We are delighted to announce that the Call for Abstracts for RSAI Congress 2020 is now open!

The Regional Science Association International (RSAI) and the Moroccan Regional Science Association (AMSR) invite regional scientists, economists, economic geographers, urban planners, policy makers, and researchers of related disciplines to participate in the 13th World Congress of the Regional Science Association International, with the main theme "Smart Regions – Opportunities for sustainable development in the digital era". The Congress will be hosted by the Moroccan Regional Science Association.

We invite formal paper presentations (deadline of November 15, 2019. The abstract submission portal is now open. Full information on the venue, abstract submission, registration, schedule of events, accommodation and travel information is posted at https://www.regionalscience.org/2020worldcongress

About the Focal Theme

The congress is open for the world-wide diverse audience of regional scientists including academics, policy makers and practitioners and aims to bring together the key elements of multidisciplinary regional science research and to provide a scientific platform for presenting and discussing research at the frontiers of the spatial sciences in a broad sense. The themes which will be addressed zoom in particular on the pressing challenges of meeting the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals, in both developed and developing economies. As a new challenge to regional science research is formed by the emerging digital technology and its implications for analysis, monitoring, evaluation and forecasting spatial dynamics at all levels, the theme chosen for the congress is ‘Smart Regions- Opportunities for Sustainable Development in the Digital Era’. Therefore, the potential of spatial and temporal big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence, social media information, and of the new spatial maps emerging from digitization and robotization will be addressed by the congress as well, as these forces will have far-reaching impacts on human behaviour and interaction in space. Topics such as urban-rural development, migration, spatial and resources (al)location, border effects, urbanization, sustainable cities, mobility, land use, environmental quality, disaster management, energy transition, culture, poverty, segregation, spatial modelling are important issues covered in the 2020 RSAI World Congress.

We look forward to welcoming you in the dazzling city of Marrakech in June 2020.

With warmest regards,

The Organizing Committee