By MAEDER OSLER
The small town research unit at Stellenbosch University has issued an intriguing invitation to an international conference on small towns and villages, to be held on from 23-25 November this year.
Globally, it says, small towns play a key role in shaping community identities, preserving – or failing to preserve — cultural heritage, and fostering local development. Hows this ‘shaping’ occurs is, however, contested.
As a result, the conference ‘will focus on the unique challenges and opportunities small towns have in a rapidly changing world, highlighting their role as dynamic hubs of social, economic and cultural life’.
Researchers, practitioners and policy-makers are invited to submit abstracts on a range of themes, including:
- Economic development;
- Cultural heritage;
- Community and social dynamics;
- Urban-rural interactions;
- Policy, planning and governance;
- Environmental challenges;
- Innovation and technology; and
- Abandonment, shrinking and renewal.
Attending the conference won’t be cheap – R3 300 for delegates based in Africa and R3 800 for delegates based outside Africa. However, it looks like they will get a lot of value for their money.
To download an invitation, click here.
FEATURED IMAGE: Fraserburg, Tankwa Karoo. Image: SA Tourism.