Blocked arteries: circulation and congestion in history

Location: United Kingdom
Call for Papers Date: 2010-05-14 (in 27 days)


This conference, to be held on 25-26 November 2010 at the Institute of Historical Research, London, UK, aims to examine the ways in which congestion has been, and continues to be, a problem as well as an inherent characteristic of the historical development of cities and regions worldwide, particularly in their relationship with commercial, financial, industrial, tourist and other networks. Our purpose is also to promote an exchange across disciplines and engage with current policy debates.

Proposals relating to any historical period and geographical area examining congestion in its broadest sense and/or focusing on one of its multiple dimensions are welcomed. Themes that might be explored include: the importance of structure and agency in the conception, planning and execution of transport infrastructures such as roads, waterways, canals, railways and airways; the use of mechanical, medical and anthropomorphic metaphors describing the circulation of information, capital, goods, waste and people and its relationship with cities and regions; the cultural, political and social reception of new transport technologies and policies; the responses to and interpretations of environmental issues; the ways in which traffic and congestion have been depicted in films and literary and other works. Papers adopting a comparative perspective are especially encouraged. Abstracts of 300 words and a brief statement outlining the institutional affiliation of the participants should be sent via email by 14 May 2010 to the conference organisers: Carlos Galviz (psv7@ymail.com) or Dhan Zunino Singh (dhan.zuninosingh@sas.ac.uk)


Carlos López Galviz
VCH, Institute of Historical Research
Senate House
Malet Street
London
WC1E 7HU
UK
Email: psv7@ymail.com
Visit the website at http://www.history.ac.uk/events/conferences/1160