Solutions-oriented urban research
The Macquarie University Housing and Urban Research Centre is an interdisciplinary centre that conducts research on some of the most significant challenges facing cities in Australia and beyond.
Our centre comprises researchers from urban planning, geography, sociology, anthropology, law, management, economics, finance, criminology, history and critical Indigenous studies.
We undertake theoretically informed urban research that is solutions oriented, with activities and outputs designed to influence policy and practice, while addressing social, cultural and economic challenges facing urban citizens.
Strategic research themes
The Housing and Urban Research Centre conducts research across three interconnected themes:
- housing and home
- urban policy and planning
- public, caring and just urbanisms.
Specific areas of research expertise include:
- carceral urbanism
- economic development and innovation
- housing as home
- housing finance and housing market dynamics
- housing supply and affordability
- placemaking and public space
- precarious housing
- public engagement and activism
- regulatory planning reform
- social/affordable housing policy
- social and caring infrastructure
- urban climate change adaptation
- urban disaster resilience and post-disaster policy
- urban food justice
- urban population change
- urban regeneration/renewal.
Research capacity and skills
Centre members have expertise in:
- policy analysis
- program monitoring and evaluation
- community and stakeholder engagement.
The Housing and Urban Research Centre draws together qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the complexities of urban processes. Centre members have experience in a range of research methods, including:
- key stakeholder and citizen interviews
- focus groups
- social surveys
- participatory fieldwork
- statistical analysis of large administrative or housing market datasets.