Our contemporary societies are increasingly urban. Yet, a great diversity defines the urban environments we live in, both within and across the Global North and South. How can we study this diversity in ways that enrich urban theory while also improving quality of life in cities?
Bridging research and practice for more liveable cities
This question inspired the organisation of the first IHS Urban Research Day, held on 14th October 2025. In the space of one morning, five parallel sessions hosted 10 presentations by 23 researchers, all united by a focus on cities. Around 25 IHS researchers and students from the MSc in Urban Management and Development joined the event, engaging actively in discussion.
The 10 presentations mirrored the pluralism of topics, approaches and methods characterising urban research to examine the urban in contemporary societies worldwide and to provide impact-oriented policy implications to steer change to achieve more liveable cities. The presentations were interdisciplinary, connecting social, economic, environmental and cultural aspects, and employing a variety of theoretical approaches, as well as methods.
A celebration of urban research diversity
Research themes ranged widely. Some presentations compared pathways of urban transformation in China’s railway infrastructure, while others critically examined the commodification of urban space in Mumbai, India. Other presentations explored innovative ways to manage urban informality in the Global South, or how feminist perspectives challenge urban safety norms in Córdoba (Argentina) and inspire inclusive post-emergency reconstruction in Chile, Turkey, and Morocco.
Environmental and climate-related research was also featured prominently. Speakers discussed strategies for decarbonisation in Latin America’s cement industry, the mitigation of heat stress in the Netherlands, and frugal energy innovations in low-income contexts. Others investigated how social factors shape energy consumption and reinforce inequality. A further strand examined the role of city networks and knowledge-sharing platforms in driving climate policy innovation.
The diversity of insights sparked lively dialogue. Presenters responded to targeted (and sometimes critical) questions from the audience, generating thoughtful exchanges that enriched both presenters and participants alike.
Communicating urban knowledge
The IHS Urban Research Day concluded with a panel on how communication can transform research from academic output into shared practice. Moderated by Adinda Ceelen, with Elena Marie Enseñado and Ingmar van Meerkerk, the discussion explored how researchers can move beyond publications to engage, listen, and co-create knowledge with the people their work concerns.
Communication is most effective when reciprocal. Elena underscored the need to identify the right audiences: those who can act on research, while Ingmar described the research–practice relationship as a continuous exchange that gives knowledge life beyond the academy. Audience questions raised issues such as research fatigue, ethical dilemmas, and limits to what can be communicated, prompting reflections on how to balance openness, honesty, and responsibility.
The panel concluded that communication is an integral part of research itself - one that requires courage, reflection, and trust.
