Research
We develop computational methods to analyse built environments and human behaviour in cities, focusing on mobility, land use, housing, and their connections to social, environmental, and health inequalities.
Themes
Our research projects are driven by four interrelated themes that capture the major drivers and key challenges shaping cities today.
Urban MobilityHow mobility behaviour and transport systems evolve in the net-zero transition—focusing on electrification, public transport, and active mobility—and what this means for cities. |
Urban InequalitiesHow spatial accessibility, housing affordability, and neighbourhood environments shape opportunities, well-being, and social and spatial inequalities. |
Demographic ChangeHow population growth or decline, ageing, migration, and evolving household structures and lifestyles transform cities and mobility patterns. |
Technological ChangeHow emerging technologies — from digitalisation and AI to smart grids and e-mobility — are reshaping everyday life and future of cities. |
Methods
We combine data-driven and theory-informed approaches to:
- Measure and track urban change — quantifying city- and population-level dynamics at fine spatial and temporal scales using emerging large-scale digital and traditional data sources.
- Model and forecast urban systems — integrating agent-based models, spatial interaction models, and deep learning to support scenario testing, policy evaluation, and planning.
- Understand human behaviour and decision-making — studying individual and household choices in response to new technologies and social, economic, and environmental transitions, using empirical data to inform theory and policy.
Project Highlights
Here are some current projects illustrating our work in action. See Projects for a full list of ongoing and completed projects.
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Urban Data Hub (UDH)
Provides data on population-level urban trends at fine geographic resolutions, linking information across sectors to support research on complex urban dynamics. The initial focus is on mobility, housing, and aging.
Funded by: UZH Digital Society Initiative.