The UTRC is centred on the complex challenges posed by the contemporary urban environment. These include, but are not restricted to:
- The environment and climate emergency which encompasses achieving net zero
- Healthy buildings
- Resilient communities
- The circular economy
- The minimisation of waste and the reuse of materials.
The UTRC will also focus on the health and wellbeing, physical and social determinants that make up sustainable urban environments. As such, the UTRC’s research will pursue the holistic transformation of the urban environment that centres on liveability and life support systems, including energy, water, materials, and health systems, offering rigorous evidence-based technical, policy and governance solutions.
Informed by this, the UTRC will address one of the greatest challenges facing humankind, which is delivering people-centred, inclusive, healthy, safe, and resilient communities and infrastructure, while reducing the impacts of climate change, reducing carbon emissions and minimising waste.