Human, Technologies, and Environment in Sustainable Cities
A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 71
Special Issue Editors
Interests: urban digital twins; smart infrastructure; dynamic urban modeling; human–environment interaction
Interests: future workspace; flexible working; urban regeneration
Interests: agent-based model; renewable energy adoption; travel behavior transition
Interests: environmental digital twins; environmental-friendly techniques; sustainable construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue addresses the accelerating convergence of residents, digital technologies, and urban environments in today’s rapidly transforming cities. Fueled by post-pandemic hybrid work regimes, burgeoning gig-economy enterprises, and novel productivity platforms, urban life now hinges on ubiquitous sensor networks, artificial intelligence, and smart-transport tools. At the same time, cities face mounting challenges—from extreme weather events and ageing infrastructure to widening socio-spatial inequalities—underscoring the urgent need to understand how human behaviours, technological systems, and environmental processes co-evolve for sustainable outcomes.
Our goal is to convene cutting-edge, interdisciplinary scholarship that aligns with Urban Sciences’ mission to explore sustainability, resilience, and innovation in urban contexts. We particularly welcome contributions that bridge empirical observations, computational modelling, and policy critique to reveal pathways toward more adaptive, inclusive, and environmentally sound cities. By drawing together perspectives from multiple disciplines, this Special Issue aims to deepen our collective insight into the complex socio-techno-ecological fabric of 21st-century urbanism.
Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Hybrid and remote working and urban spatial restructuring;
- Smart infrastructure and Internet of Things;
- AI-driven urban planning, digital twins and immersive modelling;
- Nature-based solutions for urban climate adaptation and resilience;
- Circular economy, resource efficiency and urban waste management;
- Mobility innovations: micro-mobility and autonomous transit;
- Health, well-being and inclusive public space in technology-mediated cities;
- Pandemic-resilient design, public health informatics and social cohesion;
- Ageing populations, accessibility and assistive technologies in the urban realm.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Qian-Cheng Wang
Dr. Yu (Eddie) Hu
Dr. Hua Du
Dr. Ruidong Chang
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. 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 1600 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
- human–technology interactions
- urban green mobility
- smart infrastructure
- energy management
- urban resilience
- sustainable transport
- nature-based solutions
- coupled human and urban systems
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.
