Organizers

Dr. Yanliu Lin*, Prof. Stan Geertman*, Dr. Nuno Pinto**

*Utrecht University, The Netherlands; ** University of Manchester, UK

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This workshop brings together academics and practitioners to discuss the short- and long-term challenges and opportunities of urban artificial intelligence (AI) in digital planning, which refers to the application of digital technologies and data-driven approaches to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and inclusivity in urban planning to achieve a more sustainable urban future. Urban AI encompasses a range of AI technologies, including generative AI, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and urban software systems, which are increasingly applied in government services, transportation, land use planning, energy management, and environmental monitoring, offering transformative possibilities for decision-making and citizen engagement worldwide. However, its rapid adoption raises critical ethical, legal, and practical concerns, such as data protection, citizen privacy, and financial and environmental costs, along with the need to ensure that practitioners can effectively use urban AI rather than being sidelined by it. As governments (e.g., UK Government, 2025) and major global institutions (e.g., European Commission, 2025) commit multi-billion investments in AI development and applications, addressing these issues is crucial. This workshop will take a structured, step-by-step approach to draft a shared statement on transparent, responsible, and human-centered urban AI deployment in urban planning and governance, laying the foundation for a research agenda on urban AI in digital planning. 

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More details coming soon.