Urban Proximity and Creative Resilience: Integrating AI and Traditional Sectors for Regional Growth

Dear Colleagues,

The contemporary evolution of regional economies is increasingly defined by the intersection of spatial efficiency, digital transformation and socio-economic adaptability. As urban systems face unprecedented challenges—ranging from spatial decline and regional disparities to shifting consumer landscapes—concepts such as urban proximity and regional resilience have emerged as crucial strategic frameworks for sustainable growth. Scientific background suggests that the rapid acceleration of digital technologies is no longer just an infrastructural upgrade but a fundamental shift in regional dynamics. Artificial Intelligence, big data and e-commerce are redefining the "human-scale" of urban life, offering new tools to optimize governance while potentially bridging the gap between urban hubs and peripheral regions.

We welcome scholars from interdisciplinary fields to contribute empirical research, theoretical discussions and case studies that will enrich academic dialog and provide references for high-quality regional development. We welcome submissions in, but not limited to, the following areas:

This Special Issue aims to explore the interactive mechanisms, practical paths and academic frontiers of Artificial Intelligence integration, proximity-based planning and the resilience of both creative and traditional sectors. A particular focus is placed on the role of e-commerce and digital trade as instruments for regional survival and economic stabilization. We seek to investigate whether digital transformation acts as a remedy for geographically disadvantaged areas and how it ensures that traditional sectors remain core drivers of cultural identity and economic stability. By bridging regional economics, urban planning and data science, this issue aligns with Urban Science’s scope to provide references with both theoretical value and practical significance for urban governance and resilient regional growth.

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

AI-Driven Innovation in Regional Development

• Practical applications of artificial intelligence in mapping regional economic disparities and predicting urban growth patterns.
• Technical paths for Artificial Intelligence-enhanced decision-making in regional supply chains and the optimization of urban service delivery.
• The role of machine learning in analysing complex consumer behavior and its impact on regional market dynamics.

The Dynamics of Urban Proximity and Planning

• Economic and social impact of proximity-based planning on local business vitality and accessibility.
• The transformation of physical retail landscapes: the rise of “dark stores,” automated pickup points and their integration into dense urban areas. 

Traditional Sectors in the Modern Urban Context

• Transformation and adaptation of Traditional industries.
• Synergy between cultural heritage inheritance and modern high-tech innovation within the urban-rural fringe.

E-commerce and Regional Resilience

• The role of e-commerce as a tool for regional resilience, allowing local economies to maintain functionality during physical disruptions or economic shocks.
• Assessing the transition from physical to digital retail and its consequences for the long-term economic stability of diverse regions.

Socio-Economic Adaptability and Community

• Consumer behavior shifts: How the synergy of Artificial Intelligence and e-commerce influences lifestyle choices and regional consumption patterns;
• Mechanisms for community participation in resilient regional planning and the role of digital trade in sustainable development.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Emilia Madudova
Prof. Dr. Tatiana Čorejová
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 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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Urban Science 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 1800 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.

• regional economic development
• artificial intelligence
• urban proximity
• regional resilience
• e-commerce
• consumer behavior
• traditional sectors
• creative economy
• smart urban planning
• digital transformation