Emergent Global Transformations

In the last few decades, many global cities, towns, and municipalities have experienced unprecedented economic, social, and spatial structural change. Today, we find ourselves at the juncture between entering a post-urban and a post-political world, both presenting new challenges to our metropolitan regions, municipalities, and cities. Specifically, these challenges are of a spatial, economic, demographic, ecological, cultural, and social nature. Megacities and many declining regions and towns are experiencing an increase in the number of complex problems regarding internal relationships, governance, and external connections. The Centre’s investigation recognizes how forces of structural and emergent change contribute to shaping the urban landscape and living infrastructures exploring different measures for the reinvention of cities. The importance of the digital and social media and network society in general, with its specific transformation and creation of new public spaces is still not adequately explored.

Last but not least, investigations will also focus the attention to the developing world, especially the informal city and the hyper transformations happening in these urban landscapes. In particular, a growing disparity exists between citizens that are socially excluded within declining physical and economic realms and those situated in thriving geographic areas. Within the prospering regions, leading anchor institutions and companies have connected with start-ups and business incubators to accelerate growth, talent, and innovation.