With success, the third edition of international conference on Cities Identity through Architecture & Arts (CITAA) was organized and held in the University of Pisa of Italy from the 11^th and until the 13^th of September 2019.

Covering an array of topics, the conference discussed the influence of Architecture and the Arts in shaping the identities of cities as well as their influence on the quality of life. Concepts of City Identity and Branding, Urban Growth and Development, Spatial Transformation, Conservation of Heritage, Tourism and more were topics of discussion and research.

Opening Session

An opening ceremony marked the start of the conference, which included a 'greetings and communications' session by the institutions during which words were given by:

Prof. Ing. Alberto Landi, the president of the School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy.

Prof. Luca Lanini, D.E.S.T.E.C, Department of Energy Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy.

Prof. Ferdinando Trapani, Department of Architecture, University of Palermo, Italy & Coordinator of Academic Support between IEREK and Italian Universities.

Dr. Mourad Amer, PhD, President and CEO of IEREK.

Prof. Francesco Molinari, Department of Architecture, University of Florence & Conference Chair

Following the eloquence with which they delivered their messages, our keynote speakers then drove the conference’s main theme by delivering their lectures:

Prof. Francesco Molinari, International Researcher & Project Manager: Innovation in Culture & ICT relationship

Prof. Edmond Manahasa, Department of Architecture, Epoka University: "A new approach in defining urban identity"

Prof. Luca Lanini, D.E.S.Te.C., Università di Pisa: “Designing the Future. Art, Architecture and City in the Work of Ivan Leonidov”

Prof. Elisabetta Di Stefano, Department of Humanities, Università di Palermo: "City's Identity and Aesthetics of Atmospheres"

Valentina Gensini, Director of the Contemporary Art Centre Le Murate. Progetti Arte Contemporanea, Florence: "Uncomfortable Heritage: Le Murate and the RIVA Project as experiences of urban re-appropriation"

Conference Parallel Sessions

Held in parallel to one another, the sessions were split into 5 sessions over a duration of two days as follows:

Session 1: The City’s Image and Self-identity
Moderators: Prof. Valerio Cutini, Prof. Luca Lanini

Session 2: Urban Growth & Design: Its Impact on the City’s Image
Moderators: Prof. Mario Giorgio Bevilacqua, Prof. Ferdinando Trapani

Session 3: Local Architecture & Shaping the City’s Identity
Moderators: Prof. Lina Malfona, Valentina Gensini

Session 4: Urban Morphology & Spatial Transformation
Moderators: Prof. Elisabetta Di Stefano, Dr. Arch. Ludovica Marinaro

Session 5: Conservation of Urban Heritage Areas
Moderators: Prof. Francesco Alberti, Dr. Arch. Giovanni Pescarmona

Closing Session

The Plenary session of the conference was concluded with an enlightening Lecture delivered by the conference chair, prof. Francesco Alberti, with the title of “Life between Monuments: Local Identity & Global Tourism in the Historic Neighborhood of San Lorenzo in Florence”. The final session then incorporated a general discussion of the presented research as well as final remarks and future plans by the session moderators, conference chair and keynote speakers. A final ceremony and delivery of the certificates was held in gratitude of the informative contributions made by the attendees.