Themes and subthemes

Cities and regions are at the forefront of climate action. This theme focuses on embedding circular principles into every layer of urban and regional development, taking into account the entire planetary ecosystem. Climate-smart strategies go beyond emissions reduction – they combine mitigation and adaptation, integrating resource efficiency, biodiversity, and resilience into planning and operations. Circularity is not just a technical fix; it is a systemic shift that redefines how materials, energy, and services flow through society. Researchers and practitioners are welcome to present scalable solutions that reduce dependency on virgin resources and foster climate neutrality. 

The transition towards circular economy requires collaboration between industries, municipalities, and citizens to create closed-loop systems and regenerative practices. This theme highlights solutions that boost the change. Circular material technologies focus on solutions related to identification, sorting, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling of materials. Broad perspectives on biobased economy span from biobased materials, biomass valorization, and bioenergy to advanced food systems. The theme also explores systemic perspectives on climate-smart adaptation, energy transition, urban planning, sustainable mobility, information modeling, and infrastructure development, all aimed at creating sustainable and resilient systems. By aligning policy, technology, and behavioral change, cities and regions can accelerate sustainable systemic transitions that deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits. 

Smart cities are not only about technology—they are also about people and all living beings that share urban spaces. This theme highlights the importance of designing urban environments that promote health, safety, and social inclusion while supporting nature-positive development and respecting planetary boundaries. Well-being is multidimensional, encompassing physical activity, mental health, and community resilience. Active and inclusive spaces, combined with digital health solutions, enable citizens to thrive in connected, sustainable environments that advance equity and planetary health. 

Nature-based solutions and sport innovations play a critical role in fostering healthier lifestyles and reducing social isolation. At the same time, digital platforms for health and safety must prioritize trust, accessibility, and ethical use of data. By integrating technology with participatory design and strengthening citizen participation, cities and regions can create ecosystems that support well-being for all, ensuring that smart development translates into tangible improvements in quality of life. 

Economic growth and sustainability can reinforce each other when guided by responsible innovation. This theme explores how novel and transformative design approaches and ethical business models can generate value and long-term impact while addressing global challenges. Smart value creation means embedding responsibility into products, services, and systems, making sustainability a competitive advantage rather than a constraint. This often implies a shift towards regenerative innovations and systemic changes, which go beyond traditional sustainability.  

From circular business strategies to digital innovations, contributions to this theme are expected to present solutions that are both commercially viable and create sustainable value for society and the environment. Such solutions require collaboration across sectors, transparent governance, and a commitment to long-lasting outcomes. By aligning market incentives with environmental and social goals, cities and regions can foster entrepreneurship and investment that shape futures within planetary boundaries.