This book comprises a selection of the top contributions presented at the second international conference "Smart and Sustainable Planning for Cities and Regions 2017", held in March 2017 in Bolzano, Italy. Featuring forty-six papers by policy-makers, academics and consultants, it discusses current groundbreaking research in smart and sustainable planning, including the progress made in overcoming cities' challenges towards improving the quality of life. Climate change adaptation and mitigation of global warming, generally identified as drivers of global policies, are just the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to smart energy transition. Indeed, equally relevant towards this current transformation - and key topics in this volume - are ICTs, public spaces and society; next economy for the city; strategies and actions for good governance; urban-rural innovation; rethinking mobility. The book's depth in understanding and insightfulness in re-thinking demonstrate the breaking of new groundin smart and sustainable planning. A new ground that policy-makers, academics and consultants may build upon as a bedrock for smart and sustainable planning.

Autorentext

Adriano Bisello is member of the Urban and Regional Energy Systems team at EURAC in Bolzano (Italy) as senior researcher, working in a multidisciplinary and international team. His current activities range from local to European-funded projects in the field of smart cities, international energy planning, and sustainable energy policies and plans.

Daniele Vettorato is the coordinator of the Urban and Regional Energy Systems research group at EURAC in Bolzano (Italy). He has been the Vice President of ISOCARP (International Society of City and Regional Planners) since 2017.

Pierre Laconte is a Doctor of Laws and also of Economics (Catholic University of Louvain). He is President of the Foundation for the Urban Environment, which seeks to link urban planning, transportation and the environment; and he is a past President of ISOCARP (International Society of City and Regional Planners) and former Secretary General of the International Association of Public Transport.

Simona Costa is a Senior European Policy Expert with long experience in Regional Policies, Energy, Sustainable Transport, Innovation and Financial Engineering for public authorities. She has gained more than 23 years' experience in the multi-level European lobbying context in Brussels, working for EU Institutions (European Parliament and European Commission) and in industrial lobbying (Leonardo Group).