Our research portfolio is organised around a number of themes reflecting our wide range of expertise

The Cities Research Institute has one of the largest concentrations of researchers in Australia focussed on all aspects of cities and urban change.  From architects and planners, through coastal and civil engineers, to environmental and social scientists, CRI researchers are at the forefront of building our understanding of how cities work and change. Current research is looking at:
  • the impacts of investment in public transport infrastructure
  • using ecological engineering and built environment toolkit to rebuild ecosystems
  • what works in travel behaviour change
  • innovations in public participation in planning
  • the scope for tiny houses to improve housing choice
  • how to measure the value of social housing
  • planning for climate change in coastal cities
  • and...the opportunities offered by sea cities.

Explore each of our research themes below in more detail.

11 Sustainable cities13 Climate action

Sustainable Development Goals

Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and committed to tackling global challenges around sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

Major Research Initiatives

Planning for Resilience

We will foster resilience in the face of future emergencies and natural disasters by conducting research that leads to practical solutions and planning for resilience. Our transdisciplinary team will collaborate with industry, local government, and communities to address the challenges they face when deciding how to transition their infrastructure and behaviour in the future. Lead: Professor Cheryl Desha

Connecting Water, Waste Energy and Food (WWEF)

This effort intends to promote genuine collaboration between major industry stakeholders, applied researchers, and communities in order to produce results that are suitable not just for the purpose at hand, but also for the people involved and the environment in which they will be used. This will capitalise on work that has already been done or that is currently being done. Co-Leads: A/ Professor Cara Beal and Professor Anne Roiko

Transforming infrastructure

Our core interests are the re-conceptualisation, re-design, and re-use of existing infrastructure. Our goal is to improve the planning, design, building, operation, and decommissioning of infrastructure, as well as the utilisation of the entire system, in conjunction with our industry partners. Co-Leads: Professor Matthew Burke and Professor Rodney Stewart

Coastal and Marine Research Centre

The Coastal and Marine Research Centre integrates our coastal expertise with wider questions of city planning. Through rigorous research and community engagement, the Centre explores the vulnerabilities of Australian coastal cities helps them to be more resilient into the future.

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