News

A dynamic mix of first-class scholarship, exciting international visitors, lectures and joint programmes to train and engage urban specialists from around the world.

Ricky Burdett guest interview on Irish Newstalk Daily podcast

Ricky Burdett interviewed on Irish Newstalk Daily radio podcast on the arguments in favour on having a directly-elected mayor in Dublin and the objectives of the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative.

16 January 2026

Listen to the podcast here

13.01.2026 NextGenC survey launch 200x200

What Do Colombian Youth Think About Democracy?

LSE Cities will co-launch of the Youth in Society 2026 survey as part of the Next Generation Urban Governance (NextGenC) project. The event, organised by Colombia’s daily newspaper El Tiempo, will bring together academic and survey partners to discuss how young people in Colombia view democracy, participate in politics, and engage through digital technologies.

The survey is supported by LSE Cities and NextGenC alongside local partners and includes in-depth insights on intermediary cities including Manizales, Quibdó and Cartagena where local dynamics provide and understanding of how democracy is shaped, sustained, or challenged by the youth at the city scale.

LSE Cities’ Philipp Rode and Olga Sorzano will represent NextGenC, opening the launch event and joining the panel “Young People’s Perceptions of Democracy and Citizen Participation”. Key insights from the survey findings and the first two years of research conducted to date will be shared.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Bogotá time (14:00 GMT) at El Tiempo Publishing House in Bogotá and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

Ricky Burdett, director of LSE Cities, curates a major exhibition entitled 'Rome in the World'

Located in Rome's Museum of Art and Architecture of the 21st Century (MAXXI), the exhibition lasts until 6 April 2026.

6 January 2026

Find out more

10.12.2025 Campus_Centre_Building 200x200

‘We have a new role’: mayors across the world increasingly taking on society’s biggest challenges

In an article published in The Guardian on the increasing importance of mayors, LSE Cities director Ricky Burdett is quoted and makes reference to the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadershp Initiative

6 January 2026

Read the article here

18.12.2025 U95A Chilando Chitangala 200x200

The Urban95 Academy's newest City Story, features an inspiring conversation with Chilando Chitangala, Lusaka's City Mayor

The story highlights how Mayor Chitangala and the Lusaka City Council are transforming one of Africa's fastest-growing cities by putting early childhood development at the forefront of urban planning. Mayor Chitangala also set up the team that represented Lusaka in the Urban95 Academy's 7th Cohort.

12 December 2025

Read the interview here
Learn more about the Urban95 Academy

Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced a new partnership with the UK government, the London School of Economics and other organisations to train new metro mayors and their staff

As the UK advances its devolution agenda—transferring powers from central to local government including those related to infrastructure, economic development, and essential public services—Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced a new training and capacity building initiative to help metro mayors and their Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) accelerate progress and turn newly devolved and broader powers into tangible results for residents. The initiative builds on more than 10 years of work led by Bloomberg Philanthropies to advance mayoral leadership and local government innovation across the globe.

10 December 2025

Find out more

Bloomberg LSE Initiative Trains 60 European City Leaders to Drive Innovation in Local Government

Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with the London School of Economics and the Hertie School, has launched the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative, training 60 senior city-hall aides from across Europe. Led by Professor Kai Wegrich, the program explores how cities can embed innovation—both as digital transformation and as a disciplined approach to solving complex challenges. Key strategies include fostering distributed leadership, building trust through accountability, encouraging risk-taking, and aligning resources with ambition to help cities deliver smarter, more responsive services.

01 December 2025

Find out more

24.11.2025 Julia-King Grenfell team 200x200

Grenfell Tower memorial design team appointed

Congratulations to former LSE Cities colleagues Julia King and Olivia Theocharides-Feldman for being part of the team which has been appointed to design a memorial for victims of the Grenfell Tower.

24 November 2025

Find out more

Shillong Urban Strategy Review Launched by LSE Cities

LSE Cities has been commissioned by the Government of Meghalaya, India, to undertake an urban strategy review for Shillong, the state capital. Designed for a population of 300,000 but now facing significant infrastructure pressures due to rapid urbanisation, Shillong is the focus of a new multi-nodal development approach. The strategy centres on three interconnected hubs: the existing city, positioned as a place where innovation aligns with cultural heritage; New Shillong City, a new administrative centre 10 km away that will host the Legislative Assembly and Secretariat; and New Shillong Knowledge City, planned as a cultural, sports, hospitality, and knowledge hub.

11 November 2025

Find out more

Empowering Urban Futures: Alexandra Gomes joins a global team of mentors shaping the next generation of urban planners

Alexandra Gomes, Research Fellow at LSE Cities, has been selected to join the International Mentoring Programme at Cities Forum — a global organisation bringing together a multidisciplinary network of experts in sustainable urban development.

The programme connects emerging urban professionals with 100 leading international experts to support their professional growth, help them address key challenges, and realise their full potential in shaping more sustainable and inclusive cities.

30 October 2025

Find out more about the mentor programme

Philipp Rode to Join the Leaders Collaboration Forum 2025 in Berlin

Philipp Rode will represent LSE Cities at The Leaders Collaboration Forum 2025 in Berlin, taking part in a panel discussion on “Urban Resilience: Delivering on the Climate Agenda through Cities’ Leadership.”

The two-day forum will bring together international leaders and experts to exchange insights on advancing sustainable and equitable urban futures. This year’s discussions will focus on reimagining Europe’s role in global change and the energy transition, strengthening cross-sector partnerships for innovation at scale, addressing the climate–energy nexus with urgency and equity, and translating dialogue into meaningful action and impact.

23 October 2025

Find out more

06.10.2025 ECLI-Bloomberg launch 200x200

As European mayors are asked to lead on national priorities, Bloomberg Philanthropies and LSE launch the region's first-ever mayoral leadership programme

LSE and Bloomberg Philanthropies have launched the groundbreaking Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative, delivered by LSE Cities together with The Hertie School.

The first-ever professional leadership program designed for the continent’s city officials, the Initiative will provide local governments and authorities across Europe with pioneering expertise to tackle problems, drive progress, and deliver results on the issues—from housing to transport to youth outcomes—residents care most about.

06 October 2025

Find out more

Welcome Cohort 10!

Yesterday, we proudly welcomed the 10th cohort of the Executive MSc in Cities at LSE, marking a decade of empowering urban professionals from around the world to lead change in their cities.

This milestone cohort brings together a diverse group of city leaders, policymakers, and practitioners—both in-person and online—who are committed to tackling the complex challenges facing urban areas globally.

Over the next 18 months, they’ll engage with cutting-edge research, collaborate across sectors, and develop actionable strategies to make cities more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.

30 September 2025

Meet the 2025 cohort
More information on the Executive MSc in Cities programme

How can policymakers rebuild consensus for action on climate change?

LSE has released a new research briefing showcasing four examples of recent studies and methodologies. Among these are two projects led by LSE Cities: Rethinking Green Transitions, by Imogen Hamilton-Jones, and Deliberation and Fair Car Use Budgets, by Philipp Rode, Alexandra Gomes, Jannis Linke, Charlie Hicks, and Kate Laffan.

26 September 2025

Read the briefing here

Urban95 Academy Expands to Latin America, Engaging 36 Cities in Child-Friendly Urban Leadership

The Urban95 Academy, LSE Cities' flagship global leadership programme to make cities more supportive of young children and their caregivers, has launched in Latin America. In partnership with the Van Leer Foundation, Fundación FEMSA and Tecnológico de Monterrey, the seven-week programme will engage 36 cities with global experts and practitioners in early childhood development. The 10 most committed cities will be invited to a residency in Mexico City in January 2026. Redesigned and translated into Spanish, the Academy features over 20 hours of virtual learning showcasing regional stories and policies. The programme has now reached more than 350 cities worldwide.

26 September 2025

Deputy Mayor Mete Coban MBE Chairs Climate Justice Roundtable at LSE, Bridging Policy with Londoners' Social Priorities

Mete Coban MBE, the Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, visited LSE to chair a roundtable on how to connect climate policy to Londoners’ priorities for social, racial, and economic justice.

He met with colleagues, including Professor Tony Travers, the Director of LSE London, Catarina Heeckt and Ben Rogers from LSE Cities, Kristian Noll from LSE Faith Centre, and Dr Alison Powell from LSE Department of Media and Communications.

You can find out more about new and innovative methods for policymakers to engage with the communities they represent here.

18 September 2025

Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentship in Cities

For 2026 entry, Bloomberg Philanthropies PhD Studentships in Cities will be available across several LSE departments, open to all nationalities and encouraging co-supervision with LSE Cities faculty. The programme supports original research on urban governance, leadership, and innovation, with a focus on future challenges for European cities and collaboration with city governments. Funding covers fees, a stipend, and resources for engagement with city administrations and academic networks.

11 August 2025

Find out more

Governor of Santiago launches LSE Cities report to drive urban transformation in Santiago

The Governor of Santiago, Claudio Orrego, has launched the result of a year-long study by LSE Cities to improve urban policy design and delivery of Chile’s leading metropolitan region. Working with urban experts from Europe and the Americas, and local experts from USACH and the Santiago Regional Government, the reports provides a robust comparative analysis between Santiago and other global cities, focusing on six key policy areas and will transform the sustainability, democratic accountability and quality of life of the region.

The LSE 'Santiago Urban Age Task Force' reports, in Spanish, can be downloaded here:

Strategies to Transform Santiago at the Metropolitan Scale
Santiago in Global Comparison

25 July 2025

Congratulations to the Executive MSc in Cities 2023-24 Cohort!

Over the past 18 months, this remarkable group of professionals has demonstrated resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to growth. From balancing demanding careers to engaging in thought-provoking discussions and collaborative projects. Their dedication has truly paid off!

As the cohort graduate and step into the next chapter of their leadership journeys, they leave with more than just a degree - they leave with a powerful network, new perspectives, and the confidence to lead with impact.

24 July 2025

Meet the class of 2023
More information on the Executive MSc in Cities programme

Rethinking Green Transiotions-Final report-Front Cover

Report Launch: What do young Londoners want from a green transition?

The final report for Rethinking Green Transitions, a youth-led research project coordinated by LSE Cities and Islington Council was launched today at LSE. The event brought together over seventy researchers, policymakers, youth leaders and community partners to reflect on how we can centre young people in London’s green future. The report draws on insights from 158 young people and 20 policymakers in Islington and offers 10 practical recommendations for a more liveable, inclusive and youth-driven city.

22 July 2025

Find out more
Download the final report here
Learn more about the Rethinking Green Transitions project

How can Metro Manila become a city that truly works for everyone?

Learn more about Anna Mae Lamentillo's, Class of 2023-25, insight into her work on the Executive MSc in Cities' Urban Consultancy Project, a six-month individual consultation undertaken by participants on the Executive MSc in Cities in their own organisation or for an external organisation.

25 June 2025

Find out more

How can cities accelerate the transition to sustainable urban mobility while meeting the needs of local stakeholders?

Learn more about Sofia Zarama's, Class of 2023-25, insight into her work on the Executive MSc in Cities' Urban Consultancy Project, a six-month individual consultation undertaken by participants on the Executive MSc in Cities in their own organisation or for an external organisation.

18 June 2025

Find out more

Website 200x200 Aline Behind the Consultancy

How can city governments create more inclusive, equitable spaces for children on the move?

Learn more about Aline Rahbany's, Class of 2023-25, insight into her work on the Executive MSc in Cities' Urban Consultancy Project, a six-month individual consultation undertaken by participants on the Executive MSc in Cities in their own organisation or for an external organisation.

10 June 2025

Find out more

Urban95 Academy expands to Latin America with first regional hub

The Urban95 Academy, a leadership programme for local governments about improving cities for babies, toddlers and their caregivers, is launching a new regional programme in Latin America.

04 June 2025

Find out more

2025.06 Hybrid Cities publication 200x200

Philipp Rode and Sudeep Bhargava explore urban mobility shifts on hybrid working

Philipp Rode and Sudeep Bhargava have contributed to the newly launched "Lonely in the Crowd: Plugged or Remote? Global Cities and the Challenge of Hybrid Work," edited by Tobia Zevi and published by ISPI.

Dr. Rode and Mr. Bhargava's chapter, "Disrupted Mobility: Conceptualising the Effects of Hybrid Work and Retail," explores how digital hybridisation in two different areas of urban life have affected mobility.

27 May 2025

Read the report here

New report from the Council on Urban Initiatives shares insights from four years of thought leadership on just, healthy and green cities.

From 2021-2025, the Council on Urban Initiatives was a leading research and advocacy platform co-led by LSE Cities, UCL Institution for Innovation and Public Purpose, and UN-Habitat. To cement its learnings, the Council has summarised it’s key insights into a final report.

06 May 2025

Find out more
Download the final report here
Learn more about the Council on Urban Initiatives

Santiago government will hold a city conference with national and international experts to advance key changes to improve the quality of life.

LSE Cities is presenting its year-long study on the regional development strategy being implemented by the Metropolitan Regional Government of Santiago in Chile. The public event in Santiago on 4 April will feature LSE Cities director Ricky Burdett with international experts from Barcelona, London, Milan and Medellin, alongside Governor Claudio Orrego and leading regional and national policymakers.

01 April 2025

More information here.

Past Headlines

2024.12.03-U95A House of Lords report 200x200

Raising the healthiest generation in history, why where children grow up is important to their life outcomes

Katie Beck, Policy Fellow and Urban95 Academy Manager and Marie Kaune, Researcher at LSE Cities were invited to represent the Urban95 Academy at the House of Lords for the launch of the Policy report 'Raising the healthiest generation in history: why it matters where young people live'.

The report was authored by Gemma Hyde of the TCPA and the launch was held at the House of Lords at the invitation of Baroness Hamwee.

03 December 2024

More information on the programme here.

Ricky Burdett guest interview on The Century of Cities podcast

In episode 7 of The Century of Cities podcast, Ricky Burdett, Director of LSE Cities, discusses London's transformation since the 1980s, highlighting the impact of democratic accountability and directly elected mayors. He also explores the critical decisions cities face by 2080, including environmental challenges and the need to design spaces that build community and connection.

05 November 2024

Listen to the podcast here

How do the spaces and places of London impact children and young people?

Katie Beck, Policy Fellow and Urban95 Academy Manager at LSE Cities joined the London Child Poverty Summit as a panellist discussing London as a city of contrasts exploring the physical and emotional implications of lacking public spaces for children and their caregivers.

14 October 2024

Watch the video

Are cities are emerging as a new kind of geopolitical actor?

Ben Rogers, Bloomberg Distinguished Fellow in Government Innovation and Director of the European Cities Programme at LSE Cities moderates a panel at the Munich Security Conference 2024 – City Catalysts: overcoming divides – Cities as strengtheners of democracy.

17 February 2024

Read the article in English or Arabic
Explore the Project
Download, Print and play the game

Housing and the City: case studies of integrated urban design publication launch

On 16 and 17 October Ricky Burdett, Co-chair of the Council on Urban Initiatives, launched a new case study report – Housing and the City – at the Healthy City Design 2023 (HCD 2023) International Congress in Liverpool.

18 October 2023

New network of global research institutions to investigate urban spaces through linguistic dynamics

LSE Cities has joined a new network of global research institutions bringing together geospatial analysis and linguistics under the novel umbrella of Geolingual Studies.

26 September 2023

Learn more and find links to video, blog and articles

24 Hours in Brussels

New blog by two of the young people who joined the Seen and Heard project and the first LSE Cities Apprenticeship in City Design.

Keshav Harivardhan and Loshini Subendran tell us about their day in inthe Belgian capital when they collected a Eurocities award for ‘Young people co-creating public spaces’.

14 August 2023

Read the Blog
Explore the Seen and Heard Project
Learn more about the Apprenticeship in City Design and Samovar Space

Council on Urban Initiatives symposium at La Biennale di Venezia

The Council on Urban Initiatives will be co-hosting a half-day symposium on 31 August 2023 at the 18th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. Bringing together mayors, social scientists, designers, and educators, the session Governing, Designing and Educating Urban Futures will examine how innovations in urban governance, planning, and education can bring about transformative change, with a focus on new, inclusive, and socially progressive narratives.

The symposium is free to attend and open to all

10 July 2023

Learn more about the symposium in Venice
Learn more about the Council

Cover Old Cities New Ambitions Digital Publication

Old Cities New Ambitions: the future of urban Europe

Our new publication captures our research, presenting new data and case-studies, and drawing together viewpoints from cities experts and urban leaders. It will discuss the needs, capacity challenges, and priorities faced by cities leaders; the development of post-growth agendas in many European cities and the challenges and opportunities these represent; developments in housing, transport, and climate policy; and the (slowly) changing demographic profile of European Mayors.

05 July 2023

Read the publication
Watch the event
Listen to the podcast

What keeps us driving? Exploring sociodemographic patterns and underlying motives of mode choice in cities

Despite existing policy interventions increasing the cost of car ownership and the attractiveness of alternative modes of transport, car use remains high in many cities. This new working paper research explores the application of methodologies traditionally used in consumer research to assess underlying factors influencing transport decisions, and perceptions of transport modes.

20 June 2023

Read the paper
Learn more abou t the research project

Seen and Heard research and engagement project wins at Eurocities Awards 2023

LSE Cities' Seen and Heard research and engagement project has been adjudged the 2023 winner in the 'Young people co-creating public spaces' category at the 2023 Eurocities Awards. Led by LSE Cities' Policy Fellow, Julia King, Seen and Heard is a research and engagement project with Brent Youth Parliament and the Blueprint Collective commissioned by Brent London Borough of Culture. The annual Eurocities Awards recognise cities’ outstanding achievements in improving quality of life for local people, addressing Europe’s challenges at every level.

08 June 2023

Watch the Seen and Heard short film
Learn more about Seen and Heard

Making space for girls_November22_747x420

Research cited in Homes England Local Government Capacity Centre Learning Programme session on Inclusive Spaces for Girls and Young People

Research from LSE Cities' Making Space for Girls project was cited in a Homes England publication designed to help local authorities understand the key elements of considering teenage girls in planning and where to access further information and support.

06 June 2023

Read the publication
Learn more about Making Space for Girls

Ricky Burdett delivers keynote for High level session on Housing at United Nations Habitat Assembly in Nairobi

LSE Cities' Director and co-chair of Council on Urban Initiatives keynote titled 'Inclusive and Integrated Housing: the building blocks of cities' at the second session of the UNHABITAT Assembly.

06 June 2023

Watch the keynote

The Right to Housing: A Mission-Oriented and Human Rights Based Approach

This new Council on Urban Initiatives (CUI) working paper, authored by Co-Chair Mariana Mazzucato and Council Member Leilani Farha, brings together human rights and missions to equip all levels of governments to deliver secure, affordable, dignified and sustainable housing for all. The CUI is a collaboration between UN Habitat, UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose and LSE Cities positioning urban issues at the heart of global debates.

01 June 2023

Read the paper
Learn more about the Council on Urban Initiatives

Seen and Heard project nominated for Eurocities Awards 2023

The annual Eurocities Awards recognise cities’ outstanding achievements in improving quality of life for local people, addressing Europe’s challenges at every level. LSE Cities' Seen and Heard research project has been nominated in the Young people co-creating public spaces category. Led by LSE Cities' Policy Fellow, Julia King, Seen and Heard is a research and engagement project with Brent Youth Parliament and the Blueprint Collective commissioned by Brent London Borough of Culture.

01 June 2023

Explore the Seen and Heard nomination page
Learn more about Seen and Heard

Calling all Mayors and transport leaders from emerging economies eager to transform urban mobility

Leading Transport Transitions, an executive education programme for city leaders transforming urban mobility launched on today at the ITF 2023 Summit. This new tailored leadership programme will support city leaders to transform urban mobility. The programme is organised and delivered by a strategic partnership between the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI), the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and LSE Cities at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

25 May 2023

Find out more and nominate (yourself or others) to take part

New paper on post-growth published in Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy

LSE Cities’ Ben Rogers, Nuno F. da Cruz, Francesco Ripa and Imogen Hamilton-Jones publish a paper that investigates the dissemination of post-growth ideas and policies across European cities. The article shows that, while these concepts and approaches have only recently begun to be linked to cities, interest in urban post-growth is rising steeply. It concludes with a discussion on what an urban post-growth agenda might look like.

16 May 2023

Access the article

Mapping Urban Sustainability Initiatives

A team of LSE Cities staff working with two undergraduate student researchers is developing a set of three complementary maps to help LSE students and staff exploit all of the urban sustainability initiatives on campus and with a 15-minute walk. The maps aim to raise awareness of all the local initiatives related to waste, food, green spaces and active travel and are being put together as part of the LSE's Green Impact Project 2023.

04 May 2023

Explore the first map

Is Paris Shrinking?

Paris lost 75,000 inhabitants between 2014 and 2020. How can we interpret this decline in the population of Paris? Should we be worried? No, argues Jean-Louis Missika, Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE Cities and deputy mayor of Paris in charge of urban planning and Greater Paris from 2014 to 2020 in a new article for La Grande Conversation online journal.

28 April 2023

Read the article (available in English and French)

Analytics Note #06 | Local Democracy During Complex Emergencies

The Analytics Note #06 released as part of LSE Cities' Emergency Governance Initiative focuses on how responses to complex emergencies by cities and regions are rooted in democratic practices. It presents insights on the democracy pillars of participation, deliberation and good governance and the degree to which these are underpinned by digital era governance.

27 April 2023

Read Analytics Note #06
Learn more about the Emergency Governance Initiative Research

Opinion Piece | Partnerships as an Urban Response to the Global Polycrisis

"Governance renewal for the coming decades will require adjusting our institutional structures to emergency mode, activating strategic partnership across and within territories, while dealing with live crises."

In an opinion piece for the April issue of Urban Solutions published by the Centre for Livable Cities Singapore, Philipp Rode, Executive Director of LSE Cities argues that domestic and international partnerships operating on multiple levels are what is needed for solving today’s complex crises.

12 April 2023

Read the article
Learn more about the Emergency Governance Initiative Research

Research Roundtable: Creating a Sense of Place: How Inclusive and Green Design Can Build Stronger Communities

Part of LSE's series of levelling up events, this roundtable focused on how policymakers can create a ‘Sense of Place’. Hosted at the Brent Civic Centre, LSE Cities' Policy Fellow Dr Julia King shared research, ideas and best practice with councillors, planning officers, think tankers and community charities in a discussion led by LSE Cities' Ben Rogers, founder of Centre for London.

April 30 2023

Hear from the researchers and attendees in this video
Learn more about the roundtable and its conclusions

Young Researchers-in-Residence project shortlisted for Community-led Placemaking Award

The YRIR project, led by LSE Cities in collaboration with advocacy group Make Space for Girls and Countryside Partnerships, explores public realm experiences and spatial peer-research methodologies in sites across London. Working with young people, in particular young women, it is a new model for participation engaging a constituency normally excluded from planning and development processes.

The winner will be announced at the Planning Awards 2023 award ceremony on 8 June.

05 April 2023

Learn more about the Young Researchers-in-Residence Project
Explore the Planning Awards 2023 Shortlist

22_10_22_Wembley_Park_Samovar_Space023_1200x600

Public spaced designed by young people in Brent nomintated for an award

Samovar Space, the first of the four spaces to receive input from the young people involved in the LSE Cities Apprenticeship Programme, has been nominated for a Brent Design Award.

Led by Julia King, the programme is a new model for citzen participation where young adults are hired as researchers and learn through practice at the LSE.

14 March 2023

Vote for Samovar Square
Find out more about the Apprenticeship Programme

Young people investigate and design urban spaces across London

The Young Researchers-in-Residence (YRIR) is a multi-series peer-research project run by LSE Cities in collaboration with advocacy group Make Space for Girls and Countryside. It aims to further develop an inclusive peer-research methodology for young people across higher education and the built environment; to foster and teach skills in the social sciences and architectural fields to youths; and to collaboratively compile an evidence base on young people and young women’s experiences of and desires for the public realm.

08 March 2023

Learn more about Young Researchers-in-Residence

Abu Dhabi (Dis)connected Exhibition

The visual output of a two-year research project investigating how road infrastructure affects urban life in Abu Dhabi. The photographs, all taken by the research team including Alexandra Gomes (LSE Cities), Apostolos Kyriazis (Abu Dhabi University), Clémence Montagne (consultant) and Peter Schwinger (consultant), show the fragmentation of the landscape and reveal the impact that roads have on local communities and neighbourhoods.

27 February–24 March 2023

Read about the exhibition

Council on Urban Initiatives (CUI) celebrates first anniversary

The CUI was set up by UN-Habitat, UCL IIPP, and LSE Cities to advocate for the power of cities to promote systemic change and progressive policymaking in order to achieve the goal of green, just, and healthy cities.

Read about its work and a new knowledge partnership with Impact on Urban Health.

03 November 2022

Read the news update

22_10_22_Wembley_Park_Samovar_Space-017apprentices500x500

LSE Apprentices in City Design create a new public space in Brent

Five young adults from the LSE Apprenticeship in City Design programme have designed a new purpose-built public space situated on the iconic Olympic Way in Wembley Park.

Samovar Space, launched as part of a community event on Saturday 22 October, was delivered in partnership with and funded by Quintain, the developer behind Wembley Park. The space is expressly designed by and for young people in recognition of the value of their role in inclusive urban design.

28 October 2022

Read the news update
Learn more about the LSE Apprenticeship Programme
Explore Samovar Space

Reimagining Public Space Through Cards in Kuwait

New blog by Alexandra Gomes, Sharifa Alshalfan, Asseel Al-Ragam & Tanushree Agarwal about the ‘Kuwaitscapes’ card game developed from the LSE Kuwait Programme research project ‘Public Space in Kuwait: From user behaviour to policy-making‘ that aims at promoting a fun and engaged reflection and conversation about public space in Kuwait and those using it.

19 October 2022

Read the blog

The importance of Metropolitan Indicators

Today Nuno F. da Cruz speaks at MetroSolutions International Congress in Barcelona about LSE Cities research carried out in collaboration with Metropolis to develop a system of comparative indicators and collect the corresponding data for a range of major cities and metropolitan areas.

17 October 2022

Learn more about the congress
Read about the research

How to build sustainable knowledge legacies

This new blog reflects on the knowledge legacy potential of major infrastructure reconstruction programmes. It reviews the experience of the Executive Programme on Sustainable Urban & Regional Infrastructure Planning (LSE-PS) designed and delivered by LSE Cities. The programme trained 350 Peruvian public officials involved in Peru’s national reconstruction programme, which was initiated after the El Niño floods of 2017.

11 October 2022

Read the blog

Governance Renewal for Emergency Mode

As local and regional leaders from around the world convene at the UCLG 7th World Congress in Daejeon, the strong, collective sense of global crisis will be impossible to ignore. A new blog by Philipp Rode discusses the vital role of city and regional governments in governing complex emergencies.

10 October 2022

Read the blog
Learn more about the Emergency Governance Initiative Research

LSE Cities research presented at Bloomberg CityLab 2022

Ricky Burdett and Ben Rogers attended the Mayors Innovation Studio at Bloomberg CityLab 2022 in Amsterdam with 40 Mayors from cities around the world. Research from our European Cities Programme on the effects of digital economy on city centres was presented and discussed with city leaders.

09 October 2022

Learn more about the European Cities Programme

The street as a barrier to better health in Middle Eastern Cities

Alexandra Gomes speaks at the 58th Isocarp World Planning Congress on her research with the LSE Middle East Centre investigating the impact of road infrastructure on urban life in Abu Dhabi.

05 October 2022

Explore the research

Kids teach city leaders a lesson at the London School of Economics

This month 44 cities complete the third cohort of the Urban95 Academy to analyse how their cities measure up when it comes to support for their youngest and sometime most vulnerable citizens.

04 October 2022

Read the news update

Ricky Burdett Speaks at Singapore University of Technology and Design

Ricky Burdett, Director of LSE Cities is appointed Distinguished Fellow and Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities (LKYCIC) in Singapore and gives two public lectures.

21 September 2022

Read the news update
Watch the Inaugral Lecture

05 September 2022: New article on networked urban governance published in Urban Affairs Review
27 July 2022: The sixth and final policy brief published from the Emergency Governance Initiative
20 June 2022: LSE Cities co-hosts two sessions at the World Urban Forum
16 June 2022: Interview with Ricky Burdett published in eKathimerini to coincide with the Athens Urban Age Forum
16 June 2022: Athens Urban Age Forum: a panel discussion to explore the future liveability and sustainability of Athens with Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis
13 June 2022: Policy Brief #05 now published in French and Spanish
27 May 2022: Ben Rogers to present at IPPO Cities event on 07 June 2022
27 May 2022: Jo Beall to join the Sustainable Cities discussion forum on 31 May 2022
18 May 2022: Philipp Rode to deliver keynote at Architecture Matters 2022
11 April 2022: Emergency Goverance Initiative Analytics Note #05 Published exploring local public services and sustainable development priority shifts caused by Covid-19
06 April 2022: Mayor of Athens imagines cities of the future at the Delphi Economic Forum
07 March 2022: Policy Brief #05, Local Public Services in Crisis Mode, published
01 February 2022: Urban Age Debates, debate film and key takeaways
26 January 2022: 'Two and half cheers for levelling up', Ben Rogers writes for LSE Blog
25 January 2022: 'Richard Rogers put architecture on the political map', Ricky Burdett writes for Architects' Journal
20 January 2022: Mayors from around the world go back to school to learn how to make their cities more child-friendly
20 January 2022: Richard Rogers and LSE Cities
19 January 2022: Urban Age Debates: Rationalising Shopping trailer released
10 January 2022: Urban Age Debates: Rationalising Shopping announced
02 January 2022: Review of (Re)thinking Streets in Low Urban Densities workshop

18 December 2021 : Urban Age Debates | Changing Cultures | Post-debate film
15 December 2021 : Analytics Note #04 - Multilevel Governance and COVID-19 Emergency Coordination published
14 December 2021 : Firoz Lalji Global Hub International Design Competition
13 December 2021 : New EEA survey - Environmental Sustainability in European Cities
30 November 2021 : Philipp Rode interviewed by Digital Future Society
29 November 2021 : Jo Beall speaks at the Sanitation Workers Forum
23 November 2021 : Ricky Burdett gives opening keynote at FHAR
22 November 2021 : Virtual launch of the 'Future Cities' Conversation Series featuring Ricky Burdett
17 November 2021 : Blog post for the LSE Shaping the Post Covid World series
15 November 2021 : Policy Brief No.4 now published in French and Spanish
11 November 2021 : 'Flexible Urbanisms from Shaping Cities in an Urban Age', is published online for Barcelona Metropolis
11 November 2021 : LSE Cities features in the 'The Place to Be' policy report advocating the social sciences in improving social and economic outcomes
10 November 2021 : Ricky Burdett is a guest panelist at the Shaping the Future of Cities event
8 November 2021: Alexandra Gomes guest lecturer at Saudi Vision and UN Goal Women Empowerment series
5 November 2021 : New Council on Urban Initiatives launched
3 November 2021 : Elaine Bedell writes for Urban Age Debates, Changing Cultures
2 November 2021 : LSE Cities nominated for the Inspire Generation Awards
1 November 2021: Philipp Rode gives keynote presentation at Urban Zero Night for COP26
28 October 2021 : Better Access to Urban Opportunities Working Paper Launched
25 October 2021 : Cities at Crossroads - event announced
21 October 2021: Council on Urban Initiatives launched
18 October 2021: Research Seminar: Playing to Plan announced
18 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Changing Cultures - Summary
15 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Changing Cultures - Live Event Recording
12 October 2021: Ricky Burdett gives evidence at the housing demand inquiry
07 October 2021: Philipp Rode writes for Transforming Peripheries Magazine
07 October 2021: Philipp Rode presents at Superilla Barcelona: The AfterCovid City
07 October 2021: Suzanne Hall and Julia King podcast interview for CoDE
04 October 2021: Philipp Rode speaks at Daring Cities conference
04 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Survey Summary #02
03 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Localising Transport post-debate film launched
02 October 2021: Policy Brief #04 launched
01 October 2021: Philipp Rode writes for the LSE COVID-19 blog on hyperlocal cities
27 September 2021: Nuno F. da Cruz speaking at Lingnan University webinar
27 September 2021: Jean-Louis Missika and Ricky Burdett write for LSE COVID-19 blog
23 September 2021: 'Kuwaitscapes' : Can card games help urban planning?
22 September 2021: Philipp Rode and Nuno F. da Cruz to speak at the Marmara Urban Forum
18 September 2021: LSE Cities at the Utopian Hours Festival
16 September 2021: New LSE Cities leadership programme helps municipal leaders improve the lives of young children
3 September 2021: Philipp Rode to host master class at the 2021 IAA Mobility conference
1 September 2021: Philipp Rode to speak at the VI International Congress for the Architecture and Society Foundation
22 August 2021: 'The Economic Case for Greening the Global Recovery through Cities' published
4 August 2021: Research from LSE Cities' Urban Age proejct features on Modus online
3 August 2021: Research on Addis Ababa's condominium housing published
29 July 2021: Ricky Burdett: Reviving Britain's high streets after the pandemic
14 July 2021: Alexandra Gomes to speak on 'Life, work and play in sprawling urban regions'
13 July 2021: Philipp Rode speaks at the Third Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda
8 July 2021: Ricky Burdett features in Triennale Milano 'From the Moon' podcast- 'The World at Night'
7 July 2021: Ed Charlton to run two panels at Antwerp University RC21 Conference
6 July 2021: Ricky Burdett features in 'EXPeditions' - a new international digital publishing project
5 July 2021: Ed Charlton speaks on 'Sounding Place and Self'
2 July 2021: Ricky Burdett speaks on shared working spaces and the changing role of cities
28 June 2021: Ricky Burdett to join the mayors of Moscow and Istanbul at the Opening Plenary session of the Moscow Urban Forum 2021
25 June 2021: Mansoor Ali to speak at a UN-Habitat internal meeting for the Waste Wise Cities programme
10 June 2021: Ricky Burdett speaks on supporting high streets after covid
10 June 2021: LSE Cities and Impact on Urban Health publish report on 'Driving towards urban recovery in London: Future scenarios for Lambeth and Southwark post Covid-19'
7 June 2021: LSE COVID-19 blog published on Ed Glaeser's contribution at the Localising Transport Urban Age Debate
3 June 2021: Alexandra Gomes speaks at the Publico "Conversas Urbanas" debate on 'What is a city of future?'
28 May 2021: Ben Rogers authors blog 'How to measure good growth: some advice for Sadiq Khan'
25 May 2021: LSE Cities to host research seminar on 'Games and participatory tools in urban research and design'
24 May 2021: Nuno F. da Cruz to speak at U-LEAD's online forum
24 May 2021: Nuno F. da Cruz featured in knowable magazine article
24 May 2021: LSE Cities collaborator Akil Scafe-Smith to speak at the London Festival of Architecture Symposium
22 May 2021: Urban Age Programme publishes Localising Transport Debate Summary
19 May 2021: Alexandra Gomes to speak on Kuwait's Urbanisation, Transport, and use of Public Space
14 May 2021: Urban Age Programme releases new trailer for the upcoming debate on Localising Transport
8 May 2021: Urban Age Programme launches 'Localising Transport' survey
7 May 2021: Urban Age Programme launches 'Localising Transport' debate
4 May 2021: Urban Age publishes Humanising the City Debate Summary
29 April 2021: Philipp Rode participates in Emergency Governance Initative Workshop
28 April 2021: Jo Beall to speak at Be Waste Wise event - 'The Waste Crisis – Missing Billions'
25 April 2021: Ricky Burdett featured in Norman Foster Foundation masterclass series 'On Cities'
25 April 2021: Nuno F. da Cruz and Rebecca Flynn to speak at CIVICA PhD Panel on Organisations and Leadership in Urban Governance
23 April 2021: Urban Age Programme releases new trailer for the upcoming 'Humanising the City' debate
22 April 2021: Alex Gomes featured in Jornal-Económico debate and article
12 April 2021: Alex Gomes publishes new article exploring the challenges and opportunities for London's walkability
7 April 2021: Julia King speaks with Open/Ended Design on 'Compassionate Cities'
3 April 2021: LSE Cities and the Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft to host next Urban Age Debate on Humanising the City
30 March 2021: Ricky Burdett interviewed by greek national newspaper on the impact of covid-19 on cities
24 March 2021: Philipp Rode to speak at 'Urban Transport Next 04: After the pandemic'
18 March 2021: Urban Age release Survey Summary: The Future of Knowledge Work
14 March 2021: LSE Cities to host research seminar on 'Resource Urbanisms between abundance and constraints'
8 March 2021: Catarina Heeckt publishes blog on 'How Mexican cities could meet women’s transport needs'
7 March 2021: Alex Gomes co-authors research report on' Reclaiming public space in Kuwait’s residential neighbourhoods'
3 March 2021: Catarina Heeckt co-authors policy paper on 'Compact, connected, clean and inclusive cities in Mexico'
1 March 2021: Nuno F. da Cruz publishes new article in Local Government Studies
25 February 2021: New blog summarising the first Urban Age Debate on 'Socialising Remote Work'
19 February 2021: Suzanne Hall publishes new book 'The Migrant Paradox'
19 February 2021: Nuno F. da Cruz speaks at THE HOME METROPOLE #5: Nicosia and London
18 February 2021: Philipp Rode quoted in New York Times article
8 February 2021: LSE Cities Research Fellow Julia King speaks at the Forum for Philosophy event 'Spaced Out'
3 February 2021: Ricky Burdett to speak on Shaping Cities in an Urban Age
3 February 2021: LSE-Sawiris Scholarships open for Executive MSc in Cities
2 February 2021: Philipp Rode to speak on 'Cities in Crises'
26 January 2021: New Podcast with Philipp Rode on transport and urban change in London
25 January 2021: New Policy Brief from the Emergency Governance Initiative analyses the financial response to COVID-19 at the city and regional level
25 January 2021: Ben Rogers joins LSE Cities as Visiting Senior Fellow from February 2021
18 January 2021: Philipp Rode to speak on Governing Complex Emergencies for Cities and Regions
15 January 2021: Urban Age Programme releases new film on 'Socialising Remote Work'
14 January 2021: New Analytics Note from the Emergency Governance Initiative presents an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on subnational finances
13 January 2021: LSE Cities launch Urban Neighbourhoods: Health and Wellbeing research project

16 December 2020: Urban Age Debates: a new series of virtual events and short films exploring how cities are responding to profound global change

4 December 2020: Explore the Situating Urban Atmospheres GIS StoryMap of Johannesburg

1 December 2020: Ricky Burdett to speak at the German Bauwelt Kongress 2020

24 November 2020: LSE Cities launch Scenarios for Lambeth and Southwark research project

23 November 2020: Seen and Heard project featured in Icon Magazine

21 November 2020: Philipp Rode to speak at Barcelona Innovation Day

19 November 2020: Philipp Rode quoted in Reuters article on Londoners leaving the city

17 November 2020: New Policy Brief from the Emergency Governance Initiative presents a preliminary framework for governing complex emergencies

13 November 2020: Researcher Akil Scafe-Smith interviewed by the Architectural Association School

13 November 2020: Philipp Rode to address the UCLG World Council 2020 with insights from the Emergency Governance Initiative

10 November 2020: Philipp Rode to deliver keynote presentation at the International Rail Forum for North America hosted by UITP

10 November 2020: Ricky Burdett to speak on a panel as part of ProBogota's annual event

6 November 2020: Apprenticeship in City Design at LSE Cities featured at Open House Worldwide

6 November 2020: Research Officer Alexandra Gomes introduces new research on Abu Dhabi's urban development

5 November 2020: Research Officer Alexandra Gomes authors blog post on walkability for the LSE COVID-19 Blog

3 November 2020: Ricky Burdett to speak at The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland Conference 2020

29 October 2020: Ricky Burdett to participate in a panel discussing new book Cities at War

28 October 2020: New Urban Age survey launched on the future of knowledge work and cities

28 October 2020: Research Fellow Julia King speaks on BBC Radio 3 discussing city life amid COVID-19

26 October 2020: LSE Cities Director Ricky Burdett and Mayor of Santander Gema Igual Ortiz interviewed by the Centre for the Future of Cities

19 October 2020: LSE Cities Director Ricky Burdett discusses the future of cities on a panel hosted by E.ON

13 October 2020: 'Car-centricity kills cities,' says Policy Fellow Catarina Heeckt in Business World

8 October 2020: Research Fellow Julia King to speak at Guiding Rapid Urbanisation in Ethiopia Seminar

28 September 2020: New blog by Graduate Researcher Bethany Mickleburgh reviews Joseph Hillel's film City Dreamers

23 September 2020: September Newsletter spotlights our new Apprenticeship Programme in City Design and our Executive MSc in Cities Programme

21 September 2020: LSE Cities and Quintain launch new Apprenticeship Programme in City Design

17 September 2020: LSE Cities and the Institute for Customer Insights at the University of St. Gallen launch Beyond Car Ownership research project

15 September 2020: Ricky Burdett to take part in a panel discussion on mobility and climate change with Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and Jean-Louis Missika

14 September 2020: New Report from the Coalition for Urban Transitions, co-authored by Philipp Rode, presents the economic case for greening the global recovery through cities

6 August 2020: August Newsletter announces Michaelmas Term Research Seminars, shares emergency governance innovations, and spotlights two new blogs

30 July 2020: New Policy Brief from the Emergency Governance Initiative highlights innovative governance responses to COVID-19

27 July 2020: Ricky Burdett to speak at Global cooperation against COVID-19 International Conference, organised by Regional Plan Association and ProBogotá

The event will take place on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Bogotá time (14:00 GMT) at El Tiempo Publishing House in Bogotá and will be livestreamed on YouTube.

More information here.

Past Headlines

More information on the programme here.

Read the article in English or ArabicExplore the ProjectDownload, Print and play the game

Read the article (available in English and French)

Young people investigate and design urban spaces across London

Council on Urban Initiatives (CUI) celebrates first anniversary

LSE Apprentices in City Design create a new public space in Brent

Reimagining Public Space Through Cards in Kuwait

The importance of Metropolitan Indicators

How to build sustainable knowledge legacies

Governance Renewal for Emergency Mode

LSE Cities research presented at Bloomberg CityLab 2022

The street as a barrier to better health in Middle Eastern Cities

Kids teach city leaders a lesson at the London School of Economics

Ricky Burdett Speaks at Singapore University of Technology and Design

18 December 2021 : Urban Age Debates | Changing Cultures | Post-debate film

15 December 2021 : Analytics Note #04 - Multilevel Governance and COVID-19 Emergency Coordination published

14 December 2021 : Firoz Lalji Global Hub International Design Competition

13 December 2021 : New EEA survey - Environmental Sustainability in European Cities

30 November 2021 : Philipp Rode interviewed by Digital Future Society

29 November 2021 : Jo Beall speaks at the Sanitation Workers Forum

23 November 2021 : Ricky Burdett gives opening keynote at FHAR

22 November 2021 : Virtual launch of the 'Future Cities' Conversation Series featuring Ricky Burdett

17 November 2021 : Blog post for the LSE Shaping the Post Covid World series

15 November 2021 : Policy Brief No.4 now published in French and Spanish

11 November 2021 : 'Flexible Urbanisms from Shaping Cities in an Urban Age', is published online for Barcelona Metropolis

11 November 2021 : LSE Cities features in the 'The Place to Be' policy report advocating the social sciences in improving social and economic outcomes

10 November 2021 : Ricky Burdett is a guest panelist at the Shaping the Future of Cities event

8 November 2021: Alexandra Gomes guest lecturer at Saudi Vision and UN Goal Women Empowerment series

5 November 2021 : New Council on Urban Initiatives launched

3 November 2021 : Elaine Bedell writes for Urban Age Debates, Changing Cultures

2 November 2021 : LSE Cities nominated for the Inspire Generation Awards

1 November 2021: Philipp Rode gives keynote presentation at Urban Zero Night for COP26

28 October 2021 : Better Access to Urban Opportunities Working Paper Launched

25 October 2021 : Cities at Crossroads - event announced

21 October 2021: Council on Urban Initiatives launched

18 October 2021: Research Seminar: Playing to Plan announced

18 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Changing Cultures - Summary

15 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Changing Cultures - Live Event Recording

12 October 2021: Ricky Burdett gives evidence at the housing demand inquiry

07 October 2021: Philipp Rode writes for Transforming Peripheries Magazine

07 October 2021: Philipp Rode presents at Superilla Barcelona: The AfterCovid City

07 October 2021: Suzanne Hall and Julia King podcast interview for CoDE

04 October 2021: Philipp Rode speaks at Daring Cities conference

04 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Survey Summary #02

03 October 2021: Urban Age Debates: Localising Transport post-debate film launched

02 October 2021: Policy Brief #04 launched

01 October 2021: Philipp Rode writes for the LSE COVID-19 blog on hyperlocal cities

27 September 2021: Nuno F. da Cruz speaking at Lingnan University webinar

27 September 2021: Jean-Louis Missika and Ricky Burdett write for LSE COVID-19 blog

23 September 2021: 'Kuwaitscapes' : Can card games help urban planning?

22 September 2021: Philipp Rode and Nuno F. da Cruz to speak at the Marmara Urban Forum

18 September 2021: LSE Cities at the Utopian Hours Festival

16 September 2021: New LSE Cities leadership programme helps municipal leaders improve the lives of young children

3 September 2021: Philipp Rode to host master class at the 2021 IAA Mobility conference

1 September 2021: Philipp Rode to speak at the VI International Congress for the Architecture and Society Foundation

22 August 2021: 'The Economic Case for Greening the Global Recovery through Cities' published

4 August 2021: Research from LSE Cities' Urban Age proejct features on Modus online

3 August 2021: Research on Addis Ababa's condominium housing published

29 July 2021: Ricky Burdett: Reviving Britain's high streets after the pandemic

14 July 2021: Alexandra Gomes to speak on 'Life, work and play in sprawling urban regions'

13 July 2021: Philipp Rode speaks at the Third Local and Regional Governments Forum on the 2030 Agenda

8 July 2021: Ricky Burdett features in Triennale Milano 'From the Moon' podcast- 'The World at Night'

7 July 2021: Ed Charlton to run two panels at Antwerp University RC21 Conference

6 July 2021: Ricky Burdett features in 'EXPeditions' - a new international digital publishing project

5 July 2021: Ed Charlton speaks on 'Sounding Place and Self'

2 July 2021: Ricky Burdett speaks on shared working spaces and the changing role of cities

28 June 2021: Ricky Burdett to join the mayors of Moscow and Istanbul at the Opening Plenary session of the Moscow Urban Forum 2021

25 June 2021: Mansoor Ali to speak at a UN-Habitat internal meeting for the Waste Wise Cities programme

10 June 2021: Ricky Burdett speaks on supporting high streets after covid

10 June 2021: LSE Cities and Impact on Urban Health publish report on 'Driving towards urban recovery in London: Future scenarios for Lambeth and Southwark post Covid-19'

7 June 2021: LSE COVID-19 blog published on Ed Glaeser's contribution at the Localising Transport Urban Age Debate

3 June 2021: Alexandra Gomes speaks at the Publico "Conversas Urbanas" debate on 'What is a city of future?'

28 May 2021: Ben Rogers authors blog 'How to measure good growth: some advice for Sadiq Khan'

25 May 2021: LSE Cities to host research seminar on 'Games and participatory tools in urban research and design'

Read the article in English or Arabic
Explore the Project
Download, Print and play the game