Introduction to the conference

Introduction (20131211 updated)

“Engaging the grassroots: Social Justice and Bio-diversity” is the theme for the 9th gathering of participatory community planners and designers around the Pacific Rim. Established in 1998, democratic planning and participatory design have been at the heart of the Pacific Rim Community Design Network. With eight conferences held in various countries across the Pacific Rim, issues and foci have been expanded according to the environmental and social changes. For the 9th gathering, we invite overseas designers and planners interacting with communities through democratic spirits, civic resonances and environmental stewardships. We span the theme “Engaging the grassroots: Social Justice and Biodiversity” to five key issues:

(1) Service-learning education

(2) ‘New ruralism’ experiments

(3) Wetland conservation

(4) Placemaking in displacement

The format of the conference consists of “small groups” organized around these five sub-areas, followed by a common forum – “big tables”.

Conference Formats: 
Small Groups Workshops and Big Table Forum

The 2014 Pacific Rim Community Design Network Conference is going to take place in Taiwan. In order to compare evaluate and  rethink the community participation, we specially invite new participants from the Pac Rim and elsewhere for cross cultural discussions and action organize “small groups and big tables” as venues to exchange experiences and stimulate ideas. The small groups and big tables are organized in two phases described below. In brief, small-group coordinators will organize events in Phase 1:

Phase ONE: 4 SMALL GROUPS: community-based workshops and issue-oriented events

From March 14 to March 16, we simultaneously host five small groups in different locations over the island. Each small group focuses on a community-based workshop that also includes poster, story paper, andpresentation. The purpose of the small group venues is to bring the current issues, problems and challenges of social justice and biodiversity in Taiwan to an international audience and to invite conference participants to share their related experiences to the local communities.

Phase TWO: 1 BIG TABLE: all-in-one forum and exchanges

Between March 17 and 19, we provide post-workshop forums and roundtable discussions in form of Pacific Rim big table exchanges at Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) in Chungli, Taiwan.  All workshop participants will join the conference and share what they learn from the different workshops.

Dates for Submission:

We provide two paths for participation in the conference: (1) participants without refereed full papers, and (2) participants with refereed full papers. Please send your abstract and full paper to the workshop organizers. The important dates are listed below for the two paths

For participants without refereed full paper submission

For participants with refereed full paper submission

(Organized by each small group coordinators)

Registration and Poster submission: January 15th, 2014

Full draft paper submission: February 15th, 2014

Final full paper submission: April 15, 2014

Conference Schedule:

1. Pre-conference workshops: March 14 – March 16, 2014 (precise details vary depending on each workshop)

2. Opening Reception: evening of March 16

3. Main Conference -- Big Table Forum: March 17 – March 18, 2014

The posters Exhibition from March 16 to 19, 2014

Dates for the Conference:

Phase 1: Small groups March 14 – March 16, 2014

Phase 2: Big table forum March 16 – March 18, 2014

Locations:

Big Table Conference: Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli City, Taiwan

Workshop 1 - Service-learning education: College of Design, CYCU, Chungli City
Workshop 2 - New ruralism experiments: Pinglin, Tucheng and Longtan (to be confirmed)

Workshop 3 - Wetland conservation: Budai, Chiayi County

Workshop 4 - Place making in displacement: Machia, Pingtung County

Fees:

1. Registration fee:

Professional participant: US$80/person; student participant: US$30/person.

Fee includes conference proceeding and meals during the big table forum.

2. Expenses for workshops:

to be announced by individual workshop coordinators.