Planning Smart Cities for Environmental Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

The integration of geospatial technologies into urban planning marks a paradigm shift toward the possible development of smart cities planned and designed using planning and decision support systems that rely on geotechnologies. This Special Issue explores how advanced geotechnologies, including geographic information systems (GISs), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and extended reality (XR), are reshaping urban ecosystems through citizen-centric and co-creative planning methodologies.

By leveraging spatial models, scenario simulations, and predictive analytics, urban planners can qualify decision-making processes and foster environments more resilient and adaptive to climate change challenges and SDG values. Discussions on methods and techniques are of interest if they share innovations on geospatial data and tools that can support policymaking and the quantitative assessment of the environmental and social performance of cities. Particular focus will  be devoted to tools that democratize access to spatial data and empower communities to participate meaningfully in shaping their cities.

This Special Issue also examines state-of-the-art geospatial innovation and state-of-the-design applied urban practices, highlighting how data-driven approaches can serve as a critical roadmap for intelligent urban transformation. Contributions will address the role of spatial analysis, if–then modeling, and dynamic simulations that anticipate urban trends and mitigate environmental risks.

Ultimately, this collection underscores the transformative potential of geospatial technologies in fostering urban systems that are not only technologically advanced but also socially responsive and ecologically sound. It invites interdisciplinary dialog and showcases pioneering research that aligns with global sustainability imperatives.

The rapid transformation of urban environments in response to climate change, demographic shifts, and sustainability imperatives has catalyzed the emergence of smart, safe, and sustainable (3S) cities—an evolution of the traditional 3R paradigm (reduce, reuse, recycle). Central to this shift is the integration of geospatial technologies that enable data-driven, participatory, and adaptive urban planning. These technologies—ranging from geographic information systems (GISs) and artificial intelligence (AI) to extended reality (XR) and digital twins—are redefining how cities are designed, governed, and experienced.

A pivotal framework in this transformation is geodesign, conceptualized by Carl Steinitz and championed by Jack Dangermond, which bridges geographic science and design thinking to support collaborative, evidence-based decision-making. Geodesign emphasizes iterative modeling, stakeholder engagement, and spatial impact simulations, offering a structured methodology for shaping resilient urban futures (Steinitz, 2012, 2020; Dangermond, 2009, Batty, 2013).

In parallel, the foundational work of Batty, Axhausen, and Giannotti et al. (2012) outlines the architecture of smart cities as complex systems where ICT is embedded into traditional infrastructures to enhance urban intelligence, governance, and equity. Their research identifies key challenges such as integrating urban data across scales, fostering participatory governance, and ensuring mobility and access for all citizens.

The European Commission reinforces this vision through its Smart Cities and Communities initiatives, promoting digital transformation, local digital twins, and interoperable data ecosystems to meet the goals of the European Green Deal. These efforts aim to empower cities with tools for real-time scenario modeling, resource optimization, and inclusive policymaking.

This research area is of growing scientific relevance, as it synthesizes urban analytics, environmental resilience, and social innovation. By leveraging geospatial technologies and co-creative planning, cities can evolve into intelligent ecosystems that are not only technologically advanced but also equitable, participatory, and sustainable.

Mentioned references:

STEINITZ, Carl. (2020). On Landscape Architecture Education and Professional Practice and Their Future Challenges. Land 2020, 9, 228; doi:10.3390/land9070228.

STEINITZ, Carl. (2012). A Framework for Geodesign: changing geography by design. Redland, ESRI Press

BATTY, M. (2013). Defining Geodesign (= GIS + Design?). Environment and Planning B: Planning and Design, 40(1): 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1068/b4001ed

DANGERMOND, Jack. (2009). GIS: Designing our future. ArcNews, summer 2009. http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer09articles/gis-designing-our-future.html

BATTY, M., AXHAUSEN, K.W., GIANNOTTI, F. Et Al. (2012). Smart cities of the future. Eur. Phys. J. Spec. Top. 214, 481–518. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2012-01703-3

EUROPEAN, Comission  Smart cities and communities. https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/smart-cities-and-communities

EUROPEAN, Comission. Smart Cities. https://ec.europa.eu/info/eu-regional-and-urban-development/topics/cities-and-urban-development/city-initiatives/smartcities_en#smart-cities-marketplace

The use of Geospatial Technologies has the capacity of transforming the urban landscape into smart, safe, and sustainable cities. Urban areas undergo very rapid transformation and, in order to face the new challenges, geospatial technologies have become the foundation for intelligent urban development. In that sense, the discussions on the state of the art (new concepts and proposals) and the state of the design (qualified practices in urban planning based on geotechnologies) are fully within the scope of Sustainability. The presented papers on innovation in geospatial data and analysis can be understood as a critical roadmap toward intelligently planned, responsive, and sustainable urban ecosystems.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome, and research areas may include, but not limited to, the following:  

• The concept and practices of using geospatial technologies in the 3S city as an evolution of the 3R approach (reduce, reuse, recycle), considering climate change-related challenges and the Sustainable Development Goals.
• New methods and tools for urban planning based on co-creation and citizen-centric approaches. 
•  The use of extended reality (XR) and digital twins to enhance geovisualization and to qualify discussions on planning and urban projects.
•  The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (LLM) to support decision-making processes in urban planning and to qualify GIS applications: spatial models, if–then models, spatial analysis in GIS, scenario modeling, and predictive analytics.      

We look forward to receiving your contributions.  

Prof. Dr. Ana Clara Mourao Moura
Prof. Dr. Francisco Henrique De Oliveira
Dr. Paulo Pellegrino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• geospatial technologies
• smart city planning and design
• digital twins
• extended reality (XR)
• artificial intelligence (AI)
• citizen-centric planning
• geodesign
• climate resilience
• sustainable development goals (SDGs)
• geotechnologies for decision-making