From February 12–15, 2025, the UR-DATA project team participated in the 64th Annual Meeting of the Western Regional Science Association (WRSA), held in Henderson, Nevada, USA. The event brought together leading scholars in regional science, economics, and urban development to discuss cutting-edge research and global challenges.
The conference opened with a Welcome Reception on February 12, where the UR-DATA team had the opportunity to engage with distinguished experts, including Prof. Peter Nijkamp and Jaewon Lim, WRSA Executive Director and Program Chair. Discussions with Barbara Fess, Senior Editor at Springer, also provided valuable insights into the latest publishing trends in regional science and economics.
UR-DATA Research Presentation
On February 14, Ivana Marjanović from the University of Niš, Faculty of Economics, presented the UR-DATA project research in the Location & Economic Development session. The study, titled “Exploring Regenerative Urban Development in Europe: Data Envelopment Analysis of City Smartness,” was co-authored with Jelena Stanković, Marija Džunić, Marina Stanojević, and Saša Čegar. This research applies Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate how European cities integrate smart and regenerative principles to enhance sustainability and economic resilience.
The presentation sparked a dynamic discussion on regenerative urban development, sustainability indicators, and how cities can transition toward smarter, more inclusive governance models. The study’s findings contribute to the growing discourse on balancing technological advancement with environmental and social well-being.
Engagement in Scientific Discussions
In addition to presenting research, Ivana Marjanović also contributed as a discussant in the session on Transportation & Environment. She provided expert feedback on studies exploring metro development, network configurations, and transit disruptions, reinforcing the UR-DATA team’s active involvement in global academic discussions.
Participation in the Great Minds in Regional Science Lecture
The UR-DATA team also attended The Regional Science Academy (TRSA) – SAS Great Minds in Regional Science Lecture, chaired by Peter Batey (University of Liverpool) and David Plane (University of Arizona). This session celebrated key figures in regional science, with Jeremiah Allen (University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada)highlighting the contributions of Dorothy Swaine Thomas and Hope Tisdale Eldridge in quantitative migration systems analysis. Peter Batey provided an insightful overview of Sir Peter Hall’s role in shaping regional science and defining the institutional identity of the field.
Strengthening International Collaborations
Participation in WRSA 2025 provided an excellent opportunity for the UR-DATA team to exchange ideas with international researchers, explore collaborative research opportunities, and enhance the visibility of the project’s objectives in the field of regional science, urban economics, and sustainability.
The UR-DATA project remains committed to advancing data-driven insights for smart and resilient urban development, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributing to global research initiatives.