Urban and Cultural Studies

Urban and Cultural Studies investigate the dynamic interplay between urbanization, cultural processes and global transformation. Our faculty members explore how cities shape social life, identity and meaning – and how cultural practices, industries and heritage are produced, contested and reimagined within and across a plurality of urban spaces.

Our faculty members in this area study diverse issues such as urban development, gentrification, historical/comparative sociology, social memory and the creative economy, in combining methods from sociology, anthropology and cultural studies. Collaborations with FASS and ARI research clusters facilitate cutting edge interdisciplinary research on how rapid evolution of the urban landscapes are reshaping communities and cultural identities. This research work contributes valuable insights for policymakers, planners and civic organisations seeking more inclusive and sustainable approaches to urban development across Asia and beyond.

Research themes include city life and social change, cultural production and consumption, creative industries, heritage and environment, media and communication and the politics of urban development.