The International Conference on Sustainable Cities: Interdisciplinary Approaches, held on 27 June 2025 at the Athens University of Economics and Business, is an academic conference bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines to examine how cities can transition towards sustainability in the face of climate change, resource scarcity, and rapid urbanisation. Organised by leading sustainability researcher Professor Phoebe Koundouri through the Ae4RIA research organisation, the conference features presentations and discussions on topics ranging from circular economy models and green infrastructure planning to digital tools for environmental monitoring and citizen engagement.
The interdisciplinary focus is a hallmark of the event, with contributions from economists, environmental scientists, engineers, urban planners, sociologists, and data scientists working together to address the complex, interconnected challenges of sustainable urban development. Athens provides a compelling backdrop for these discussions, as a city simultaneously grappling with extreme heat, water scarcity, air pollution, and rapid digital transformation while investing heavily in smart city infrastructure and climate adaptation.
Conference sessions explore how digital technologies — including AI, IoT, and big data analytics — can support evidence-based sustainability planning, and how participatory governance models can ensure that urban transitions are equitable and inclusive. The event attracts researchers and practitioners from across Europe and the Mediterranean, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaborative project development.
For academics and urban professionals interested in the scientific foundations of sustainable city-making, this conference provides a rigorous and stimulating intellectual environment grounded in the real-world challenges of one of Europe's oldest and most complex cities.