UCL and U of T: Shaping and Connecting Global Cities

The event, Shaping and Connecting Global Cities, focussed on how research is a critical component of city building, in particular the issues planners, policy makers and citizens need to be thinking about now in order to build the cities of the future.

With a panel discussion moderated by Chris Michael, Editor for Guardian Cities, attendees considered the key challenges facing global cities, such as rapid growth, equality and accessibility, affordable housing and ease of transport.

They discussed how academic research can help address issues through public engagement and working in partnership with different urban actors.

Joining the panel were Professor Matti Siemiatycki (U of T School of Cities), Professor Mike Raco, Dr Susan Moore (both UCL Bartlett) and Dr Clare Melhuish (UCL Urban Laboratory).

Organic partnership

UCL and U of T already have more than 30 established academically-led collaborations in fields spanning all four UCL schools, ten faculties and 30 departments, which have grown organically between members of academic staff.

In a partnership strengthened over the past three years, further collaboration developed through a successful joint seed funding programme supporting diverse areas such as child health, neuroscience and English.

In urban studies, the joint funding has helped accelerate understanding of pressing issues affecting London and Toronto, including affordable housing and best practices for tower block refurbishment.

The two universities share a successful undergraduate student exchange programme and co-published more than 1,000 papers between 2012-18.

Complementary academic missions

Dame Nicola Brewer, UCL Vice-Provost International said:

“In a world where inter-connectedness is no longer a given and global citizenship no longer automatically seen as a positive, the work we do with our international partners like U of T is more important than ever"

“We have a true partnership of equivalence with U of T, one where our academic missions complement one another, and where we have similar values and ethos as world-leading, globally engaged institutions.”

Ted Sargent, U of T’s Vice President International added:

“The university believes that it is through partnerships like this one with UCL that we can have the greatest impact...we share values and a desire to jointly contribute to addressing some of the significant global challenges we face locally and globally”.

Also attending was Kevin McGurgan, British Consul General in Toronto and Director-General for Department for International Trade Canada.

He said:

“It’s fantastic to see UCL and the University of Toronto in the vanguard of this amazing collaboration. From working on climate change issues through to promoting investment and the global issues that impact cities – all of this nests really well with tonight’s conversations. I’m looking forward to seeing more of this activity.”

• Read UCL President & Provost Michael Arthur’s Q&A in U of T news.
• Find out which projects have been supported through the UCL-U of T strategic partner funds.