Pristupačnost
Fortified Architecture for the Culture of Peace – FORTIC International Scientific Conference 2025 - NP Brijuni, 15 - 17 September 2025
The Juraj Dobrila University of Pula in cooperation with the FORTIC partnership consortium and international expert networks is organizing an international scientific conference FORTIFIED ARCHITECTURE FOR THE CULTURE OF PEACE – EUROPEAN BEST PRACTICE IN FORTIFIED HERITAGE MANAGEMENT, which will be held in NP Brijuni from 15 to 17 September 2025.
Please find attached the call for papers.
The current turbulent global context, characterized by uncertainty, instability, and unpredictability due to the multiple crises, calls for new governance and development models driven by democratic, inclusive and participatory management processes involving all interested stakeholders. Innovative participatory approaches to the multilevel governance of tangible, intangible and digital heritage should facilitate cooperation, capacity building and knowledge transfer between different heritage communities, professionals and sectors. The main goal of such participatory governance should be sustainable development, the quality of life for the local community and a high-quality experience for visitors through networking and coordinating all key stakeholders.
This scientific meeting aims to foster an interdisciplinary dialogue focused on European best practice in sustainable valorisation and revitalization of fortified and former military heritage and its transformation into spaces of international cultural and scientific cooperation, civil and peace initiatives, solidarity and intercultural dialogue. Former military heritage, defensive architecture and fortification systems should become new European cultural corridors and meeting spaces for young Europeans, promoting a culture of peace, balanced cultural and social development, common European identity and intercultural dialogue. The goal of the conference is to show that participatory sustainable management of fortified and former military heritage through transnational networking and cooperation can contribute to a more balanced sustainable planning and quality of life of local communities.
Participatory governance, multidisciplinary scholarly research and transnational cooperation in the valorisation of a common European heritage, could help to implement the most effective best practices. This could help to find solutions to current challenges in managing global polycrisis faced by the European Union: the climate crisis, the energy crises, rising geopolitical tensions. The latter include challenges to world peace, inclusion of migrants and sustainable development of local communities. A proper valorisation of European former military and fortified heritage could contribute to a more balanced sustainable urban planning and the quality of life of local communities and be used in achievement of the European Green Deal as well as of the European values of peace and democracy.
Due to its important geopolitical position and turbulent multicultural history at the crossroads of Euro-Mediterranean civilizations, the Adriatic region is characterized by a rich diversity of cultural landscapes and a wealth of fortification architecture. Well-preserved Adriatic coastal systems of Venetian and Austro-Hungarian fortifications are witnesses to a turbulent past, but also a common European heritage. Some of them are already listed as UNESCO World heritage, others are still waiting a proper valorisation, such as the unique former Naval fortress of Pula. Join us and explore one of the most exciting fortified landscapes in Europe!
Contributions may address, but must not necessarily be limited to, the following issues:
- Challenges and best practice for the cultural heritage of fortified monuments
- Historical research and theoretical conceptualization of fortified heritage
- Inventory and building research
- Restoration and preservation, conversion and sustainable (re)use
- European Heritage Label and World Heritage nominations
- Urban and regional development
- Abandoned military areas and urban regeneration
- Heritage of European naval ports and historic arsenals
- Fortified sites as green areas for community wellbeing and inclusive placemaking
- Fortifications as clusters of innovations and social entrepreneurship
- Fortresses as dissonant heritage and places of education for culture and peace
- Sustainable tourism development and best practice implementation
- Socio-economic impact of fortified heritage
- Monitoring and measuring sustainability of tourism at World Heritage Sites
- Climate change and sustainability
- Museums, special collections and interpretation of fortified and military heritage
- Digital Heritage
- Transnational networking and cultural routes
The organisers, the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula in cooperation with the FORTIC partnership consortium and international networks FORTE CULTURA and EFFORTS are looking for abstracts of papers (max. 500 words) on the above or similar topics that clearly have connections with the overall theme and objectives of the conference. You are invited to submit your proposals in English, including the name(s) of author(s), professional affiliation, contact information, title of the paper, abstract, and up to eight keywords (through the submission form).
Extended abstract submission deadline: 31 May 2025
Full paper submission deadline: 1 September 2025
Please send your proposals and questions to: fortic@unipu.hr
The conference will be held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual attendance.
Project FORTIC addresses common challenges across Adriatic cross-border territories, focusing on enhancing sustainable tourism through innovative social models and digital solutions. Key challenges include seasonal dependency of tourism activities, the lack of digital tools for developing joint sustainable tourism products and the need for green and digital technologies in cultural heritage preservation. The project aims to strengthen the role of cultural heritage, particularly fortifications, in promoting sustainable tourism. By achieving these objectives, FORTIC seeks to establish strategic and sustainable tourism management practices across the Adriatic region, emphasising natural heritage conservation and reducing territorial vulnerability.
