Complexity, Planning and Urbanism

Cities are characteristically complex. For tackling the issues of tomorrow, developing understandings and approaches are required today.

Complexity, Planning and Urbanism (CPU) develops new theoretical approaches and computational tools using a complexity science framework (systems, self-organisation, emergence, intelligence, structural change, adaptation) for the design, management, governance and understanding of future cities related to climate change, citizen participation, development strategies, resilient interventions, policy making and urban morphology.

Computational methods are used to expand the realms of static design methods and theory by enabling a temporal and dynamic process. Research activity is essential to the development of new approaches. Our research is transdisciplinary and currently spans Future Cities, Smart Cities, the Internet of Things, agile governance and cities as complex adaptive systems.

Research Themes

Complexity Theories of Cities

Adaptation, Evolution, and Emergence

Complexity Modelling

Data-driven Urban Simulation, Visualisation, and Participation

Procedural Design Science

Computational Philosophy and Procedural Design

Speculative Urban Futures

Probabilities and Projections of Future Cities

Our Work

Projects

  • CityVerve Smart City Demonstrator: Low Carbon/Greener Travel

    CityVerve was a £10m investment from The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to demonstrate the Internet of Things in Manchester City Region. The CityVerve Project aims to test better services using the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. The Internet of Things adds sensors and data analysis to urban equipment like streetlamps, vehicles or…

Networks

  • Data and Cities as Complex Adaptive Systems

    DACAS is an ESRC funded Strategic Network. It was part of the Urban Transformations (UT) program coordinated between 2015 and 2020 by Professor Michael Keith from the University of Oxford, showcasing research on cities. The UT portfolio included over 120 research projects that engaged with the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly urban world.

Partners