In view of the provisional approval of the Special Plan for the Integrated Rehabilitation (PERI) of the Mediaeval Quarter of the capital of the Basque Country, Vitoria Gasteiz , of the commencement of the design of the Master Plan of the "Campillo Sur" in developing its most important urban proposals, and also in view of the significant archaeological findings and revaluation of some paintings of the ancient walls of the founding city, the Town Hall of Vitoria Gasteiz is organising the VII International Encounters on Urban Rehabilitation to be held from 9 to 12 November 2005 in the Villa-Suso mansion.

The most central theme of the Encounters will focus on Walled Cities. We aim to dedicate these days to studying, analysing and discussing, from an ample and integrated point of view, the historic circumstances, the urban characteristics and specific potential, past, present and future, of this type of city; from the present scale, view and valuation of our post-industrial culture.

The aims include:

• Sharing different experiences and approaches from an integral point of view where patrimonial significance is one of its more relevant parameters.

• Considering the walls not only as historic, cultural and constructed heritage but also as a source of opportunities for a balanced socio-cultural, economic and sustainable development of our fragile urban territories.

• Analysing the problems and difficulties of intervening in these areas, so that we can discuss and share the different rehabilitation policies in use, proposing applicable, imaginative and innovative solutions and models.

• Establishing the bases for a possible European-Latin American network of walled cities, with the aim of accessing international funding in order to develop specific cooperation projects.

• Identifying initial ideas for actions and projects that might later be discussed, designed and developed jointly among or by some of the invited cities.

In order to tackle this initiative a selection of experts and cities has been drawn up that might also explore the possibility of taking on the organisation of a more ambitious Congress in 2006 with representation of walled cities from Asia and Africa.