URBAN THEORYpermanent WORKSHOP

We value knowledge from anywhere. We value knowledge from anyone.We are here to learn how to re-learn.

The URBAN THEORY permanent WORKSHOP is an ongoing, distributed workshop in urban theory. It has no single venue and no closing date. Cycle after cycle, it brings doctoral researchers and scholars together to work on one concept at a time.

2026–2027

Otherwise Urban

Each year of the Workshop has its own emphasis. This year’s is Otherwise Urban, carried by the 2026–2027 convenors.

Read the programme

How it works

A fixed rhythm, an open conversation

  1. 01

    Five cycles a year

    The year is divided into five cycles.

  2. 02

    Two months each

    Every cycle lasts two months.

  3. 03

    One concept, three angles

    Each cycle takes up a single concept and approaches it from three angles, as set out in the manifesto.

What we do

Aims

  • Share knowledge

    Open conversations about urban theory, wherever it is produced.

  • Involve a wide community

    Bring researchers from many places and institutions into the same discussion.

  • Support students and young scholars

    Make room for doctoral researchers and early-career scholars.

The community

Researchers across places and institutions

  • 120+Doctoral researchers
  • 56Universities
  • 21Countries

Contributions

Work by postgraduate students

  1. Literature review · Urban EcologyExtended Urbanization: A Literature Review
  2. Essay · Housing StudiesTo what extent is gentrification a symptom of urban decline rather than a solution?
  3. Literature review · Cultural and Gender StudiesHow relevant is feminist geography to urban issues?

All contributions

Archive

From the first edition, 2021

  1. Postcolonial theoryWhat are the future directions for postcolonial urban studies?
  2. COVID-19 · Global cities · Global regionsCan COVID-19 lead us to rethink the idea of centrality?
  3. Planetary urbanisationWhat is urban about planetary urbanisation?

Browse the archive