Sustainable Urban Futures in a Changing Climate
A section of Climate (ISSN 2225-1154).
Section Information
This section explores the evolving interplay between urbanization, climate change and ecosystem processes. As cities expand and transform, they increasingly influence local and regional climates while reshaping surrounding ecosystems. In turn, these environmental changes impact public health, sustainability and urban resilience.
The Sustainable Urban Futures in a Changing Climate section encourages interdisciplinary research that deepens our understanding of these interlinked dynamics across urban, peri-urban and rural areas. We welcome contributions that bridge disciplines such as climatology, environmental engineering, public health, urban planning, social sciences and data science. The aim is to stimulate innovative research and practical strategies to address the complex, climate-related challenges facing urban environments globally.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Urban heat dynamics: investigations into Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), Urban Cool Islands (UCIs), their drivers and effects, from energy demand to health risks, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
- Climate-responsive urban design: integration of climatic factors into urban form and infrastructure, including passive cooling techniques, regenerative design and advanced materials.
- Green and blue infrastructure: evaluation of the role of nature-based solutions, such as green roofs, parks, wetlands and urban forests, in moderating urban microclimates, improving air and water quality and enhancing biodiversity.
- Urban biodiversity and ecosystem services: studies on how climate change affects urban flora and fauna, and how these changes influence ecosystem services like pollination, recreation, water purification and human well-being.
- Urban atmospheric environments: intersections between climate change, air pollution (e.g., aerosols, emerging contaminants) and their combined impacts on ecosystems and public health.
- Socio-ecological systems and governance: analyses of climate justice, equity, participatory processes and inclusive governance in shaping effective urban climate policies and adaptation efforts.
- Monitoring, modelling and data innovation: use of advanced tools such as remote sensing, IoT systems, high-resolution climate models and AI/machine learning to assess and predict urban climate–ecosystem interactions.
Through these themes, the section seeks to inform more equitable, adaptive and sustainable urban development in the context of climate change.
Editorial Board
Special Issues
Following special issues within this section are currently open for submissions:
- Global and Local Climate Change: Building and Urban Mitigation Technologies Under Changing Climates (Deadline: 30 September 2025)
- Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in the Urban Environment (Deadline: 1 October 2025)
- Urban Heat Adaptation: Potential, Feasibility, Equity (Deadline: 30 November 2025)
- Climate Change—Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Urban Contexts (Deadline: 28 February 2026)
- Multi-Physics and Chemistry of Urban Climate Modelling (Deadline: 15 March 2026)
