Introduction

The Cities Programme is an innovative centre for teaching and research on urban issues, located in the Department of Sociology at the London School of Economics. The Programme studies the relations between the visual, physical and social aspects of cities. We see design as a mode of research and practice that shapes urban environments, responds to urban problems, and connects visual, social and material forms in the city. The Cities Programme takes a multi-disciplinary approach to these issues, drawing on expertise and insights from the social sciences, architecture, urban design and other fields.

Teaching activity in the Cities Programme is focused on a master's degree (MSc) in City Design and Social Science. This is organised around interdisciplinary teamwork in research-based studios taught by leading urban theorists and practitioners. It draws directly from the exceptional range of expertise within and associated with LSE. PhD students researching in the fields of cities, architecture and urban studies are central to the culture of the Cities Programme. Our Faculty and students come from a range of national as well as disciplinary contexts, enhancing the Programme's vibrant research and teaching environment.

Our community is broad and includes social scientists, architects, urban designers, policy makers, historians, engineers, public service workers and private sector leaders. The Cities Programme sponsors numerous public lectures, seminar and events on urban issues, hosts visiting international scholars and speakers, and is linked into national and international urban networks.

The Director of the Cities Programme is Professor Robert Tavernor and and the Associate Director is Dr Fran Tonkiss. Dr Ayona Datta is Lecturer in Architecture and Urban Design and, Dr Savvas Verdis is  the Cities Tutorial Fellow.

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