ECCN is a network of Cities, Institutions, Centers of Research, Developers, Architects, and Engineers interested in developing the culture of the COMPACT CITY. The aim of ECCN is to spread the culture of ECCN and constantly update the state-of-the-art of the COMPACT CITY in order to offer the best solutions to the development of an urban environment in balance with the natural one.

The new ECCN is intended to be a Forum for Municipalities, Developers, Architects, Urbanists, Engineers, and all those who are interested in the designing and creation of true Eco-Compact Cities. The aim of the ECCN is to exchange ideas, share succesful experiences, and spread the culture of the Eco-Compact City all around the world. The structure of the ECCN is based upon the organization, every year, of:

• an international conference
• an international exhibition
• the publication of a ECCN Year-Book
• the update of the ECCN website

The conference is intended to let ECCN members present and discuss a series of case-studies. The exhibition displays the best examples of Compact Cities built and under construction, as well as the best projects of future Compact Cities. The publication covers the exhibition together with a selection of essays dedicated to the culture of the Compact City. Every year a city is selected as ECCN host-city. It organizes both the conference and the exhibition.

Every year one city will take the charge of the organization of the ECCN Forum, and in this occasion, other cities will advance their candidatures to host the next ECCN Forum. A specific ECCN website will be created to allow every member to publish his/her best experiences in the field of designing and building New Eco-Compact Cities. The first ECCN Forum will be held in Bologna in September 2009 thanks to the collaboration of the University of Ferrara-Civicarch Staff. We hope that you will join us in the new ECCN Forum and actively participate in the organization of the future ECCN events.