Innovative Strategies for Net-Zero Carbon Cities Integrating Renewable Energy, Smart Infrastructure and Circular Economy Models
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 1025
Special Issue Editors
Interests: optimization and operational research; graph theory; statistics; probability; cryptography; reliability; AI; scientific computing
Interests: optimization of energy production; energy efficiency using metaheuristic optimization algorithms
2. Institut de Recherche en Mines et Environnement (IRME), Université de Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada
Interests: environmental engineering; construction materials; wastewater treatment; sustainable infrastructure
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Aim and Scope:
The transition to net-zero carbon cities is a global challenge that requires innovative and interdisciplinary solutions. Achieving net-zero emissions depends upon the integration of renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and circular economy models to create resilient, efficient, and sustainable urban environments. This Special Issue explores emerging technologies, policy frameworks, and practical strategies that facilitate the decarbonization of cities while enhancing livability and economic sustainability.
Due to rapid urbanization and increasing energy demands, cities now play a vital role in the mitigation of climate change. Advancements in solar, wind, bioenergy, and hydrogen can transform urban energy systems and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Smart infrastructure powered by the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence enables optimized energy use, sustainable mobility, and data-driven decision-making. Circular economy principles, including resource efficiency, recycling materials, and waste-to-energy strategies, can minimize our environmental impact.
This Special Issue welcomes the submission of original research, reviews, and case studies whose scope includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:
- Renewable energy integration and hybrid urban energy systems;
- Smart infrastructure, IoT-based urban management, and AI-driven energy efficiency;
- Circular economy, waste-to-energy strategies, and sustainable construction materials;
- Low-carbon transportation, electric vehicles, and sustainable public transit;
- Climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and urban heat island reduction;
- Sustainable building design, passive strategies, and net-zero energy buildings;
- Economic pathways, green financing, and carbon pricing mechanisms;
- Policy frameworks, governance models, and public–private partnerships.
By uniting diverse perspectives, this Special Issue aims to advance science-based, policy-driven solutions for net-zero carbon cities.
Target Audience:
This Special Issue is intended for researchers, urban planners, engineers, policymakers, and innovators working in the fields of AI, smart city development, and sustainability. It welcomes contributions from academia, industry, and governmental institutions in order to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of innovative solutions. By engaging a broad range of stakeholders, this Special Issue aims to promote the development of smart, sustainable, and resilient urban environments, advancing knowledge and practice regarding the realization of net-zero carbon cities.
Prof. Dr. Hanaa Hachimi
Dr. Chakib El Mokhi
Dr. Abderrahim Lakhouit
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- net-zero cities
- renewable energy
- smart infrastructure
- circular economy
- recycling
- sustainable urban development
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