Background and growth of CURP
The Centre for Urban Research and Planning (CURP) is a trans disciplinary research centre at the University of Zambia. CURP seeks to invest and undertake policy-relevant knowledge generation on important developmental themes in Zambia and Sub-Saharan Africa. CURP prioritizes research topics and questions that are central to achieving sustainable urban and territorial development goals in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Southern Africa, with Zambia as the starting point. We prioritize collaborative research with communities, industry, civil society, government agencies ,and international partners.
CURP Establishment and Growth
- CURP was formed in 2014 and launched in 2015 by the Minister in charge of urban planning and housing at the time. The Centre was founded by Dr. Gilbert Siame
- The initial grant to set up this centre was provided by DFID via Comic Relief under the Programme called People in Slums: People-led Slum Upgrading Project in Lusaka.
- The centre has grown exponentially, attracting research collaboration with major international and regional institutions, including, University of Cape Town - African Centre for Cities (ACC), African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI); UK Met Office, British Academy, The International Food Policy Research Institute, University of Lagos, The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the International Development Research Centre of Canada, Un-Habitat, Slum Dwellers International (SDI), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Swedish International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD), among others. We have collaborated with several government ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, and several municipal governments, including Lusaka City Government.
CURP Strategic Goals
- Bridging between policy and research on strategic themes of climate change research for adaptation and resilience, sustainable urban development, urban informality, and data/evidence-driven planning and development.
- Promoting and undertaking transdisciplinary research and urban creativity for sustainable urban development in Zambia and sub-Saharan Africa.
- Providing a platform for policy-engaged postgraduate scholarship and hosting of international visiting scholars/fellows and students.
- To serve as an advisory and capacity building centre for sustainable development in the public sector, civil society, and communities in strategic areas/sectors in Zambia.
- Generate data and information to address major data gaps in urban planning and development in Zambia.
