The research of the Department of Town and Regional Planning, at UP, focuses on spatial transformation in the Global South with a critical focus on cross-cutting themes such as decoloniality, resilience, and trans-disciplinarity which include:

• Transdisciplinary methods and evidence-based policy and planning;
• Role of planners, plans, planning legislation, governing, and partnerships in, for example, rural and regional development, mining towns, and informal housing;
• Rural-, regional-, urban design, for example, Water Sensitive Urban Design and inclusive urban design for African cities; and
• Resilient and regenerative regions, settlements, and public spaces.