Our research portfolio is organised around a number of themes reflecting our wide range of expertise

The Cities Research Institute has one of the largest concentrations of researchers in Australia focussed on all aspects of cities and urban change.  From architects and planners, through coastal and civil engineers, to environmental and social scientists, CRI researchers are at the forefront of building our understanding of how cities work and change. Current research is looking at:
  • the impacts of investment in public transport infrastructure
  • what works in travel behaviour change
  • innovations in public participation in planning
  • the scope for tiny houses to improve housing choice
  • how to measure the value of social housing
  • planning for climate change in coastal cities
  • and...the opportunities offered by sea cities.

Explore each of our research themes below in more detail.

Core research themes

Adaptation Science

This theme explores the ins and outs of climate adaptation, with a strong focus on sustainable and robust decision-making processes in managing local and global change.

Building Science and Construction Innovation

Looking to improve the integrity, robustness and safety of various building structures used in the construction industry.

Coastal resilience

This theme tackles the challenges facing cities in coastal zones, including erosion, rising sea levels and storm surges.

Digital earth and resilient infrastructure

Our researchers are exploring decision-making pathways for complex built environment challenges, towards nature loving, nature inspired and place-based solutions.

Digital infrastructure management

This theme looks at how our infrastructure systems can become more resilient, affordable and sustainable.

Digital multi-utility transformation

Seeking to integrate 'big data' metering & monitoring technologies & associated expert systems into infrastructure.

Gold Coast futures

The City of Gold Coast continues its commitment to support and work with the Cities Research Institute across a range of collaborative projects.

Sea cities

This research looks at geographical positions between land and sea and future development scenarios through hydrodynamic modeling.

Transport Research Group

Working closely with a wide range of industry partners to help plan, build and manage transport systems.

Water and waste management

This theme is focused on co-designing and implementing applied research for the water and waster management sector and transferring science into practice.

Griffith University Systems Modelling Group

This research group brings together Griffith University experts in methodologies including Systems Thinking, System Dynamics, Bayesian Modelling and Social Network Analysis and applies them to a range of problems involving ecological, social and economic aspects of human interaction with nature

Griffith Centre for Coastal Management

The Griffith Centre for Coastal Management integrates our coastal expertise with wider questions of city planning. Through rigorous research and community engagement, the Centre explores the vulnerabilities of Australian coastal cities helps them to be more resilient into the future.

Research Projects

Griffith Alumni Event

Imagine the potential

Ben Kaufman's PhD Project: On-Demand Transit

Housing - Cities Research Institute

Centre for Coastal Management

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