Sustainable Materials for Urban Infrastructure and Smart Cities are crucial for building the resilient, efficient, and eco-friendly urban environments of the future. As the world’s population continues to grow, the demand for innovative materials that can support sustainable infrastructure development while enhancing the functionality and livability of cities is rising. This session will explore the role of advanced, sustainable materials in transforming urban infrastructure to meet the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and the rapid evolution of smart technologies.

At MSAM – 2026, this session will focus on innovative materials and technologies that can be used to create sustainable, energy-efficient, and resilient urban environments. It will highlight materials that are not only eco-friendly but also designed to work in harmony with the increasing digitization and automation of cities.

We invite submissions and expert talks on:

• Eco-Friendly Building Materials: The use of renewable, recyclable, and low-emission materials for constructing energy-efficient and sustainable buildings, including alternatives to traditional concrete and steel.

• Smart Materials for Urban Infrastructure: How smart materials, such as self-healing concrete and energy-generating surfaces, are contributing to the development of adaptive, responsive infrastructure.

• Energy-Efficient Building Systems and Materials: Innovations in materials and systems that reduce energy consumption in urban buildings, such as advanced insulation, heat reflective coatings, and energy-efficient windows.

• Green Roofing and Urban Greening Materials: Sustainable materials used for green roofs, urban gardens, and green walls that improve air quality, provide insulation, and support biodiversity in urban areas.

• Recycled and Upcycled Materials in Construction: How recycled materials, including repurposed construction waste, can be used in new urban infrastructure to reduce material consumption and carbon emissions.

• Low-Carbon Concrete and Cement Alternatives: Breakthroughs in developing low-carbon alternatives to traditional concrete and cement, which are essential to reducing the environmental footprint of urban infrastructure.

• Smart City Infrastructure and Sensors: Materials and technologies used in smart city applications, including sensors, smart grids, and connectivity systems, that enable cities to be more efficient and responsive to the needs of citizens.

• Advanced Materials for Sustainable Roads and Pavements: Innovations in materials that enhance the durability, performance, and sustainability of urban road systems, including recycled asphalt, permeable pavements, and energy-harvesting materials.

• Sustainable Water Management Materials: Materials designed to optimize water use, including advanced filtration systems, water-retaining materials, and sustainable irrigation technologies.

• Climate-Resilient Materials for Urban Heat Islands: Materials and coatings designed to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands, reducing energy demand and improving comfort for city inhabitants.

• Materials for Sustainable Public Transport Infrastructure: Sustainable materials used in the construction of public transportation systems, including energy-efficient vehicles, sustainable tracks, and low-impact station designs.

• Urban Waste-to-Energy Systems: The role of advanced materials in converting urban waste into usable energy, including waste-to-energy systems that are essential for circular economy initiatives.

• Smart Pavement Technologies for Urban Mobility: The development of materials that support autonomous vehicles, smart traffic systems, and integrated mobility solutions for smart cities.

• 3D Printing for Urban Infrastructure: The application of additive manufacturing in urban infrastructure development, from 3D-printed homes to smart structures designed to meet the needs of a growing urban population.

• Sustainable Urban Furniture and Public Spaces: Materials designed for creating sustainable, low-maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing public spaces and urban furniture that contribute to better urban living.

• Urban Sustainability Standards and Certifications: A discussion of the global standards and certifications for sustainable urban materials and infrastructure, including LEED and other green building certifications.

• Future Materials for Smart Cities: Exploring next-generation materials, including nanomaterials, biomaterials, and other advanced materials, that will enable the cities of tomorrow to be more sustainable, resilient, and technologically advanced.

This session is an exciting opportunity for researchers, urban planners, and materials scientists to discuss the critical role that sustainable materials will play in the creation of smart cities and resilient urban infrastructure. Join us at MSAM – 2026 to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for sustainable urban growth and infrastructure.