ATLANTA–International urban researchers from partner universities in Hong Kong and South Africa participated in an “idea lab” at Georgia State University to foster collaborative research on the challenges of cities on three continents.
The researchers joined Georgia State scholars at the inaugural Global Partnership for Better Cities conference March 27–29 to explore shared research projects and collaborations on improving world cities.
The multinational university partnership brought together scholars with knowledge of their own city and a focus on addressing the challenge of making cities around the world more creative, productive, livable and sustainable.
"Getting all of the researchers from Atlanta, South Africa and Hong Kong in one room to work on their ongoing comparative research studies across these cities, and to generate ideas for new collaborative educational opportunities for all of our students interested in urban issues, was very energizing for everyone involved,” said Robin Morris, associate provost for strategic initiatives and innovation at Georgia State.
In addition to meeting with their research groups, the scholars participated in a BeltLine tour as a local example of urban redevelopment, and visited an international refugee support center that addresses many immigrant needs to better understand Atlanta’s history, development, infrastructure, demographics and challenges.
The partnership is expected to continue with annual conferences in the partner cities in the hopes of exploring urban solutions that are more cross-national and building a comparative urban framework of research to gain a deeper understanding of the context and process across the sites.
Georgia State’s strategic plan calls for the creation of an international consortium of universities for critical issues challenging cities. The consortium is focused on addressing urban issues around city infrastructure and development, including housing, city governance and public management, including city and public/private finance, urban environmental quality, including sustainability, changing urban populations, including immigration, urban health and urban social development. President Mark Becker, welcoming the group, challenged it to find innovative solutions to the challenges of urban living that would affect cities around the world.
For photos from the conference, visit the Office of International Initiatives’ Flickr page.