The Common City Conference 2026 is an international academic–activist meeting focused on urban justice, housing struggles, and the right to the city, held at Uppsala University’s Institute for Housing and Urban Research in Uppsala, Sweden, from 26–28 August 2026.13 It is organised by the Housing & Urban Justice Project (HUJP) at the Institute for Housing and Urban Research (IBF), Uppsala University, as the second edition of the Common City Conference, following the inaugural 2024 event.127
The 2026 edition, titled “Struggling for Urban Justice in a Time of Authoritarianism and Multiple Crises”, addresses how rising authoritarian and neofascist regimes, militarisation of urban space, environmental crises and predatory capitalism reshape cities and urban life.148 A central concern is urbicide—the deliberate destruction of urban environments—highlighted through the example of the Gaza Strip, where UN OCHA data indicate that at least 92% of housing units have been destroyed.1 The organisers explicitly invite Palestinian movements to participate and to jointly reflect with scholars on urban destruction and reconstruction.1410
The conference targets researchers, students, activists, and social movements engaged with the right to the city, housing justice, urban commons, and critical urban research.1310 It promotes co-working between activists and scholars, emphasising “methodologies from below” that link urban research with social movements and challenge dominant forms of knowledge production in contexts of deepening inequality and authoritarianism.110 Sessions include regular panels, thematic discussions, and creative formats, and participation is structured through calls for sessions and contributions with peer-reviewed selection.14910
Registration fees are €100 (regular) and €50 for students, unemployed individuals, and precarious scholars or activists, with the possibility of fee waivers; three lunches and snacks are includ