Multidimensional Urbanism

Urban scholars are increasingly questioning the flat and horizontal way that cities have historically tended to be represented and understood. This greater recognition of the inherent vertical  and voluminous dimensions of urban life has been accentuated by a recent rapid three-dimensional growth of many cities around the world through high-rise construction, new forms of multi-levelled mobility as well as a growing emphasis on underground spaces.

This heightened attention to the vertical qualities and volumetric characteristics of cities necessitates enhanced cross-disciplinary perspectives in urban research and engagement that investigate not only the role of architecture, planning and geography in shaping urban skylines but consider the scope of engineering, hydrology, religion, literature, digital technology, and many other approaches and matters, in conceiving and coordinating the three-dimensional built environment.

Academic lead

Dr Andrew Harris is Co-Director of UCL Urban Laboratory, convenor of the Urban Studies MSc at UCL and an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography. Contact andrew.harris@ucl.ac.uk to propose activities or connect with our work under this Priority Area.

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Image: Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, credit Alexander Macfarlane