Leading the future of city building
At the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, we believe cities are more than just places, they are the engines of economic growth, enablers of shared prosperity and drivers of sustainable development.
The Cities Institute is an applied, interdisciplinary hub harnessing research excellence and real-world partnerships to build efficient, prosperous, inclusive and sustainable cities. From housing, transportation, infrastructure, and environment to the AI-driven future urban economies, we will transform how cities evolve in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and beyond.
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Purpose-built
institute at one of Canada’s top five universities.
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Powered
by over 50 researchers across six faculties
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Designed
to solve the grand challenges of tomorrow’s cities
Our Focus
Real-world solutions through interdisciplinary research
We tackle city-building challenges that defy siloed approaches — combining insights from business, engineering, urban planning, health, AI and more to co-create usable, data-informed outcomes.
Educating the next generation of city builders
We are home to Canada’s first Master’s in Real Estate Development Plus (MRED+) program, offering students an immersive, interdisciplinary experience grounded in industry, research, and practical application.
Data-driven policy and community impact
With advanced analytics, open data and smart devices and sensors, we provide government, industry and community partners with the insight needed to shape the future, together.
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Giving
Be part of the change
Help us build the Cities Institute into Canada’s foremost accelerator for interdisciplinary city-building solutions. Learn more about our fundraising priorities, spanning research, education and community impact.
Meet the Executive chair
The future of city building depends on our ability to work across boundaries of discipline, sector and perspective. The Cities Institute is a response to that challenge and an invitation to build something better together.
As the Radhe Krishna Gupta Executive Chair in Cities and Communities, I am proud to be part of a university that recognizes the urgency and the opportunity of this moment. At the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, we are leveraging the strength of six faculties, the power of data and AI and the deep commitment of partners across government, industry and community to advance the way we design, govern and experience cities.
My commitment is to ensure that the Cities Institute serves not just as a centre for research, but as a platform for real-world solutions. A place where ideas turn into action, and where talent is nurtured to lead the way forward.
We are just getting started, and I invite you to be part of building Canada’s urban futures.
Executive Director, Cities Institute
