Welcome to the 18th International NECTAR Conference! Join us in Munich for a timely exploration of how urban mobility planning can adapt and thrive amidst today’s global uncertainties. Connect with scholars, practitioners, and policymakers as we explore new pathways toward inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban mobility futures.

Conference Theme

In a world increasingly shaped by crises including climate emergency, energy scarcity, geopolitical instability, digital disruption, and public discontent. The role of urban mobility planning is under unprecedented pressure to adapt. The NECTAR '26 conference invites contributions that critically engage with the complexity of mobility transitions under conditions of uncertainty. How can we move forward when the future is unclear?

We welcome interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and theoretical contributions that address the following (and related) themes:

Call for Papers

NECTAR 2026 invites extended abstracts that address the following conference topics:

• Planning in Times of Uncertainty: Embracing resilience, agility, and long-term thinking.

• Energy Scarcity and the Turn Toward Proximity: Proximity-based, low-energy mobility systems.

• Safety, Trust, and Public Discontent: Emotional dimensions of planning, resistance, and increasing backlash.

• Public Participation, Co-Creation & New Narratives: Tools for inclusive engagement and storytelling.

• Health Impacts of Mobility Systems: Mental and physical health outcomes from (in)action.

• Accelerating Inclusive Mobility Transitions: Equity and justice-centered strategies.

• Inclusion and Governance: Participation and equitable access.

• Citizens, Administration, Politicians: Power dynamics and synergies.

• Do We Need to Convince Everyone?: Dissent, deliberation, and communication.

• Cross-Field Collaboration: Transdisciplinary exchange and problem-solving.

• AI in Urban and Transport Planning: Impacts of ML and decision-support systems.

• Pricing, Financing, and Mobility Budgets: Innovative financial instruments for sustainability.

• The Foundational Role of Networks in Mobility and Communications: Theory, Applications, and Current Challenges.

In addition to these topics, we welcome papers on topics in the fields of transport, communications, and mobility at large. General topics of interest include transport and infrastructure evaluation, transport policy and environment, logistics and freight, tourism, recreation and leisure, housing and labour markets, accessibility analysis, social an health issues, and ICT.

The various NECTAR clusters will also organize specific thematic sessions at the conference. The calls for papers for these sessions will follow shortly!

What is the submission deadline?

The deadline for abstract submission is January 31, 2026.

What are the acceptance criteria?

Criteria for acceptance are scope, scientific quality, NECTAR membership and the possibility to fit the presentation in a coherent conference session.

How long should abstracts be?

Abstracts must not exceed 500 words and should follow the submission instructions on the conference website.

How do I submit abstracts?

The form for submitting abstracts will be open on November 1, 2026 on this website.

Who can attend this conference?

In order to participate in the conference, a consecutive and current two-year NECTAR membership is necessary (2024-2026). Non-members can find details of how to join the association on the “Membership” page of NECTAR’s website: www.nectar-eu.eu/membership

Abstract Submission FAQ

When will a decision be made about my abstract?

Notification of acceptance: April 1, 2026
Confirmation of attendance: April 30, 2026

Location

The NECTAR '26 conference is hosted by the Technical University of Munich. More information on the conference venue, accommodation options, and travel directions will be provided in due course.

Map & Address

Chair of Urban Structures and Transport Planning
Technical University of Munich
Arcisstraße 21
80333 München

Organizers

NECTAR 2026 is hosted by the Accessibility Planning Research Group at Chair of Urban Structures and Transport Planning, Technical University of Munich (TUM), in collaboration with the NECTAR Board and its thematic clusters. The conference organizing team brings together leading scholars and practitioners in urban and transport planning.