In co-operation with and under co-ordination of TU Wien, Institute of Spatial Planning, Research Unit Urban and Regional Research 

Papers to be published in REAL CORP 2026 Proceedings with ISBN, ISSN & DOI.

Achieving transformative change remains one of the most pressing challenges for contemporary governance approaches and spatial planning. As regions across Europe and beyond grapple with the demands of decarbonisation, socio-ecological resilience, and economic restructuring, the question of how to govern transformation processes becomes urgent. Sustainability-oriented policies and associated governance and planning instruments thus provide new directions for regional strategies and local practices. However, their translation into regional and local contexts raises complex issues of power, responsibility, and institutional capacities.

This session invites contributions that critically explore the governance of transformations through regional and place-based perspectives. In this context, the session focuses on the evolving roles of actorsand multi-level governance approaches that shape place-making strategies, but also the tools, innovative instruments, and new planning formats that foster transformative change. Of particular interest are contributions addressing how research and practice intersect in the design and implementation of just transition strategies, and how methodological and conceptual innovations can support more inclusive and adaptive governance models.

We welcome theoretical, methodological, and empirical contributions that engage with:

• Regional governance and planning approaches for just and green transitions
• Transformative industrial strategies and institutional innovations
• Actors in transformative regional change and multi-level governance approaches
• Tools and instruments for regional transition planning and governance
• Methodological approaches bridging research and practice
• Practitioner experiences with local and regional transition strategies

By bringing together diverse perspectives from academia and practice, this session (will be held in Englisch) aims to foster dialogue on how to make regional governance more capable, inclusive, and transformative in steering sustainable futures.