The conference was jointly organized by the University of Florida (USA) and the University of Cuenca (Ecuador).
This conference aims to create a space to discuss the capacity of medium and small cities to face several of the sustainability challenges of the 21st century. Primarily, the conference aims to expose strategies to mitigate and adapt cities to climate change, tools and methods to deal with natural and manmade risks, and how to respond to the problems of weak urban planning and urban sprawl. The conference sessions will explore the multifaceted contribution of different knowledge and experiences in creative forms of resilience in the built environment in a multicultural dialogue.
This conference creates unique spaces for unconventional encounters that spark debate, international exchanges, and networking. The conference also aims to align the ongoing debate on sustainability and resilience in the built environment by empowering local and international practitioners, researchers, policymakers, activists, students, and volunteers in their collaborative practices.
Jun. 5, 2025
Plenary Session
DT-Enabled Resilient and Sustainable Built Environments
Panel
Critical Thinking about Resilience
Panel
Urban AI for Climate Adaptation
Moderator: Hubert Beroche
Panelists: Mateo Neira, Gustavo Maldonado-Gil
Optimización metaheurística para la selección espacial de intervenciones en la ciudad de Quito ante riesgos climáticos / Authors: Guzmán Chávez Guillermo Geovanny, Jaramillo Pazmiño Pablo Isaac, Sánchez García Ángel Juan
Mixed Jamaican diaspora /Author: Artis Trice
Modelling the inequitable distribution of aesthetic green views across dimensions of supply, demand, accessibility, and flow / Author: Joseph Brian Benjamin
Mixed Reality at Architectural Design Interventions in Heritage Sites: Methodology for Communication of Design Ideas through BIM / Author: Juan Sebastian Sardi Barzallo
Propuesta de prototipo de videojuego como herramienta de difusión de patrimonio. Caso de estudio: Casa de las Posadas / Author: Matías Ismael Montero Andrade
The socialities of everyday urban walking / Author: Tatiana Glakhova
Growing in Place: Methods of Uncovering Community Tendencies and Ecological Complexities / Authors: Michael Dieffenthaller, Eric Rykard, Sarah Spayd
By Modal / Authors: Ruth Hunter Iglehart, Reagan Johnson, Michael Nemery
Chair: Juan Fernando Hidalgo
Review Committee: Jeffrey Carney and Luis Mejia-Puig
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Jun. 6, 2025
Workshop
Unlocking Global Demographic Insights with GeoEnrichment and Agentic AI Coding
Led by Dr. Changje Chen, University of Florida
Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo / Universidad de Cuenca
Objective
To empower participants with the skills to leverage Esri’s GeoEnrichment services for accessing and integrating global demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle data, enabling them to query, analyze, and visualize enriched spatial data and create interactive, web-based GIS applications with minimal programming expertise.
Workshop
Resilience and Heritage
Led by Dr. Whittaker Schroder, University of Florida
Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo / Universidad de Cuenca
Objective
The track on Resilience and Heritage delves into the symbiotic relationship between built heritage and resilience in the face of disasters and dynamic environmental challenges. This track aims to explore how preserving and integrating heritage into urban planning and disaster management strategies can foster more resilient communities. Heritage, encompassing historic structures, monuments, cultural landscapes, and traditional architectural practices, not only carries immense cultural and historical significance but also plays a pivotal role in enhancing community resilience. The Resilience and Heritage workshop invites researchers, practitioners, heritage experts, and community representatives to share their experiences, insights, and research findings. Together, we aim to explore innovative ways to integrate heritage considerations into urban planning, disaster management, and resilience-building strategies for a more sustainable and culturally rich future.
Closing Remarks & City Tour
Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo / Universidad de Cuenca
Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the Andes Mountains, offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This charming city boasts cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and ornate churches, creating a picturesque and romantic atmosphere. Explore the vibrant plazas, wander through the Tomebamba River, and indulge in delicious Ecuadorian cuisine. Cuenca’s proximity to natural wonders like El Cajas National Park and Ingapirca ruins provides opportunities for outdoor adventures and cultural immersion.
Beyond its historical charm, Cuenca offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. You’ll find friendly locals, a vibrant arts scene, and a slower pace of life. Whether you’re seeking a cultural adventure, a relaxing getaway, or a taste of authentic South American life, Cuenca has something to offer every traveler.
Is an urban theorist and urban storyteller with a background in architecture. Carl serves as the Assistant Director of the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER)and Assistant Scholar at the School of Architecture at the University of Florida (UF). Brisotto holds a Ph.D. in Design, Construction, and Planning from UF and a Professional Architecture degree from the University IUAV of Venice. At the core of Carla’s research lies the intersection of urbanism and environmental narratives. Her research focuses on productive landscapes and climate change’s asymmetric impacts on population and their places through contemporary and historical lenses. Carla employs storytelling as a research method and works closely with communities within the Florida Resilient Cities Lab to understand the dynamics of spontaneous urban transformation. Currently, Carla is leading the international project “ReclaiMEDLand” funded by the Department of State of the United States of America, APS–Annual Program Statement 2023.