IGU Conferences 2026 (Istanbul)

International Geographical Union – Regional Conference 2026

17-21 August 2026, Istanbul University

Istanbul, Turkey

[https://www.irc2026.org/en/]

Call for abstracts [deadline 23 January 2026]

Commission Track: C24.15-Geography of Governance

Session:  “AI for Urban Governance; Opportunities and Challenges”

Session Organizer & Chair: Anna Trono, Lecce, Italy

Session Description:

 AI can be an important tool for governing and planning the cities of the future and remedy the many limitations of past planning and management of urban spaces, possibly leading to more efficient, sustainable and liveable urban settings.

AI will make it possible to map future urbanisation and identify infrastructural needs; to control disorderly and uncontrolled sprawl in peripheral areas, where situations of social unrest accumulate the most; to monitor and initiate measures to protect social systems and natural hazards, more often than not of considerable destructive magnitude.  Artificial intelligence will be able to support governments and institutions in projects related to climate resilience and will make it possible to verify the energy needs of urban spaces.

The reference to AI, however, will not fail to pose further challenges to future generations. Its use, in fact, is not without risks related to the collection and management capacity of data by public administrations.

The prediction of problems related to climate change and unpredictable natural disasters will require the recruitment of specialised professionals who are not always available. It will also require a major economic and financial commitment on the part of local administrations. Last but not least, it will not be possible to disregard a comprehensive regulatory regulation.

Papers submitted to this Session can be focused, but not limited, to the following themes or issues:

1. Artificial intelligence models and the use of geospatial data to redesign cities

2. Key characteristics of artificial intelligence agents in urban planning

3. Urban Expansion and Artificial Intelligence

4. Artificial Intelligence and Monitoring of Natural Systems

5. AI and sustainability: solutions for a more equitable future

The session welcomes comparative studies of countries, cities, or municipalities, both within and across world regions.

This session is sponsored by the IGU Commission on Geography of Governance.

The call for papers and posters is open and will close on 9 January 2026 Friday by 23:59 Istanbul time (GMT+3)

Notification of results of abstract reviews: 27 February 2026, Friday

Submit your abstract, here: https://www.irc2026.org/en/ABSTRACT-SUBMISSION.html

IRC 2026 Online Abstract Management System

Congress web:  https://www.irc2026.org/en/default.asp

Contact: Anna Trono. Italy (E_mail: anna.trono@unisalento.it;)

For additional information, contact: Anna Trono, Lecce, Italy

Email: anna.trono@unisalento.it,  igugovernance@gmail.com