Workshop Data to Decision

From Data to Informed Decisions: Governing Climate Resilience in Metropolitan Regions

XLVI-th Edition of the International Geographical Seminar “Dimitrie Cantemir”
23–25 October 2026 | Iași, Romania  – https://www.geo.uaic.ro/cantemir/en/home/

Organisers: Sorin Cheval (National Administration for Meteorology), Adina Croitoru (University Babes Bolyai of Cluj Napoca), Cristian Ioja (University of Bucharest), Mihai Răzvan Niță (University of Bucharest), Lucian Sfîcă (University Alexandru Ioan Cuza of Iasi).

Description: Metropolitan regions are increasingly exposed to the impacts of climate change, including heatwaves, flooding, droughts, and other climate-related hazards. At the same time, these territories concentrate population, infrastructure, economic activities, and governance functions, making resilience-building a key priority for sustainable development.

This thematic workshop explores how scientific knowledge, spatial data, and digital technologies can support more informed and effective climate governance in metropolitan regions. Particular attention will be given to the role of digital twins, integrated decision-support systems (IDSS), vulnerability assessment tools, GIS-based analyses, and living labs in bridging the gap between research and policy implementation. The workshop builds on experiences and lessons learned from the CARMINE, MOBCLIM, and P2R-TR projects, which have developed innovative approaches to climate resilience through interdisciplinary collaboration, co-creation, and stakeholder engagement.

The event aims to create a space for dialogue among researchers, urban and regional planners, public authorities, practitioners, technology developers, NGOs, and students interested in climate adaptation and metropolitan governance. Through short presentations and interactive discussions, participants will examine how digital solutions and collaborative approaches can contribute to evidence-based decision-making and the development of resilient metropolitan regions.

Structure: The event will be structured around five interconnected components:

  • DATA, focusing on how data are generated and collected;
  • MODELING, exploring methods and tools that can enhance the value and usability of meteorological and environmental data at fine urban scale;
  • PARTICIPATORY, examining how participatory approaches can support data production, validation, and co-creation;
  • POLICY, addressing the integration and use of data in policy design and decision-making; and
  • PRACTICE, investigating data needs and applications for the co-creation and implementation of nature-based solutions.

Who should attend? We invite researchers, urban and regional planners, public authorities, practitioners, technology developers, NGOs, and students interested in climate adaptation and metropolitan governance to join the workshop.

How you can attend? Participants may contribute as PRESENTERS by sharing work related to one or more of the five thematic components, or attend as audience members and actively engage in discussions and knowledge exchange.

Places may be limited in order to facilitate active discussion and networking among participants.

Registration details:

15th of September 2026 – Deadline for communication submission (abstracts)

Fees: 100 euros (+50 euros fieldtrip) – details on https://www.geo.uaic.ro/cantemir/en/fees/

Registration in the worshop is two steps process:

1. Register to the Dimitrie Cantemir conference –  here

2. Tell us about your participation/ engagement in the workshop – here

The workshop is organized in partnership by the University of Bucharest, National Meteorological Administration of Romania, University Babeș-Bolyai of Cluj-Napoca, and University Alexandru Ioan Cuza of Iași, under the auspice of the Society for Urban Ecology – South Eastern Europe Chapter.

We look forward to welcoming you to Iași for an engaging discussion on the future of climate resilience governance in metropolitan regions.