About Us

Context

In recent years, cities have regained the attention of academia, practitioners and government institutions. Local contexts, in fact, are increasingly called to cope with complex problems such as, for example, climate change, migration, demographic transformations and the progressive ageing of the population, economic stagnation and the emergence of social imbalances and tensions. To meet these challenges, local governments need to understand the various aspects of these phenomena and should define strategies capable to integrate urban policies with action aimed at promoting sustainable and inclusive development – as also recommended by the UN Agenda 2030 and by the Urban Agenda for the European Union.

Mission

The Observatory on Urban Policies (URBES) is aimed at providing scientific tools to public decision-makers to tackle local problems and challenges rigorously. The research activity of URBES is based on a multidisciplinary critical approach and on the expertise of the research group based at “Giorgio Lago” Center for Regional Studies of the University of Padua.

Research Areas

Our research areas concern urban innovation, governance and local politics, transnational mobility and migration, sustainability, housing, data and digitalization processes, social inequalities, and urban risk management.

Activities

URBES focuses on consultancy, research, the organization of events and workshops, education, and applied learning in collaboration with the Master Courses offered by the SPGI Department.