Urban research in the Somali peninsula is crucial for understanding and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in the region. Our key priority areas include:

 

• Urbanization Trends and Patterns: Examining the rate and patterns of urbanization in the region, including population growth, migration patterns, and the expansion of urban areas. 

 

• Informal Settlements: Researching the dynamics of informal settlements (slums) in urban areas, including their growth, living conditions, and potential for regularization and improvement.

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• Infrastructure and Service Delivery: Assessing the state of urban infrastructure, including water supply, sanitation, electricity, and transportation to identify gaps and deficiencies in service delivery and inform strategies for improvement.

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• Housing and Housing Policies: Studying the availability, affordability, and quality of housing in urban areas to identify housing challenges faced by the urban population and inform the development of housing policies that address these issues.​

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• Urban Planning and Spatial Development: Evaluating urban planning policies and practices, including the effectiveness of land use regulations, zoning, and master plans. 

 

• ​Land Use and Land Management: Analysing land use patterns, land tenure systems, and land management practices in urban areas. Understanding land issues is critical for urban planning, property rights, and preventing land disputes.

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• Economic Development: Exploring economic activities and employment opportunities in urban centres. This enables us identify sectors with growth potential and inform strategies for urban economic development and job creation.

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• Resilience and Disaster Preparedness: Assessing the resilience of urban areas to natural disasters and climate change. This can help identify vulnerabilities and inform strategies for disaster preparedness and resilience-building.

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• Social Inclusion and Marginalization: Investigating social inclusion and exclusion dynamics in urban areas, including the impact of urbanization on marginalized groups such as internally displaced persons (IDPs) and minority populations.​

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• Security and Conflict Resolution: Examining urban security challenges and conflict resolution mechanisms in urban centres. Understanding the sources of urban violence and insecurity is critical for promoting stability.

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• Community Participation: Studying the role of community engagement and participation in urban planning and development processes. 

 

These priority areas for urban research in the region peninsula are interconnected and require multidisciplinary approaches to address the complex challenges associated with them.