The fourth IOER Conference “Space & Transformation” will take place from 22 to 24 September 2026 in Dresden. It will focus on the relationship between digitalisation and transformative governance in research, policy and practice. What potential, but also what conflicts, do these two trends hold for the transformative change of cities and regions towards sustainability? The conference will kick off on 22 September with an international Summer School for PhD students on the conference theme, organised by the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS). The conference programme is available online, and registration is open until 13 September.
Register now: 4th IOER Conference „Space & Transformation”: Digitalisation meets transformative governance
Under the heading “Digitalisation meets transformative governance: Towards urban and regional sustainability‽”, the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) will once again focus on key issues in spatial and sustainability sciences at the fourth edition of the IOER Conference “Space & Transformation”.
From 22 to 24 September 2026, interested parties from research, policy and practice are invited to Dresden. The IOER Conference, as well as the DLGS Summer School for PhD students – which forms part of the conference – aim to further explore the relations between digitalisation and transformative governance with a view to the diverse urban and regional sustainability innovations urgently required.
Keynotes, sessions, interaction
The following keynote speakers will provide valuable impetus for the discussion:
- Professor Ursula Eicker, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Cities at Concordia University in Montreal/Canada and co-founder as well as director of the Next-Generation Cities Institute
- Professor Sarah Giest, Institute of Public Administration at Leiden University in The Netherlands.
Sarah Giest will also be leading an interactive workshop on the topic “From Research to Policy: Navigating Collaboration in Practice” at the DLGS Summer School for PhD students on 22 September.
The programme of the fourth IOER Conference „Space & Transformation” offers a varied mix of traditional and interactive presentation formats. The sessions are organised into three thematic tracks:
- Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Transformative Governance
- Bridging Digitalisation and Transformative Governance
HACLAthon & Digital Tool Slam
The afternoon of 23 September will feature some special programme highlights. The initial results of the Sustainability Transformation HaCLAthon will be presented. The HaCLAthon, which focuses on collaborative work with data, is already in full swing. It offers those interested the opportunity to work on a topic of their own choosing over several weeks. Individuals or teams who are interested can still join the HaCLAthon.
In addition, on 23 September, the Digital Tool Slam will take place on the main stage at Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden. In this Science Slam, participants will each have just a few minutes to present their digital application in a live and engaging way. The audience will vote to award the most innovative tool.
Evening event at the “robotron-Kantine” – a cultural heritage site
The evening of 23 September will draw to a close at the Kunsthaus Dresden | robotron-Kantine, located near the conference venue. Participants will have the opportunity to discover this remarkable place and learn more about its history through short guided tours. The photography exhibition “What are we doing? Images in times of crumbling certainties” (original title: Was tun wir. Bilder in Zeiten zerfallender Gewissheiten) will also be on display. It features works by the 26 currently active members of the renowned Berlin-based photo agency OSTKREUZ.
Registration until 13 September
The IOER Conference once again offers ample space and opportunity for personal interaction and discussion.
Registration is now open - for the 4th IOER Conference “Space & Transformation” as well as for the DLGS Summer School for PhD students. The deadline for registration is 13 September.
Online registration via ConfTool
More information on the website of the IOER Conference “Space & Transformation” 2026
At a glance – 4th IOER Conference „Space & Transformation“
Topic: Digitalisation meets transformative governance: Towards urban and regional sustainability‽
22/09/2026 – Pre-conference Summer School of the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS) for PhDs | Venue: Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) Dresden, Germany
23+24/09/2026 – 4th IOER Conference “Space & Transformation” | Venue: Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden, Germany
Contact to the organising team
E-mail: conference@ioer.de
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