Centre for Urban Research

Centre for Urban Research

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Connecting people and ideas for sustainable urban and regional futures.

In a time of rapid population growth, a changing climate, and volatile global economic conditions, the need to improve how our cities work has never been more urgent.
Our researchers are leading experts in the fields of geography, urban planning, public policy, economics, environmental science, ecology, spatial analysis, history and political science.

Most people on the planet already live and work in cities and by 2050, 70 percent of the world's population will be urban dwellers. Cities are vital for our social wellbeing, economic vitality and for addressing urgent issues of climate change and ecological degradation.  

We need better insights into these intersecting challenges across housing and land, resource and energy use, infrastructure and mobility, environmental justice and action on climate.  

The Centre for Urban Research is a dynamic hub for interdisciplinary research on these critical issues. Through our research, we aim to contribute new knowledge and understanding that is grounded in real-world problems, critical in orientation and collaborative in our approach to making and sharing knowledge.  

Centre for Urban Research is located at RMIT University's city campus and has strong partnerships with researchers, centres, practitioners and change-makers across Australia and internationally.

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Explore our Thought Leadership Series

Our Thought Leadership Series shares bold ideas and critical reflections on the future of cities — from housing and climate to land, planning and justice. Bringing together diverse voices from across the Centre, the series demonstrates our commitment to public scholarship and reimagines cities as places of care, equity and resilience.

Thought Leadership Series (PDF 13.3 MB)

Research themes

Geographies of Home, Land and Place

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Planning and Transport for Healthy Cities

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Regenerative Environments and Climate Action

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Message from Director

Libby Porter, Director, Centre for Urban Research

“Through our research, the Centre is directly responding to the globally important need to shape cities that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Join us in shaping the future of urban and regional environments to drive positive changes for our communities.”

Meet the CUR team

In the media

Photo of Afshin Jafari

30kph residential speed limit improves safety with little effect on travel times
Society and Environment
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 15 Oct 2025

Reducing residential speed limits from 50 kilometres per hour to 30kph would significantly boost bicycle riding safety without majorly affecting car trip times, a study has found.

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New research outlines alternatives to harmful electricity disconnections
Society and Environment
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 19 Aug 2025

New research from RMIT University shows that electricity disconnections for non-payment of bills can be stopped without significantly destabilising the market.

A family of three cycling on a bike lane that runs through a park.

Melbourne cycling infrastructure plan risks getting stuck in low gear if feeder networks not considered: new research
Society and Environment
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 15 May 2025

A new study highlights how far Melbourne still has to go in becoming a cycling city, warning the state government’s plan for strategic cycling corridors must be complemented by local government efforts to make local streets safer for cyclists.

Aerial view of a Stockland community in Victoria.

Harnessing data to drive liveability
Society and Environment
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 05 May 2025

RMIT is collaborating with government and industry partners on an innovative data sharing project, which aims to create more sustainable, liveable and healthier communities.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct our research, teaching, and service. We pay respects to Ancestors and Elders past and present who have always been caring for Country. We honour the work of emerging leaders standing strong for Country. We pay our respects to Country, the lifeworld that sustains us all. 

Our research, education, and service are already in a relationship with Country and the people of Country, here and in all the places we undertake our business. As mostly non-Indigenous people at CUR, we acknowledge our obligation in this relationship: to uphold the ngarn-ga (understanding) of Bundjil and practice respect for community and culture in all that we do. Though there is much we still need to learn, especially about ourselves, we affirm our dhumbali (commitment) to helping create shared futures grounded in recognition of First Peoples sovereignty. 

Connect with us

Get in touch

Key contact: Libby Porter, Director, Centre for Urban Research

Address: School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, Melbourne City Campus, Building 8, Level 11

Email: cur@rmit.edu.au

Stay connected

Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with our work. 

You can also join our mailing list, or reach out to discuss new partnership opportunities. We're open to new partnerships from industry, not-for-profits, governments, and the community. Get in touch at cur@rmit.edu.au.


Connect with RMIT Research

If you're not sure how you can best work with us, our team can explain what's possible and put you in touch with the right person. 

Contact us
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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