Conference Announcement | 2026 International Conference on Sustainable Urban Development: Science for Climate Adaptation

Conference Schedule: Jan. 5 – Jan. 6, 2026  Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Background

To address the severe challenges posed by climate change to urban systems and to explore cutting-edge adaptation strategies and sustainable development pathways, the 2026 International Conference on Sustainable Urban Development: Science for Climate Adaptation will be held in Shenzhen, Guangdong, from January 5 to 6, 2026.

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This symposium is hosted by the Sustainability X-Lab at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), and co-organized by the School of Earth System Science at Tianjin University, the School of Urban Planning and Design at Peking University, the HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, and the City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute.

As a joint frontier forum for the prestigious Elsevier journals Land Use Policy and Cities, the symposium aims to convene world-class scholars and early-career researchers. Discussions will focus on core themes including urban climate resilience, sustainable land use, low-carbon transition, and policy innovation. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthening the nexus between academia, industry, and research, the event seeks to contribute pioneering insights and scientific solutions for the construction of future-oriented, livable, and resilient cities.

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Organizational Structure

Hosted by

Sustainability X-Lab, The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

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​​Co-organized by

School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University

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School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University

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HKU-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation

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City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute

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Supported by (Partner Journals)

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Land Use Policy (Elsevier)

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Cities (Elsevier)

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npj Urban Sustainability (Nature Portfolio)

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Conference Theme

The impacts of global climate change are intensifying at an unprecedented rate and magnitude. Extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and drastic ecosystem shifts have emerged as collective threats to urban centers worldwide. As hubs of population, economy, and resources, cities are both critical loci of climate vulnerability and pivotal actors in driving systemic adaptation and transformation. Scientific monitoring, planning, designing, and governing climate-adaptive cities have become urgent frontiers in global sustainable urban science.

To address these challenges and foster interdisciplinary dialogue, this conference—themed "Sustainable Urban Development Science for Climate Adaptation"—confronts the complexity and vulnerability of urban systems under climate change. By integrating scientific cognition, technological innovation, and governance mechanisms, the symposium explores innovative pathways for enhancing urban climate resilience, optimizing land, energy, and ecosystems, and advancing low-carbon transitions. It aims to establish a holistic framework for deep exchange and collaboration among scholars and policymakers in urban planning, geography, environmental science, ecology, energy systems, public policy, and data science.

Working Languages: Chinese and English.

Session Topics

Topics include, but are not limited to,

Topic 1: AI-Driven Remote Sensing, Technological Innovation in Urban Climate Response, and Adaptation Pathways

Topic 2: Coupled Modeling of Urban Climate-Energy-Ecology-Health Cascading and Compound Risks

Topic 3: Optimization of Complex Urban Systems and Urban-Rural Hierarchies

Topic 4: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for Urban Ecosystems and Climate Resilience Pathways

Topic 5: Interactions Between Human Behavior and Urban Environments for Sustainable Development

Topic 6: Urban Spatial Planning and Future Development Based on Ecological Resilience, Security, and Equity

Keynote Speeches

Keynote Speaker

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Prof. Cong-Qiang Liu

Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS);

Dean, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University

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Keynote Speaker

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Dr. Yang Gao

Program Director,

Integrated Physical Geography Division I, Department of Earth Sciences,

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

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Academic Committee

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Chairs

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• Prof. Cong-Qiang Liu, Academician of the CAS; Dean, School of Earth System Science, Tianjin University

• Prof. Peng Gong, Chair Professor of Global Sustainability & Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor

• Prof. Xiaoling Zhang, Director, HKU Sustainability-X Lab, The University of Hong Kong

• Prof. Yansui Liu, Fellow of TWAS; Academic Vice President, Henan University & Dean, Faculty of Geographical Science and Engineering

• Prof. Chuanglin Fang, Academician of the IEAS; Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS

• Prof. Pengjun Zhao, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAss); Dean, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University

Committee Members

• Dr. Yang Gao, Program Director, Department of Earth Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

• Prof. Yuqi Lu, School of Geography Science, Nanjing Normal University

• Prof. Jian Peng, School of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University

• Prof. Bindong Sun, School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University

• Prof. Jiaoe Wang, Research Professor, IGSNRR, CAS

• Prof. Zhonghao Zhang, Vice Dean, School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Hohai University

• Prof. Zhifeng Wu, Dean, School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University

• Prof. Yuemin Yue, Deputy Director & Research Professor, Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, CAS

• Prof. Weiqi Zhou, Research Professor, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS

• Prof. Shijun Wang, Vice Dean, Northeast Institute of China, Northeast Normal University

• Prof. Yanwei Chai, School of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University

• Prof. Wen Chen, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, CAS

• Prof. Xianjin Huang, Dean, Huazhi Institute for Global Governance, Nanjing University

• Prof. Fubao Sun, Director & Research Professor, IGSNRR, CAS

• Prof. Yongguang Zhang, Chinese Director, Jiangsu International Joint Laboratory of Carbon Neutrality, Nanjing University

• Prof. Ying Long, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University

• Prof. Changhong Miao, Executive Director, Key Federation of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development, Henan University

• Prof. Manchun Li, School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University

• Prof. Hucai Zhang, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University

• Prof. Gang Zeng, Dean, Institute of Urban Development, East China Normal University

• Prof. Min Liu, School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University

• Prof. Fang Chen, Deputy Director, International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), CAS

• Prof. Qing Zhu, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, CAS

• Prof. Baojing Gu, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University

Secretariat

• Wanying Liu, HKU Sustainability-X Lab

• Zhuoran Li, HKU Sustainability-X Lab

• Han Wang, HKU Sustainability-X Lab

• Yucong Xu, HKU Sustainability-X Lab

• Ziwei Zhu, HKU Sustainability-X Lab

Conference Agenda

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Registration

Important Dates

Online Registration Opens: December 21, 2025

Early Bird Registration Deadline: December 28, 2025

On-site Check-in: January 4, 2026 (16:00 – 17:30)

Conference Dates: January 5 – 6, 2026

Registration Method

Please register via the link or QR code below: [Link:] https://www.wjx.top/vm/wEj5TGM.aspx#

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Registration & Payment

Registration Fees

(Participants who complete payment on or before December 28, 2025, are eligible for the Early Bird Discount.)

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Payment Methods

1. Bank Transfer

• Account Name (户名): 深圳市音妙文化传播有限公司

• Bank Name: Huaxia Bank Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Zhuzilin Branch

• Account Number: 10854000000329654

• Required Remark: "Sustainable Urban Conf + Affiliation + Participant Name"

2. Mobile Payment (Alipay & WeChat Pay)

• Please scan the QR codes provided below.

• Required Remark: "Sustainable Urban Conf + Affiliation + Participant Name"

3. On-site Payment

• Accepted via Bank Transfer, Alipay, or WeChat Pay.

Important Notes

1. Coverage: The registration fee includes conference access, meeting materials, venue rental, and on-site catering (lunch/coffee breaks).

2. Invoicing: Registration fees are collected by Shenzhen Yinmiao Culture Communication Co., Ltd., the designated event management service for this conference. Electronic invoices (Fapiao) with the item "Conference Registration Fee" will be issued.

3. Exclusions: Expenses for accommodation, transportation, and travel insurance must be covered by the participants.

                        Alipay                                                                                                                           WeChat Pay

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Venue & Registration Location

Jianguo BoCui Hotel (Shenzhen Bay Science and Technology Ecological Park)

Located near the HKU-Shenzhen Institute Address;

3F, Xunlei Building, No. 3709 Baishi Road, Yuehai Street, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong. (广东省深圳市南山区粤海街道白石路3709号迅雷大厦3楼)

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Transportation Guide

1. From Futian Railway Station (approx. 14 km)

• Take Metro Line 11 (towards Bitou) to Hongshuwan South Station.

• Transfer to Line 9 (towards Qianwan) and exit at Yuehaimen Station (Exit F2).

• The hotel is a 196m walk from the exit.

2. From Shenzhen North Railway Station (approx. 19 km)

• Take Metro Line 4 (towards Futian Checkpoint) to Shangmeilin Station.

• Transfer to Line 9 (towards Qianwan) and exit at Yuehaimen Station (Exit F2).

• The hotel is a 196m walk from the exit.

3. From Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (approx. 20 km)

• Take Metro Line 11 (towards Huaqiang South) to Houhai Station.

• Transfer to Line 13 (towards Shenzhen Bay Port) and exit at Yuehaimen Station (Exit F2).

• The hotel is a 196m walk from the exit.

4. From Shenzhen Railway Station (approx. 21 km)

• Take Metro Line 1 (towards Airport East) to Hi-Tech Park (Shenda) Station.

• Transfer to Line 13 (towards Shenzhen Bay Port) and exit at Yuehaimen Station (Exit F2).

• The hotel is a 196m walk from the exit.

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Contact & Inquiry

• Official Website: https://sustainability-xlab.hku.hk/

• Registration Inquiry: ziwei.zhu@connect.hku.hk

• Call for Papers: lizhuoran6@connect.hku.hk

• Invoicing & Reimbursement: liuwanying1818@163.com