The Central Asian Studies Network in Germany (CASNiG), the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) - Department of International and Comparative Politics and the Institut Français d'Etudes sur l'Asie Centrale (IFEAC) cordially invite you to submit an abstract for the 6th annual CASNiG conference on "RE-Making the City: Urbanization with its opportunities and challenges in Central Asia." The conference will take place in Bishkek on 8-10 June 2025.

Urbanization in Central Asia is a multifaceted issue that integrates dynamics of power relations, interactions between humans and biophysical processes (biodiversity, water cycle, air quality, etc.), and the reshaping of values. This results in the coexistence of visible and invisible parts, processes and actors of the city, which intertwine in everyday life and influence the framework and dynamics of urban life. In addition to translocality, the interconnectedness of urban areas through the movement of people, goods, and ideas, trends of globalization also influence everyday urban life, landscape, and mindset. Densification inevitably raises urgent questions and reasons about environmental and climate-related issues and their consequences for quality of life and health. Discussing the models of densification means addressing aspects of urban-rural contrasts, migration, poverty, housing, and urban planning. The latter has an opportunity to provide solutions and shape the future of cities. Additionally, Bishkek and other Central Asian cities face challenges due to their post-socialist past, with visible and invisible transformations in the streets and minds. Spinning the wheel of contemporary challenges and opportunities further, issues of inequality and social segregation, particularly concerning access to jobs and increasing compeoveness in global labor markets, are also invited to be outlined, analyzed, and discussed.

Given Bishkek as a suitable location, we are grasping the opportunity to explore the dynamics of urbanization in Central Asia from a transdisciplinary perspective. We encourage submissions that address, but are not necessarily limited to, one or more of the following areas:

●  Everyday realities of urban life,

●  Translocality and Globalization

●  Urban Environmental and Climate Issues

●  Urban-Rural Contrasts and Migration

● Identities transformations

●  Cities and Local governments recomposition

●  Urban Politics and Governance

●  Inequality and Social Segregation

Abstracts should be limited to 300 words and include the title of the paper, the name and affiliation of the author(s), and up to five keywords. In addition to individual papers, we are also open to alternative forms of knowledge dissemination, such as mini-workshops, roundtables, or artistic interventions. Please submit your abstracts by 30 March 2025 to icp@auca.kg.