The Society and Urban Form (SURF) research lab is a multidisciplinary scientific endeavor focusing on describing and interpreting how the built environment impacts society and on translating evidence from the analysis of urban environments for application in design practice and policy. SURF aims to foster research capacity and excellence in urban design, planning and governance towards understanding and addressing urban challenges, as well as valuing and exploiting opportunities afforded by cities and urban communities. The mission of the lab is to support development, design and planning of cities which enables and fosters social progress, sustainable practices and healthy habitats.
SURF hosts ten staff , Postdoc and PhD students with expertise in the various research strands covered by the lab: evidence-based design and planning (EBDP), urban morphology, healthy cities, sustainable urban governance and participatory design practices.
