Cities are spaces profoundly shaped by historical and social dynamics. Globalization, economic development, migration, technological advancements, and environmental transformations lead to fundamental changes in the social, economic, and cultural structures of cities. These transformations necessitate a reevaluation of urban development processes, urban regeneration, urban identity, spatial justice, and a sustainable future.

The Urban Studies Congress will be held this year in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, hosted by the International Balkan University, with the main theme of Urban Development: Processes, Challenges, and Solutions. The congress aims to scientifically address key contemporary issues such as urban transformation, urban regeneration, inequalities, changing cultural structures, environmental challenges, and sustainability. While discussing the role of cities in economic growth and social change processes, the congress will also focus on the impacts of these processes on social justice, spatial planning, identity, and cultural heritage.

Today, cities face multidimensional challenges such as rapid population growth, irregular urbanization, and infrastructure issues. Migration movements are transforming the demographic and cultural fabric of cities, while urban inequalities threaten economic and social justice. At the same time, digitalization and smart city applications offer new opportunities in urban governance, while ecological crises highlight the necessity of sustainable urban policies.

In this context, the congress aims to bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from various disciplines such as sociology, economics, political science, law, urban and regional planning, architecture, and environmental sciences. The congress will discuss how urban space is shaped around the axes of economic development, social transformation, and ecological sustainability, and what types of solutions can be developed for emerging contemporary issues.

The congress will feature distinguished keynote speakers, well-known experts in the field of urban planning and architecture. Additionally, the program will include a panel discussion, The Future Urban Development of Cities, to explore challenges and opportunities for urban development. Within the conference, a workshop will be also held, focusing on generating ideas for the regeneration of a neglected site in Skopje, with the potential to reimagine and revitalize the city.

Scholarly contributions to the congress are expected to align with the following key themes:

• • • Measuring Urban Development: Rankings and Diverse Perspectives
    • Economic Development, Growth, and Urbanization Dynamics
    • Urban Transformation, Urban Regeneration, and Spatial Justice
    • Urban Inequalities and Social Segregation
    • Migration, Urbanization, and Identity
    • Smart Cities, Digitalization, and Urban Governance
    • Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Urban Policies
    • Urban Resilience and Emerging Ecological Approaches
    • Changing Social Structures and Urban Cultural Heritage

These themes are not exhaustive; the congress welcomes contributions on related topics that engage with the main theme.

Papers addressing topics aligned with the suggested key themes within the context of the Balkan region will be considered for publication in the Journal of Balkan Architecture (https://jba.ibupress.com/).