Abstract

The ongoing global urban transition, led by cities in the Global South, presents one of the defining development opportunities of the 21st century. Rapid urbanization in the next 30 years will lead to an explosion in the demand for livelihoods, urban renewal, infrastructure and real estate development, food, water, energy, housing, and digital technology. The challenges that face our cities today are more interdisciplinary, inter-connected, and intertwined than ever before. This complexity of 21st century challenges require a fundamental paradigm shift in research, education and training. New and different institutional capacities and new knowledge paradigms are therefore vital to address the sustainable and inclusive urban development, innovation and technological opportunities of the 21st century.