The notion of the ‘future’ provides a conceptual, analytical and methodological lens that allows us to question what cities are and how they work. We are particularly interested in examining how visions of urban futures in planning, governance, citizenship and everyday life are being imagined, contested and lived in by people across the world, learning from the lessons of the past.

We use this approach to address some of the most important challenges facing cities today in both the Global North and the Global South. Our research focuses on issues of security, liveability, health and inequality, and considers how emerging modes of governance and planning can promote more inclusive, sustainable, vibrant and playful cities.