Smart Cities Research Institute
Scoping future urban living, mobility, decision-making and infrastructure to respond to the challenges of digitalised urban futures.
The Smart Cities Research Institute applies innovative and socio-technical approaches to address the challenges facing the world’s fast-growing cities — challenges such as climate change, altered energy, food or water security, issues of mobility and health, ageing population and disruptions to the nature of work and home. We are striving to meet these challenges head-on through the development of ‘smart cities’.
Our research programs
Our research is transdisciplinary — encompassing urban technology, design and communication, computer and data science, health and psychology, and social science — and always includes at least one external partner.
Insights and analysis
A ‘smart city’ uses information and communication technology to provide innovative and efficient services, raising the standard of living for all while promoting sustainability and reducing human impact on the environment. It also introduces opportunities for citizens to participate in design decisions that directly affect them. Read the latest insights and analysis in this space from our team.
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- University
West Gate Tunnel delays show risks of mega-projects
Mega-projects display risk of being locked in delays and extra costs.Tuesday 18 February 2020 -
- Design
Human-centred design for future mobility
Dr Jo Kuys says human behaviours need to be considered throughout the entire design process of a sustainable public transport systemThursday 13 February 2020 -
- Engineering
High-tech shortages loom as coronavirus shutdowns hit manufacturers
Manufacturers face high-tech shortages following coronavirus shutdownsThursday 13 February 2020 -
- Design
Could Congestion Pricing Provide a Panacea for Melbourne’s Gridlock?
Hussein Dia argues that the time has come to start removing the roadblocks to the idea of charging drivers to use our roads.Monday 16 December 2019 -
- Design
Architecture is too important to be left to architects
What if engineers designed our houses and cities?Monday 17 June 2019
Our people
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iHUB National Urban Research Platform
iHub is a readily scalable, state-of-the-art, multi-layered networked facility that helps participants make smarter decisions in urban policy-making, plan-making and place-making.
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Melbourne’s aim to be Australia’s first 5G city
The Herald Sun interviewed Professor Mark Burry AO about the opportunity 5G presents for turbocharging our urban futures.
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Our highlights
Read about events we’ve been part of, significant partnerships and important outcomes from the Smart Cities Research Institute.
Work with us
We have a talented team of researchers across a variety of disciplines who can work with you to solve complex problems of all sizes. Get your project started by following these steps:
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Discuss
Step 1
Let us know what challenges you are experiencing, your ideas or your questions and we’ll align our research expertise. Call us on +61 3 9214 5177 or email scri@swinburne.edu.au.
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Develop
Step 2
Relevant experts from our team will work with you to create ideas and identify possible solutions to the challenges we are facing.
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Resource
Step 3
If the project needs funding, there are various opportunities we can tap into, including applying for external grant funding.
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Implement
Step 4
We will design and implement a research project to address the issues at hand and deliver answers.
Our latest news
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- Social Affairs
Coronavirus recovery: public transport is key to avoid repeating old and unsustainable mistakes
Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Hussein Dia examines the challenges and opportunities facing public transport following the COVID-19 lockdownTuesday 26 May 2020 -
- Sustainability
Swinburne partners with Scope3 on world-first logistics emissions project
Swinburne and Scope3 are developing a system to collect and report real-time greenhouse gas emissions in the transport and logistics supply chain.Monday 27 April 2020 -
- Social Affairs
If more of us work from home after coronavirus we’ll need to rethink city planning
If we many of us continue to work from home after coronavirus, we'll need to rethink city planning writes Dr John HopkinsWednesday 29 April 2020 -
- Technology
From monologue to dialogue: towards playable cities
How do we open up the city for dialogue? We have to get smart with play.Tuesday 29 October 2019 -
- Technology
Smart tech systems cut congestion for a fraction of what new roads cost
Faced with the eye-watering costs of building infrastructure, it makes sense to turn to much more cost-effective smart technology to get traffic flowing.Monday 11 November 2019
Find more news articles about the Smart Cities Research Institute.
Upcoming events
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Research
- Innovation
- Sustainability
- Arts and Humanities
- Built Environment and Architecture
Workshop: Citizen Participation in Climate Change Action
You are invited to participate in a Swinburne Smart City Research Institute codesign workshop.
Register now (Workshop: Citizen Participation in Climate Change Action) -
Research
- Innovation
- Technology
- Research Impact
- Built Environment and Architecture
Urban Futures: Designing the Digitalised City - In Conversation with Mark Burry AO
Join Professor Mark Burry AO, guest editor for the prestigious, Architectural Design (AD), who will discuss his work on the issue.
Register now (Urban Futures: Designing the Digitalised City - In Conversation with Mark Burry AO) -
Research
- Innovation
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Aviation
- Business
Swinburne Aviation Leadership Lecture Series - COVID-19 – Learning how to Fly
Join us for a discussion on the implications of COVID-19 on the aviation industry with the CEO of Melbourne Airport, Lyell Strambi.
Register now (Swinburne Aviation Leadership Lecture Series - COVID-19 – Learning how to Fly )
Discover our other research institutes
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Contact the Smart Cities Research Institute
If your organisation would like to collaborate with us to solve a complex problem, or you simply want to contact our team, get in touch by calling +61 3 9214 5177 or emailing scri@swinburne.edu.au.