Sustainable Cities in Transition: Integrating Policy, Design, Technology, and Public Perception in an Era of Urban Disruption

Introduction 

This Special Issue invites original research, case studies, and critical reviews that explore the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and resilience in urban contexts. As cities continue to expand and confront the urgent challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, socio-spatial inequalities, and environmental degradation, there is a growing demand for integrated, cross-disciplinary approaches that can guide sustainable urban transitions. In this context, architecture, urban planning, and design disciplines are increasingly expected to embrace forward-looking strategies that promote climate responsiveness, digital innovation, and social inclusivity.

The objective of this Special Issue is to highlight emerging practices, policies, and technologies that contribute to the development of sustainable, adaptive, and inclusive cities. Particular attention is given to research that examines how digital tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Digital Twins (DT) are reshaping the way we conceive, design, and manage urban environments. These technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for data-driven decision-making, real-time performance monitoring, and predictive modelling, enabling the design of climate-resilient infrastructures and energy-efficient buildings.

We are especially interested in contributions that address the built environment’s role in achieving sustainability goals and resilience targets, whether at the level of buildings, neighbourhoods, or urban districts. Topics may include, but are not limited to, green and positive energy buildings, nature-based solutions, smart city infrastructure, circular design, and net-zero carbon strategies. Research that explores the social dimensions of urban transitions - such as inclusive design, participatory governance, and equitable access to resources - is also highly encouraged, as sustainability must be understood in tandem with social justice.

This Special Issue provides a platform for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in an interdisciplinary dialogue that bridges gaps between theory and practice. We encourage submissions that demonstrate methodological innovation, whether through mixed-methods approaches, computational modeling, design-based research, or community-engaged practices. Comparative studies, regional analyses (especially from underrepresented regions), and critical reflections on policy implementation are also welcome.

Ultimately, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the ongoing global conversation about how to build cities that are not only sustainable and technologically advanced but also socially just and culturally grounded. By fostering knowledge exchange across disciplines and sectors, the Issue seeks to inform the next generation of urban strategies capable of responding to the complexity and urgency of the climate crisis. We look forward to receiving high-quality submissions that challenge conventional paradigms, propose integrated frameworks, and advance the field of sustainable urban development.

List of topic areas

• Adaptive Urban Policy and Governance Models: Exploring how policies evolve in response to global disruptions (climate, health, political) and their impact on sustainability planning.
• Resilient Urban Design and Architecture: Innovative spatial strategies and architectural practices that promote ecological balance, equity, and liveability in dynamic contexts.
• Smart Technologies and Urban Digital Twins: Integration of AI, IoT, and digital twins in managing infrastructure, energy, mobility, and urban services for sustainability.
• Community Engagement and Public Perception: Investigating how public trust, cultural values, and participatory design influence the acceptance of sustainable urban transitions.
• Climate-Responsive Urban Infrastructure: Design and retrofitting strategies for buildings and urban spaces that mitigate and adapt to climate risks.
• Sustainable Mobility and Transport Innovation: Shifts toward low-carbon, inclusive transport systems and their spatial and social implications.
• Circular Economy and Resource-Efficient Cities: Urban strategies that promote material reuse, local production, and sustainable consumption patterns.
• Socio-Spatial Equity in Transitioning Cities: Addressing how disruptions differentially affect marginalized communities and strategies to ensure inclusive urban futures.
• Post-Crisis Urban Futures (e.g., post-pandemic, post-conflict): Lessons from recovery efforts and how they reshape urban sustainability agendas.
• Interdisciplinary Approaches to Urban Transformation: Bridging architecture, planning, data science, environmental policy, and social sciences to foster holistic urban sustainability.

Submissions Information

Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/uss

Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/uss

Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.

Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else while under review for this journal.

Key deadlines

Closing date for manuscripts submission: 31/05/2026