The Eighth edition of the International Conference on “Cities’ Identity Through Architecture & Arts” was held in Cagliari University in Sardinia, Italy as the main host, and in collaboration with Pisa University. The conference took place physically and virtually from the 17th to the 19th of September 2024, including attendees from all corners of the world.

This conference was organized as one of the important tools that help its attendees exchange knowledge and enhance the research community. IEREK invited all interested architects, environmentalists, engineers, and university students from all over the world aiming provide a platform for attendees to exchange ideas, collaborate, and envelops topics concerning the conservation of cities’ identities through arts and architecture. It addresses multiple topics of contention concerning cities’ heritage and conservation efforts, such as the influence of artistic expression and creativity on cities’ safety, traditional artistic techniques & architecture, historical eras, and their construction practices, and sustainable preservation practices. exploration.

Some of the main topics that were discussed include:

1- Architecture and Cultural Identity
2- Architectural Preservation and its Relationship to Collective Memory
3- Urban Art and City Identity Urban Art
4- Architecture as a Reflection of Cultural Identity
5- The Influence of Cultural Heritage on Contemporary Architectural Design
6- Heritage Preservation
7- Contemporary Architectural Expressions

Day 1:

Welcoming Session:

The Opening Ceremony started with registration and welcoming speeches from the Vice Rector of Cagliari University, Prof. Alessandra Carucci, Conference Guests Eng. Monica Stochino, Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage, and Prof. Caterina, Director of the School of Specialization in Architectural and Landscape Heritage of the University of Cagliari

Short welcoming speeches were given by the conference chairs Prof. Tarek Teba, Associate Professor in Architectural Heritage, Portsmouth School of Architecture, University of Portsmouth, in behalf of the CAH Conferences Chairs, Prof. Luca Lanini, CITAA Conference Chair & Full Professor, PhD. DESTeC at Department of Energy, Systems, Land and Construction Engineering. University of Pisa, Conference Co-host Prof. Jocelyn A. Rivera-Lutap, DPA, FUAP United Architects of the Philippines (Education), College Quality Assurance Coordinator, CADBE-PUP, and Conference Partners President, Doo Won Cho, Prof. Maurizio di Stefano, ICOMOS.

Followed by Welcoming speeches from IEREK Team Prof. Ferdinando Trapani, Professor of the Urban Planning Department of Architecture, Polytechnic School University of Palermo, Italy, and Dr. Mourad Amer, President and CEO of IEREK.

Following the speeches, a brief presentation was given that introduced IEREK as a company and its activities to the audience.

Plenary sessions:

A plenary session followed introducing the keynote speakers Prof. Gerco Meijer, ICOMOS - ICOFORT Representative & Heritage consultant and technician at Hylkema Erfgoed B.V. Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Following the keynote speech, parallel sessions 1, 2and 3 took place.

The First Session of the conference titled “Architecture and Cultural Identity” was moderated by Prof. Pier Francesco Cherchi, and Arch. Carla Sechi.

The Second Session of the conference titled “Architectural Preservation and its Relationship to Collective Memory” was moderated by Prof. Marco Lecis, and Arch. Benedetta Rubattu.

The Third Session of the conference titled “Urban Art and City Identity Urban Art” was moderated by Prof. Fabrizio Pusceddu, and Arch. Lara Marras.

As the sessions went on, multiple authors presented their research in person and online, taking questions from the audience, and answering them as best they could.

After a discussion and a Questions and Answers session, the first conference day ended with a Panel session where final remarks and feedback were discussed.

Day 2:

The second day started with the registration then welcoming our keynote speakers Prof. arch. Renata Picone, Full Professor of Restoration - President of the Italian Society for the Restoration of Architecture (SIRA) Department of Architecture (DiArc), University of Naples Federico, and Prof. Manuela Raitano, Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Project of Sapienza University of Rome.

Following the keynote speech, parallel sessions 4 and 5 took place.

The Fourth Session of the conference titled “Architecture as a Reflection of Cultural Identity” was moderated by Arch. Andrea Manca, and Arch. Alessandro Meloni.

The Fifth Session of the conference titled “The Influence of Cultural Heritage on Contemporary Architectural Design” was moderated by Prof. Adriano Dessì, and Arch. Chiara Cabras. 

 As the sessions went on, multiple authors presented their research in person and online, taking questions from the audience, and answering them as best they could.

After a discussion and a Questions and Answers session, second conference day ended with a Panel session where final remarks and feedback were discussed.

Day 3:

The final day of the CITAA 2024, started with welcoming our keynote speaker Prof. Federica Visconti, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Naples, Italia Department of Architecture.

Following the keynote speech, parallel sessions 6 and 7 took place.

The Sixth Session of the conference titled “Heritage Preservation” was moderated by Prof. Marco Moro, and Arch. Benedetta Medas.

The Seventh Session of the conference titled “Contemporary Architectural Expressions” was moderated by Prof. Francesco Marras, and Prof. Lavinia Dondi.

As the sessions went on, multiple authors presented their research in person and online, taking questions from the audience, and answering them as best they could.

A discussion and a Questions and Answers session was held, and followed by Wrapping up, final remarks, and a closing ceremony were held.