The Mediterranean basin is undergoing a profound spatial and ecological transformation, balancing rapid urbanization and economic pressures with the imperative to preserve its rich natural and cultural heritage. As the region adapts to contemporary challenges such as climate change, demographic shifts, and tourism expansion, practitioners and scholars face the complex task of harmonizing modern infrastructure with historical identity.

The current era of Mediterranean development is defined by a shift toward smart, resilient, and adaptive frameworks, where the objective is to protect fragile coastal ecosystems, revitalize historical urban cores, and increase sustainable regional growth. This movement requires a sophisticated synthesis of ecological stewardship, advanced spatial analytics, and community-driven policies to manage the dynamic landscapes of the Mediterranean.

In response to these systemic shifts, the 4th edition of the Landscapes Across the Mediterranean (CrossMED) conference, taking place in Thessaloniki, Greece, serves as a global forum for redefining the future of Mediterranean spaces. By integrating advanced territorial policies with regenerative design strategies, CrossMED provides a definitive platform where academic research, policy expertise, and local stewardship converge. This edition emphasizes actionable, future-proof solutions to foster a resilient, inclusive, and culturally vibrant Mediterranean basin.

Conference Scope

CrossMED functions as a premier international hub for the convergence of diverse academic, corporate, and entrepreneurial expertise. It brings together urban planners, architects, landscape designers, environmental scientists, and policymakers to foster multidisciplinary research that addresses the urgent need to redesign regional frameworks in a rapidly evolving Mediterranean context.

Statement of Purpose

This conference aims to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary forum that bridges the gap between historical landscape preservation and modern infrastructural evolution. Our mission is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, methodologies, and best practices among scholars and regional practitioners. By examining the synergy between ecological resilience and economic integration, we aim to offer actionable insights that empower urban leaders, strategists, and designers to lead the transition toward a sustainable, healthy, and environmentally resilient Mediterranean market.

• 1. Architecture of the Mediterranean Context and Built Environment

  1.1. Regional Architectural Typologies Responding to Mediterranean Climates.

  1.2. Vernacular Building Techniques and Modern Sustainable Adaptation.

  1.3. Integration of Contemporary Design Within Historic Urban Fabrics.

  1.4. Material Authenticity and Local Sourcing in Mediterranean Construction.

  1.5. Passive Energy Strategies Inspired by Traditional Mediterranean Architecture.

  1.6. Microclimate Control and Thermal Comfort in Built Spaces.

  1.7. Architectural Identity and Cultural Continuity Across Coastal Regions.

  1.8. Innovative Structural Engineering for Mediterranean Seismic Zones.

• 2. Historical Landscapes and Urban Heritage Preservation

  2.1. Conservation Strategies for Archaeological Sites and Historic Gardens.

  2.2. Urban Archaeology and the Management of Historic City Centers.

  2.3. Digital Documentation and 3D Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage.

  2.4. Adaptive Reuse of Industrial and Architectural Heritage.

  2.5. Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage Tied to Historic Landscapes.

  2.6. Community-Led Conservation Models for Endangered Cultural Sites.

  2.7. Risk Assessment and Climate Vulnerability Mapping for Heritage.

  2.8. Legislative Frameworks Governing Historical Landscape Protection.

• 3. Next-Generation Regional Infrastructure and Smart Territorial Systems

  3.1. Integration of Smart Infrastructure Within Fragile Ecosystems.

  3.2. Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Stormwater and Flood Management.

  3.3. Smart Mobility Systems and Low-Impact Transportation Networks.

  3.4. Energy-Efficient Public Lighting and Grid Integration in Cities.

  3.5. Circular Economy Principles in Regional Infrastructure Projects.

  3.6. Digital Twins and IoT Applications for Urban Landscape Monitoring.

  3.7. Mitigation of Urban Heat Island Effects Through Green Infrastructure.

  3.8. Resilient Utility Networks Supporting Coastal and Inland Communities.

• 4. Dynamic Coastal Geographies and Waterfront Development

  4.1. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Methodologies.

  4.2. Sea-Level Rise Adaptation and Coastal Defence Strategies.

  4.3. Protection and Restoration of Marine and Terrestrial Ecotones.

  4.4. Sustainable Waterfront Development and Public Access Optimization.

  4.5. Port Logistics and Ecological Preservation in Coastal Cities.

  4.6. Management of Coastal Erosion and Sediment Dynamics.

  4.7. Water Scarcity as a Mediterranean Crisis: Security, Conflict, and Desalination.

  4.8. Ecotourism Planning in Sensitive Coastal Habitats.

• 5. Ecological Resilience and Adaptive Management in the Mediterranean Region

  5.1. Biodiversity Conservation Across Mediterranean Biomes.

  5.2. Wildfire Seasons and Landscape Recovery in a Warming Mediterranean.

  5.3. Drought Resilience and Water-Wise Landscape Design.

  5.4. Ecosystem Services Valuation in Regional Spatial Planning.

  5.5. Climate Change Mitigation Through Carbon-Sequestration Landscapes.

  5.6. Restoration Ecology Practices for Degraded Agricultural Lands.

  5.7. Invasive Species Management and Habitat Protection.

  5.8. Adaptive Governance Models for Environmental Crises.

• 6. Cultural Landscapes and Societal Well-Being

  6.1. Therapeutic Landscapes and Access to Nature for Public Health.

  6.2. Biophilic Design Principles in Mediterranean Community Spaces.

  6.3. Social Equity and Public Space Distribution in Urban Areas.

  6.4. Soundscapes and Sensory Experiences in Cultural Landscapes.

  6.5. Agricultural Landscapes as Cultural and Community Assets.

  6.6. Participatory Planning Processes Enhancing Citizen Well-Being.

  6.7. Preservation of Rural Traditions and Agritourism Landscapes.

  6.8. Psychological Connections Between Communities and Local Environments.

• 7. Territorial Policies and Governance Frameworks

  7.1. Cross-Border Spatial Planning and Regional Cooperation Policies.

  7.2. Land-Use Optimization and Containment of Urban Sprawl.

  7.3. Decentralized Governance Models for Sustainable Regional Growth.

  7.4. Regulatory Instruments for Environmental Impact Assessment.

  7.5. Public-Private Partnerships in Regional Development Initiatives.

  7.6. Multi-Level Policy Integration for Climate Adaptation.

  7.7. Strategic Spatial Planning for Polycentric Metropolitan Regions.

  7.8. Fiscal Incentives for Sustainable Private Sector Development.

• 8. Economic Integration and Regenerative Tourism

  8.1. Sustainable Tourism Management Models for Heritage Destinations.

  8.2. Economic Diversification Strategies for Coastal and Rural Regions.

  8.3. Green Investments and Financing Mechanisms for Urban Renewal.

  8.4. Overtourism Backlash: Rethinking Mediterranean Cities After the Tourist Caps.

  8.5. Agri-Food Economies and Short Supply Chains in Regional Growth.

  8.6. Cultural Industries as Drivers of Local Economic Development.

  8.7. Cross-Mediterranean Trade Networks and Economic Synergy.

  8.8. Measuring the Socio-Economic ROI of Sustainable Infrastructure.

• 9. Environmental Values, Ethics and Justice in Mediterranean Landscapes

  9.1. Exploring Contents and Forms of Axiological Reform in Landscapes.

  9.2. Ethical Dimensions of Land Appropriation and Spatial Justice.

  9.3. Philosophical Perspectives on Human-Nature Relationships in the Basin.

  9.4. Aesthetic Value Shifts in Contemporary Mediterranean Design.

  9.5. Re-evaluating Cultural Narratives Through Landscape Transformation.

  9.6. Ethics of Resource Distribution and Environmental Justice.

  9.7. Value Systems Guiding Heritage Preservation and Innovation.

  9.8. Decolonizing Spatial Theories within Mediterranean Contexts.

• 10. Agricultural Landscapes, Food Security, and Rural Heritage

  10.1. Preservation of Traditional Terraced Farming Systems.

  10.2. Agroforestry Practices for Sustainable Mediterranean Slopes.

  10.3. Water Management and Traditional Irrigation Systems in Agriculture.

  10.4. Agro-Biodiversity Conservation and Native Crop Protection.

  10.5. Rural-Urban Linkages in Local Food Supply Chains.

  10.6. Landscape Aesthetics of Mediterranean Vineyards and Olive Groves.

  10.7. Climate Adaptation Strategies for Vulnerable Rural Communities.

  10.8. Socio-Economic Viability of Small-Scale Farming.

• 11. Digital Technologies and Spatial Analytics in Landscape Planning

  11.1. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Predictive Environmental Modeling.

  11.2. Remote Sensing and Satellite Tracking for Land Cover Changes.

  11.3. Parametric Design Approaches for Complex Topographies.

  11.4. Big Data Analytics for Visitor Flow and Tourism Management.

  11.5. Virtual Reality (VR) Simulations for Public Consultation and Design.

  11.6. Building Information Modeling (BIM) for Infrastructure Integration.

  11.7. Automated Environmental Impact Assessments Using AI.

  11.8. Open-Source Spatial Data Sharing Across Regional Platforms.

• 12. Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Risk Mitigation

  12.1. Extreme Weather Preparedness in Coastal and Mountain Areas.

  12.2. Flash Flood Modeling and Watershed Management Systems.

  12.3. Soil Conservation and Desertification Reversal Techniques.

  12.4. Urban and Rural Heat Stress Mitigation Frameworks.

  12.5. Renewable Energy Integration in Fragile Natural Landscapes.

  12.6. Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Community Recovery Protocols.

  12.7. Carbon Neutrality Targets in Regional Urban Planning.

  12.8. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) Strategies for Vulnerable Zones.

• 13. Social Equity, Community Engagement, and Inclusive Public Spaces

  13.1. Co-Design Methodologies Involving Local Communities in Planning.

  13.2. Accessibility and Universal Design in Historic Urban Centers.

  13.3. Public Space Distribution and Social Cohesion in Cities.

  13.4. Gender-Inclusive Design in Mediterranean Urban Environments.

  13.5. Youth Engagement and Grassroots Urbanism Initiatives.

  13.6. Mitigating Gentrification Pressures in Historic Neighborhoods.

  13.7. Cultural Diversity Integration in Public Realm Design.

  13.8. Community-Based Monitoring of Local Environmental Quality.

General Instructions

1. Payment Note: 
   

   Payments through the website are currently unavailable due to ongoing website enhancements. IEREK offers alternative payment methods, including bank transfer and secure third-party online payment links.

2. Expenses:

   The registration fee does not cover accommodation or travel expenses. A list of accommodation options can be suggested by our team if available. Please contact [email protected] for inquiries.

3. Benefits:

   We recommend that all authors take advantage of the benefits that IEREK offers, including various attendance types, publishing opportunities, and opportunities for discounts and waivers.

4. Membership:

   We are pleased to inform all applicants that they can use their previous publications to register for an IEREK membership, which offers a special discount.

5. Collaborative Discounts:

   IEREK offers a special discount to applicants from collaborative universities that have signed an MoU with IEREK to host or co-host one of its conferences.

6. Income-Based Discounts

   IEREK also provides special discounts to authors from low and medium-income countries.

7. Publication Accessibility:

   The disclosed fees are for the conference participation (Publication is free of charge, but only the conference participants can be considered for publishing in the conference proceedings).

8. Book Series/ Journal(s) Discounts:

   Some of the disclosed conference fees may vary depending on the book series and/or journal(s) presented as a publication outlet, as we encourage submission to newly founded book series and/or journal(s) by presenting a discounted rate for the conference's fees.

Types of Applications, Attendance, and Registration

IEREK offers many types of registrations that are diverse in registration fees; applicants can choose the type they are familiar with as follows:

1. Academic:

   Participants who are PhD holders, post-doctoral researchers, and universities’ affiliated professors and experts in the field.

2. Students:

   Must provide proof of enrollment in a university by providing an enrollment certificate and/or a valid university ID (with issue/expiry date) etc.

3. Professionals:

   Participants who are not affiliated with universities such as practitioners, policymakers, entrepreneurs, etc.

4. Companions/Co-authors:

   Have access to the event to enjoy the discussions, coffee breaks, and lunch as a co-author or audience.

A. Physical Attendance

Special Discount for Egyptian Participants

To support and encourage the active involvement of the local academic and professional community, IEREK, offers a special discounted registration fee (excluding VAT) for Egyptian participants attending the conference in person.

The registration fee does not cover accommodation or travel expenses. A list of accommodation options can only be suggested by our team if available. Contact [email protected] to inquire.

IEREK offers various types of participation. Applicants can apply for in-person attendance to benefit fully from conference discussions and knowledge exchange.

IEREK also offers virtual attendance for authors to present their research papers online; however, we strongly encourage all applicants to attend the conference in person.

The physical fee covers:

• The Conference Kit, which includes a softcopy of the abstract book, Conference notebook, IEREK pen, and Conference Flyers/Printouts.
• IEREK Participation/Contribution Certificate
• Consideration for publication in the IEREK-Springer interdisciplinary series (ASTI series by Springer) or IEREK Press, or any special issues available according to the type of registration in the table above.
• A Preliminary Acceptance Letter
• Lunches and Coffee Breaks

* Each research paper should have one main author who should pay the full fee (Author fees) regardless of attendance. Co-authors, each, have their fees to pay to attend the event. This applies to online attendance as well as physical attendance.

* A research paper fee allows only one author, whether main or co-author, to attend the conference and receive only one conference kit. Extras can be requested for an additional fee.

B. Online Attendance

IEREK offers virtual attendance, providing authors with a unique link to join the conference sessions and present their papers as per the announced program.

The online fee covers:

• IEREK Participation/Contribution soft copy Certificate.
• Preliminary Acceptance Letter.
• Consideration for publication in the IEREK-Springer interdisciplinary series (ASTI series by Springer) or IEREK Press, or any special issues available according to the type of registration in the table above.
• Access to conference recordings.

* Each research paper should have one main author who should pay the full fee (Author fees) regardless of attendance.

* Co-authors, each, have their fees to pay to attend the event. This applies to online attendance as well as physical attendance.

Discounts and Waiving Opportunities

1. 15%: Participants who come from co-partner universities who have already signed an MOU with IEREK can receive a 15% discount. Authors should mention the key person who signed the agreement with IEREK. You are welcome to inquire if your university has an agreement with IEREK or not yet.
2. 15%: Participants affiliated with universities in the hosting country on the regular registration fee.
3. 20%: Waiving with 20% from the announced fees for low-income countries according to the World Bank classification mentioned in the document below. (applicable to the regular payment stage)
4. 25%: If multiple abstracts are submitted by the same first author to the conference, a 25% discount is applied to each additional submission according to the deadline for payments.

* If an author is eligible for more than one discount, IEREK will apply only the highest discount. Discounts cannot be combined.

* Authors should contact the conference manager through this email [email protected] to consider the discount and waiving for all the above cases so that the conference manager can provide an exclusive invoice for each case.

Proof of capability to get the discount:

• A copy of a student enrollment card for 2026 is essential.
• Proof of affiliation to the partnering university is to be provided.
• Proof of previous publication through IEREK conferences. 
• A copy of passport for authors from low-income countries. Added below is the list of low and middle-income countries according to the World Bank classification.

Publication Period

IEREK puts a lot of effort into expediting the peer review process to publish articles as quickly as possible. This requires prompt responses from all authors to the editors' comments, if any. Your swift response is highly appreciated to advance the production process and get your articles online. We prioritize the first author to respond as per our formula. The conference proceedings will be divided into multiple books, with the first one scheduled for publication within 6 months after the conference date. We encourage all authors to aim for publication in the first release.

Possibilities for Extra Fees

1. Authors may request that their kits be delivered, for an additional fee decided by the courier, and upon request. Alternatively, authors located in Egypt can pick them up from IEREK headquarters in Alexandria.
2. Additional Conference Kit (Excluding Delivery). *Contact us for a quotation on shipping fees.
3. Gala Dinner, social programs, and other activities.

💳 Payment & Administration

Registration and financial transactions for this conference are managed through our strategic partners, working in close academic partnership with IEREK to ensure seamless delivery of conference services and publication standards.

iDirect

Publishing Direct Conferences CO. LLC

COEUS

Strategic Financial Partner

Both entities work in close academic partnership with IEREK to ensure the highest standards of financial transparency, conference administration, and publication quality.

IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, based on the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.

Authors must refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in submitting their abstracts/ papers:

Step 1: Abstract Submission Process

• The author should prepare and submit an Abstract of at least 150 – 300 words through the website.
• The abstract should be concise and clearly state the proposed research study's purpose, results, and conclusions.
• The author should select the most relevant topic for the paper from the corresponding conference topics.
• The author can use/download an Abstract Writing Template prior to submission.
• To submit your abstract, you first need to (1) click on the “Register” button on the conference page, (2) click on “Submit Now” and:
  • Select the Topic in which you are making the submission.
  • Insert the title of your study in the "Paper Title" section.
  • Insert the full abstract in the "Abstract" section/upload a file in the .pdf, .doc, .docm, or .docx format.
  • Add in writing 3 – 5 keywords that define the field, subfield, topic, and research area covered by the article to help other researchers understand and find your work.
  • Provide the names, affiliations, and E-mails of all authors/ co-authors involved.
  • Confirm your submission by ticking having read the instructions and “submit Abstract”.

Step 2.1: Abstract Acceptance

• After acceptance of your abstract of at least (150 – 300 words), you will receive a proforma invoice and specific instructions to complete the payment online or by bank transfer (See Conference Fees) to confirm your participation.
• Once your abstract has been accepted, please refer to the important dates tab and carefully review the announced dates to avoid late payment, as late payment comes at an extra charge (early bird/regular/late).
• After successfully completing payment, you will be issued upon request with the following:
  • A signed/ stamped abstract acceptance letter.
  • Please note that acceptance of participation, abstract submission, and the full paper submissions all have different deadlines. To stay up to date and avoid paying extra fees, or delaying your paper, please carefully review the important dates tab.
  • Receipt of Payment/ Payment Invoice.
  • Visa Invitation Letter, if needed.

• After abstract acceptance, you may be given the option to extend the abstract to publish your work in the conference proceedings in ASTI published by Springer Nature (indexed in Scopus/SCImago) (optional not obligatory).

  This is not a prerequisite for presenting your work at the conference. Meaning, you can present your submitted abstract without intending to publish your work.

Step 2.2: Full Paper Submission

• Your full paper should be 6+ pages long (not exceeding 30 pages), submitted before the paper submission deadline, in English, and fit within one of the conference topics.
• Full papers should be a minimum of 6 pages and contain 4,000 words, excluding the abstract and references. Authors should support their research and clarify their ideas using various explanatory methods, such as figures, equations, and diagrams.
• The paper should follow the research paper structure as follows: Abstract (+keywords), Introduction, study aim, Review of the Literature, Methodology, results and conclusion/ discussion, References list using the Paper Writing Template.
• The submission should be made following the same procedure followed for the abstract or sent to the conference email.

Step 3: Rigorous Peer Review Process (double-blind)

This process can only be initiated after payment completion and confirmation:

• If submitted, the paper will be preliminarily checked (iThenticate plagiarism/ similarity screening Software, readability, and scope) and it will be peer-reviewed. If similarity issues are detected, the following will apply:
  • % from all sources: 10-15%
  • % from one source: 3-5%
  • Higher than 30% (all sources): Reject completely
  • Lower than 30% (all sources): Ask for revision to decrease the similarities.
• IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/ taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, on the basis of the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.
• Each paper/ chapter is evaluated by a minimum of two reviewers, after which a final decision by the responsible Editor is made. There is no maximum to the number of times a paper can be reviewed, depending on the quality of the submission.
• Please prepare your paper using the Manuscript Template and check it against the Manuscript Checklist and the Springer manuscript guidelines before submission. Papers that do not meet the checklist will be returned for correction.
• If your paper is accepted by the Editors for publishing with comments/ requested modifications, our Editors (publishing department) will contact you once a decision is made and you will be asked to revise and correct it. After resubmission, it will be re-checked. Note: There may be more than one round of peer review and the decision rests with the editors of the title. Missed deadlines may result in complete exclusion/ rejection from the final publication.
• If your paper is accepted for publishing without edits/ comments, the corresponding author will be contacted to provide the final version of their chapters/ papers following Springer Guidelines and sign the Springer licence-to-publish (LTP) form to authorize publication in the conference proceedings.
• A back-and-forth process: modifications will be sent back to the responsible Editor/ Series Editor and another round of evaluation conducted where needed. Participants/ Authors should regularly check their emails (Junk/ Spam folders). Please add [email protected] to your contacts.
• If you are not interested in publishing an extended abstract in the proceedings in ASTI by Springer Nature, please inform the conference support ([email protected]).

Registration

To help the organizers plan for inter-disciplinary dialogue, participants are requested to choose from the conference themes/ Topics upon registration.

They must also refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in registering and/ or submitting their contributions:

NOTE: If you are contributing as an Author of a submitted abstract (for publishing consideration and/or presentation), and regardless of attendance, the fee for the registration is the same. See and Conference Fees for more information.

Types of Participation

1. Attend/ Present in-person or Online and Publish in indexed Conference proceedings

The conference offers a Physical attendance option for your convenience. That said, participants will have a chance to present their abstract/research, on campus, and have their work considered for publication in the ASTI Series by Springer as part of the conference proceedings.

See Author Instructions and Conference Fees for more information.

2. Non-presenting participant

Non-presenting participants may also wish to attend the conference as Audience Members or Co-authors contributing to an already submitted abstract/ paper. See Conference Fees for more information.

Notes to consider:
* Attendance online and in-person are possible upon confirmation with the conference secretariat/ coordinator at [email protected] and following Conference Fees covered.

* The participation fee is uninform for all options presented above.

* For participants wishing to attend in-person, a visa invitation letter will be provided upon request, for which case a copy of your passport will be required. The invitation letter can only be provided after acceptance and full payment.

* Before planning your trip, be sure to check travel restrictions to the conference’s hosting country. Visit travel information and restrictions, and send in your questions if you have any to the conference coordinator at the email [email protected]

Attending a conference dramatically enhances both your professional and personal development. They help you sharpen the saw, meet and converse with industry experts, expand your resources and grow your professional network. IEREK Conference will help you:

1. Open Discussions: We bring together leading academic scientists, from different universities and countries, to exchange and share their experiences and research results.

2. Internationally Accredited Certificate: The participants are granted internationally recognized certificates acknowledged by IEREK, the University, and Partnering Organizations.

3. Publication: Selected high-quality manuscripts will be published, after peer review, in the Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) book series by Springer or by IEREK Press Journals, both of which are indexed in world-renowned databases.

4. Research Technologies: Conferences can expand your resources by providing a great opportunity to promote gathered information on new technologies related to your research.

5. Networking: You can engage with industry experts to discuss with them the very latest research projects they could be working on and increase your chances of collaboration in future projects.

6. Academic Reputation: Attending many conferences will make you a known figure in academic circles and an active member of the academic community.

7. Conference Abstracts Material: Delegates will receive the conference Abstracts book in a digital format.

 A.Physical Attendance