IPAU

IPAU International Conference 2026
“Designing for Uncertainty: Resilience, Community, Creativity”

In an era defined by environmental instability, rapid urban transformation, and shifting social dynamics, uncertainty has become a defining condition of contemporary life. Architecture and urbanism are increasingly required to respond not to fixed scenarios, but to evolving, unpredictable contexts shaped by climate change, socio-economic pressures, and technological transitions.

The theme Designing for Uncertainty invites researchers, practitioners, and emerging scholars to rethink the role of design as an adaptive, responsive, and anticipatory practice. Rather than seeking permanence or control, architecture is positioned as a framework for resilience, a platform for collective life, and a catalyst for creative engagement.

The conference explores how spatial practices can address uncertainty through three interrelated lenses: resilience, as the capacity of systems and communities to adapt and transform; community, as the social foundation of inclusive and participatory environments; and creativity, as a critical tool for reimagining futures beyond crisis.

By engaging diverse perspectives, from theoretical inquiry to design experimentation, the conference aims to foster dialogue on how architecture can contribute to more robust, equitable, and imaginative urban futures.

SUB-THEMES:
1. Designing for Uncertainty
Explores design strategies that respond to changing, unpredictable conditions, focusing on flexibility, adaptability, and open-ended spatial systems capable of evolving over time.

2. Community, Participation, and Co-Production
Focuses on inclusive design processes, participatory planning, and community-led spatial practices that redefine authorship and empower local actors.

3. Public Space as Resilient Infrastructure
Examines the role of public spaces as systems that support social life and urban continuity, particularly in contexts of fragmentation, transformation, or rapid growth.

4. Transforming Existing Environments
Addresses adaptive reuse, retrofitting, and the transformation of heritage and existing built environments in response to contemporary needs and uncertainties.

5. Creative Practices and Experimental Methodologies
Highlights speculative design, research-by-design, artistic practices, and alternative pedagogies that expand architectural thinking under uncertain conditions.

IMPORTENED DATES:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 10 July 2026
Notification of Abstracts Acceptance: 24 July 2026
Full Paper Submission: 30 September 2026
Conference Dates: 5–6 November 2026

VENUE:
Faculty of Architecture, University of Prishtina

More detailed information is available at: https://fa.uni-pr.edu

Inquiries are to be submitted to the conference commissions at [email protected]

IPAU 2025: Insights from the 4th International Conference

The Faculty of Architecture at the University of Prishtina successfully concluded the 4th IPAU International Conference 2025, held on November 7, 2025, in Prishtina, with the central theme: “Doctoral Studies at the Faculty of Architecture, Advancing Research and Academic Excellence.”

The conference brought together university professors from renowned international institutions, including Arizona State University, TU Wien, the Polytechnic University of Bari, KU Leuven, the University of Minho, the Polytechnic University of Tirana, the University of Ljubljana, the Brno University of Technology, and Polis University of Tirana, as well as academic staff from regional universities, institutional representatives, researchers, and students.

This academically significant event was opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Prof. Violeta Nushi, and was greeted by the Rector of the University of Prishtina, Prof. Arben Hajrullahu; the Rector of the Polytechnic University of Tirana, Prof. Akli Fundi; the Rector of Polis University, Prof. Besnik Aliaj; the Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Academic Exchange, Assoc. Prof. Rozafa Basha; the Vice-Rector for Scientific Research, Projects, and Innovation, Prof. Avni Hajdari; the Dean of Spatial Planning Studies at TU Wien, Assoc. Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Thomas Dillinger; and the Director of the Department for Follow-up and Monitoring of Procedures at the Kosovo Accreditation Agency, Mr. Shkëlzen Gerxhaliu.

The welcoming remarks emphasized the strategic importance of developing doctoral studies in architecture, strengthening research capacities, and expanding international academic collaboration.

Throughout the day, 10 presentations were delivered by invited university professors from their respective institutions, focusing on the following topics:

▪️Prof. Shahin Berisha, Arizona State University, USA – Strategic Foundations for Doctoral Programs

▪️Prof. Andrea Maliqari, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania – Reflections on Doctoral Studies in Architecture and the Albanian Experience: Fostering Scientific Research and Academic Excellence

▪️Prof. Andreas Voigt – International Doctoral College Programme: Spatial Research Lab

▪️Prof. Michele Montemurro ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FOR ANCIENT SITES Pasap_Med - (PhD of National Interest) - Doctoral program in Mediterranean archaeological, historical, architectural and landscape heritage

▪️Prof. Jorge Correia – Pursuing Knowledge: Doctoral Studies and Interdisciplinary Research at EAAD

▪️Prof. Maruša Zorec – Architectural Research – An Inspiration for the Practice? The Case of the Ljubljana School of Architecture

▪️Prof. Yves Schoonjans – Dissecting our PhD in Architecture Program: Coping with the Complex Conceptual Landscape of PhD-by-Design

▪️Prof. Socrates Stratis – Commons and the Contested City: A Practice Turn in Architectural Research

▪️Prof. Jan Malý Blažek – Transformation of Doctoral Studies in Architecture and Urban Design in the Context of the New Higher Education Act in Czechia

The conference also featured two discussion panels, where participants debated the role of doctoral studies in generating new knowledge, institutional challenges, international cooperation, and new pathways for advancing scientific research in architecture and urbanism.

The Faculty of Architecture extends its gratitude to all participants for their contribution to the success of this important scientific conference and invites the academic community to continue collaboration in future editions.

🎤 IPAU 2025 Officially Opens Today!
Faculty of Architecture | 4th International Conference – IPAU 2025

The Faculty of Architecture at the University of Prishtina proudly announces the official opening of the 4th International Conference IPAU 2025 – “Doctoral Studies in the Faculty of Architecture, Advancing Research and Academic Excellence.”

◼️IPAU 2025 - Invited Speaker
Socrates Stratis, Department of Architecture, University of Cyprus
"Commons and the Contested City: A Practice Turn in Architectural Research"

Socrates is an urbanist, architect, and activist for the urban commons. He is Professor at the Department of Architecture, University of Cyprus, co-founder of the critical urban practice agency AA & U, Cyprus and director of LUCY (Laboratory of Urbanism, University of Cyprus). His research focuses on the social and political agencies of architecture and urban design, and on their strategic and territorial value. He recently published «Urban Design on the Move: Five Stories for Implementing a Winning Europan Project”, 2024, jovis, Berlin. Socrates is member of the Scientific Committee of Europan Europe and part the Steering Committee for the Horizon 2020, Research Project on Spatial Practices for Empathetic Exchange in the City.

◼️IPAU 2025 - Invited Speaker
Senaida Halilović, Faculty of Architecture, University of Sarajevo
"The Doctoral Program at the University of Sarajevo’s Faculty of Architecture: Challenges and Perspectives"

In 2006, she graduated from the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Architecture. Specialized studies at the Faculty of Architecture at La Sapienza University in Rome were completed in 2011. In 2018, she earned her doctorate from the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Zagreb. She conducted study visits to numerous European universities and participated in academic staff exchange programs that included teaching and training activities.

She organized and participated in academic seminars that were conducted between her home faculty and numerous European universities, as well as participated in international cooperation initiatives, through her research and teaching endeavors.

◼️IPAU 2025 - Invited Speaker
Jan Malý Blažek, Faculty of Architecture, Brno University of Technology

"Transformation of Doctoral Studies in Architecture and Urban Design in the Context of the New Higher Education Act in Czechia"
Jan Malý Blažek is an interdisciplinary scholar, social geographer and economist with a PhD in environmental studies. In his doctoral thesis, he built on the Gibson-Graham’s diverse economies approach to study the economies of European eco-communities and eco-collaborative housing projects. His professional interests include the study and ‘co-design’ of housing innovations and climate change adaptation measures, particularly within civic-public assemblages and in the context of strategic and participatory municipal planning. He has published in the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, as well as with publishers such as Routledge and Bloomsbury.

He led a multidisciplinary team conducting applied research into the opportunities and limits of collaborative housing in the Czech Republic and was the main editor of methodological publications certified by the Czech Ministry of Regional Development. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Urban Design at the Faculty of Architecture, Brno University of Technology, where he also serves as vice-dean for research and doctoral Studies.

◼️IPAU 2025 - Invited Speaker
Maruša Zorec, Faculty of Architecture, University of Ljubljana
"Architectural Research – An Inspiration for the Practice? The Case of the Ljubljana School of Architecture"

Maruša Zorec studied at the Faculty of Architecture in Ljubljana, where she is teaching since 1993. First seven years she worked with the architect Vojteh Ravnikar and in 1996 she established her own office: arrea architects. She lives and works in Ljubljana.

Her major works are interventions in the existing, often historical and protected structures. They are opening forgoten places to the public and preparing them for the new modern times. The Chapel in the Franciscan Monastery in Ljubljana was opened in 1999; in 2001 the new library in an old castle at Ravne na Koroskem started to function and in 2008 the Open-air Altar, Brezje was set to the new square. She renovated the Vetrinje Manor in Maribor in 2010 and refurbished the castle Outbuilding in Ormož into a museum and a music school in 2011. Her office is working a lot in the field of public buildings such are

the new wooden Youth hostel and a secondary school at Ravne, the new Culinary school in Maribor and a school for death children in Ljubljana. In 2015 the office renovated the Plečnik house, Ljubljana and in 2017 the old hotel Švicarija was transformed into a new art center in Ljubljana. The office presented an instalation at the Venice Bienalle in 2018 with the project Unveiling the hidden.

Marusa Zorec is working a lot also with the preservation of the modernistic heritage of the 20th century, in 2001 she participated in the project Slovene modern architecture buildings 1945-1970, www.evidenca.org and published a book on the work of the slovene architect Oton Jugovec.

She won several national competitions and is at the moment working on some bigger renovation projects in Italy and Slovenia.

◼️IPAU 2025 - Invited Speaker
Jorge Correia, Lab2PT, University of Minho
"Pursuing Knowledge: Doctoral Studies and Interdisciplinary Research at EAAD"

Jorge Correia is Full Professor and Vice-Dean for Culture and Internationalisation at the School of Architecture, Art and Design (EAAD), University of Minho, Portugal. He is also a researcher at Landscapes, Heritage and Territory Laboratory (Lab2PT) at the same institution. His teaching and supervision focus on heritage, urban morphology and architectural history.

He has held several key academic and leadership roles, including Vice-Dean for Education at EAAD, President of the EAHN European Architectural History Network, Director of Lab2PT, Head of Programmes at the Norman Foster Institute and he currently serves on the IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accountability, Sustainability) Committee of the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH).

Correia’s research investigates the intercultural dimensions of the built environment, with a particular focus on the interactions between early modern colonial settlements and traditional Islamic urbanism. Travel plays a central and enduring role in both his academic and personal life.

◼️IPAU 2025 - Invited Speaker
Michele Montemurro, Department of Architecture, Construction, Design (ArCoD), Polytechnic University of Bari
"ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN FOR ANCIENT SITES Pasap_Med - (PhD of National Interest) - Doctoral program in Mediterranean archaeological, historical, architectural and landscape heritage"

Michele Montemurro (Bari, 1962), graduated from IUAV in Venice (1989), PhD in Architectural Design (Palermo 1999) is Associate Professor of Architectural and Urban Composition (ICAR 14), qualified as Full Professor in the Dicar Department of the Polytechnic University of Bari. He has been a Guest Professor at numerous foreign universities (Tirana, Barcelona, Porto, Santiago de Chile, Pristina, Valladolid). He has participated in architecture competitions, seminars, conferences, and workshops and is the author of numerous national and international publications, including The Soul of Place, Geography and Architecture, Michele Montemurro. Places, Projects, Architecture, The City Limit: Projects for Matera, Stone Landscapes. New Stories for Mediterranean Quarries.

He is the scientific director of numerous national and international applied research projects (University Housing as a driver of urban regeneration, the Interreg COHEN strategic project, the IPA Green Waters project, and a feasibility study for the redevelopment of the port area of Mola di Bari: from city-port to port-city). The Green Waters research project is featured in the Italian Pavilion at the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale 2025.

Since 2021, he has been a member of the teaching staff of the PASAP_Med Doctoral program in Mediterranean archaeological, historical, architectural, and landscape heritage - University of Bari - Polytechnic University of Bari - CNR.

◼️IPAU 2025 - Invited Speaker
Andreas Voigt, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, TU Wien
"International Doctoral College Programme: Spatial Research Lab"

Andreas Voigt studied spatial and regional planning at TU Wien, where he was awarded a doctorate with distinction (sub auspiciis praesidentis) and was subsequently appointed Associate Professor of Local Planning. His research and teaching activities focus on sustainable urban and regional development, inward development and integrated regional development, and spatial simulation and its theoretical foundations.

He is a former member of the board of the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) and of the board of trustees of the Academy for Regional Research and Planning (ARL); a co-founder of the Spatial Simulation Lab (Simlab) at TU Wien and the Institute for Spatial Interaction and Simulation (IRIS); an academic partner in the International Doctoral College "Spatial Research Lab", a visiting lecturer at ETH Zürich, Professor of Spatial Development at TU Wien, a consulting engineer for urban and regional planning and a co-founder and partner in the office "Projekte-SV".