April 8, 2011 - World Association of Soil and Water Conservation

IntroductionThe University Cadi Ayyad and the Faculté des Siences et Techniques (FST)of Marrakech would like to invite you to joinus for the 6th International Conference of the Urban Soils Working Group, SUITMA, of the International Union ofSoil Sciences. Share in the latest information and ideas from around the world in this exciting and important field.Increasing urbanization is a worldwide phenomenon.According to the United Nations Population Division, one-half of the world's population now lives in cities and towns, andby 2030 this will reach 60 percent. Currently there are 20 mega-cities with more than 10 million inhabitants, many indeveloping countries. Also, humanity is facing major global changes, i.e. increasing world demand in food and nonrenewableresources, climate change, biodiversity erosion, epidemic threats.SUITMAs (Soils in Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining and Military Areas) are fundamental components of urbanecosystem. They are diverse and heterogeneous, and fulfill primary functions of utmost importance. Obviously they are apart of the answer imposed to humankind to meet major challenges. However, knowledge related to SUITMAs is stillfragmentary, which hinders their fundamental roles and impairs the management of urban areas.Objectives of SUITMA are:i) to increase knowledge about one of the most important frontiers in the field of soil science, andii) to advocate the role of soil science in the decision making process for urban land management.After successful events in Germany, France, Egypt, China, and the United States, the 2011 conference in Marrakech willoffer a further step forward in the knowledge of urban soils, focusing on the functions of SUITMAs in global changeissues. It will feature current research from around the world, and panel discussions on topical issues. Not only aredisciplines directly connected to soil science invited, but other scientific communities (e.g. economy, law, policy-making,health, land planning) are most welcome to SUITMA 6.Traditionally, SUITMA puts emphasis on local features of urban soils. In this objective, beside a three-day conference (3,4 & 7 October 2011) held at hotel Ryad Mogador Menara, Marrakech, a two-day field tour (5 & 6 October 2011) will beoffered in the region of Marrakech to examine soils and landscapes, soil-based restoration, research, and mapping projectsunder semi-arid climate, and a post-conference tour (9 - 12 October 2011) will be organized in Senegal to address issuesrelated to urban soils under tropical conditions.We will be very pleased to welcome you at SUITMA 6 to have your ideas and experience integrated in major scientific andsocial issues. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2011Ali BOULARBAH, Chairman of SUITMA 6Jean-Louis MOREL Chairman of SUITMAGanlin ZHANG, Vice-Chairman of SUITMALooking forward to welcoming you in Marrakech next October,Jean Louis Morel http://www.suitma6.com/The conference will be followed by a 3-day tour in SenegalOctober 3-7, 20112011 ECHO Asia Agriculture and Community DevelopmentConferenceOctober 3-7, 2011The Empress HotelChiang Mai, ThailandOnline Registration Begins March 1, 2011Conference Costs:Package 1 (Single Room): $405 USDPackage 2 (Double Room Sharing): $325 USDIncludes:• Accommodation for 4 nights• Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks, Thursday BBQ dinner• All meetings and post-conference tour• Roundtrip airport transportationPackage 3 $225 USD(intended for local residents and excludes accommodation and breakfast):Confirmed Plenary Speakers:61