The City.Building.Lab. is the refocused and rebooted public outreach and research arm of the Master of Urban Design Program located in UNC Charlotte’s Center City Campus. Formerly known as the Design and Society Research Center, C.B.L. foregrounds common research interests of its affiliated faculty members focused on the ways that cities have been, are, and continue to be shaped over time. The redefined lab, therefore, simultaneously encompasses a wide range of initiatives while also supporting the University’s urban research mission.

Our new name also reflects a clearer vision, mission, and renewed “identity.” The MUD faculty, over the course of a strategic planning process (Spring 2013), expressed an interest to address innovative and varied research initiatives focused upon cities, communities, and the complex urban forces that shape them over time and space. While the term “center” was initially an important touch-point in our discussions, the term “lab” emerged as a more flexible and open-ended research framework. Our lab aims to both “think and do”—it serves both as a clearing house for ideas and as an action-based research venue. The City.Building.Lab. continues to support the mission of the Master of Urban Design Program and the School of Architecture through its emphasis upon sustainable urban, community, and architectural design and through its focus on “local-to-global” urbanism.

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