From an interdisciplinary perspective, we examine the evolution of urban lifestyles and spaces, and issues related to the future of cities and the Anthropocene.

We take a fundamentally interdisciplinary look at urban issues, including researchers from different backgrounds, encouraging student participation and fostering local, national and international collaborations. Our cross-cutting themes around cities and the Anthropocene, our international partnerships and our privileged location in the capital, close to decision-makers, government and community organizations, place us at the forefront of research on urban processes on a national and international scale.

To rethink knowledge modes, research relationships and knowledge mobilization, we engage researchers, civil society actors, activists and artists in the development of knowledge and solutions for urban futures. We offer creative approaches to the mobilization, interpretation and transfer of knowledge, drawing on new technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence), media and art.

The RCFC is an important research hub at the University of Ottawa for developing Canadian and international research and educational collaborations on cities.

Through interdisciplinary research collaborations and a synergy between our experts at the University of Ottawa and our local and international partners, we bring forward new perspectives on the city and the Anthropocene in order to propose possible solutions to contemporary issues. We encourage dialogue with various partners and organizations working on city-related issues, thereby contributing to the dissemination of research and the transfer of knowledge.

We develop strong local links in the Ottawa-Gatineau region with various stakeholder groups (community partners, NGOs and various players in the economic sector) and support the University's commitment to indigenous communities.

We also promote research and the international exchange of ideas and knowledge on cities and urban processes. The RCFC is part of an international collaborative network of research centers on cities and the Anthropocene, in France, Japan, Italy and Spain.

The RCFC plays a leading role in student research training and the internationalization of the student experience, thanks to its international partnerships.

The Centre aims to support the creation of new pedagogical approaches and the development of new models for innovative, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral training that articulates knowledge production, knowledge mobilization and different audiences. 

Each year, we organize a series of activities to promote the emergence of urban studies at the University of Ottawa. Drawing on the experiential approach, we offer students research experiences while putting them in practical contexts to think about solutions for sustainable habitability in the face of global change.