Urban Research Centre

Welcome

Welcome to the Urban Research Centre at the University of Western Sydney.

The Urban Research Centre aspires to be an international leader in research and teaching initiatives involving cities and urban management. Our approach is interdisciplinary, collaborative and innovative. Our methods and data are comprehensive, precise and effective. We take much pride in our work and seek to be known for our quality, creativity and effectiveness.

The centre has as a priority the development of a team of excellent doctoral researchers and the provision of high quality, relevant academic studies in its Master of Urban Management program and associated short courses.

On behalf of the staff of the centre, I invite you to contact us if you have any questions about our research, our courses or the many other activities that make working with us a challenging and exciting experience.

Professor Phillip O'Neill
MA (Hons), Dip Ed, PhD Macq
Director, Urban Research Centre

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About Us

Advancing Knowledge
The Urban Research Centre is ideally located in the geographical, economic and socio-cultural heartland of Sydney - a laboratory to understand the challenges and devise solutions about contemporary urbanisation. The Urban Research Centre undertakes world-class research involving a large team of interdisciplinary, adventurous and engaged academics. The centre has high-level expertise in spatial economic analysis, urban performance indicators, demographic change, innovation studies, policy development and evaluation, community consultation, qualitative and quantitative research techniques, and in the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Research Activity
The Urban Research Centre engages in research relating to Sydney's urban growth, its rapid infrastructure development, its water supply and consumption, public-private partnerships, housing issues, economic development pathways, sustainability and governance. Our staff also bring expertise and interests in corporate power, urban design, innovation, spatial indicators and critical insights into green- and brown-fields developments.

Our research themes are:

• infrastructure
• spatial economic analysis
• urban performance indicators
• mega-urban projects
• sustainable cities
• innovation and employment.

Research Students
Urban Research Centre invites applications from highly motivated graduates to undertake doctoral research in the fields of urban development and management.

Details about admission to the University of Western Sydney's research student program and information about scholarships are available at Research Degrees and Scholarships.

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Courses

Postgraduate
The following postgraduate courses in urban management are available:

• Master of Urban Management
• Graduate Diploma of Urban Management
• Graduate Certificate of Urban Management

Short Courses

The centre's short courses provide a mix of theory and practice that extends and updates professional knowledge, skills and judgment for a variety of urban professionals.

Planning for Non-Planners: An Introduction
21 November

Further information and registration

Affordable Housing for Local Government
6 - 7 November
Further information and registration

Social Impact Analysis
30 - 31 October  
Further information and registration

Financing Cities
11 - 12, 18 - 19 September
Further information and registration

Planning for Non-Planners: An Introduction
Friday 5 September
Further information and registration

An Introduction to Climate Change (a one day course)
Friday 22 August
Further information and registration

Urban Governance: Cities, Communities and Workplaces
7 - 8, 14 - 15 August
Further information and registration

An Introduction to Urban Design for Planners
26 - 27 June, 17 - 18 July
For further information or for registration, please see the Events Calendar

Planning for Non-Planners: An Introduction
27 June
Further information and registration

Planning Law for the Real World
3 - 4 July
Further information and registration

Planning for Non-Planners: An Introduction
30 May
For further information or for registration, please see the Events Calendar

Making Sustainable Places
15 - 16, 22 - 23 May 
For further information or for registration, please see the Events Calendar

Social Impact Analysis
1 - 2 May
For further information or for registration, please see the Events Calendar

Planning for Non-Planners: An Introduction
29 February 
For further information please see the Events Calendar
Please note that this course is now FULL

Social Impact Analysis
8 - 15 February 
For further information please see the Events Calendar
Please note that this course is now FULL

Registration Cancellation Policy
More than 7 days notice will allow a full refund, however if payment has been made by credit card an administration fee may apply.

Less than 7 days will incur a 25% cancellation charge.
If you do not show on the day, you will be offered a credit up to the value of 70% for future courses.

Events

Is there a solution to our Urban Infrastructure Crisis? 

A Public Forum for the 2008 Australian Innovation Festival

Date: Wednesday, 21 May
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: Sebel Hotel, Church Street, Parramatta
Cost: entry is free but places are limited, bookings are essential.
Bookings and enquiries: please contact Lesley Hayes at l.hayes@uws.edu.au or 02 8833 5912 for bookings or further information.

The Urban Research Centre and the Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney, in conjunction with the Business Council of Australia, will explore cutting edge ideas about the provision of sustainable infrastructure to Australian cities.

Keynote speakers are Mr Patrick Forth (Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group), Ms Pru Sanderson (CEO, VicUrban), Dr Kerry Schott (Managing Director, Sydney Water) and Professor Phillip O’Neill (Director, Urban Research Centre, University of Western Sydney).

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Contact Us

Office Location
Level 6, 34 Charles St Parramatta

Postal Address
Urban Research Centre
University of Western Sydney
Level 6, 34 Charles St
Parramatta NSW 2150
Australia

Centre Enquiries
Contact Lesley Hayes

Urban Research Centre Staff
See Staff Directory

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