Urban systems are multifaceted and interdependent, with interactions that span various actors, disciplines, and geographies. Our strategy recognises this complexity and embraces a transdisciplinary approach that bridges multiple disciplines and stakeholders in diverse contexts, based on the understanding that solutions to complex problems require comparative insights from across fields and contexts.
“IHS is committed to addressing the complex, interconnected challenges that define urban environments by increasingly embracing a transdisciplinary approach”.
We recognise that urban development choices in one context or system often ripple into others, reinforcing the need for a holistic and inclusive approach for equitable urban development outcomes. Through our transdisciplinary focus, we aim to produce insights and solutions that address specific urban issues while considering the broader, interconnected systems within which they exist.
We will increasingly prioritise transdisciplinary initiatives that create impact across global geographies, particularly in LMICs such as in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, but also beyond, as similar processes of exclusion lead to poverty and inequality elsewhere. Thematically, our comparative work addresses critical areas such as adequate housing, digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI), climate change, urban planning and resilience, sustainability, and gender and inequality.
By tackling these issues through a transdisciplinary lens, we seek to drive meaningful, equitable urban development that actively involves and benefits local communities, our partners, and stakeholders within the interconnected global landscape. We will therefore seek funding partnerships and prioritise opportunities that enable us to leverage this unique transdisciplinary approach.
Internally, this strategic direction encourages synergy across our institute’s pillars: our educational programmes continually feed insights into our advisory work and vice versa, while the hands-on experience gained in our advisory roles informs and enriches our scholarly research. In turn, our research brings advanced academic insights back into our educational offerings, creating a dynamic, iterative process that strengthens each facet of our work. A transdisciplinary focus also enhances the integration of expertise across our institute, promoting innovation and cross-collaboration among our experts.
Our transdisciplinary, cross-pillar strategy lies at the heart of every decision we make and shapes both our geographic reach and thematic priorities. This approach ensures our work is not siloed but interconnected.
