IGU August 2026 Conferences: Istanbul
IGU CoGG has two conference events in Istanbul, Türkiye, run back to back:
15-16 August 2026: IGU Commission on Geography of Governance Annual Conference, Istanbul
Abstract deadline: 31 March 2026
17-21 August 2026: IRC 2026 Regional Conference, Istanbul
Abstract deadline: extended - now 23 January 2026
IGU CoGG will make two grants each €500 for Emerging Scholars to assist their attendance at either the IGU CoGG or IRC 2026 in Istanbul. Application details will be published shortly. Applicants need to be enrolled in postgraduate study, have the support of their supervisors and will present a paper at the conference. Applicants from the Global South are particularly invited to apply.
Abstracts due: 31 March 2026
Abstracts should be no more than 150 words long and emailed as MS-Word documents to:
IGUGovernance@gmail.com
Please put ‘Abstract’ in the header.
Participation: hybrid participation, and no admissions fee.
Please send any queries regarding abstracts to the Conference Chairs: Prof Anna Trono and Dr Jeffrey McNeill
anna.trono@unisalento.it jeffmcneill93@gmail.com
C24.15-Geography of Governance
AI for Urban Governance; Opportunities and Challenges
Urban Planning and AI. Opportunities and Challenges
Local and Urban Governance: Trends, Challenges, and Innovations
The call for papers and posters is open and will close on 23 January 2026 Friday by 23:59 Istanbul time (GMT+3) [extended deadline]
International Geographical Union – Regional Conference 2026
17-21 August 2026, Istanbul University
Istanbul, Turkey
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