Conference: Concepts for Advancing Sustainable Urban Systems (SUS) Research Networks: SUSPIRE: Sustainable Urban Systems: Predictive, Interconnected, Resilient and Evolving

We propose to organize a workshop to advance sustainable urban systems research networks. Sustainable Urban Systems: Predictive, Interconnected, Resilient, and Evolving or SUSPIRE, will be held at the Northwestern University Medical School campus in Chicago, Illinois on July 16 and 17, 2019. Guided by a Steering Committee with members from academia, the non-profit sector, community organizations, and industry that will provide conference vision, a diverse Organizing Committee will carry out conference planning and implementation. The workshop's objectives are: 1) Chart and document in a report to NSF a research agenda with a) key research questions for developing sustainable and resilient urban systems with a high quality of life in the face of natural, climate, technological, and societal disruptions and b) the methodologies to address these questions. The Chicago region will be a case study from which to scale. 2.) Lay plans to carry out near-term actions towards improving the sustainability and quality of life within the Chicago region 3.) Engage diverse and interdisciplinary partner organizations to lay the groundwork for a Large-Scale Sustainability Research Network with the Chicago region as a key focal point. 4.) Broadly communicating the findings and recommendations from the workshop.