Call for Papers: Urban Borders – ABCD Journal, Volume 3, Issue 1

The Journal of Advanced Studies on Borders, Cooperation and Development (ABCD) invites submissions for its forthcoming special issue, Volume 3, Issue 1: Urban Borders. The issue focuses on cross-border urban spaces as dynamic areas where political, economic and social systems meet, interact and sometimes come into tension.

In an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world, urban borders are no longer merely peripheral edge lines where jurisdictions end. Instead, they function as complex, dynamic cross-border structures that cut through, link and actively reshape regions. Operating simultaneously as barriers and conduits, these areas link together distinct political, economic and social systems while reinforcing stark spatial inequalities.

Whether bridging international twin cities or anchoring transnational economic corridors, cross-border urban spaces serve as unique hubs of tension and innovation. They generate specific institutional frameworks, infrastructure networks and everyday practices that challenge traditional definitions of sovereignty and scale. This special issue seeks to critically examine the concept of ‘urban borders’ by exploring how these dynamics are materialised, governed and experienced, thereby inviting scholars to investigate the intricate interplay between physical infrastructure, policy frameworks, and grassroots realities at these vital intersections.