Academic Conferences

Conference Overview

Against the backdrop of intensifying global climate change and rapid urbanization, urban agglomerations have become key spatial units where population, economic activity, and resource use are most highly concentrated. High-intensity energy consumption, water resource constraints, biodiversity degradation, and frequent extreme climate events are creating unprecedented systemic challenges for urban agglomerations.

• How can cities and urban agglomerations strengthen climate adaptation capacity and systemic resilience while ensuring high-quality economic development?
• How can green transition and coordinated governance across multiple scales be achieved under the dual carbon goals?
• How can digitalization and artificial intelligence drive a transformation in urban governance?

These questions are becoming central issues for the global academic and policy communities.

Following the success and broad international impact of the first three conferences, the 4th International Symposium on Green Development of Urban Agglomerations and China-UK Bilateral High-Level Seminar on Urban Climate Resilience and Green Transition will be held in the United Kingdom in autumn 2026. The conference will bring together renowned scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from China, the United Kingdom, and other countries to advance high-level academic dialogue and policy coordination across disciplines, regions, and national boundaries.

Conference Details

Conference dates: September 27-October 4, 2026

Cambridge session: September 27-October 1, 2026

University of Surrey session: October 2-October 4, 2026

Venue

Cambridge session: Newnham College, University of Cambridge

University of Surrey session: Surrey Business School, Guildford

This conference introduces an innovative two-city model

Stage 1: University of Cambridge. Drawing on the rich history and long academic tradition of the University of Cambridge, the conference will host the main forum and high-level academic dialogues, including:

• Keynote presentations
• Special sessions on green development of urban agglomerations
• Climate-resilient infrastructure and low-carbon transition pathways

Stage 2: University of Surrey, focusing on:

• China-UK bilateral thematic dialogues
• Water-energy-food nexus research
• Digitalization and artificial intelligence for green governance
• Laboratory visits and technical exchange

Organizers

Hosts

• University of Cambridge
• University of Surrey
• University College London

Co-organizers

• Tsinghua University
• Beijing Normal University
• Guangdong University of Technology

Supporting organization

Special Committee on Green Development of Urban Agglomerations, Chinese Society for Urban Studies

Important Dates

• Abstract submission deadline: May 15, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: May 31, 2026
• Early-bird registration deadline: June 30, 2026
• Regular registration deadline: August 30, 2026

Registration

Conference website:

https://greencity.scimeeting.cn/en/web/index/35235

Registration portal:

https://greencity.scimeeting.cn/en/user/login/35235?return_url=https://greencity.scimeeting.cn/en/reg/index/35235

Registration fees:

• Cambridge session only: early-bird fee (before June 30) is GBP 550; regular fee (before August 30) is GBP 650.
• The University of Surrey session is by application and invitation, with a registration fee of GBP 300. The full conference registration fee is GBP 850.

We look forward to your participation