Discover Cities (Journal)

Description

Special Collection of "Urban innovation for sustainability: systems, policies and pathways", Discover Cities (Springer Nature).

Cities serve as critical arenas for sustainability-oriented innovation. As urban areas face mounting social, economic, and environmental challenges, innovation has become pivotal to shaping a sustainable urban future. This Collection invites original research exploring how urban innovation systems, policies, and pathways contribute to sustainable urban development.

We welcome studies examining innovation ecosystems and networks, entrepreneurship and green innovation, policy instruments and governance approaches, as well as the role of innovation spaces, clusters, and districts within cities. In addition, we encourage contributions addressing how emerging technologies, including digital platforms, big data, and artificial intelligence, are reshaping urban innovation processes and sustainability outcomes.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to: innovation districts, science parks, and creative clusters; policy experimentation and diffusion; start-up ecosystems and urban entrepreneurship; green and low-carbon innovation; digital transformation and technology-driven urban governance; and the interplay between innovation and sustainability transitions across diverse urban contexts globally.

We encourage submissions employing diverse theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches, ranging from quantitative analyses to qualitative case studies. Both empirical investigations and conceptual contributions are welcome.

Keywords: Urban Innovation, Innovation Systems, Innovation Policy, Innovation Networks, Urban Sustainability, Green Innovation, Urban Entrepreneurship, Innovation Districts, Innovation Spaces, Sustainability Transitions, Digital Transformation, Sustainable Development.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).


Submission deadline: 30 Jan 2027.

Period	May 2026 → Jan 2027
Type of journal	Journal
ISSN	3004-8311
Degree of Recognition	International