To become the centre of excellence in coordinating, facilitating and promoting research in fields of urban planning, development and management of cities and assimilation of such knowledge and initiating the links and partnership activities with industrial, public and governing bodies.

To act as a facilitator in bridging the industry and academia to develop and integrate Urban Development and management strategies for the benefit of the Industry and urban governance.

O U R   S C O P E  

"UOM Urban Lab " - "The Centre for Cities" is an interdisciplinary research arm of the University of Moratuwa. It draws together the research and outreach energies of scholars of architecture, urban design, planning, conservation, environment management, transportation, construction, facilities management, housing, landscape, real estate, land use surveying, urban economics, statistical modeling, urban studies, Information Technology, engineering and related areas. "UOM Urban Lab" is anchored by the researchers in the University of Moratuwa and provides a focus for urban researchers across the university and with the international collaborative university partners.

O B J E C T I V E S

• To better understand, record, analyze, plan, design, produce, govern, and manage cities of the 21st century. The Center will build on the collected physical archives, databases, reference libraries and on contacts with local institutions and researchers to promote knowledge and studies about urban planning and design.
   
• To strengthen national and international research collaborations with government, industry and community organizations to share knowledge and research experience on issues facing in future cities by partnering with public and private sector organizations.
   
• To facilitate inter-university and inter-institutional activities among the related academic and professional institutions as a central coordinating body.
   
• To be a platform for research, debate, exchange and dissemination of information.
   
• To pioneer the development of a diverse and creative approach to the reinterpretation, reuse and management of the existing urban resources including tangible and intangible heritage.
   
• To serve the public, its connections and interdisciplinary relations through research on high density and mega cities.