Cluster for Research in Architecture and Urbanism of Cities in the Global South (CRAUCGS)

Description

The Cluster for Research in Architecture and Urbanism of Cities in the Global South (CRAUCGS) at the University of Strathclyde possesses expertise in the socio-spatial practices of migrant and minority communities, lifestyle and housing transformations, urban traditions, user-centric assessment, and architectural design education.

Their objective is to cultivate high-quality research, maximise impact via information dissemination and research-informed teaching, and influence policy and decision-making. The cluster aims to address key questions pertinent to the global south, relating to urban growth, continuity, fragmentation, regeneration of historic cities, urban life quality, health, liveability, architectural identity, and multiculturalism.

Established in 2014, CRAUCGS delves into architecture and urban transformations in the global south, covering regions such as Africa, Central and Latin America, most of Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. Their research examines the stark dichotomies of architectural and urban development and environmental degradation, ethnic and regional conflicts, displacement, and political and economic instability. The purpose is to understand urban transformations and place production to enhance decision-making and improve people's lives.

CRAUCGS explores multiple scales of the built environment in the global south, with key areas of interest including:

• Knowledge Economies and Sustainable Urbanism: The cluster investigates sustainable urban qualities in burgeoning knowledge economies, focusing on major cities in the Gulf region.
• Socio-Spatial Practices of Migrants and Minorities: The cluster analyses urban dynamics and socio-spatial experiences of migrant and minority communities.
• Lifestyle Trends and Housing Transformations: The cluster examines the relationship between lifestyles, housing choices, cultures, typologies, and the role of large-scale projects and affordability in rapidly urbanising contexts.
• Cultural Identity, Spectacles and Global City Image: The cluster studies architectural identities in the MENA region, with an emphasis on understanding the impact of flows and geo-cultural politics on place typologies.
• Urban Traditions and Designed Environments: The cluster assesses urban traditions in the context of nationalist particularism and the modern state. It considers urban open spaces from the users' perspective.
• Architectural Education and Design Pedagogy: The cluster investigates knowledge integration in architectural design education and explores transformative approaches in various learning environments.

Offers funding

No, this infrastructure does not provide funding.

Founding year

2014

Contact details

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University affiliation(s)

University of Strathclyde
16 Richmond St
Glasgow
G1 1XQ