Monday Jan 26th- Wed Jan 28th 2026

University of Aruba

The First Cartography and Sustainable Development Workshop in Aruba
Dates: Monday, January 26 – Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Location: University of Aruba, Oranjestad, Aruba

Invitation

Join us in Aruba for the First ICA Workshop on Cartography and Sustainable Development, This event brings together cartographers, local experts, sustainability experts, policymakers, to explore how maps can illuminate sustainability challenges and solutions—especially in small-island contexts.

This event is hosted by the University of Aruba, the International Cartographic Association, ICA Commission of Cartography and Sustainable Development, UX Commission, Working Group on Participatory Mapping, Utrecht University, and GIS4C

This event will be held at the University of Aruba.

See the full agenda for the workshop here.

There is no fee for day two of the workshop – please sign up here.

Why Sustainable Development and Cartography?

Sustainable Development, defined in the Brundtland Report (WCED 1987) as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”, is a global challenge requiring local solutions.

Cartography’s role: Maps are pivotal for recognizing global and local trends and identifying areas where interventions are needed.
Small-island focus: Islands like Aruba face magnified sustainability challenges due to size, limited resources, and geographic isolation. “Island metabolism” makes these challenges more visible—such as resource management, waste, and tourism impacts. Cartography can help identify and communicate these issues.
Our aim: To create a space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative problem-solving through cartography.

(no longer accepting calls for presentations) Call for Presentations: Mapping for Sustainable Development

We invite contributions in three formats:

1. Extended Abstract (20 min presentation + 5 min discussion)

Up to 2 pages using the ICA Template for the Abstracts of the ICA Series
Completed research, policies, or community-engaged work

2. Lightning Talk (5 min presentation + 5 min discussion)

Up to 250 words
Research in progress, policy ideas, or technical demos

3. Poster Presentation

Student and research posters encouraged

Submission Timeline

Register your attendance here by: October 31, 2025
Submit abstracts by: ~~October 18, 2025~~ October 31, 2025
Notification of acceptance will be sent to you no later than November 6^th.
Accepted abstracts will be open access, published by the International Cartographic Association

Registration
Please sign up to

Workshop Program Highlights

Each day combines research sessions with field excursions. The workshop emphasizes sustainable tourism, supporting local restaurants, hotels, and operators.

Day 1 (Mon, Jan 26): Island sustainability bus tour
Day 2 (Tue, Jan 27): Welcome, keynote, Research talks
Day 3 (Wed, Jan 28): Brainstorm session for setting a research agenda

Featured activities include:

Guided island sustainability tour by Eric Mijts, Director of Research at the University of Aruba and Founding Director of SISSTEM
Keynote Lecture by Eric Houtpen from Carmabi
Welcome Lecture by the International Cartographic Association President Georg Gartner
Presentations by local and international scholars

sneak peek of Eric’s island tour

Costs

There is no fee for day two of the workshop – please sign up here.

See the full agenda for the workshop here.

Accommodation in Oranjestad

Participants are encouraged to book accommodations early, as January is a busy season in Aruba. Options include:

Hotels within or near Oranjestad:

Wonders Boutique Hotel: A small eco-friendly boutique hotel in a quiet neighborhood near Oranjestad.
Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort (Downtown Oranjestad): A full-service resort with private island access, walking distance to the University of Aruba.
Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club: Mid-range option across from Surfside Beach, convenient to both the airport and downtown.

Budget-friendly guesthouses and apartments:

Airbnb and small guesthouses are widely available in Oranjestad and nearby neighborhoods.
Studio apartments and B&Bs provide affordable options for longer stays.

Palm Beach / Eagle Beach (15 min drive):
For those preferring a traditional beach resort setting, Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort, Hyatt Regency Aruba, and Barcelo Aruba are available.

We look forward to your participation!

This workshop is both an academic and cultural exchange. Together, we will discuss, document, and reflect on how cartography can support sustainable development—and experience firsthand how Aruba is shaping its own sustainable future.