UTH members are involved in several collective research projects, both individual and collective (below a selection of funded projects in which UTH members are/have been part).

Our common thematic interest is the diverse set of processes, practices and problems linked to the relentless expansion and reconfigurations of human (and non-human) geographies, resulting in unstable paths towards more sustainable urbanisation. Since the first of the UTH, its members have worked on abroad range of topics, such as:

  • Arts, culture and the city
  • Forced displacement, segregation and refuge
  • Housing and urban change
  • Nature and the city
  • Participatory governance
  • Security and risk
  • Territorial governance
  • Urban transformations, sustainability and urban utopias

Given our focus on urbanisation and sustainable transitions, we inevitably embark on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research (including co-design and co-production), and we strive to ensure an open and interconnected view of problems and solutions.

Our aim is to explore theory, methods and practices that contribute to the civic remit of more just, inclusive and sustainable cities. We therefore see ourselves as increasingly contributing to key dimensions of a civic university: sense of purpose, active engagement, holistic approach, sense of place, transparency and accountability – undertaking research that relates more readily to specific circumstances of our cities.

Ongoing projects

  • DASH – Deliver sAfe and Social Housing (Horizon Europe MSCA Staff Exchange, 2023-2026).
  • LOGO – The LOcal GOvernance of housing policy. A study of municipal housing strategies (FCT, 2023-2026).
  • NATURESCAPES – Nature-based solutions for climate resilient, nature positive and socially just communities in diverse landscapes (HORIZON-RIA, 2023-2027).
  • URBANOSCENES – Post-colonial imaginaries of urbanisation: A future-oriented investigation from Portugal and Angola (FCT, 2022-2025).
  • INCITE-DEM – Inclusive Citizenship in a world in Transformation: Co-Designing for Democracy” (Horizon, 2023-2026).
  • INFRABLUE – A natural, social and cultural device to enhance urban potential (Creative Europe, 2023-2025).
  • CONEXUS – CO-producing Nature-based solutions and restored Ecosystems: transdisciplinary neXus for Urban Sustainability (Horizon 2020, 2020-204).

Past projects

  • HOPES – HOusing PErspectives and Struggles Futures of housing movements, policies and dynamics in Lisbon and beyond (FCT, 2018-2021).
  • SustainLis – Sustainable urban requalification and vulnerable populations in the historical centre of Lisbon (FCT, 2018-2021).
  • ROCK – Regeneration and Optimisation of Cultural Heritage in Creative and Knowledge Cities (H2020, 2017-2019).
  • exPERts – Making Sense of Planning Expertise: Housing policy and the role of experts in the Programa Especial de Realojamento (FCT) (2016-2019).
  • INTREPID – Interdisciplinary & Transdisciplinary Research and Collaboration (COST, 2014-2019).
  • Novas Modalidades de Participação Política: Protestos e participação institucional no Brasil e em Portugal em perspectiva comparada (FCT/CAPES, 2016-2018).
  • FLAGSHIP – Forward Looking Analysis of Grand Societal cHallenges and Innovative Policies (FP7) (2013-2015).
  • LOCALWAYS – Mobilities, inequalities and citizenship (FCT, 2013-2015).
  • URBACHINA – Sustainable Urbanisation in China: Historical and Comparative Perspectives, mega-Trends towards 2050 (FP7, 2011-2015).