U of T creates new School of Cities
The University of Toronto is establishing a new School of Cities that brings together researchers from across various disciplines to address the myriad challenges facing the world’s urban areas, where more than half the population now lives.
“There is really no other institution in the world that has attempted to create something like this,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “It is ambitious in terms of its disciplinary scope, its focus on research and teaching as well as outreach, bringing the best insights from research and scholarship to applications in the city.”
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The number of people living in urban centres around the world continues to grow, creating a host of challenges when it comes to keeping urban centres livable, sustainable and equitable. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimates that, by 2050, 66 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban areas, up from 54 per cent in 2014.
“The most challenging issues facing cities today will require solutions drawn from the widest possible range of disciplines in order to be effective,” said President Gertler.