Established in 2003 as a strategic research and community engagement initiative of Griffith University, we are now the largest dedicated urban research grouping in Australia.

The strategic foci of the URP are research and advocacy in an urban and regional context. We seek to improve understanding of, and develop innovative responses to Australia's urban challenges and opportunities by conducting and disseminating research, advocating new policy directions, and by providing training assistance. Our research produces new knowledge for policy, regulatory and community frameworks that seek to manage change and engender sustainable urban development.

In our research we are confronted by two fundamental questions:

What is the nature of Australian urbanisation in its contemporary and historical context?

How can research inform - that is, strengthen and improve - policy and regulatory frameworks that seek to manage change, and to engender sustainable urban development?

The URP is actively engaged in the wider research community of Griffith University and beyond, forming a network of research expertise that spans social, human and physical sciences.

News

Fuel and mortgage VAMPIRE sucks households dry

The devastating impact of soaring fuel and mortgage prices on Australian households was graphically revealed in the new Griffith University Urban Research Program VAMPIRE index released today. VAMPIRE report (PDF 2510k)

Climate change law: A quick stock take and some ideas for the future

Dr Philippa England discusses some of the achievements made by Australian institutions in addressing climate change and proposes a principled framework through which these and other relevant ideas, initiatives, policies and measures may be organised and rationalised.

Seminars

Prof John Rennie Short examines the relationship between the increasing globalisation of the summer olympics and the affect on host cities, and discusses the opportunities and dangers of this urban makeover. Seminars to be held:

* Wednesday 1st October at the South Bank campus. South Bank seminar flyer - Short (PDF 60k)

* Friday 3rd October at the Gold Coast campus. Gold Coast seminar flyer - Short (PDF 60k)