ISSS2009

53rd Meeting of The International Society for the Systems Sciences

University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

July 12-17, 2009

Making Liveable, Sustainable Systems Unremarkable

Hosted by The University of Queensland and the School of Integrative Systems, Brisbane, Australia, and
The Australia New Zealand Systems Group (ANZSYS)

Download the Brisbane 2009 conference brochure today!

“Some commentators regard liveability as a more local or short-term manifestation of sustainability while others see it as a necessary but insufficient pre-requisite of sustainability” (Brook Lyndhurst 2004). In practice however, this has not prevented unsustainable actions in the name of liveability. Transport, for example is one such area in which the “pursuit of personal ‘liveability’ can conflict with the liveability of whole neighbourhoods and the community, and more widely with that of sustainable development”.

There are many examples of how liveability, especially in urban and peri-urban areas is affected by the ability of people to have access to and benefit from a physical and cultural environment, key facilities and services, and a secure and supportive community, e.g. environmental markets and emissions trading – Do people want to pay?; the environmental sustainability of increasing longevity through improved health systems; food security and land use; utilising scarce arable land for food or fuel?

Liveability appears to be a constraint on what sustainability will be. However, the questions for sustainability need to address the issue of liveability related to:

• “for whom” (speaks of people prepared to sacrifice for the longer run;
• "for how long” (addresses the aftermath of liveability decisions);
• “at what costs” (is the cost less than for easy liveability);
• “of what” (identification of what comes when a particular liveability scenario is over).

The question we ask is if liveability can be achieved in cooperation with achieving sustainability or are these concepts in conflict. More important, how can we as systems scientists help to make Liveable, Sustainable Systems Unremarkable – especially in a society where Systems Thinking is often kept out of science and mainstream problem solving?

We encourage those interested in attending the conference to sumbit an abstract for a full paper or poster, or organise a workshop or other event, and begin working with us in creating this important event.

We look forward to seeing you in Queensland!

Professor Timothy F H Allen, President 2008-09

Professor Ockie Bosch, VP Membership and Conferences

Confirmed Plenary Guest Speakers

• Timothy F. H. Allen, President, ISSS (2009) and Professor, Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin
• Graeme Taylor, Best Futures, Brisbane, Australia
• Robert Kerr, Commissioner of the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission
• Dr Jacqui de Chazal, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
• Professor Martin Burd, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
• Professor Richard Bawden, Michigan State University and Open University
• UQ Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield
• Martha Shepherd, Galeru, Queensland, Australia
• John Larcombe, Queensland State Planning and Infrastructure, Brisbane, Australia
• Hon. Steve Maharey, Vice Chancellor Massey University, New Zealand
• Lynelle Briggs, Australian Public Commissioner, Canberra, Australia
• Christine Ballinger, Noosa Regional Gallery, Queensland, Australia
• Ben McMullen, Environmental Services Manager, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Noosa, QLD, Australia
• Professor Ockie Bosch, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• Professor Kambiz Maani, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• Michael Williams, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• Emeritus Professor Valerie A. Brown AO,  BSc MEd PhD, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
• Dr Ishwaran Natajaran, Director, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, UNESCO, Paris
• Professor Michael Bromley, Professor of Journalism and Head of the School of Journalism and Communication at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• Professor Amareswar Galia, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• Drs Alexander and Kathia Laszlo
• Professor John Herbohn, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
• Dr Allenna Leonard, President ISSS (2010), Complementary Set, Toronto, Canada
   

Important Dates

• December 1, 2008: The start of abstract submission and registration. Instructions for Preparing and Submitting Abstracts and Papers for ISSS Madison 2008 are available.  (Please allow at least two weeks for your abstract to be reviewed.) Please note that the login userid and password to  journals.isss.org is independent of the userid and password on the ISSS World web site.
• January 1, 2009: On-line registration begins. Off-line paper registrations (by post and fax) will still be available by contacting the ISSS office. Accommodation details will be added shortly; these will be arranged either by booking directly with the University of Queensland accommodation office, or by you contacting individual local hotels (a list will be provided).
• March 1, 2009: The deadline for panel, workshop and stream proposals.
• April 30, 2009: The end of early, discounted registration.
• May 15, 2009: The deadline for full papers. Only ONE paper per registered participant will be accepted for the conference. Late papers may still be accepted for the conference after May 15, 2009, but will be published on the CD-ROM proceedings for the following year (2010).)
• June 1, 2009. The deadline for abstracts, recognising that abstracts may not be developed into full papers. Only ONE abstract per registered participant will be accepted for the conference. However, if late papers are developed, they may be published on the next year's CDROM proceedings. Late abstracts may be accepted on a space available basis.
• June 1, 2009. The deadline for poster abstract submission. Posters are exempt from the one abstract/paper submission rule. Poster abstracts are submitted in the same way as paper abstracts, and after abstract acceptance, should be prepared and brought in person to the Conference where space will have been assigned for you to display and discuss your work. Late posters may be accepted on a space available basis.

Venue

The University of Queensland's St Lucia campus is considered by many to be Australia's most attractive. Located seven kilometres from the city's heart on a magnificent 114-hectare site in a bend of the Brisbane River, the campus has expansive landscaped grounds and many playing fields. Its hub is a semi-circle of cloistered buildings enclosing the National Trust-listed Great Court. Download a copy of the campus map in PDF format (500K file size).

The Alumni Teaching Garden in College Road near the river is primarily a teaching and research facility but also includes a quiet area of lush rainforest with public walkways. The adjacent Una Prentice Memorial Garden, bounded by Roberston Walk and Ferry Walk, surrounds two of the three lakes on campus.

Detailed information for accomodation & transport and tourist attractions & tours is available here on the Brisbane 2009 conference pages.

Social Programs

There will be an opening welcome reception on Sunday evening, July 12. The conference banquet will be held on Thursday, July 16. Detailed plans will be announced later.

Registration Rates

The registration fee includes:

• The program/abstract book
• 2009 CD-ROM proceedings
• Reception on Sunday July 12
• One banquet ticket for Thursday July 16
• ISSS membership fees for 2010

The registration fees also includes tea/coffee breaks and lunches from Monday to Thursday.

The registration fee does not cover accommodation or transportation expenses to and from the conference site.

Accommodation ranges from very well appointed dormitary rooms to mid- and upper-range hotels.

Committees

• See details on: Conference Committee Page

Major content yet to come includes:

• Brisbane 2009 Program

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