London Heritages 2025: Critical Questions – Contemporary Practice is an international conference taking place from 25 to 27 June 2025 at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich, hosted by the Architecture Media Politics Society (AMPS) in collaboration with the University of Greenwich. The event brings together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to explore contemporary challenges in heritage management and critical theory.
From its venue within the historic grounds of Maritime Greenwich—home to the Old Royal Observatory, Wren’s architectural landmarks, and the National Maritime Museum—the conference sets heritage within a living urban and social context. Against this backdrop, the event interrogates the tensions between conservation imperatives and evolving urban landscapes, examining issues like gentrification, overtourism, climate adaptation, cultural inclusion, and financial sustainability in the stewardship of historic sites.
The conference is thematically divided into six core strands: Art & Architectural History & Theory; Digital Heritage; Socio‑Cultural Heritage; Art, Architecture(s), Design & Practice; Sites of Heritage; and Theories of Heritage. An additional “Global Histories” strand invites comparative and international perspectives on how heritage is constructed, contested, and communicated across borders. Contributions are welcomed from a broad range of disciplines, including art history, digital humanities, sociology, planning, museology, and architectural practice.
To support accessibility and diverse participation, the conference accommodates multiple modes of delivery. Delegates can attend in person at the University of Greenwich or engage remotely via live Zoom sessions, pre-recorded presentations, or hybrid panels. Submissions may take the form of oral presentations, films, or full papers, all subject to peer review. Successful papers may be published through AMPS’ affiliated platforms, including its peer-reviewed journal Architecture_MPS and edited volumes in partnership with leading academic publishers.
Important dates include a full paper deadline of 10 August 2025, with final revisions due by 20 December 2025. Final publication is scheduled for March 2026. The London Heritages 2025 conference thus offers a timely and rigorous forum for reassessing the future of heritage in an age of ecological, technological, and social transformation.
