RESEARCH

Research at Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning has a rich and diverse history. Since the 1940s, when faculty conducted research on prefabricated housing, sponsored research activity has been an important part of the College’s mission. Each of the academic programs encourages and supports the research and scholarly activities of its faculty and students.

General areas of inquiry conducted in the College have included work in design research and building, environmental planning, building technology, facility and energy management, human behavior and the environment, computer-aided design, post-occupancy evaluation, policy planning, security planning, housing and facilities for special populations, geographic information systems, transportation studies, economic development, planning processes, international urban development, the study of built form and land use, and city and neighborhood design.

The Urban and Regional Research Collaborative (URRC) is an umbrella organization for urban and regional research within Taubman College. The URRC provides a forum for research synergy and exchange, as well as enhanced visibility for the College’s urban and regional research. In addition, the URRC provides collaborative space in the building for students and faculty working on research projects. Research under URRC concerns a wide range of topics. These include clusters of projects in environmental design and security as part of the Studies in Urban Security Group, transportation studies, urban ecomomic development, urban design, urban and regional transformation in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world, and assessment of the quality of urban life.

Support for the research activities of the College comes from public agencies, business and industry, foundations, the University, special user groups, alumni and corporations. Other partnerships with professional architects and planners are established for specific research endeavors.

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