AESOP is pleased to share with its community an invitation from METREX – the Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas to participate in a series of six online Cross-Regional Dialogues, organised in November 2026 within the framework of the Horizon Europe project R-Map.
The R-Map project investigates the impacts of remote and hybrid working on urban, suburban, peri-urban and rural areas across Europe, exploring how changing working patterns influence labour markets, commuting flows, residential relocation, regional development and the future of peripheral and cross-border territories.
The upcoming dialogues will bring together policymakers, practitioners and researchers to discuss regional case studies, explore emerging scenarios and exchange perspectives on policy responses that could be transferred across different European contexts.
Upcoming Cross-Regional Dialogues
The programme includes six online sessions:
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5 November 2026 | 13:00–14:30 CET
Rheintal–Bodensee (Austria): Turning Cross-Border Remote Work into Regional Opportunity
Led by RIM Research and Innovation Management. -
6 November 2026 | 12:30–14:00 CET
Surrey (United Kingdom): Co-designing a Work-Life Hub Network
Led by the University of Surrey. -
12 November 2026 | 11:00–12:30 CET
Thessaloniki (Greece): The Spatial Dimension of Remote Work in Thessaloniki
Led by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. -
13 November 2026 | 11:00–12:30 CET
Twente–Münsterland (Netherlands–Germany): Cross-Border Remote Working
Led by the University of Twente. -
18 November 2026 | 10:00–11:30 CET
Istanbul (Türkiye): Needs-Based Occupational Health Governance for Safe, Flexible and Climate-Resilient Work
Led by Koç University. -
23 November 2026 | 14:00–15:30 CET
Milan (Italy): Metropolitan Governance of Distributed Work: Integrating City and Periphery
Led by Bocconi University.
Participants may register for up to three dialogues, providing opportunities to engage with different regional contexts and contribute to discussions on the territorial implications of remote work.
Registration
Registration is open until 30 October 2026. Later registrations may be considered subject to availability.
👉 Register for the R-Map Cross-Regional Dialogues
Explore the R-Map Platform
Alongside the dialogues, the project has developed the R-Map Platform, bringing together European datasets on remote work, digital connectivity, transport, housing and employment.
The platform also allows users to upload their own regional datasets in CSV format and explore how their territories compare with other European regions.
AESOP warmly encourages its members, particularly researchers working on regional development, spatial planning, mobility, territorial governance and cross-border cooperation, to explore these initiatives and contribute to the discussions.
We also invite colleagues to share this opportunity within their academic and professional networks.
Further information about the project and the dialogues:
👉 R-Map – Cross-Regional Dialogues
👉 METREX – Network of European Metropolitan Regions and Areas
