Research at UNGCCP – Sharing Innovation

“The innovation and practice of participating cities is an invaluable source of applied international urban research and learning”

Collaborative research is facilitated by the International Secretariat of the UN Global Compact Cities Programme to support, inform and add value to cities’ innovation projects and enhance knowledge and application of good practice and systems. This is achieved through:

1. Encouraging and measuring sustainability practice

The Cities Programme assists cities to assess, design, review and measure projects and their urban environment with consideration for  and within the framework of  four  social domains of sustainability – the ecological, political, economic and cultural. See ‘Our Approach’ for more information.

2. The UNGCCP Research Incubator

The Cities Programme, with the support of RMIT University, hosts a small research incubator where post graduate students have the opportunity to increase their knowledge of cities, urbanisation, contemporary global challenges and sustainability. Participation is often initially through an internship which for some progresses to post-graduate research: Honors study; Masters’ minor  thesis; and potentially PhD research. Participating cities’ urban projects are often the focus of this research and students are supervised and mentored by Research Fellows from the RMIT Global Cities Research Institute.  This incubator is newly established, opportunities for international expansion are currently being explored.

3. Collaboration and Partnership

The Cities Programme partners with other leading urban focused organisations, sharing resources, networks and expertise, and conducting collaborative research and projects. This is with the aim of enhancing sustainability, resilience, diversity and adaptation within cities and in the face of complex urban challenges. See ‘Partners’.