Following the 4th MOPT Conference, the 5th edition marks a new step in the consolidation of spatial modeling as a key field for understanding and addressing the complex interconnections between environmental change, territorial dynamics, and planning processes. As socio-environmental systems become increasingly shaped by climate pressures, land-use conflicts, digital transformation, and new forms of uncertainty, spatial modeling continues to expand its relevance across both scientific research and policy-oriented practice.

In this context, the 5th MOPT Conference invites participants to reflect on a central question: How can advanced spatial modeling approaches contribute to a better understanding of socio-environmental systems and support more informed, integrated, and forward-looking planning?

This conference aims to:

• Foster critical discussion on emerging theoretical and applied approaches in spatial modeling for socio-environmental analysis and planning;
• Highlight recent advances in computational geography, geospatial intelligence, and spatial data science, particularly in relation to environmental assessment, land-use dynamics, and territorial governance;
• Promote dialogue between methodological innovation and real-world planning challenges across urban, regional, and environmental contexts;

The conference is being organised by Cláudia M. Viana, Eduardo Gomes e Patrícia Abrantes.