The Department of Geography and Environment at LSE has joined four other globally respected academic institutions to launch the Global Alliance on Sustainable Urban Societies – a pioneering initiative that places people at the heart of urban research and policymaking.
The partnership was announced today (2 July) at the Singapore Management University (SMU) City Dialogues held in Vienna, taking place as part of the World Cities Summit’s Mayors Forum 2025.
The founding members of the alliance are:
- The Department of Geography and Environment, The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- The Initiative on Cities, Boston University
- Melbourne Centre for Cities, University of Melbourne
- The School of Cities, University of Toronto (U of T)
- The Urban Institute, Singapore Management University (SMU)
Representatives from the five founding institutions signed an agreement at a networking reception of the SMU City Dialogues Vienna.
Formed around a shared vision of interdisciplinary and human-centred urban research, the Alliance aims to deepen understanding of how city dwellers sense, navigate and shape the urban environments they inhabit. This includes examination of the social and cultural norms, social networks and economic linkages – the “soft infrastructures” – that underpin resilient and sustainable cities.
In an era of accelerating digital transformation, the Alliance embraces the fusion of critical social science with data science to offer fresh, actionable insights into urban life. By recognising people as sensors, enablers and actuators, the collaboration acknowledges the vital, multi-faceted role of residents in shaping sustainable urban societies.
The Alliance will collaborate through:
- Joint research initiatives and academic publications
- Co-hosted workshops and global conferences
- Faculty and student exchanges
- Responsible data-sharing protocols that uphold privacy and confidentiality
The founding institutions extend an open invitation to like-minded academic institutions to join the Alliance in advancing a collective understanding of sustainable, people-first cities.
Speaking at the SMU City Dialogues Vienna, the founding institutions underscored their commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and global network of urban researchers.
Professor Hyun Bang Shin, the Head of the Department of Geography and Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, said: “The Department of Geography and Environment at LSE embodies international excellence through its diverse community of globally engaged academics, researchers, and students.
“Our work addresses some of the world’s most pressing urban challenges, combining rigorous academic inquiry with applied, policy-relevant solutions. Committed to fostering sustainable, equitable, and inclusive urban futures, we produce research that informs global debates, shapes practice and empowers communities—from informal settlements to global cities—towards more just and resilient urban worlds. We are excited to be part of this global alliance on sustainable urban societies and look forward to working together with like-minded urban scholars across the world.”