The two-day workshop “Quantitative Methods Addressing Geographical Imbalances” was successfully held on October 27–28, 2025, at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš (FEUN). The event gathered researchers, policymakers, and experts to explore data-based policy-making, spatial analytics, and quantitative techniques supporting sustainable and resilient urban and regional development.
The workshop was opened by the UR-WISE Coordinator, Professor Jelena Stanković, who highlighted the importance of quantitative methods in understanding geographical imbalances and their role in designing evidence-based policies. The event featured lectures by distinguished experts, including Prof. Umut Turk from Abdullah Gül University, Turkey, who delivered an inspiring lecture titled “Quantitative Approaches to Urban Imbalance: Accessibility Modeling and Spatial Clustering”, showcasing how advanced spatial models can be used to identify and address patterns of inequality in urban systems., and Dr. Tanja Obradović, Senior Planning Advisor at the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia, who shared insights into practical applications of spatial planning and policy design.
Interactive sessions provided participants with the opportunity to apply learned concepts to real-world case studies and discuss methodological innovations. A dedicated brainstorming session encouraged collaboration on ideas for joint scientific publications and conference presentations, strengthening the international dimension of UR-WISE research activities.
Day 2 continued with a strong focus on applied research through Idea and Method Labs, where participants worked on developing joint research pathways addressing geographical imbalances. These sessions combined spatial econometrics and GIS-based approaches to strengthen analytical capacities and methodological innovation within the UR-WISE research agenda.
The workshop concluded with a lecture by Dr. Claudia van der Laag from Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway, who presented practical insights into integrating spatial data and policy analytics for sustainable regional development. The event closed with a discussion and reflections on the outcomes and next steps for collaborative research within UR-WISE.
The workshop successfully combined theoretical depth and practical implementation, marking an important milestone in building UR-WISE’s research excellence and capacity for data-driven policymaking.
Prof. Umut Turk Dr. Tanja Obradović Dr. Claudia van der Laag