Enhancing Urban Sustainability and Well-Being in Developing Regions Facing Climate Change Impacts and Economic Constraints

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the rapid urbanization of developing regions has been accompanied by significant challenges related to climate change including urban heat island and economic constraints. Urban areas in these regions often face severe impacts from climate-related events such as heatwaves, flooding, and storms, exacerbating existing socio-economic vulnerabilities. The urgency to enhance urban sustainability and well-being in these contexts has never been more pronounced. This Special Issue will bring together cutting-edge research that addresses these critical issues, providing insights and solutions to improve urban resilience and quality of life in developing regions.

This Special Issue seeks to explore innovative strategies and practices that can enhance urban sustainability and well-being in developing regions. By focusing on areas particularly vulnerable to climate change and economic limitations, we aim to contribute to the broader discourse on urban resilience and sustainability. The scope of this Special Issue aligns with the journal’s commitment to advancing knowledge of urban studies, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development. We invite researchers to submit original research articles and comprehensive reviews that offer novel insights about and practical approaches to overcome these pressing challenges.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews that cover a broad range of topics related to urban sustainability and well-being are welcome. Potential themes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Urban Climate: Investigations into urban microclimates, heat island effects, and climate adaptation strategies in urban settings;
• Built-Environment: Studies on sustainable building practices, energy efficiency, disaster prevention, and the integration of renewable energy sources into urban infrastructure;
• Settlement Studies: Research on the dynamics of informal settlements, including socio-economic conditions, infrastructure development, and policy interventions to improve living standards and resilience.

In this Special Issue, we will highlight both theoretical advancements and practical applications that can inform policy-making and urban planning. Submissions should contribute to our understanding of how developing regions can navigate the dual challenges of climate change and economic constraints to foster more sustainable and resilient urban environments.

I look forward to receiving your contributions and the opportunity to advance this important field of study together.

Dr. Aya Hagishima
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-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.