There is a need to strengthen cooperation between universities and cities.
Modern.az reports that Karen Chapple, director of the School of Cities at the University of Toronto, stated this at the panel session titled “Round Table on Academia and Research” within the 13th session of the World Urban Forum held in Baku.
She noted that although many innovative urban solutions exist in the world, these experiences are not sufficiently recognized and widely disseminated:
“Technological and innovative solutions are applied in some large cities. However, these examples are limited and known by very few people. Therefore, it is important to train innovators. Universities and local governments can support the development of innovations by creating colleges, incubators, and special scholarship programs.”
She emphasized that academic research often reaches society late and loses its potential to create practical change:
“Professors usually start with research, but the dissemination of knowledge to society is remembered at a later stage. Writing grants, field research, and preparing scientific articles take years. As a result, the impact of the work decreases.”
According to her, the School of Cities at the University of Toronto applies a different approach and shapes research topics directly based on the interests of society.
“We tracked the post-pandemic recovery of urban centers in North America and Europe through mobile phone data. This project generated great interest and was widely disseminated through the media. After that, people started asking questions such as which economies are more resilient and how transportation systems can be restored.”
K. Chapple stated that maps, data visualizations, videos, and policy documents are used to disseminate research to a wide audience:
“We present all research in various formats and disseminate it through platforms such as TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Reddit. But just developing tools is not enough. It is also important to teach people how to use these systems.”
The Toronto representative also added that universities should become a platform not only for students but also for the exchange of experience between cities.
