IOER Conference „Space & Transformation” 2026: Digitalisation meets Transformative Governance

The fourth IOER Conference “Space & Transformation” will take place from 22 to 24 September 2026, and 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? All interested parties from academia and society are cordially invited to participate.

[Translate to English:] Eine Illustration (Zeichnung) zum Thema der Tagung. Sie besteht aus verschiedenen kleinen Piktogrammen. — [Translate to English:] Illustration: N. Bongaerts/IÖR-Media

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”.

Spatial development must grapple with complex sustainability challenges. These range from climate change and biodiversity loss to the restructuring of various regions and economies to growing conflicts over socio-spatial cohesion and democratic stability. All must be addressed simultaneously, while relying on outdated governance and planning systems and contending with limited (transformative) capacities.

Of particular importance in overcoming these challenges is the emerging conjunction of two major trends: digitalisation and transformative governance. Both trends have the potential to substantially alter the orientation and dynamics of spatial change, as well as the effectiveness of societal efforts to steer such change towards sustainability.

The 4th IOER Conference “Space & Transformation” 2026 aims to further explore the relations between digitalisation and transformative governance in research, policy and practice with a view to the diverse urban and regional sustainability innovations urgently required.

Part of the IOER Conference is the DLGS Summer School for doctoral students. It is organised by the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS) and will take place on the first day of the IOER Conference, on 22 September 2026. The DLGS Summer School is dedicated to the same overall topic: "Digitalisation meets Transformative Governance: Towards urban and regional sustainability‽".

The conference offers ample space and a diversity of formats for personal interaction and discussion, building on inputs from invited speakers, participants as well as IOER researchers. The detailed call for contributions will follow at the beginning of 2026.

More information
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 – Summer School (PhD) of the Dresden Leibniz Graduate School (DLGS)
Venue: Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) Dresden, Germany

23+24/09/2026 – Main Conference
Venue: Deutsches Hygiene-Museum Dresden, Germany

Contact to the organising team
E-mail: tagungioer@ioer.de

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