Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the upcoming International Conference on Social Geography and Development, which is organized by the International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission on Informality, Social Change and Development (IGU-ISCD). This academic event will be held from 4 to 7 December 2026 at Beijing Conference Center, Beijing, China. We warmly invite geographers, urban researchers, social scientists, and urban planners to mark their calendars for this important international gathering.

Main Theme
Going Forward in a Diverse World: Social Change and Geographical Responses
The world today is undergoing profound and complex social changes, with different countries and regions facing unique challenges of social transformation and development. Natural, social, and technological processes—such as climate change, globalization, urbanization, greening, ageing, and digitalization—are deeply reshaping global societies in geographically uneven ways. In a diverse world where pluralism coexists and differences abound, global social change and development can no longer be encapsulated by a single paradigm or narrative.

This conference aims to motivate critical discussions on major social issues, including globalization, housing, employment, migration, infrastructure, climate risks and human well-being, with the commitment to promote theoretical dialogue and innovation in social geography and facilitate the exchange of development policies and experiences. The conference pays close attention to the latest social changes and theoretical reflections in Western countries, theoretical innovations and local practical experiences in the Global South, and critical dialogues between social geography theories of the North and the South. Through exchanges that transcend geographical divides and disciplinary boundaries, we hope to explore new paradigms, new methods, and new directions for social geography in the context of diverse global social transformations, and to chart theoretical and practical pathways toward building equal and inclusive societies.

Key Topics, including but not limited to
 New advances in social geography theory
 Big data and new methods in social geography
 World cities and ordinary cities
 Inclusive globalization
 Urban theory in the Global South
 Comparative urbanism
 Urban regeneration and socio-spatial restructuring
 Social infrastructure and inclusive development
 Housing, employment, and poverty alleviation
 Transnational mobility, migration, and regional development
 Urban informality, redevelopment and governance
 Digital economy and gig work
 Ageing society and spatial responses
 Social adaptation to climate change

Organizers
 International Geographical Union (IGU) Commission on Informality, Social Change and Development (IGU-ISCD)
 Beijing Union University, China

Co-organizers
 Social Geography Commission, Geographical Society of China (GSC)
 International Exchange and Cooperation Working Committee, Geographical Society of China (GSC)
 College of Applied Arts and Science, Beijing Union University

Conference Venue
Venue: Beijing Conference Center (https://www.beijinghuiyizhongxin.cn/)
Address: No. 88, Laiguangying West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Important dates
 Deadline for abstract submission: 30 September 2026
 Early bird registration deadline: 15 October 2026
 Registration deadline: 4 November 2026
 Conference dates: 4-7 December 2026

Registration and abstract submission
Please register and submit your abstract through the link https://www.igu-iscd.com/abstract-submission.html or visit the IGU-ISCD website http://www.igu-iscd.com/ and access the registration page via: Events-Registration & Abstract Submission.

Registration fees
Registration fees include lunch, refreshments, dinner, and conference materials.
International delegates
 Early bird fee: USD 180
 Standard fee: USD 220
 Student fee: USD 140
Chinese delegates
 Early bird fee: RMB 1200 (USD 180)
 Standard fee: RMB 1500 (USD 220)
 Student fee: RMB 1000 (USD 140)

★We will contact you for the registration fee payment after you complete the registration online.

Contact us
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the conference secretariat: igu-iscd2026@outlook.com; Dr.Wang: wangmy285@mail.sysu.edu.cn; Dr. Huang: hgzhi3@mail.sysu.edu.cn

★Click to download first circular. Conference information will be subject to the second circular.