Modelling Urban Geophysics for Sustainable Infrastructure and Smart Cities

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid growth of urban populations, combined with the increasing pressures of climate change and aging infrastructure, demands advanced solutions for building resilient and sustainable cities. To meet these challenges, effective management of urban systems requires a deep understanding of subsurface conditions, which can be achieved through geophysical modeling combined with intelligent methods such as machine learning, AI, and sensor technologies.

This Special Issue, titled “Modelling Urban Geophysics for Sustainable Infrastructure and Smart Cities”, focuses on the integration of geophysical techniques and intelligent methods to enhance the sustainability and resilience of urban infrastructure systems. The aim is to explore how advanced geophysical methods including seismic surveys, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic (EM) methods, and resistivity imaging can be used alongside AI-driven analysis to support the planning, monitoring, and maintenance of critical urban systems.

We invite original research, case studies, and reviews on research areas including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• The application of geophysical methods for diagnosing subsurface conditions in urban environments;
• AI and machine learning techniques for predicting infrastructure performance and mitigating risks;
• Integrating geophysical data with sensor networks for real-time monitoring of underground utilities and urban systems;
• Case studies demonstrating the use of geophysical methods in the design, construction, and maintenance of smart cities and critical infrastructure;
• Approaches to early warning systems for subsurface hazards such as sinkholes, settlement, and water ingress;
• The role of geophysics in addressing climate change-related risks to urban infrastructure.

By highlighting cutting-edge research and innovations in this field, this Special Issue aims to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient urban systems, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Through interdisciplinary research, we seek to advance urban geophysics as a key tool for future-ready cities, ensuring they can adapt to growing urbanization and climate challenges.

We look forward to your contributions in building a safer, smarter, and more sustainable underground future.

Dr. Majid Khan
Dr. Zhenlei Li
Dr. Umair Khan
Guest Editors

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