The School of Cities integrates the research and analysis of scholars and students from across the University of Toronto with the knowledge and lived experience of communities, civil society organizations and governments throughout city regions across the country and globally. Together we investigate and inform multidisciplinary, evidence-based solutions to the most pressing urban challenges of our time. .
Our three priority theme areas to 2026 are climate and justice; belonging, migration and thriving; and inequality, data, and democracy (see our Strategic Plan). But we also continue to work on other opportunities that make cities thrive and challenges constrain them, including in the areas of culture, governance, housing, infrastructure, mobility, pandemic recovery, and urban data.
Climate & Environment
Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, simultaneously requiring the transformation of infrastructure, reconfiguration of financial systems, mobilization of the electorate, and more. Cities are poised to lead… Read more
Culture & Community-Building
Cities are home to rich, complex ecosystems of cultures and communities, and they thrive most when we co-create solutions with residents, and invest in inclusivity, capacity-building, and creative expression. As… Read more
Economy
A thriving city is an economically vibrant and inclusive one. But how are economic resources prioritized, shared and managed? How are cities recovering from the economic impact of the COVID-19… Read more
Governance
Questions about how to govern and finance municipalities are at the heart of all city-building discussions. Our researchers and partners are looking closely at how policies and fiscal programs work… Read more
Health
Healthy residents and communities are negatively impacted by pollution, congestion, and lack of access to nature, but also by poverty, transportation access, food insecurity, and housing affordability. The School of… Read more
Housing
The housing affordability crisis requires coordinated, evidence-based solutions across all levels of government. We bring together researchers, students, community members and policymakers to examine and debate the causes and consequences… Read more
Indigenous, Race & Ethnic Studies
Cities cannot thrive until communities, leaders, organizations and institutions fully address issues of racism, oppression, and reconciliation. The School of Cities conducts research and works to bring diverse rights-bearing, and… Read more
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is the backbone of a city. School of Cities affiliated initiatives and faculty conduct research and analysis of civil and social infrastructure, and are building local and global expertise… Read more
Mobility
Urban transportation networks are a key to creating viable, livable cities in the face of population growth. The COVID-19 pandemic shook up how, why, and where we move in our… Read more
Urban Data
The plethora of sources of urban data presents new opportunities in what the scale, breadth, and depth of data enables practitioners and researchers to achieve – and yet challenges in… Read more