in which contemporary and emerging challenges, faced by small and medium-sized cities and insular communities in the Mediterranean, are discussed, in conjunction with new policy concerns and directions;

globally reconsidered urban and regional goal settings and aspirations;

evolving urban/regional planning approaches and tools for human-centric, culture-driven as well as problem- and place-based decision-making;

supportive smart technologies and products; etc.

that elaborates on the currently challenge-led, mission-oriented, and societal problem-solving Research & Innovation policy orientation of the European Union for Horizon Europe.

The focus will be on the New Green Deal Strategy of EU and the Mission on Climate-neutral and Smart Cities, in an effort to address technological, institutional and societal innovations as critical factors for serving the multiple EU objectives for smart urban innovation-led growth, sustainability, resilience and inclusion.

which offers industries and SMEs the opportunity to present and promote technological solutions and products that are capable of coping with current and emergent challenges and threats confronted by the MED communities on the one hand;

and

listen to concerns and needs of the academic and policy community.