Quantum Computing and the City

CALL FOR PAPERS

Quantum Computing and the City

Journal: Cities

Publisher: Elsevier

Submission Deadline: 31 October 2026

Introduction

Quantum computing represents a profound shift beyond classical computation — harnessing superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunnelling to tackle complex urban challenges that conventional systems cannot efficiently address. Its emerging applications span core urban domains:

• Quantum algorithms may deliver real-time optimisation of metropolitan transport networks

• Quantum simulation could enhance climate adaptation through high-resolution environmental modelling

• Quantum methods offer new capabilities for managing dynamic energy grids and integrating distributed renewables

Beyond computation, quantum sensing supports improved environmental monitoring, quantum communication enhances infrastructure security, and quantum AI enables deeper insights from large-scale urban datasets. When integrated with digital twins, intelligent grids, and emergency response systems, these technologies raise important questions about governance, regulation, equity, and institutional readiness.

Scope & Significance

This Special Issue seeks cutting-edge research on the conceptual, technical, practical, and policy intersections between quantum technologies and urban systems — positioning quantum innovations not only as computational breakthroughs but also as potential enablers and disruptors of more adaptive, efficient, equitable, and sustainable urban futures.

The Special Issue invites research on full-stack quantum technologies — hardware, algorithms, sensing, and communication — quantum-inspired optimisation and AI, and post-quantum cryptography — provided submissions demonstrate clear implications for urban systems, planning, policy, or governance.

Note: Purely technical papers without substantive urban relevance fall outside the scope. All submissions must clearly articulate how the research advances understanding or practice in urban planning, design, governance, or management — beyond generic smart-city or AI narratives.

The Special Issue aims to:

• Critically assess the promises, challenges, and limitations of quantum technologies for urban contexts

• Advance interdisciplinary understandings of quantum-enabled urbanism and its wider implications

• Showcase pioneering quantum AI applications, experimental implementations, and urban policy-relevant case studies

• Stimulate debate on responsible, ethical, and equitable deployment of quantum technologies in cities

• Develop a forward-looking roadmap for integrating quantum technologies into urban innovation, planning, and governance

• Explore the societal, economic, and environmental implications of quantum technologies for sustainable urban futures

List of Topic Areas

Manuscripts are invited on themes including, but not limited to:

1. Quantum algorithms for urban transport network optimisation and mobility planning

2. Quantum simulation for climate adaptation and high-resolution environmental modelling

3. Quantum methods for energy grid management and distributed renewable integration

4. Quantum sensing for urban environmental monitoring and smart infrastructure

5. Quantum communication for urban infrastructure security and resilient networks

6. Quantum AI and machine learning for large-scale urban data analysis

7. Integration of quantum technologies with digital twins and intelligent urban systems

8. Quantum-enabled emergency response systems and disaster resilience

9. Governance, regulation, and policy frameworks for quantum technologies in cities

10. Equity, access, and justice dimensions of quantum technology deployment in urban areas

11. Institutional readiness and capacity building for quantum urban innovation

12. Post-quantum cryptography and urban data security

13. Quantum-inspired optimisation for urban resource allocation and infrastructure planning

14. Societal, economic, and environmental implications of quantum-enabled urbanism

15. Responsible and ethical deployment of quantum AI in urban governance

16. Comparative, critical, and speculative studies of quantum futures for cities

Guest Editors

Prof. Tan Yigitcanlar (Contact for Topic Inquiries) Queensland University of Technology, Australia Email: tan.yigitcanlar@qut.edu.au

Prof. Yuan Lai Tsinghua University, China Email: yuanlai@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn

Prof. Araz Taeihagh National University of Singapore, Singapore Email: spparaz@nus.edu.sg

Prof. Steven Jige Quan Seoul National University, Republic of Korea Email: sjquan@snu.ac.kr

Prof. Yanjie Fu Arizona State University, USA Email: yanjie.fu@asu.edu

Key Deadlines

Manuscript Submission Deadline: 31 October 2026 (Authors may submit at any time before the deadline)

Submission Guidelines

Submit your manuscript via Editorial Manager, the official online submission system for Cities. When submitting, select Article Type:

"VSI: Quantum Computing and the City"

All submissions deemed suitable will be reviewed by at least two independent reviewers. Upon editorial acceptance, articles will be published in the latest regular issue and simultaneously presented on the Special Issue webpage.

The editors welcome conceptual, theoretical, methodological, empirical, design-oriented, and policy-focused work using any methodological approach — including comparative, critical, and speculative studies grounded in urban concerns.

Both the Guide for Authors and the submission portal can be found at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/cities

All submissions must be original and must not be under review elsewhere at the time of submission.

About the Journal

Cities, published by Elsevier, is a leading international peer-reviewed journal with a CiteScore of 10.9 and Impact Factor of 6.6. It supports open access publishing and is dedicated to advancing research on urban policy, planning, and governance — providing a global platform for interdisciplinary scholarship exploring how cities are planned, managed, and transformed to address contemporary social, environmental, and economic challenges.

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