News

UNU-EGOV in IS 2026 to Address Critical Challenges of Rapid Urbanization

Demetrios Sarantis will present the paper "Smart Sustainable Cities and Communities for people: A Pathway to a Resilient Future".

The 19th IADIS International Conference Information Systems (IS 2026) will take place in Zagreb, Croatia, from 6–9 March 2026. 

Representing the United Nations University - Operating Unit on Policy-driven Electronic Governance (UNU-EGOV), Demetrios Sarantis, Senior Research Analyst, will present the paper titled "Smart Sustainable Cities and Communities for people: A Pathway to a Resilient Future". 

The research addresses the critical challenges of rapid urbanization, with projections suggesting 68% of the global population will reside in cities by 2050. Using a quantitative approach involving participants from Pakistan, the study explores how technologies such as AI, IoT, and Big Data Analytics act as catalysts for urban development. 

The findings confirm a positive relationship between technological integration and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in health, education, and clean energy. The study emphasizes that smart infrastructure and inclusive governance are vital for creating resilient, equitable urban environments.
 

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