The Bartlett Doctoral Co-Formality Network
Rethinking urbanism beyond the formal/informal dichotomy
Aims
The Bartlett Doctoral Co-Formality Network brings together researchers exploring the dynamic relationship between formal and informal urbanism. Moving beyond the traditional binary, the network advances Co-Formality as a new framework for understanding how cities are continuously negotiated, co-produced, and transformed. Its aim is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across architecture, planning, geography, anthropology, development and urban studies, while shaping more inclusive approaches to global urban futures.
Activities
The network hosts a series of events and collaborative initiatives designed to strengthen connections across the Bartlett doctoral community and beyond. These include:
- ‘Speed-Dating’ Session - An informal gathering for UCL PhD researchers working on co-formality, informality and related urban architectural themes to share work and build relationships (March 2026, UCL).
- Co-Formality Symposium - A two-hour (in-person/online) event featuring three academics presenting research and practice on ‘Urban Co-Formality in Formal Frameworks’ (June/July 2026, UCL)
- Additional outputs such as collaborative publications, edited volumes, and future workshops and conferences
Organisers
- Tanjina Khan, Bartlett School of Architecture
- Venugopal Agrawal, Bartlett Development Planning Unit
- Professor Colin Marx, Bartlett Development Planning Unit
How to get involved
PhD researchers and academic staff across UCL are invited to participate.
- Attending upcoming events and symposia
- Joining the Microsoft team group
- Sharing your research at network activities
- Collaborating on publications, workshops, and cross-faculty initiatives