Economic Geography, Regional Development and Climate Policy in the AI and Innovation Era

Dear Colleagues,

I am thrilled to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of the Sustainability journal titled "Economic Geography, Regional Development and Climate Policy in the AI and Innovation Era". In the era of AI and innovation, urbanization presents a myriad of challenges that intersect with economic geography, regional development, and climate policy. Rapid urbanization often leads to unplanned expansion and inefficient land use, resulting in urban sprawl that strains infrastructure and increases commuting times. Moreover, this growth can exacerbate existing inequalities within cities, as marginalized communities face limited access to affordable housing, services, and job opportunities. Transportation congestion further compounds these challenges, contributing to air pollution and a reduced quality of life for urban residents. Housing affordability becomes a pressing issue, with soaring prices leading to shortages and homelessness. Environmental degradation is another consequence, with urbanization placing strain on natural resources and ecosystems, heightening their vulnerability to climate change impacts. Additionally, the rise in remote working exacerbates the issue of placelessness, where individuals are less tied to specific geographic locations, potentially leading to the displacement of local communities and the loss of cultural identity. Despite the promise of AI and innovation, there remains a risk of widening the digital divide, where certain segments of the population lack access to digital technologies and are left behind in the digital economy. Addressing these challenges requires integrated approaches that prioritize sustainability and resilience in urban planning and governance strategies. This Special Issue aims to explore how economic geography, regional development, and sustainability intersect in today's rapidly evolving world. With the emergence of AI and the innovation economy, understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing global challenges and fostering sustainable development.

The following are key areas of interest:

Industry Clusters and Innovation Ecosystems:

- Analyzing regional clusters' impact on economic growth;

- Studying industry agglomeration and knowledge spillover effects;

- Identifying policies to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Regional Development Strategies:

- Evaluating smart growth policies for sustainable development;

- Assessing policies for equitable economic opportunities;

- Exploring innovative approaches for urban–rural balance;

- Examining the role of the AI economy and remote working in job–population dynamics.

Transportation Planning for Sustainable Development:

- Integrating transportation planning into regional development strategies;

- Promoting sustainable mobility options and infrastructure development;

- Addressing transportation-related challenges in economic cluster formation and growth.

Future of Cities in the Era of AI Economy, Remote Working, and Gig Economy:

- Understanding the impacts of the AI economy and remote working on urban dynamics;

- Exploring the role of gig economy in shaping urban landscapes and employment patterns;

- Designing city policies and infrastructure to accommodate the changing nature of work and living spaces.

Climate Policy and Economic Resilience:

- Assessing local policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation;

- Transitioning to low-carbon economies at the regional level;

- Developing resilience measures for climate-related risks in economic clusters.

Advanced Spatial Analytics and AI for Smart Growth:

- Applying spatial analytics and AI for sustainable economic development;

- Integrating spatial data and AI for effective policy planning;

- AI solutions for spatiotemporal modeling, resource management, and environmental monitoring.

Advancing Equity in the rise of AI and Innovation economy

-  Investigating disparities in economic opportunities and resources across demographic groups and regions in the AI and innovation era;

- Analyzing policies and strategies to foster inclusive growth and address systemic barriers to equitable regional development;

- Understanding how economic geography, regional development, and climate policy intersect to impact social and economic disparities;

- Assessing the effectiveness of climate policies in addressing social and economic inequalities and their impact on vulnerable communities;

- Exploring approaches to promote equity and social justice in sustainability efforts, leveraging AI and innovation.

I look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Ahoura Zandiatashbar
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized 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.