Complex Systems Theory in Regional and Urban Marketing: Strategies for Resilient, Sustainable, and Smart Cities
A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Complex Systems and Cybernetics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1124
Special Issue Editor
Interests: marketing; market research; operations research; leadership; digital marketing; green marketing; public marketing; sustainability
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Complex systems theory offers a valuable framework for understanding the dynamics of regional and urban marketing. This theory views cities as interconnected systems where various elements such as infrastructure, economy, environment, and social networks interact in complex ways. By applying this perspective, urban planners and marketers can develop strategies that enhance the resilience, sustainability, and intelligence of cities.
In this sense, resilient cities are those that can withstand and recover from various shocks and social stresses, such as natural or economic crises. Strategies to build resilience often involve diversifying the economy, investing in robust infrastructure, and fostering strong community networks. Sustainable cities focus on long-term environmental health, economic development, and social equity. This strategy considers promoting green technologies, efficient resource use, and inclusive policies that ensure all residents benefit from urban development. Smart cities leverage technology and data to improve urban living. This includes using sensors and IoT devices to monitor and manage city resources, enhancing public services through digital platforms, and encouraging innovation through smart governance.
By integrating these concepts, urban marketers can create comprehensive strategies that not only address immediate challenges, but also promote the long-term urban health, vitality, and viability of cities in the future.
The topic “Complex Systems Theory in Regional and Urban Marketing: Strategies for Resilient, Sustainable, and Smart Cities” is aligned with the scope of the journal; that is, “Systems” focuses on systems theory in practice, including areas such as systems engineering management, urban planning, environmental management, and complex social systems. Due to the complex systems theory being central to understanding the interconnected and dynamic nature of urban environments, by applying this theory, the topic addresses how various urban elements interact and influence each other. On the one hand, the strategies for building resilient cities involve systems-based project planning and robust infrastructure development, which are directly related to systems engineering management. On the other hand, sustainable cities focus on long-term environmental health and social equity, aligning with the journal’s interest in environmental management and complex social systems. Furthermore, smart cities leverage technology and data fitting into the journal’s sections on digital systems and intelligent planning. Overall, this topic integrates multiple aspects of systems theory and practice.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions and sharing ground-breaking advancements in the field of the above mentioned subjects.
Dr. Luis Manuel Cerdá Suárez
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 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. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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.
Keywords
- complex systems theory in social sciences
- urban marketing
- resilient cities
- sustainable cities
- smart cities
- citizen participation in cities
- agent-based simulation
- urban planning
- regional and urban development
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
