Nicolaus Copernicus University of Torun would like to invite you to join us for the
7th International Conference of the Urban Soils Working Group, SUITMA, of the International Union of Soil Sciences.
Share in the latest information and ideas from around the world in this exciting and important field.

Urbanization indicator had raised from 25% in 1950 to over 50% at present, and probably by 2030 60 percent of world's population would live in cities. It means that area of urban soils, is constantly growing. Passenger and cargo traffic growth result in construction of new roads, railroads and airports and thus the soils of traffic areas are also expanding.

SUITMAs (Soils in Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining and Military Areas) are one of main components of urban ecosystem. They are very diverse and heterogeneous, and fulfill primary functions of utmost importance. However, knowledge related to SUITMAs is still insufficient, which impairs the management of urban areas and limit the role of soil science in the decision making process for urban land management.

After successful events in Germany, France, Egypt, China, United States and Morocco, the 2013 conference in Poland will offer a further step forward in the knowledge of urban soils, focusing on the functions of SUITMAs in global change issues. It will feature current research from around the world, and panel discussions on topical issues. Not only are soil scientists invited, but members of other scientific communities (e.g. economists, lawyers, policy-makers, land planners) are most welcome to SUITMA 7.

Traditionally, SUITMA puts emphasis on local features of urban soils. In this objective, beside a three-day conference (16, 17 & 20 September 2013) held at Faculty of Earth Sciences of Nicolaus Copernicus University, located in UNESCO World Heritage city of Torun, a one-day pre-conference tour (Northern Poland red brick gothic castles), two-day mid-conference field tour (18 & 19 September 2013) will be offered in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Province and a post-conference tour (20 - 23 September 2013) will be organized in Poland and Czech Republic to address issues related to urban and industrial soils of Central Europe.

We will be very pleased to invite you to participate in SUITMA 7 to share your ideas and experience for the benefit of urban communities and SUITMAs.

You are also welcomed to join SUITMA 7 group on Facebook to be instantly informed on news and updates concerning the Conference.

Jean-Louis MOREL Chairman of SUITMA
Ganlin ZHANG, Vice-Chairman of SUITMA
Przemyslaw CHARZYNSKI, Chairman of SUITMA 7