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Reinventing the City 2026
Cities are where we live, work, care, and play in ever-growing numbers, and where urgent transitions of our time take shape.
Pressing challenges like extreme weather, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, and social polarization demand new ways of urban living, governing, and innovating – both socially and technically.
How can we contribute to closing the loops within science to foster interaction within society, and reinvent cities, in particular in places hit by natural disasters or wars? Let’s find that out during our 3-day conference!
AMS Scientific Conference | 14-16 April 2026
The AMS Scientific Conference brings together scientists, policymakers, industry partners, and students to explore how cities can transform to become more livable, resilient, and sustainable, while ensuring economic stability and social justice..
Over three days, the conference combines applied and fundamental research through thought-provoking keynotes, workshops, paper presentations, and discussions, all focused on the most pressing urban challenges: from mobility and circularity to energy transition, digitalization, and climate adaptation.
It’s a meeting ground for everyone working on the future of cities. A place to exchange knowledge, connect disciplines, and shape urban transitions together.
Watch the aftermovie of our Conference 2024:
About the AMS Scientific Conference
The AMS Scientific Conference explores and discusses how cities can transform themselves to become more livable, resilient and sustainable while offering economic stability. Our three-day conference features thought-provoking keynotes, interactive workshops, paper presentations, discussions and networking opportunities focused on the latest solutions for sustainable urban development, combining applied and fundamental research.
The AMS Scientific Conference seeks to engage scientists, policymakers, students, industry partners, and everyone working with and on cities from different backgrounds and areas of expertise. The conference will provide you with knowledge and connections to shape the future of cities together.
About this year’s theme: Connecting the Dots, Closing the Loops
This edition of “Reinventing the City” explores the theme “Connecting the Dots, Closing the Loops”, highlighting the need for transdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, companies, and governments.
Science offers a wealth of knowledge, with many technical, social, and ecological innovations ready to be applied. However, much of this knowledge remains unused, confined to reports or institutions.
How can we connect the dots as researchers, companies and governments, to gain more progress in terms of circularity and energy transition? What new or unexpected dots should we connect, in order to facilitate more resilient, regenerative and just cities?
And finally, to make sure knowledge and innovations land in society, how can we better connect the dots between stakeholders, including citizens with different perspectives and practices?
Find our more about the theme and program per day. [knop naar schedule/program pagina]
Theme 2026: Connecting the Dots, Closing the Loops
In this third edition of Reinventing the City, the overarching theme is 'Connecting the Dots, Closing the Loops'. This edition highlights the need for transdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, companies and governments.
Science holds a wealth of insights, but some innovations remain within universities or get stuck in regulation or public hesitation. We explore how to better connect the dots between research, practice, and policy. What unexpected connections can spark progress toward resilient, regenerative and just cities? And how do we ensure innovations reach and involve citizens in meaningful ways?
Together, we will explore these questions through three daily themes:
• Day 1: Unexpected Dots, Unexpected Connections
• Day 2: Closing the Loops
• Day 3: Breaking the Boundaries
We hope to see you in April in Amsterdam. Let’s close the loops together!
On behalf of the Scientific Committee,
Eveline van Leeuwen, Scientific Director, AMS Institute
Ellen van Bueren, professor of Urban Development Management, TU Delft
Fábio Duarte, Associate Director at MIT Senseable City Lab & AMS Institute Principal Investigator
Alexander Klippel, professor of Immersive Experiences and Sustainable Transitions, Wageningen University & Research
Doutje Lettinga, Chief Science Officer, Municipality of Amsterdam
Weronika Sojka, PhD student of Urban Economics, Wageningen University & Research
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