Global cities and the role of research universities

By Ahmet Ýçduygu. In 2011, the United Nations projected that nearly two-thirds of the world’s population would be living in cities by 2050. Yet the physical and social infrastructure of most cities is ill-prepared to absorb the expected influx of new residents. An international conference titled "Global Urban Challenges: The role of research universities" was held last week in Chicago. 
Hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois, the event brought together academics and researchers from 30 research universities from around the world to discuss the role university-based research plays in addressing the challenges of urban growth. More...