The international forum GeoSofia 2026 was officially opened today at the GATE Institute at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Running until 2 October, the forum brings together international scientists and researchers, experts in geoinformatics and geospatial technologies, specialists in artificial intelligence and data processing, as well as representatives of universities, research organisations, technology companies and the public sector in Sofia.
GeoSofia 2026 brings together three established international conferences – 21st International 3D GeoInfo Conference, 10th International Smart Data and Smart Cities Conference and International FIG Workshop on LADM & 3D LA. The three scientific communities are placing the development of cities, spatial data, digital twins, 3D and 4D modelling, artificial intelligence and land administration at the centre of their discussions.
“Bringing together in Sofia the participants of the three conferences is particularly significant because their research topics are increasingly interconnected. The challenges cities face today – such as climate change, mobility, the energy transition, governance and infrastructure – cannot be addressed within the boundaries of a single discipline,” said Prof. Sylvia Ilieva, Director of the GATE Institute.
She emphasised that GATE works “at the intersection of scientific research, technological innovation and real-world impact.”
“There can be no city of the future if governance does not become a flexible, data-driven organisation,” said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.
According to him, real data, rather than opinions, should be at the centre of decision-making. Terziev also noted that the work of scientists helps the administration make better decisions and respond to the challenges faced by citizens.
The connection between science and the real-world management of the city is one of the key themes of GeoSofia 2026. Modern technologies make it possible to use the vast amounts of information about mobility, infrastructure, buildings, the environment and land use not only for monitoring, but also for analysis, modelling and exploring different scenarios.
One example is the digital twin of Sofia, being developed by the GATE Institute in partnership with Sofia Municipality and SofiaPlan. The digital environment brings together and visualises information about the city and enables the analysis and simulation of different urban processes and scenarios.
“Geospatial technologies have evolved from tools for mapping into a comprehensive scientific environment for observing, modelling and understanding complex geographical processes,” said Prof. Stelian Dimitrov, Vice-Rector of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” for Research, Scientific Projects and Information Activities.
This is also one of the main focuses of the forum – how geospatial technologies, big data and artificial intelligence can contribute to a better understanding of urban processes and help plan their development.
“The true value of such a forum does not lie in the number of papers presented, but in the encounters between people. I hope we will remember GeoSofia 2026 not for the number of papers, but for the scientific conversations and connections it created,” said Prof. Dr Desislava Petrova-Antonova, Chair of the forum and Head of the Future Cities Department at the GATE Institute, in her address.
The need for exchange between different scientific communities was also highlighted by Assoc. Prof. Mila Koeva, Deputy Dean for Research at the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation at the University of Twente, the Netherlands, and Secretary of Technical Commission IV of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).
“Many of today’s geospatial technologies are already moving beyond the boundaries of individual disciplines and require a multidisciplinary approach,” said Assoc. Prof. Koeva. She encouraged participants not to limit themselves to sessions within their own field, but to engage with representatives of other scientific disciplines as well, “to learn from one another and exchange knowledge.”
Until 2 October, participants in GeoSofia 2026 will discuss the development of 3D geoinformation science and technologies, smart cities, geospatial data analysis, digital twins, sustainable urban development, land administration and 3D cadastral solutions.
The forum brings together technologies and scientific developments that are increasingly shaping the way cities are planned and managed – from modelling the urban environment and infrastructure to using data to analyse urban processes and explore possible scenarios.
The GATE Institute at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” is the host of GeoSofia 2026, while Sofia Municipality is a partner of the forum.