Centre for Urban Transitions
Sustainable urban futures through actionable knowledge and solutions-oriented research for just, healthy and resilient urban environs for humans and nature.
The Centre for Urban Transition leads research in the science of cities and urban sustainability transitions. Our research is applied, practical and policy-focused and recognises that innovation to live within planetary boundaries also requires new ways of living, building and governing urban areas.
We do this by using different lenses to investigate drivers, patterns and pathways of urban futures. These lenses produce systemic, integrative and actionable knowledge on cities, people and how they transform.
To enable just, healthy and resilient urban transitions, our research currently focuses on:
To drive this transformation, our research currently focuses on:
Our strong history of urban research is bolstered by collaborations with the Social Innovation Research Institute, Data Science Research Institute, Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, iHUB National Urban Research Platform, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure and Digital Construction, Department of Management and Marketing, and the French-Australian Centre for Energy Transition (FACET).
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Our research
Learn more about our six research programs that contribute actionable knowledge about cities and how they transform.
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Our people
Meet the team and find out more about their research interests.
Our study options
We place a strong priority on teaching and training undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as our early career researchers (ECRs).
We provide:
experience with world-leading research on urban transitions
connection and exposure to international research collaborations
opportunities to work with industry partners
opportunities to communicate research to wide audiences
a gateway to contribute to contemporary public policy and practice-related debates.
Our teaching includes a subject within the Bachelor of Arts and two subjects within the Master of Architecture and Urban Design.
Research degrees
We offer excellent supervision and host weekly seminars (CUTransitions Talks) and social activities. As a research centre, we consider higher degree by research (HDR) candidates as young researchers in training and our future peers and have established tailored academic professionalisation seminars for them (Career StartUp Fridays), a representation committee (CUT PhD Voice) and a blog that skills and prepares PhD candidates to become future transition researchers.
In our centre, PhD Candidates are encouraged to participate in international networks and attend conferences as well as participate in all research activities as part of their academic journey. We welcome enquiries from potential candidates in the behavioural and social sciences and are happy to discuss options for scholarships and funding.
Find out more about Swinburne research degrees, apply for one now or view our current HDR candidates and their thesis topics.
Centre news
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- Social Affairs
Too many renters swelter through summer. Efficient cooling should be the law for rental homes
Summer is coming – and it’s starting earlier, becoming hotter and lasting longer. As the hot weather hits, many renters will be sweltering in their homes. The World Health Organization recommends a list of actions for people to deal with heat. At the top of the list is “keep your home cool”. But for many renters, this isn’t possible.
Wednesday 22 November 2023 -
- Social Affairs
Ageing in a housing crisis: growing numbers of older Australians are facing a bleak future
The collision between an ageing population and a housing crisis has left more older people in Australia enduring housing insecurity and homelessness. Our research, released today, explores how the scale of these problems among older people has grown over the past decade.
Thursday 10 August 2023 -
- University
West Gate Tunnel delays show risks of mega-projects
Mega-projects display risk of being locked in delays and extra costs.Tuesday 18 February 2020 -
- Social Affairs
New research highlights lack of affordable rentals for low-income Australians
Swinburne researchers say a shortage of suitable rental properties for very low-income households is forcing many to live in unaffordable rentals.Wednesday 11 December 2019 -
- Social Affairs
City share-house rents eat up most of Newstart, leaving less than $100 a week to live on
The Centre for Urban Transitions' Liss Ralston discusses the need to increase Newstart and Rent Allowance.Read more (City share-house rents eat up most of Newstart, leaving less than $100 a week to live on)Monday 23 September 2019
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How you can reach us
Location
Centre for Urban Transitions
Level 1, EW Building
Swinburne University of Technology
Hawthorn, VIC 3122
Postal address
Mail 53, PO Box 218
Hawthorn, VIC 3122
Social media
Contact the Centre for Urban Transitions
There are many ways to engage with us. If your organisation is dealing with a complex problem, get in touch to discuss how we can work together to provide solutions. Call us on +61 3 9214 5286 or email cutransitions@swinburne.edu.au.