Innovation-Driven Urban Development in the Digital and Sustainable Era
A special issue of Urban Science (ISSN 2413-8851). This special issue belongs to the section "Intelligent Cities and Technology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 155
Special Issue Editor
Interests: regional economic development; development of innovative talent groups; sustainable development; consumer behavior; digital economy and governance; urban green transition; enterprise development and reform
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The contemporary global landscape presents unprecedented opportunities and challenges for urban development, as cities worldwide navigate the dual imperatives of digital advancement and sustainable transformation. Urban areas, as centers of economic activity and innovation, are at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies with environmental consciousness to reshape growth paradigms. Cities are increasingly becoming laboratories for innovation-driven development that balances economic prosperity with environmental stewardship while harnessing digital capabilities to enhance urban competitiveness and livability.
This Special Issue seeks to examine how innovation-driven approaches can catalyze urban and regional development in an era defined by digitalization and sustainability imperatives. We welcome scholarly contributions that investigate the mechanisms through which cities and urban regions leverage technological innovation, foster collaborative networks, and implement sustainable practices to achieve long-term development goals. Of particular interest are studies that explore how urban areas serve as catalysts for the intersection of digital technologies with green initiatives, examining how cities can simultaneously advance their digital capabilities while meeting sustainability targets and influencing broader regional development.
We encourage submissions encompassing diverse methodological approaches, including empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, comparative analyses, and policy evaluations. Research topics may encompass (but are not limited to) the following:
- Digital innovation and urban competitiveness strategies;
- Smart city initiatives and sustainable urban transformation;
- Urban digitalization policy frameworks for sustainable innovation;
- Technology transfer mechanisms and knowledge spillovers in urban contexts;
- Digital entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems in cities;
- Sustainable urban supply chains and metropolitan innovation networks;
- Urban data governance and digital infrastructure development;
- Digital platforms for urban green finance and sustainability;
- Urban innovation districts and technology clusters;
- Smart urban mobility and sustainable transportation systems;
- Digital governance and citizen engagement in sustainable cities;
- Urban resilience through digital and green innovation integration.
I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Kai Zhao
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. 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
- urban competitiveness strategies
- smart city initiatives
- sustainable urban transformation
- smart urban mobility
- urban data governance
- digital infrastructure 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.
