Conferences
2–4 November 2026, Xi’an, China
Urban Biodiversity and Design (URBIO) 2026: Education for Urban Biodiversity in Design—Practice Led Research
The conference “Urban Biodiversity and Design (URBIO) 2026: Education for Urban Biodiversity in Design – Practice Led Research” will take place from 2 to 4 November 2026 in Xi’an, China. Organised by Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, the International Network Urban Biodiversity and Design (URBIO), the Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture, The University of Western Australia, and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzig, Germany, the conference aims to bring together scientists, students, academics, and landscape architecture and planning practitioners, as well as representatives of public authorities, decision-makers, and civil society to discuss issues related to the development of education for the effective implementation of biodiversity strategies in landscape architecture, urban planning, and management in urban areas. The main goal of this network and the 2026 conference is to exchange experiences from different countries on how to educate the next generation of students (including school and university programmes), practitioners, decision-makers, civil society organisations, and urban residents about the urgent biodiversity matters and possible solutions to mitigate the biodiversity crisis through management, design, and planning tools.
This conference will also facilitate knowledge exchange between scholars and practitioners from diverse disciplines to explore scientific advances, innovative strategies, and practical solutions for safeguarding biodiversity while promoting its sustainable use. It will particularly emphasise generational voices and provide opportunities for stronger integration of innovative concepts and approaches into research and teaching activities.
The conference will also include a PhD Forum to allow young researchers to exchange ideas and methods and to learn from experienced scholars and practitioners in the field.
Main Thematic Axes
- Opportunities and constraints in developing curricula and teaching urban ecology, biodiversity, and sustainable design in schools (pre‑university education), universities, and professional training programmes.
- Incorporation of urban biodiversity into governmental policies and strategies for landscape planning, design, land management, and restoration practices.
- Methods for developing joint comparative research studies, educational programmes, and citizen science projects.
- Challenges and opportunities in public education on biodiversity, practice‑led research, adaptive management, and design, with a focus on citizen engagement and ecological awareness.
- Integration of applied research into urban biodiversity graduate programmes.
- Successful case studies on nature‑based solutions and co‑creation, including citizen science and participatory education to support urban biodiversity and sustainable development.
- AI in urban biodiversity and design: advantages and disadvantages of its use and practical application.
Important Dates
- Abstract submission deadline: 1 May 2026
- Notification of abstract acceptance: 15 July 2026
- Registration deadline: 30 September 2026
Email: URBIO2026@163.com
For more information about this conference, please visit
