Faculty of The Built Environment
June 17-18, 2026
Caribbean Urban Forum
From Insight to Impact: Driving Development through Evidence-Based Solutions
Conference Overview
Welcome to the Caribbean Urban Form International Conference 2026
The Caribbean Urban Forum (CUF) is an international conference which brings together land use practitioners, municipal managers, policy makers, academics, allied professionals, and other stakeholders to address urban issues in the region. Since 2011, CUF has been hosted by various Caribbean cities and has become the main opportunity for urban practitioners to share experience and knowledge through regional dialogues.
The University of Technology, Jamaica, in collaboration with the Kingston and Stain Andrew Municipal Corporation, Island City Lab, Jamaica Institute of Planners and the Caribbean Network for Urban and Land Management are pleased to host the 15th Annual Caribbean Urban Forum from June 17 to 19, 2026, under the thee: On the Frontlines: Rethinking Resilience and Recovery in the Caribbean aims to spur reflection on the region’s experiences with disasters and crises and advance a more critical and resilience-based approach.
Through the various sessions, the CUF2026 will:
Conference Focus
- Explore and develop strategies to effectively engage various stakeholders in disaster management and resilience building.
- Examine the best approach for community-led rebuilding and retrofitting of housing and settlements.
- Re-examine the relationship between national and local government actors in mitigating climate change impacts and disaster response
- Understanding of the disaster by planning continuum cycling from preparedness to immediate response, to long term recovery
- Reimagine the allocation of resources to meet the need for resilient communities, infrastructure, and public institutions within an era of multiple and diverse crises
- Rethink the roles and functions of built environment professionals in responding to disaster mitigation and management to bring synergy to urban/rural developments, limit climate change impacts, and address issues of equity and social justice taking account of gender, age, people with disabilities, as well as ethnic, social, and political status
- Convene the general meeting of the Caribbean Planning Association (CPA)
- Convene meetings of local government entities from the region
Location
Jamaica Conference Centre, Port Royal Street, Kingston
Call for Abstracts
Academic Research Papers
- Academic papers should address one of the topics listed in the call for papers and may present empirical or theoretical research. Submissions must report findings from a scholarly study relevant to the conference theme. Accepted papers will be presented in 15-minute sessions highlighting the key aspects of the research. This category is suitable for researchers with completed or near-completed work.
Posters
- Posters provide visual summaries of research, projects, or innovations that can be communicated succinctly or benefit from interactive dialogue. Posters will be displayed for the duration of the conference, with a scheduled session for presenters to discuss their work with attendees.
Work in Progress or Conceptual Papers
- This category welcomes submissions describing ongoing research, preliminary findings, or emerging conceptual or theoretical ideas. Papers do not need to be fully developed but should present promising insights or frameworks that would benefit from constructive feedback and scholarly engagement.
Non Academic / Industry Contributions
- Practitioners and organisations, including professionals, NGOs, government agencies, consultants, journalists, and community groups, are invited to submit presentations or demonstrations. These may include case studies, programme evaluations, policy briefs, organisational innovations, or other applied evidence-based solutions aligned with the conference theme.
Workshops
- We invite proposals for interactive workshops that foster dialogue, skill-building, and practical engagement among participants. Workshops should provide hands-on experiences, collaborative problem-solving, or innovative approaches relevant to the conference theme of development and transformation. Sessions may focus on applied strategies, emerging practices, or tools that empower participants to implement solutions in their respective fields. Abstracts should clearly outline the objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes of the session.
Panels
- Panels should consist of 3–5 presenters and a designated Chair to moderate the discussion. Proposals must address a common theme or issue and offer complementary perspectives. This format is ideal for research teams, multi-institutional collaborations, or groups engaging with a topic from multiple angles.
Media and Creative Works
- Submissions for this category showcase creative, multimedia, or artistic submissions that present evidence, explore social issues, or reflect human experiences through innovative formats. Examples include documentaries, photo essays, podcasts, digital storytelling, or other creative works aligned with the conference theme.
Roundtables
- Submissions for roundtables reflect interactive sessions focused on a critical issue, emerging challenge, or key question. They prioritise dialogue and shared reflection rather than formal presentations. This format is suited to researchers, practitioners, and community stakeholders seeking collective problem-solving or collaborative exploration.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The conference looks forward to receiving abstracts which meet any of the following criteria:
Abstracts: 250-300 words, clearly stating research question, methodology/approach, and key findings or implications
2.Full papers (where applicable): Structured with introduction, literature review, methodology/approach, findings/ analysis, discussion, and conclusions
3.All submissions must include evidence of empirical grounding, theoretical engagement, or practical application
4.Papers should clearly articulate the development relevance and implications for policy, practice, or education
5.All papers must follow academic citation standards (e.g. APA)
6.Submissions must include author names, contact information, institutional affiliation, and a brief biography (50-75 words) and a professional headshot.
7.All manuscripts must be in English
8.Submitted materials should be double-spaced, 12-point font, with 1-inch margins
Abstracts should be submitted by February 13, 2026 to our online submission portal or emailed to:
 felsconference@utech.edu.jm
Please refrain from including your name in the title. Confirmation of receipt will be sent within 48 hours. If you do not receive confirmation, please follow up with the conference secretariat.
IMPORTANT DATESÂ
Abstract Submission Deadline: February 13, 2026
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: March 5, 2026
Conference Dates: June 17 – 18, 2026
Venue: Shared Facilities, University of Technology, Jamaica
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Relevance: Direct connection to development challenges in small island states or the developing world; significance for education, social sciences, humanities, or STEM fields
Evidence Based: Strength of evidence, methodology, data quality, or theoretical grounding
Originality: Novel insights, innovative approaches, or underexplored research questions
Actionability: Clear implications for policy, practice, education, or further research
Clarity: Well-articulated arguments, accessible writing, and effective communication to interdisciplinary audiences
Rigour: Sound research design, appropriate analysis, transparent discussion of limitations
PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES
Selected papers from the conference will be considered for publication through multiple outlets:
- Peer-reviewed edited volume or special journal issue
- Open-access conference proceedings
- Opportunities to contribute to policy briefs for development practitioners
- Potential articles in education and development practitioner journals
Authors will have the opportunity to incorporate feedback from the conference presentation into revised submissions.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT
Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies
University of Technology, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Email: felsconference@utech.edu.jm
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The Most Honourable Andrew Michael Holness ON, PC, MP
Prime Minister of Jamaica
Keynote Speaker
Conference Speakers
Leonard A. Francis, JP
Chief Executive Officer for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA)
Dr. Ruth Potopsingh
Consultant in Energy and Environment, Former Associate Vice President-Sustainable Energy and Head, Caribbean Sustainable Energy and Innovation Institute (CSEII), UTech Ja
Michael Taylor
Professor of Climate Science and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Mona Campus, The University of the West Indies (UWI
Dr. Emily Wilkinson
Principal Research Fellow in ODI's Global Risks and Resilience Programme and Director of the Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)
Registration Fees
one day
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Standard Registration US$100
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Student Rate (with ID) US$55.00
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Early Bird Registration (before April 10, 2026) US$80.00
Two days
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Standard Registration US$175.00
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Student Rate (with ID) US$100.00
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Early Bird Registration (before April 10, 2026) US$150.00
