Cities are at the epicenter of profound and rapid transformations—technological, social, environmental, and political—that are reshaping urban life and our collective experiences. From the rise of smart technologies and data-driven urban governance to the shifting dynamics of global migration, economic inequality, and social movements, contemporary urban spaces are increasingly complex and interconnected. As cities evolve, long-established notions of identity, power, and agency are being challenged, raising critical questions about who controls the city, who benefits from its changes, and whose voices are heard or silenced in the process.

The theme of this conference, “Shaping Urban Futures: Navigating Identity, Power, and Agency in the Age of Transformation,” invites scholars, academics, urban practitioners, researchers, and activists to engage in critical discussions about the evolving urban landscape. We seek contributions that explore how urban transformations—driven by technological innovation, global connectivity, and social change—are reshaping how people understand and experience cities, how power is distributed, and how individuals and communities can assert agency within these changing environments.