Recent Studies on Climate-Neutral Districts and Cities

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the urgency of transitioning to climate-neutral urban areas has catalyzed significant advancements in research and practice. Climate-neutral districts and cities aim to eliminate or offset greenhouse gas emissions while promoting sustainable and resilient urban ecosystems. This topic gathers recent studies on innovative approaches, policies, and technologies aimed at achieving climate neutrality in urban settings. By exploring diverse strategies—from renewable energy integration and circular economies to green infrastructure and community engagement—this issue provides insights into the pathways that cities worldwide are adopting to reduce their carbon footprint. Together, these contributions highlight the collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts needed to reshape our urban environments toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future. This multidisciplinary topic covers but is not restricted to:

• Renewable Energy Systems for Urban Areas
• Sustainable Urban Mobility and Transportation
• Green Infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions
• Circular Economy and Waste Management 
• Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Urban Design 
• Digitalization and Data management
• Artificial Intelligence for Smart Cities
• Climate Policy, Governance, and Community Engagement
• Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change
• Socioeconomic Impacts and Equity in Climate-neutral Cities
• Urban Agriculture and Food Systems

Prof. Dr. Xingxing Zhang
Dr. Rosaria Volpe
Topic Editors