upcoming

International Conference on Smart Cities and Spatial Development Projects

STICS
Apr 15 2027

The International Conference on Smart Cities and Spatial Development Projects (Smart SDP 2027) is organised within the STICS – Smart Transformation and Innovation Consortium Slovakia project. The conference invites researchers, practitioners, policymakers, city representatives, students, and innovation ecosystem actors to submit contributions addressing smart cities, spatial development, and the project-based delivery of urban transformation.

Smart cities and spatial development projects increasingly require integrated governance, digital tools, responsible data use, cross-sector cooperation, and strong project management capacities. Smart SDP 2027 aims to create a platform for academic exchange, practical reflection, and international cooperation on how cities, universities, public institutions, industry, and civil society can design, manage, and scale smart urban and spatial development initiatives.

Target Participants

  • Academic Community: Researchers, university educators, PhD students, and students.
  • Public Sector and Policymakers: Representatives of government institutions, municipalities, regional authorities, and public administration.
  • Project Management Professionals: Project, programme, and portfolio managers, consultants, and practitioners.
  • Business and Industry: Industry professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovation stakeholders.
  • Civil Society and International Organisations: Representatives of NGOs, professional associations, and international organisations.

The conference will be organised in a hybrid format, combining on-site participation in Bratislava with online participation opportunities for international contributors.Conference Topic

Key Thematic Areas

  • Smart Cities, Spatial Development, and Digital Transformation
  • Project, Programme, and Portfolio Management: Methodologies, Standards, and Governance
  • Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Digital Decision-Making
  • Sustainable Urban Development, Climate Change, and Energy Transition
  • Crisis Management, Urban Resilience, Reconstruction, and Post-War Recovery
  • Education, Innovation, and Capacity Building in Project Management
  • Stakeholder Engagement, Cross-Sector Collaboration, and Public Governance
  • Leadership, Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Project Management

Conference Tracks and Sessions

1. Project Management in the Age of AI

This track explores how artificial intelligence, data analytics, and decision-support tools are reshaping project management practices in municipalities, universities, and businesses. Contributions may address AI-supported forecasting, risk management, portfolio optimisation, project monitoring, dashboards, ethical use of AI, and responsible automation.

2. Project Management for EU Urban Transformation in the Context of Climate Change and Energy Transition

This track focuses on frameworks, methods, and case studies related to managing complex climate-neutrality, energy transition, and sustainability projects in European cities and regions. Contributions may address governance, EU funding instruments, multi-stakeholder cooperation, urban resilience, and implementation challenges.

3. Advanced Project Management Education and Capacity Building

This track welcomes contributions on innovative curricula, teaching methods, training formats, and competence development in project management. Special attention will be given to AI-enhanced learning tools, international cooperation, and educational approaches for universities, public administration, and industry.

4. Crisis and Reconstruction Project Management in Times of Uncertainty and High Risk

This track addresses project management in post-war reconstruction, disaster response, critical infrastructure recovery, and high-risk environments. Contributions may include lessons from Ukraine, resilience-oriented project governance, international cooperation, donor-funded projects, and risk-informed decision-making.

5. Special Session: roundtable "Women in Management: Leadership, Life Balance and Pathways Forward"

This special session invites women project managers from academia, municipalities, business, NGOs, and public institutions to discuss leadership journeys, hidden barriers, support mechanisms, and strategies for maintaining a healthy life–work balance. Practice-based reflections and short position contributions are welcome.

Important Dates

15 November 2026 – Call for Papers announcement

31 January 2027 – Extended abstract submission deadline

28 February 2027 – Notification of acceptance

1–20 March 2027 – Early registration

20 March 2027 – Full paper submission deadline

21 March – 10 April 2027 – Late registration

15–16 April 2027 – Conference (confirmed)

Publication Opportunities

Publication of selected peer-reviewed papers in Springer Nature's Lecture Notes on Data Engineering and Communications Technologies (LNDECT) series is pending confirmation by Springer Nature. Final publication will be subject to editorial selection, peer review, and publisher requirements.

Submission Guidelines

To prepare your paper, please follow the Submission Guidance

Please submit your abstract or paper via: https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/SmartSDP2027

All submissions will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee. Acceptance will be based on relevance to the conference topic, originality, clarity, methodological or practical contribution, and potential for academic or professional impact.

Registration and Payment Information

Registration Fees

  • Full Registration: Early €250 / Late €300
  • Ukrainian Participants: Early €150 / Late €180
  • Students (including PhD students): Early €100 / Late €130
  • Accompanying Person: Early €80 / Late €100
  • Online Participation: Early €80 / Late €100

Registration Form

https://forms.gle/5tK7DbmvWahnJLrg8

Registration Conditions

Full Registration

Includes access to all conference sessions, keynote presentations, workshops, electronic conference materials, coffee breaks and lunches.

Ukrainian Participants

A reduced registration fee is available for participants residing in Ukraine. This category provides the same benefits as Full Registration.

Students

Reduced fees are available to undergraduate, Master's and PhD students. Proof of student status may be required. Registration includes access to conference sessions, workshops, electronic materials and coffee breaks.

Accompanying Person

Intended for family members or guests accompanying registered participants. Includes participation in designated social activities, subject to the final programme. Does not include access to scientific sessions or presentation opportunities.

Online Participation

Includes virtual access to live conference sessions, keynote presentations and online workshops, the opportunity to present accepted contributions remotely, and access to electronic conference materials. Online registration does not include on-site catering or social activities.

Publication Policy

Registration includes access to the conference programme and digital conference materials. Accepted abstracts may be included in the conference Book of Abstracts.

Publication of selected full papers in an edited volume, conference proceedings or partner journals is subject to separate editorial review and publisher requirements. Any additional publication charges will be communicated separately.

Organisational Committee

Conference Chair

  • Nataliia Yehorchenkova, Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava
  • Vladimír Ondrejička, Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava
  • Ľubomír Jamečný, Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava

 Steering Committee

  • Oleksii Yehorchenkov — Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
  • Maroš Finka — Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
  • Natalia Kryvinska — Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
  • Lukáš Copuš — Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
  • Andrii Biloshchytskyi — Astana IT University, Kazakhstan
  • Viktoriia Khrutba — Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Germany
  • Ivan Balykin — NGO Progresylni, Ukraine
  • Darko Jureković — Oracle Academy / Zagreb School of Economics and Management, Croatia
  • Olena Verenych — Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Ukraine

Conference Partners

  • PMI Slovakia Chapter — Slovakia
  • PMI Ukraine Chapter — Ukraine
  • PMI Croatia Chapter — Croatia
  • Ukrainian Project Management Association (UPMA) — Ukraine
  • Oracle Academy — International
  • Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) — Ukraine
  • ConnectED — German-Ukrainian University Network — Germany / Ukraine

Contact

For questions related to submissions, participation, or partnership opportunities, please contact: nataliia.yehorchenkova@fm.uniba.sk