Welcome to the 18th International NECTAR (Network on European Communications and Transport Activity Research) 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:

NECTAR Clusters

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, and 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.

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

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

• AI and ICT in Urban and Transport Planning for Exploring Uncertainties.

• Assuring Pricing, Financing, and Mobility Budgets in Times of Uncertainty.

• 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 PDF of the cluster calls are linked below:

• Cluster 1 (Transport Infrastructure Impacts and Evaluation): Examining the appraisal and evaluation of transport policies and projects in a multi-actor environment.

• Cluster 2 (Policy and Environment): Transport and Health Integration in a Sustainable Future.

• Cluster 3 (Logistics & Freight): Transitioning to Sustainable, Resilient and Just Freight Transport.

• Cluster 4 (Urban Mobility Transitions): The thematic session explores the evolving landscape of urban mobility transitions within the broader context of transition economies.

• Cluster 5 (Leisure, Recreation and Tourism): Planning for Urban Tourism Mobility towards Sustainability and Efficiency.

• Cluster 6 (Accessibility): Accessibility in Transition: Harnessing Data to Navigate Change.

• Cluster 7 (Social and Health Issues in Transportation): The lived experience of mobility and its impact on equity and well-being.

• Cluster 8 (ICT): ICT and AI for Urban Mobility: Exploring Transitions & Uncertainties.

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 15, 2025 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

NECTAR PhD Award 2026

To recognize the high quality of the research conducted by the best of the PhD students supervised by NECTAR members, NECTAR awards a PhD award at its international Conference. The 6th NECTAR PhD award will consider PhD theses written in English which have been or will be defended between July 2024 and June 2026. We will also consider submissions consisting of sets of journal papers which are to be included in a future thesis, and which are representative for its quality. PhD thesis work can be submitted only by a supervisor who should be a NECTAR member (for year 2025 & 2026).

More information on the award and eligibility criteria can be found in this PDF.

Nomination deadline: 16 February 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.

NECTAR Leadership Team:
Maria Attard, University of Malta (NECTAR Chair)
Karst Geurs, University of Twente (NECTAR Vice-Chair)
Benjamin Büttner, Technical University of Munich (NECTAR Vice-Chair)