Zhejiang University deepens global collaboration in interdisciplinary urban studies with Elsevier and international partners

The 9th International Conference on Interdisciplinary Urban Studies (City+2026@Mytilene) was successfully held in Mytilene, Greece, from 1–5 July 2026 under the theme “Improving Liveability for Urban and Rural Settings.” Hosted by the University of the Aegean, the conference was jointly organised through the City+ platform in partnership with Zhejiang University, Elsevier, and other international collaborators. Bringing together leading scholars, publishers, policy makers, and early-career researchers from around the world, the conference facilitated high-level academic exchange on interdisciplinary approaches to urban and rural development. The event concluded with outstanding academic achievements, strengthened international partnerships, and enhanced global influence for both the City+ platform and Zhejiang University.

Since its inauguration in Cambridge in 2017, City+ has developed into one of the world’s leading international forums for interdisciplinary urban studies, with previous conferences held in London, Delft, Milan, Canberra, Perth, Kitakyushu, and Oxford. Over the past nine years, the conference series has attracted more than one thousand participants from leading universities and research institutions worldwide. The 2026 conference further expanded this vision by highlighting the interconnected challenges and opportunities facing both urban and rural communities, with particular emphasis on data-driven governance, planning, innovation, and technology.

City+2026@Mytilene was jointly organised by the University of the Aegean and City+, with strong support from Zhejiang University and Elsevier. Zhejiang University’s China Institute of Urbanisation, Lab of Inclusive & Smart Governance for Urban–Rural Integration, ZJU–CMZJ Joint Lab on Data Intelligence and Urban Future, and College of Civil Engineering and Architecture served as supporting institutions alongside Elsevier and other international partners. This broad collaboration reflected the growing importance of global academic networks in advancing interdisciplinary urban research.

Zhejiang University played a leading role throughout the conference. Professor ZHANG Weiwen, Associate Professor XIE Qianwen, Dr. SHENG Hantian, Dr. ZHANG Yongping, and four doctoral students from the School of Public Affairs actively participated through conference organisation, scientific committees, oral presentations, and poster sessions. Dr. ZHANG Yongping, Founder and President of the City+ International Association for Interdisciplinary Urban Studies, served as Conference Chair together with Professor Thanasis Kizos from the University of the Aegean, demonstrating Zhejiang University’s continued leadership in international academic collaboration and talent development.

Elsevier also made important contributions to the academic programme through two highly attended workshops: Beyond Publishing Your Research: Behind the Scenes to Advance Your Academic Career and Insights into Best Publishing Practice for (Not Only) Early Career Researchers. These sessions, led by Elsevier publishers Jessica Torr and YAN Mengpei, provided valuable guidance on academic publishing, career development, and research dissemination.The conference further welcomed leading Elsevier editors, including Professor MI Zhifu, Editor-in-Chief of Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, and Professor LU Yi, Associate Editor of Landscape and Urban Planning, creating valuable opportunities for dialogue among researchers, editors, and publishers.

The conference also marked another important milestone in the strategic partnership between Zhejiang University and Elsevier. Supported in part by the Zhejiang University Global Partnership Fund, this collaboration has established an integrated framework encompassing international conferences, journal special issues, editorial cooperation, academic workshops, and researcher development. Building on the success of City+2026@Mytilene, Zhejiang University and Elsevier will continue to deepen their collaboration through the City+ platform. The next conference, City+2027@HongKong, will continue their shared commitment to advancing international academic excellence and contributing innovative solutions to sustainable urban and regional development.

Source: ZJU School of Public Affairs
Editor: DING Chenwei