From April 8–10, 2025, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Niš hosted the three-day workshop “Planning and Optimization in Data-rich Environments”, organized as part of the UR-DATA project. The event brought together project partners and distinguished international guests to deepen knowledge and foster collaboration in the field of urban data analytics, planning, and public policy.
The first day opened with a lecture by Valerio Paruscio from Poliedra, Italy, who introduced recent EU initiatives in Urban Data Analytics and GIS, highlighting practical approaches to evidence-based urban governance. This was followed by interactive sessions focused on the use of GIS in developing new project proposals, giving participants the opportunity to explore synergies and co-develop ideas for future collaborative applications.
Day two featured an inspiring lecture by professor Claudia van der Laag from Oslo Metropolitan University on the potential of Digital Twins for citizen-centric urban planning. The session was followed by a presentation on the future of regional science in the Western Balkans, drawing on the experiences of the ERSA section in Bulgaria, and sparking a lively discussion on regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.
On the third day, the workshop aligned with the 5th International Conference on Urban Planning (ICUP2025), held at the Science and Technology Park Niš. UR-DATA participants actively contributed to the Quality of Life Workshop, co-facilitated by experts from UN-Habitat and academia, exploring how urban quality of life indicators can inform local decision-making and policy implementation.
A highlight of the final day was the keynote by UR-DATA’s Claudia van der Laag from Oslo Metropolitan University titled “Why central locations matter for urban well-being”. Professor van der Laag emphasized the role of spatial centrality in shaping residents’ lived experiences and urban well-being, introducing frameworks for monitoring and evaluating urban data in support of inclusive and sustainable development.
The day continued with a second keynote lecture by professor Wendy Tan from Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, titled “Beyond the Plan: Strategic Innovations in Managing Public Space”. As a leading expert and research coordinator of the Foundation of Managing Public Space (Netherlands), Professor Tan presented cutting-edge approaches to managing public spaces through participatory design and strategic innovation, emphasizing the evolving role of urban public realms in fostering resilience and community well-being.
The workshop concluded with a hands-on session back at the Faculty of Economics, where participants worked on the implementation of new analytical tools and initiated preparations for joint scientific publications. These sessions reaffirmed the UR-DATA project’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of data for more inclusive, resilient, and well-planned urban futures.