Call for abstracts: Special issue "Urban Interactions Revisited – Bridging disciplines for an accessible and inclusive environment. Urban and rural spaces facing challenges of the 21st century"

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Special Issue for the 20th AESOP Young Academics Conference 2026 “Urban Interactions Revisited – Bridging disciplines for an accessible and inclusive environment. Urban and rural spaces facing challenges of the 21st century ”, 18th–21st March 2026 in Prague, of the plaNext–Next Generation Planning journal.

 

Guest Editors: Francesca Leccis, Milan Husar, Malachy Buck, Eren Efeoglu, Qing Guo, Ludmila Kolouchová, Pavlína Suchá, Denis Charalambidis

Cities and regions are shaped by complex networks of interactions between people, spaces, infrastructures and institutions. In times of climate change, demographic shifts, social polarisation and technological transformation, these interactions are being fundamentally redefined. This special issue aims to revisit the concept of urban interactions and explore how planning, design and governance can foster inclusive, accessible and resilient urban and rural environments.

The issue invites contributions that critically examine spatial, social, economic and environmental interactions across scales – from neighbourhoods to regions – and across disciplines. We welcome empirical research, theoretical contributions, visual essays and experimental formats.

plaNext–Next Generation Planning is a journal published by the Young Academics Network of AESOP and dedicated to supporting young scholars and fostering equitable academic discourse. It was founded in 2015, and since 2025 the journal has been indexed in Scopus. Submitted contributions undergo a peer-review process, ensuring the quality and relevance of the content.

One or more of the following four main topics can be dealt with in the contributions:

Proximity and Permeability Revisited: Emphasis on the question how the physical structuring of urban and non-urban environments influences accessibility and functionality. Focusing on proximity and permeability, it examines how spatial relationships, distances, and connectivity shape mobility, land use and infrastructure. Contributions are invited that consider both positive and negative consequences of spatial organization, including how the arrangement of spaces facilitates or restricts movement for people, goods, or services.

Flows and Connections Revisited: Emphasis on the various tangible and intangible flows that shape urban and rural environments. Physical flows such as transportation systems, the movement of people, goods, and resources, will be considered alongside intangible flows, including the exchange of information, ideas, data, and migration. Contributions are invited that explore the interaction between these flows and their influence on spatial organization, infrastructure, and social dynamics. How do these flows contribute to or hinder connectivity, resilience, and adaptability in cities and landscapes?

Governance and Tools Revisited: Emphasis on the intersection of governance and urban planning in shaping inclusive and adaptive environments. It will address how new, innovative tools, data-driven solutions, and emerging trends are transforming the management of space, mobility, and services, while also confronting the broader governance challenges such as policymaking, community participation, and institutional frameworks. Contributions are invited that reflect on both the opportunities and challenges posed by the application of governance practices, and how these innovations influence social and economic accessibility.

Inclusion and Dynamics Revisited: Emphasis on the question how urban and rural spaces can remain inclusive and adaptable in the face of ongoing social, economic, and environmental changes. It will delve into the ways that access to housing, public services, and employment can be maintained or improved, even as technological, policy, and climate transformations take place. Contributions are encouraged that examine the changing dynamics of spatial, infrastructural, and social systems, and how they influence both the inclusivity of spaces and the risks of exclusion, particularly for marginalized or vulnerable groups.

The timeline for publication is scheduled as follows:

— Call for abstracts: 21st of March 2026

— Deadline for the submission of abstracts: 24th of April 2026

— Acceptance of abstracts: 10th of May 2026

— Deadline for the submission of full papers: 21st July 2026

— Peer Review and Revision: July 2026 – October 2026

— Publication: End of 2026

Abstracts should not exceed a maximum number of 500 words. Please send your abstracts to the journal's official email: planextjournal@gmail.com by adding “Young Academics Conference 2026 Special Issue” in the subject. Please include your full name and affiliation.

Potential contributions are not limited to the papers presented at the 20th AESOP Young Academics Conference 2026 but open to everyone working on the abovementioned topics. We are looking forward to your abstracts.