harmonious coexistence of Hellenistic splendor, European elegance, and Middle Eastern vitality. This tour will unveil a city where ancient traditions are interwoven with contemporary life, showcased in its vibrant markets and neighborhoods proudly celebrating a rich and enduring heritage. Discover the enduring spirit of Alexandria as a cultural crossroads where religious diversity and inclusivity flourish, embodying a city that is both timeless and ever-evolving, continuing to enchant all who encounter it. The walking tour will take place in two parts, with a 45-minute break in between.
OPTIONAL POST-CONFERENCE TOURS
Post-conference tours are managed by the conference travel agent. Direct any inquiries to the following contacts:
Perla Di Mare Tours
Phone : (+20) 100-147-1745 / (+20) 101-222-1409
Email: youssef.khalil@perladimaretours.com
mina.wadgy@perladimaretours.com
Website: http://www.perladimaretours.com
Tour1: Full Day Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum
This private tour starts with a pick-up in Alexandria. Participants are then driven to the Pyramids of Giza, where they witness one of the world’s wonders and enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the area. The tour proceeds with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Participants are driven back to Alexandria.
The fee is USD 75. (Include transportation, entrance fees, and Lunch)
Tour2: Half Day Rosetta
This private tour will start with a pick-up in Alexandria. Participants will be driven to Rashid City, where they will visit Ottoman Homes and Abo Shahin Mill, followed by St. Mark Church and Abo Mandour Mosque. The tour will proceed to the Qaitbey Citadel to watch the fabulous scene of the meeting of the Nile River and the Mediterranean Sea. Participants will be driven back to Alexandria at the end of the tour.
The fee USD 30. (Include transportation, entrance fees, and Lunch)
Tour3: Luxor and Aswan 4 Days
An unforgettable 4-night post-conference cruise along the Nile, exploring the ancient wonders of Luxor, Aswan, and in between. This journey will immerse you in Egypt’s rich history, starting in Luxor, where you’ll visit the awe-inspiring Karnak and Luxor Temples, and the Valley of the Kings. Experience the grandeur of ancient Egypt as you sail the Nile, stopping at iconic sites such as the Temple of Edfu and Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Horus. This tour combines history, culture, and leisure, offering a perfect ending to your conference with a taste of Egypt’s timeless beauty.
29 MAY: Nile cruise – Luxor
- Morning Flight Cairo – Luxor
- Arrival at Luxor Airport, Meet and assist upon arrival, and transfer to visit Karnak Temple.
- Transfer to Nile Cruise for check-in.
- Evening visit to illuminated Luxor Temple
- OPTIONAL: Horse carriage ride in Luxor
30 MAY: Nile cruise – Luxor – Edfu
- OPTIONAL: Early morning Hot Air Balloon trip
- Visit the West Bank (Valley of the Kings + Colossi of Memnon + Queen Hatchepsut Temple)
- OPTIONAL: Tutankhamun Tomb visit
31 MAY Nile cruise – Edfu -Kom Ombo
- Visit Horus Temple in Edfu
- Visit Kom Ombo Temple
- Visit the Unfinished Obelisk + High Dam + Philae Temple
- OPTIONAL: Nubian Museum visit
02 JUN: Cairo
- Check-out and transfer to Aswan Airport for a flight to Cairo
- End of services
The Fee: USD 1030 per person in Double Cabin
The fee includes:
- 4 nights’ accommodation on board of M/S Steigenberger Minerva 5* Deluxe, Full Board
- Private Sightseeing program including transfers, entrance fees, English speaking guide.
- Domestic flight ticket Cairo – Luxor / Aswan – Cairo
- All transfers in private A/C vehicle
The fee Excluding:
- Any other service not mentioned above
- Personal expenses
- Any meals during the tours / Beverages during meals on board
- Tips and gratuities (Guide, Driver, and Cruise tipping)
Optional tours
- Horse Carriage Ride: USD 20 per person
- Hot Air Balloon: USD 120 per person
- Tutankhamun Tomb: USD 30 per person
- Nubian Museum: USD 40 per person
CONFERENCE HOTELS
HOTEL 1
STEIGENBERGER CECIL HOTEL ALEXANDRIA
This hotel, opened in 1929, is located directly on the Eastern Alexandria Harbor. It is within short walking distance to the conference venue at Bibliotheca Alexandrina (approx. 20 minutes), the Alexandrina National Museum (approx. 5 minutes), and the Amphitheater (approx. 20 minutes).
The hotel offered special rates below for a limited number of rooms, subject to availability. Rates are inclusive of breakfast and taxes. Participants must confirm their reservation by 28 February 2025 to claim the conference special rates.
For inquiries, please get in touch with the hotel directly: sales.cecil@steigenberger.com. For reservation, please send an email to reservations.cecil@steigenberger.com and copy (cc) sales.cecil@steigenberger.com
| Room Type | Single occupancy rate/night | Double occupancy rate/night |
| Classic back view room Classic back-view rooms overlook a narrow alley or a narrow street. | USD 160 | USD 180 |
| Square seaside view room | USD 190 | USD 210 |
| Sea view room | USD 220 | USD 240 |
| Junior suite | USD 250 | USD 270 |
| Executive suite | USD 280 | USD 300 |
HOTEL 2
PARADISE INN LE METROPOLE HOTEL
This hotel is situated in an 18th-century building with views of the Mediterranean and the city. It is within a two-minute walk from the El Raml Train Station and the sandy beaches. The property is 1.5 km from Bibliotheca Alexandrina, 1 km from Constantine Cavafy Museum, 2 km from the Opera, 2 km from Qaitbait Citadel, and 1.5 km from the Diving Centre.
The hotel offered the special rates below for a limited number of rooms, subject to availability. Rates are inclusive of breakfast and taxes. IASTE 2025 participants must confirm their reservation by 15 February 2025 to claim the special rates.
For inquiries and reservations, please contact the Conference Tour Operator:
Perla Di Mare Tours Phone : (+20) 100-147-1745 / (+20) 101-222-1409
Email: youssef.khalil@perladimaretours.com / mina.wadgy@perladimaretours.com Website : http://www.perladimaretours.com
| Room Type | Rate/night |
| Single occupancy room | USD 105 |
| Double occupancy room | USD 130 |
| Triple occupancy room | USD 175 |
CONFERENCE Tour Operator
Perla Di Mare Tours
Phone : (+20) 100-147-1745 / (+20) 101-222-1409
Email: youssef.khalil@perladimaretours.com / mina.wagdy@perladimaretours.com
Website : http://www.perladimaretours.com
EGYPT VISA
The application process for an Egypt visitor visa varies depending on the applicant’s country of origin. Please note that the information included in this section is current as of August 2024. Due to the dynamic nature of traveling in the region, please consult your local Egyptian Embassy or Consulate for the most up-to-date information on entry requirements to Egypt, or visit the Egypt eVisa Portal.
Mailing Address and Inquiries:
International Association for the Study of Traditional Environments
207 East 5th Avenue, #258, Eugene, OR, 97401
Phone: (+1) 541-712-7832
Email: coordinator@iaste.org
Website: https://iaste.org