Researchers Roundtable - WUF10 (8-13 February…

The New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underscore the need for innovative research to trigger the formulation of evidence-based, well-informed and impactful policies. Knowledge-generating institutions such as research centers think tanks, science and technology hubs drive the debate on the rapid changes in urbanization trends through empirically-based and innovative research. Such research outcomes are critical in policy debates and enhance the knowledge of all stakeholders involved. The roundtable will discuss successful practices and outcomes in the research arena. Research outcomes are often not sufficiently mainstreamed into city planning and management. The researchers' roundtable provides a platform for researchers and research entities to exchange experiences in their efforts to trigger policy changes in sustainable urban development practice through research evidence, lessons learned and the data generated.  The roundtable will discuss the role of culture, urban heritage and behavioral aspects related to cultural identities in urban areas and how neighbourhoods and cities interact and drive social cohesion. It is an opportunity to discuss the latest urban trends, the role of big data, innovative methods and other forms of quantitative and qualitative contemporary research. Collaborative action and building of partnerships across the research community, with governments, academia, the private sector and non-governmental organizations for the benefit of communities and groups in need will be explored. Objectives: Explore the role of research in supporting evidence-based, transformative policies for implementation of the New Urban Agenda and localization of SDG 11. Identify critical contemporary urban trends emerging from ongoing research that require policy attention and the involvement of city governments. Review selected research outcomes that promote innovative urban development policies that feature culture and cultural heritage. Highlight issues that need to be addressed by the research community in pursuance of an urban research agenda that contributes to the implementation of the NUA and achievement of SDG 11. Guiding Questions: What transformative urbanization trends unveiled by contemporary research bring cities, culture, innovation, and stakeholders together with a common agenda for sustainable urban development? How can research outcomes and evidence be mainstreamed into policies that trigger changes which impact directly on the implementation of the NUA and the achievement of SDG 11? What innovative practices, methodologies, and approaches can research centers, science and technology hubs, accelerators and incubators deploy to guide policy change effectively? What is the role of international development agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies in strengthening the application of research in policy formulation?