Research themes

Urban Systems research at Imperial College London

With a total research community comprising more than 200 faculty and researchers, spread across all of the major Departments and Institutes, Imperial College London has one of the largest and most broadly based concentrations of expertise in urban systems in Europe.

The Urban Systems Lab brings these researchers together under a single umbrella, forming a critical mass of expertise, and creating the opportunity to share ideas in a truly multi-disciplinary environment.

The Urban Systems Lab exists to undertake the highest quality research in the fields of urban and cities research, in order to inform policy and the understanding of key issues affecting society.

The Lab’s work is based upon the principles of openness, transparency, and integrity in all of its work, with the primary goal of improving national and international understanding in the urban arena.

The Urban Systems Lab has eight linked thematic research areas:

• Low carbon operation and resource efficiency
• Resilience and adaptability
• Systemic quality of service
• Sensing, simulation and modelling
• Economic performance
• Advanced materials and processes
• Health, wellbeing and quality of life
• Business models and innovation

Overlaying these themes is a methodological outlook that is analytical, quantitative and user focused, and highly collaborative in nature.