Smart Cities and Positive Energy Districts: Urban Perspectives in 2022–2023

Dear Colleagues,

Since 2018, the EERA Joint Programme on Smart Cities has promoted and published the most promising papers on tools, technologies, and system integration for Smart Cities and Positive Energy Districts, thus positioning the EERA Joint Programme on Smart Cities as one of the strongest voices in this research area in Europe, capable of highlighting different points of view and solutions.

The Horizon Europe thanks to Partnerships (DUT&CET), Mission Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, and New European Bauhaus, sets ambitious targets.

According to this, our ambition for the upcoming fifth Special Issue is to collect and publish papers, review articles, technical notes, and letters on the following topics related to urban dimension:

I. Positive Energy District, with a focus on (a) innovative solutions for the planning; large-scale implementation and replication of PEDs; (b) integrative approaches including technology, spatial, regulatory, legal, financial, environmental, social and economic perspectives; and (c) quality of life in cities;

II. An exploration of 15-Minute Cities with a focus on an (a) integrated planning approach; (b) urban mobility system; (c) city planning and design of public space; and (d) logistics and production;

III. Circular Urban Economies, with a focus on (a) regenerative urbanism at different spatial scales to support cities and urban areas to increase their circularity; (b) restore natural capital and increase the use of multi-functional greening to address climate change mitigation and adaptation; and (c) support community and planetary resilience, including climate action, ecosystem robustness, liveability, inclusion, equality, public health and well-being;

IV. Urban systemic transformation towards climate neutrality, with a focus on (a) model for the transformation of cities to innovation hubs; (b) new forms of participative and innovative city governance; (c) economic and funding/financing model for climate action; (d) ‘integrated urban planning’ model, (e) smart systems and data platforms;

V. Green and digital challenges to transform urban lives for the better with a focus on (a) model for the transformation of cities to innovation hubs; (b) new forms of participative and innovative city governance; (c) economic and funding/financing model for climate action; and (d) ‘integrated urban planning’ model.

Dr. Paola Clerici Maestosi
Guest Editor

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