Kathmandu University · ICIHS & ISVS
ISVS-15 · International Conference
Living Vernaculars: Heritage, Resilience and Innovation
An Interdisciplinary Vernacular Heritage Conference
Submit AbstractAbstract submission closes: 30 September 2026
About the conference
Living traditions, places and communities.
The 15th International Seminar on Vernacular Settlements (ISVS-15), themed “Living Vernaculars: Heritage, Resilience and Innovation – The Relevance of Vernacular in the Contemporary World,” will be held from 2–4 December 2026 at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Jointly organized by the International Centre for Interdisciplinary Heritage Studies (ICIHS), Kathmandu University, and the International Society for Vernacular Settlements (ISVS), the conference will explore the relevance of vernacular heritage in addressing contemporary challenges such as climate change, disasters, resilience, and cultural transformation.
ISVS-15 will also feature an exhibition of architecture students’ works and visits to heritage settlements including Dhulikhel, Banepa, and Panauti.
Meet the voices
Keynote speakers.
Distinguished scholars reflecting on architecture, settlements and the continuing life of vernacular heritage.
Keynote speaker 01
Prof. Pratyush Shankar
Provost and Dean, School of Environmental Design and Architecture, Navrachana University, India
Prof. Pratyush Shankar is an architect, academic and urban researcher who previously served as Acting Dean of Architecture and Head of the Undergraduate Programme at CEPT University. An Alexander von Humboldt Senior Fellow and International Ambassador of the University of Bonn, he is the author of History of Urban Form: India and Himalayan Cities: Settlement Pattern, Public Places and Architecture. He also founded CityLabs India and combines academic work with architectural practice.
Keynote speaker 02
Prof. Sudarshan Raj Tiwari
Emeritus Professor of Architecture, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Prof. Sudarshan Raj Tiwari is an architect and scholar of Nepal's historical settlements, architecture and urbanism. He served for almost four decades at Tribhuvan University's Institute of Engineering and was Dean of the Institute from 1988 to 1992. He studied architecture at the School of Planning and Architecture, University of Delhi, earned a master's degree from the University of Hawaii, and completed his PhD on the ancient settlements of Kathmandu Valley. His publications include The Brick and the Bull and Temples of Nepal Valley.
Keynote speaker 03
Prof. Achyut Prasad Wagle
Former Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Economics, Kathmandu University, Nepal
Prof. Achyut Prasad Wagle is the former Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University. Earlier, he held the positions of Registrar of the university, Associate Dean of the School of Management, and Head of the Management Science Department at the School of Management. He holds a PhD in Economics from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, an MSc in Economics from the University of Birmingham, UK and an MA from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Prof. Wagle has also held several important public positions including Advisor to the Prime Minister of Nepal and Advisor to the Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, the Central Bank of the country. He is a seasoned fortnightly columnist for The Kathmandu Post and Kantipur, the most popular daily newspapers in Nepal. He teaches Econometrics and other core courses on economics and research. His research interests include business environment, regional economy, fiscal federalism and entrepreneurship.
Conference leadership
Organizing and scientific team.
The conference is guided jointly by ICIHS and ISVS, with an international scientific committee.
Conference Convener
Prof. Neel Kamal Chapagain
International Centre for Interdisciplinary Heritage Studies (ICIHS), Kathmandu University, Nepal
Scientific Committee Chair
Prof. Ranjith Dayaratne
Asian School of Knowledge, Melbourne, Australia
Prof. Pratyush Shankar
Navrachana University, India
Prof. Sanjeev Singh
SPA Bhopal, India
Prof. Gunawan Tjahjono
University of Indonesia, Indonesia
Prof. D. P. Chandrasekara
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Dr. Bindu Shrestha
Kathmandu University, Nepal
Archt. Buddha Shrestha
Kathmandu University, Nepal
Dr. Jharna Joshi
Kathmandu Institute, Kathmandu University, ICIHS, Nepal
Dr. Subik Kumar Shrestha
Kathmandu Institute, Nepal
Dr. Inu Pradhan Salike
Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Dr. Ayesha Agha Shah
University of Bahrain, Bahrain
Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Galala University, Egypt
Plan your participation
Conference registration fees.
| Fee category | Fee | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Local students Early-bird registration (EBR) | NPR 5,000 | 15 October - 1 November 2026 |
| Local students Regular registration | NPR 8,000 | 1 - 20 November 2026 |
| Local presenters Early-bird registration (EBR) | NPR 8,000 | 15 October - 1 November 2026 |
| Local presenters Regular registration | NPR 10,000 | 1 - 20 November 2026 |
| International students Early-bird registration (EBR) | USD 200 | 15 October - 1 November 2026 |
| International students Regular registration | USD 225 | 1 - 20 November 2026 |
| Other international presenters Early-bird registration (EBR) | USD 250 | 15 October - 1 November 2026 |
| Other international presenters Regular registration | USD 300 | 1 - 20 November 2026 |
Registration notes
- Students must provide a supporting letter from their university to receive the student rate.
- Register after your abstract has been approved.
- Local presenters will pay through the Kathmandu University account; international participants will use the ISVS-nominated account in Bahrain.
- A limited number of free accommodation places may be available upon application with supporting documents.
- Final registration deadline: 25 November 2026.
- If you have any queries regarding registration, feel free to mail us at icihs@ku.edu.np.
Jointly organized by
Two institutions, one shared dialogue.
International Centre for Interdisciplinary Heritage Studies
Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Visit ICIHS websiteInternational Society for Vernacular Settlements
An international society dedicated to dialogue and scholarship on vernacular settlements.
Visit ISVS websiteImportant announcements
Conference timeline.
Confirmed dates currently available for participants and contributors.
1–30 September 2026
Abstract submission period
Abstract submissions for ISVS-15 are now open through the online submission form.
2 December 2026
Conference begins
The three-day international conference opens in Dhulikhel, Nepal.
4 December 2026
Conference concludes
The final day of ISVS-15 and the Living Vernacular Heritage conference.
Call for abstracts
Share your work on living vernacular heritage.
Abstract submission opens on 1 September 2026. Abstracts will be accepted through the conference's Fourwaves submission portal.
The submission link and detailed guidance will be added here when the portal becomes available.
Submit AbstractConference announcement
Living Vernacular Heritage 2026
Select the poster to open the full-size announcement.