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5th ECONGEO2006

Congress on Regional Geological Cartography and Information Systems provides an important meeting point for geoscientific data providers, researchers and users

After four congresses in Bologna (1994), Barcelona (1997), Munich (2000), and Bologna (2003) the fifth edition will be held again in Barcelona, Catalunya (Spain) in June 2006. The aim is to continue the dialogue and exchange of ideas. Along this series of congresses, a lively and lasting exchange of experiences amongst the numerous participants coming from all over Europe and even from Northern Africa, North America and Asia is achieved. The Congress should bring together those who study the characteristics of the territory, work out solutions to environmental problems, or focus on the application of geological know how in their respective regional and national reality. These efforts increasingly rely on the use of information systems for the management of environmental data and the elaboration of geothematic maps.

This fifth congress will focus on the analysis of the effectiveness of geological, hydrological and soil surveys, contributing to Society needs. In particular it will be analysed the Administration needs operating at different levels, executing European, National, Regional and Local directives, in the quest for land planning and sustainable development.

Proceedings Volume I

Download PDF (62 MB)

Proceedings Volume II

Download PDF (62 MB)

The venue

The 5th European Congress on Regional Geoscientific Cartography and Information Systems will be held at the Barcelona Congress Palace, Av. Reina Maria Cristina, s/n, 08004 Barcelona, from June 13th to June 16th, 2006.

Languages

All contributions will be held in English during the congress. Only on Tuesday 13th there will be simultaneous translation.

Technical programme

The subheading of the Congress is Earth and Water. The aim is to stimulate the discussion on the integration of Earth Sciences with other disciplines for supporting landscape analysis, a discussion in which geology, water and soil sciences are conveniently related. The objective of the venue is to provide a firm support to the planning of land use at the local, regional and national scale, and to contribute to the definition of the regulations of its use, based on the interaction of land planners and experts on geological, hydrological and environmental disciplines.

The Congress is structured in twelve general oral and poster sessions, one special session, two workshops and one round table.

General Sessions

Oral and poster presentations will examine the following topics:

  1. Quality and Quantity of Water in the Future.
  2. Soil Conservation.
  3. Mineral Resources and Geothermal Energy.
  4. Climate Change.
  5. Geological Risk Assessment and Security Policies.
  6. Coastal System Management.
  7. Geology of Urban Areas.
  8. Popularisation of Geology.
  9. Remote Sensing Applications.
  10. Maps, Information Systems and New Tools.

General New Sessions

  1. Detection and Monitoring Ground Movements Using Interferometry (DIFSAR) Techniques
  2. GeoTourism and Heritage

Special Session: Cities and their Subsurfaces

General geological and soil settings of several cities will be presented, by invitation only, in this open-to-the-public special session.

Workshop 1: European Geological Surveys preparing for INSPIRE

This workshop will present the current status of activities in preparation for the implementation of the future Directive on the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe (INSPIRE). Issues and progress in the development of EU-wide metadata, data specifications, network services, EU-wide data sharing and re-use will be presented and discussed.

Workshop 2: Policies for dissemination and delivery of geoscientific data

This workshop will explore the challenges presented by new digital geoscience products and their delivery, for example data access and the associated issues of licensing, pricing and intellectual property rights management.

Round Table: Geoscientific Information and Knowledge in Support of E.U. policy making

The recent developments towards a European spatial data infrastructure in the framework of the INSPIRE initiative and the implementation of the thematic strategies of the 6th Environmental Action programme will require more reliable information and data on the terrestrial environment. The available options for a more structured role of the European geological surveys in support of the implementation of EU policies will be the main topic of the proposed roundtable discussion.

Exhibition

The exhibition will be located in the exhibits hall of the Congress Palace. Exhibitors include government agencies, non-profit institutions, publishers and commercial companies.

9 sq.m. stand modules are available. Each stand module includes two exhibitor registrations.

The official opening of the exhibition will be the welcome drink on Tuesday, June 13th at 19.00.

For information on exhibiting at the 5th European Congress on Regional Geoscientific Cartography and Information Systems, please contact the Technical Secretariat Office.

Congress schedule

TUESDAY, 13th

09.00-13.00: Registration

15.00-16.30: Opening Ceremony

-Official Opening by the Promoting Committee
-Presentations by the Scientific Committee
-Invited lecture: Running the 21st Century ¿ Role of Geological Surveys, by José Pedro Calvo Sorando, General Director of the Geological Survey of Spain (IGME)

16.30-17.00: Coffee break

17.00-17.15: Welcome and general remarks by the Local Organizing Committee

17.15-19.00: Keynote Lectures

-Geology for Society, by Arne Bjorlykke. Director of the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU)

-The establishment of a new European Soil Data Centre in support to the implementation of the EU Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, by Luca Montanarella. Joint Research Centre. European Commission

- Evolution of Hydrogeological Mapping in Europe, by Wilhelm Struckmeier. Vice-President Western Europe, International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH)

-Geological Hazards. Causes, Trends and Risk Management, by Anselm Smolka. MunichRe

19.00-20.30: Welcome drink and opening of the exhibition and poster section

WEDNESDAY, 14th

9.00- 17.00: Registration

9.00-13.00: Morning talks

15.00-19.00: Afternoon talks

20:30: Social dinner

THURSDAY, 15th

9.00- 17.00: Registration

9.00-13.00: Morning talks

15.00-19.00: Afternoon talks

FRIDAY, 16th

9.00-12.00: Registration

9.00-12.00: Morning talks

12.00-13.00 Closure

Information about contributions

Extended abstracts may be submitted for oral and poster presentations. Extended abstracts are limited to three pages, including tables, figures and references, and are due by March 10th, 2006. They may be submitted in one of the following media: e-mail, if file size is less than 4 Mb, or CD-Rom. Accepted extended abstracts will be published in the proceedings volumes which will be available to all the registered participants at the Congress Registration Desk. Please, follow strictly the Guidelines/template for extended abstract submission. There will be no editing of extended abstracts. Authors will be notified via e-mail of acceptance or rejection after March 28th, 2006.

Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya
ECONGEO-2006
Servei Geològic
Parc de Montjuïc
08038 Barcelona
Spain

In order to have an extended abstract published in the proceedings book, and to include the corresponding presentation (oral or poster) in the final programme, at least one of the authors must have been duly registered before April 30th 2006.

Guidelines/template for the extended abstracts (ZIP file 31 KB, containing PDF guide, template and readme file) for oral and poster contributions.

The 5th European Congress on Regional Geoscientific Cartography and Information Systems has no funding for speakers or attendees. Please do not submit an extended abstract unless at least one author is certain to attend the congress. The final decision whether a paper will be accepted for oral or poster presentation will be made by the Scientific Committee. Authors will be informed about this decision after April 20th, 2006.

Deadlines for contributions

Extended abstract reception: March 10th, 2006

Extended abstract acceptance or rejection: Authors will be notified by e-mail after March 28th, 2006

Accepted extended abstracts for oral or poster presentation: Authors will be notified by e-mail after April 20th, 2006

Registration of at least one of the Extended abstract authors: April 30th, 2006

Oral presentations

Speakers will have 15 minutes, including time for questions. They will have the option of use electronic projection. All the rooms are equipped with an electronic projector, a screen and a pointer. Overhead and 35 mm slides are not acceptable. Speakers will be informed at the registration desk about the place and time they should hand in their electronic files.

Poster presentations

Full-day poster sessions are planned and will use an informal presentation format. Authors should plan to be in their booths for a minimum of two hours while their posters are on display.
Keep in mind that maximum poster size is 90 cm x 150 cm.

General information

Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers. Average temperature in June is 24º C. It is a coastal city and has over four kilometres of urban beaches and large areas of nearby forest. Although it is a large city, it is easy to get around by public transport and on foot. You can reach any point in the city by metro, bus and taxi.

The Barcelona Congress Palace is located at the Montjuïc area, close to Plaça d'Espanya, within easy reach from the Barcelona Airport and Barcelona Sants Central Railway Station.

Passport and Visa information

Spain is one of the 15 countries which signed the Schengen agreement. Nationals from these countries do not need a visa to visit Spain. All EU countries, except the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, signed the agreement. Norway and Iceland are also Schengen signatories.
Nationals from the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia, Israel and the United States can remain in Spain as tourists for 90 days without a visa.

Transportation in Barcelona

With near 1.000 modern buses, two tramway lines, five metro lines and 10.300 yellow and black modern taxi cabs of mid-to-high range, at a low cost compared with other European cities, Barcelona is covered by an efficient and safe public transportation network. Detailed information can be found in: http://www.tmb.net/

Language

Most of Barcelona¿s inhabitants are bilingual and speak Catalan, their own language, and Spanish. These are the two official languages of Catalonia. Street names and many road and transport signs are in Catalan. You should have no trouble finding people who speak English or French in Barcelona.

Currency

The currency in Spain is the Euro. Banks are the most reliable and offer the best exchange rates. All major credit cards are widely accepted, and if you know your PIN you can use these to receive cash in compatible bank machines.

About Tax

In Spain value added tax (IVA) is calculated at a rate between 7% and 16%. For accommodation and restaurants, the flat rate is 7%, whereas retail goods, alcohol and electrical appliances are taxed at 16%. This is usually included on a quoted price, but you should confirm this prior to your payment to avoid any confusion.

Local customs

As in most countries, the clocks are an hour ahead of solar time (GMT) in winter, and two hours ahead in summer.

In Barcelona, like elsewhere in Spain, meals are usually served later than in the rest of Europe. In restaurant, lunch is usually between 13.00 and 15.00 hours and dinner is between 21.00 and 23.00. Many restaurants have menus in a number of languages.

Shops have long opening hours, from 10am to 2pm and from 4.30 to 8 or 8.30pm. However, in the city centre, many shops do not close at lunchtime. The main shopping centres open until 10pm.

Accommodation

Carlson Wagonlit Travel has been appointed as the Congress Official Travel Agency. Accommodation in Barcelona at special rates during the days of the congress is available. See the Registration and Accommodation form.

Scientific committee

Promoting committee

Vasco Errani
Presidente della Regione Emilia-Romagna

Marioluigi Bruschini
Assessore alla difesa del suolo e della costa. Protezione civile

Werner Schnappauf
Bayerischer Staatsminister für Umwelt, Gesundheit und Verbraucherschultz

Pasqual Maragall
President de la Generalitat de Catalunya

Joaquim Nadal
Conseller de Politica Territorial i Obres Públiques

Local Organizing Committee

Antoni Roca, Xavier Berástegui, Jordi Cirés, Jorge Fleta, Mariona Losantos, Miquel Vilà, Jordi Marturià, Ana de Paz, Eulàlia Pi

Secretariat: Eulàlia Pujal

Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya
Servei Geològic
Parc de Monjuïc. 08038 Barcelona
Phone: +34 93 567 15 00; Fax: +34 93 657 15 68

*Technical Secretariat Office: Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Phone: +34 93 603 96 05; Fax: +34 93 451 64 10

Registration and accomodation

Registration Fees

Professional: Before April 30, 2006: 125.00 Euro
After April 30, 2006 and on-site: 160€

Student: Before April 30, 2006: 55€
After April 30, 2006 and on-site: 60€

How to register

Online (external website) or
Fill in the registration form and return it to:

Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Aragón, 182, Entresuelo - 08011 Barcelona (Spain)
Phone: +34-93 603 96 05; Fax. +34-93 451 64 10

Please note that:
The registration is only valid upon receiving the communication of the effected payment.

For registration as a student, the form must be accompanied by the corresponding official proof.

Registration Reminders

Full payment must accompany your registration. If payment is not received with your form, registration will not be considered.

Please, complete separate registration forms for each professional or student attendee.

Speakers, poster presenters and session chairs must register to attend the Congress.

The 5th European Congress on Regional Geoscientific Cartography and Information Systems has no funding for speakers or attendees.

Dates to be retained

March 10th, 2006
Deadline for extended abstract admittance

April 30th, 2006
Deadline for registration at a reduced fee

June 13th to 16th, 2006
Congress

Catalunya (Catalonia)
Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya. Servei Geològic.
Parc de Montjuïc | 08038 Barcelona | Tel. +34 935671500 | Fax +34 935671568
Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya, Institut Geològic de Catalunya