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Social Geography and Urban Studies

Our group traces the transformation of cities and urban societies from a socio-cultural perspective: We explore urban space as an arena for the construction of social relations and divisions; we document how people navigate urban space, negotiate difference and shape possibilities; and we examine how such negotiations are patterned by socio-spatial divisions, politico-economic relations and power at multiple scales. In particular, the social and cultural geography group develops research on urban marginalization, global socio-spatial inequalities and possibilities for urban change. We incorporate different theoretical perspectives including postcolonial approaches, critical urban theories and feminist thought to explore case studies across the global North and South.

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News

  • Financing just climate action in Mexican municipalities: challenges and learnings

    How can cities in the Global South finance climate action in ways that are both effective and fair? We recently discussed the findings of our SNSF-funded research project «The Urbanization of Global Climate Finance» with local experts, government officials, international cooperation agencies, and climate activists in Mexico City.

  • City Collaboratory 2025 in Geneva

    On Friday, 23 May 2025, the annual meeting of the City Collaboratory (CC) took place, hosted this year in Geneva. The CC is a multidisciplinary network designed to connect researchers in different fields, regions, and institutions.

  • New SNSF Project: The Home-Debt Nexus

    Understanding debt and the home with women in Latin American cities

Upcoming events

Forschungswerkstatt Sozialgeographie und Urban Studies

Zurich Human Geography Colloquium (ZHGK)