Outline
The Institute of Urban and Regional Studies co-organized the international conference “Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change: 50 Years of Commitment to a Sustainable World” together with the International Laboratory of Architecture and Urban Design (ILAUD), an international research institute for architecture and urban design based in Milan, Italy.
The symposium was held over two days, on April 29 and 30, 2026, in Urbino, Italy. Experts in architecture and urban design engaged in research, education, and professional practice gathered from five countries — Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Japan. Divided into three sessions, participants introduced advanced case studies from each country and discussed the challenges they currently face.
Professor Emeritus Shigeru Satoh, advisor to the Institute of Urban and Regional Studies, and Tomoyuki Mashiko, researcher at the institute, delivered presentations at the conference. In addition, Professor Yosuke Mano of Institute of Science Tokyo, Associate Professor Kosuke Mashio of Aichi Institute of Technology, Ms. Tomoko Yanagi of Yamamoto Takuro Architects & Associates, and fourth-year undergraduate students from the Mashiko Laboratory also participated in presentations and discussions.
This conference was supported by Grant for International Academic Events 2026.
Overview
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Dates: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 9:30–18:30
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 9:30–16:30 -
Venue: Spazio Data, Urbino, Italy
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Format: In-person conference (recordings to be distributed later as on-demand videos)
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Participants: Open to the public, students, faculty, and staff
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Participation Fee: Free of charge
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Organizer: International Laboratory of Architecture and Urban Design (ILAUD)
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Co-organizers: City of Urbino; UNESCO Chair “Urban and Regional Planning for Local Sustainable Development,” University of Ferrara; Institute of Urban and Regional Studies, Comprehensive Research Organization, Waseda University; and University of Kassel
Program
Reception
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
9:30–10:00 Opening Remarks
Maurizio Gambini (Mayor of Urbino)
Paolo Ceccarelli (President, ILAUD)
Session 1: 10:00–12:00
Droughts, Floods, Earthquakes and Urban Planning: Experiences from Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Italy
(Coordinator: Piero Sassi, University of Kassel)
10:00–10:20
Strategies for Reconstruction and Adaptation
Enrico Cocchi (Emilia-Romagna Regional Government)
Opening Remarks Maurizio Gambini (Mayor of Urbino) & Paolo Ceccarelli (President, ILAUD)
10:20–10:40
Rehabilitation Programs Before and After Disasters
Tomoyuki Mashiko (Waseda University)
Yosuke Mano (Institute of Science Tokyo)
10:40–11:00
Urban Planning After Floods in Rio Grande do Sul
Andre Silveira (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul)
11:00–11:30 Break
11:30–11:50
Reconstruction Processes in the Ahr Valley
Session 1: Droughts, Floods, Earthquakes and Urban Planning: Experiences from Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Italy Tomoyuki MASHIKO & Yosuke Mano
Piero Sassi (University of Kassel)
11:50–12:30 Discussion
Session 2: 14:30–16:30
Impacts and Challenges Brought by Climate Change
(Coordinator: Giulio Verdini, University of Westminster)
14:30–15:00
Reconstruction of Settlements and Infrastructure After Natural Disasters in Japan
Shigeru Satoh (Waseda University)
Kosuke Masuo (Aichi Institute of Technology)
15:00–15:30
Special Planning Measures for Geological and Hydraulic Instability in the Po River Basin
Session 2: Impacts and Challenges Brought by Climate Change Giulio Verdini, Shigeru Satoh & Kosuke Masuo
Alessandro Bratti (University of Ferrara)
15:30–16:00
Compound and Cascading Climate Risks: Their Realities and Impacts on Agriculture
Tomaso Ceccarelli (Wageningen University & Research)
16:00–16:30
Climate Change in Cities: Impacts on Health
Fabio Mosca (University of Milan)
Pilar Guerrieri (Politecnico di Milano)
16:30–17:00 Break
17:00–18:30
In Memory of Connie Occhialini:
Introduction to the book “Etra Connie Occhialini. A Serious Life Should Be Treated Lightly”
(Coordinator: Anna Vittoria Zuliani)
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Session 3: discussion after student presentations
Session 3: 9:30–11:00
Research Experiences and Future Proposals
(Coordinator: Tomoyuki Mashiko, Waseda University)
9:30–10:00
Post-Disaster Recovery and resilience Utilizing Local Identity: Exploring the Potential of Alternative Machizukuri Centered on Local Initiatives in Kuroshima after the 2024 Noto Earthquake
Kana Uchida (Mashiko Laboratory, School of Social Sciences, Waseda University)
Nanasa Hagimoto (Mashiko Laboratory, School of Social Sciences, Waseda University)
10:00–10:30
Approaches to Sufficiency as Planning Strategy in Housing and Social Infrastructure: Reflections from Neustadt bei Coburg
Birk Schwarzer (Master’s Program, University of Kassel)
Jakob Lehner (Master’s Program, University of Kassel)
10:30–11:00
When the Rainfall Changes the Rules:
Presentation by Riccardo Feligiotti
IDF Curves, Frequency Analysis & Climate Adaptation
Daniele Feitoza Silva (LAMA Analysis Engineering)
11:00–11:30 Break
11:30–12:30
International Workshops and Contributions of Younger Generations
11:30–12:00
ILAUD Workshops from 2008 to 2018
Presentation by Tomoko Yanagi
Riccardo Feligiotti (Architect)
12:00–12:30
Toward a Future of Coexistence within Diversity
Tomoko Yanagi (Takuro Yamamoto Architects)
12:30–14:30 Lunch Break
14:30–16:30
Discussion Toward the Future of ILAUD
(Coordinators: Piero Sassi, University of Kassel / Giulio Verdini, University of Westminster)
16:30 Closing Remarks
Paolo Ceccarelli (President, ILAUD)
