XI International Seminars "Overarching Issues of the European Area" || XI Journées Internationales "Grandes Problématiques de l'Espace Européen"

27th and 28th May 2016 // 27 et 28 mai, 2016

In an increasingly more urbanised Europe, within a highly diversified and inspiring territorial mosaic, many obstacles remain to sustainable and inclusive development, sustaining a deep-rooted sense of generalised uncertainty and crisis. Answers must be found for this debilitating context, exploring economic, environmental and social approaches. Policies should be developed aimed at the conservation of landscapes and heritage in their multiple dimensions, in which polyvalent urban spaces and multifaceted social settings must not be neglected, with a view to boosting holistic and global development. However, with the slowing down of the economic and financial crisis in view, we must also take into consideration the large migration flows and the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees who are attempting to escape war-stricken zones, natural disasters or political and cultural conflicts.

We must however build opportunities for sustainable development, preserving distinctive endogenous values, while structural, inclusive policies are implemented, aimed at bolstering innovation and a digital society and, consequently, education and knowledge. Only thus can we make a more efficient use of local resources and encourage territorial cohesion. Scientific work is essential to these goals, as they serve to catalyse society. Thus, the 11^th edition of the International Seminars on the “Overarching Issues of the European Area” intends to address these issues.

Following on from previous editions, these Seminars are intended as a reflection on territorial, social and cultural diversity from multiple perspectives (geographical, historical, environmental, economic, social, cultural and legal), focusing on the European Area but expanding to include other geographical regions, such as the Portuguese-speaking countries, particularly Brazil. In the latter case, we have established prolific exchanges of experiences and analysis of strategic frameworks aimed at overcoming the crisis, which persists under old and new pressures. We must address different aspects in which territorial diversity is key.

In its 11^th edition, the Seminars continue to promote a multidisciplinary and interuniversity setting, inviting specialists not only from a number of Portuguese universities, but also from French, Bulgarian, Romanian, Galician, Croatian and Brazilian institutions to participate. The prime aim is to create and bolster synergies conducive to conservation and spatial planning, which can serve to promote social cohesion and social, economic and environmental recovery harmoniously.