**Heritage(s) 2026: Istanbul – A Global Conference on Cultural Pasts and Urban Futures**
**Date:** 6th to 8th July 2026
**Location:** Istanbul, Turkey (Hybrid – In-person & Virtual)
The **Heritage(s) 2026: Istanbul** conference promises to be an exciting, interdisciplinary event set against the vibrant backdrop of Istanbul, one of the world's most historically and culturally significant cities. Scheduled for **July 6-8, 2026**, this conference will explore how our understanding of heritage, cultural pasts, and urban futures intersects across disciplines, geographies, and times. It invites scholars and practitioners to delve into complex, often contested, and multi-faceted interpretations of heritage, its preservation, and its place in shaping the future.
The conference will be held both in **Istanbul** at **Isik University** and virtually, offering flexibility for attendees from around the globe. It aims to bring together diverse perspectives and invites contributions from various fields, including history, art and design, sociology, tourism, and regional studies.
### Why Istanbul?
Istanbul, a UNESCO World Heritage city, serves as the perfect setting for this interdisciplinary dialogue. Historically recognized as the crossroads between **Europe and Asia**, the city has been the capital of three great empires—the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman. With its deep historical roots and vibrant contemporary culture, Istanbul embodies the very themes that this conference seeks to explore. The city is a hub of cutting-edge design, digital art, modern architecture, and music, making it an ideal location for a discussion on the future of urban spaces and their cultural significance.
### Key Conference Details
* **Abstract Submission Deadline**: **July 30, 2025**
* **Late Submission (Round 1)**: **December 20, 2025**
### Conference Themes
The conference seeks to engage participants with a range of themes around **heritage**, **urban futures**, and **cultural pasts**. These include:
* **History and Heritage**
* **Built Environment**
* **Art and Design**
* **Sociology and Culture**
* **Film, Media, and Communications**
* **Tourism**
* **Regional Studies**
The goal is to engage with the many ways we understand and interpret the past, present, and future of heritage. As UNESCO suggests, heritage is intrinsically tied to place, people, and the traditions that form them. The future of any city is deeply rooted in its history, and questions about contemporary culture are inextricably linked with the past. This conference will reflect on these interconnections, specifically through the lens of Istanbul's rich history and its role in shaping modern global culture.
### Publishing Opportunities
Accepted papers will have the opportunity to be published in esteemed academic outlets:
* **Books**: Intellect Books and Cambridge Scholars Publishing
* **Journal**: UCL Press
* **Proceedings**: AMPS
* **Indexing**: SCOPUS, Web of Science (ESCI), Ulrichsweb, JURN, ANVUR, ScienceOpen, EBSCO, DOAJ, and more.
### Partners
The event is organized in collaboration with **Isik University**, **AMPS**, **UCL Press**, **Intellect Books**, and **Cambridge Scholars Publishing**.
### How to Get Involved
Interested participants can submit their abstracts and register via the official conference website. Please ensure your abstract is submitted by **July 30, 2025** for consideration in the main program.
### Final Thoughts
The **Heritage(s) 2026: Istanbul** conference offers a unique opportunity for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to engage in meaningful conversations about heritage, history, and the future of cities. With Istanbul's historic significance and its dynamic role in contemporary culture, the event promises to be a rich academic and cultural experience.
Don't miss out on the chance to be part of this global conversation!
