Less Than One Year to Go Until XXII ISPRS Congress

Preparations are well advanced for the XXII ISPRS Congress in Melbourne, Australia, at the end of August next year. The venue has been visited by ISPRS Council and the Technical Commission Presidents and everybody is in no doubt that the congress in Melbourne will be a rewarding and enriching experience.

The city of Melbourne is a blend of historic buildings, built mostly during the gold rush of the 1850s, and modern high-rise apartments and offices. During Melbourne's boom years it was the busiest port in the world and one of the richest cities. It also became a base for manufacturing to serve the needs of the mining and agricultural industries. After the First and Second World Wars, the city was the focus of much immigration which created the culture that shapes Australia today.

While the influx from overseas made many contributions to Melbourne culture, one of most significant was the introduction of the espresso coffee machine to the city. The first espresso machine - a Gaggia that is now on display in the Melbourne Museum - arrived with Italian immigrants in the early 1950s, establishing a substantial coffee tradition. Nowadays, Melbourne has a wonderful restaurant and cafe culture, and takes its coffee very seriously. Many of the laneways originally used to service the city buildings and mercantile trade are now full of cafes and the vibrant atmosphere of Europe.

If you have access to an iPhone or iPad, there are several useful apps that also give more information on the wonderful city of Melbourne. Have a browse in the Apps Store. Also, there will soon be an app available for all mobile platforms with more information on the congress itself, including the programme complete with all the technical sessions.

For the most up-to-date information on the congress, registration details and abstract submission, please visit 1. You can also download the 2^nd Announcement and other useful information on Melbourne.