NFI City Lab

A Hub for Data-driven Urban Solutions

The NFI City Lab is a research laboratory that develops evidence-informed strategies to support city administrations, researchers and students in advancing sustainable urban development. The lab seeks to address key environmental and social challenges by creating practical solutions that enhance urban planning, public spaces, and policies, all aimed at improving the quality of life for residents.

Our Methodology

Urban Analytics, Design Thinking and Sustainable Strategies

Diagnosis

Spatial inventories

Map existing data, projects, and infrastructure to identify gaps, vulnerabilities, and opportunities.

Thematic analysis

Conduct analysis to identify key themes and indicators for assessment, exploring topics such as climate and ecology, availability of public and active transportation, and access to amenities and green spaces.

Solution finding

Site discovery & selection

Develop selection criteria, datasets and analytical workflows based on identified priorities to select optimal locations for high-impact interventions.

Strategic interventions

Encourage adaptive spatial strategies that can be applied locally and scaled up incrementally and adaptively as funding and opportunities allow.

Implementation

Design & implementation

Translate strategic priorities into tangible interventions in the urban realm through thoughtful design. Emphasis is placed on high quality placemaking to create comfortable pedestrian streets, vibrant public spaces, and enduring community value.

Policy & advisory

Align strategies with existing policies, advocate for necessary adjustments, and encourage frameworks that support sustainable development.

Post occupation evaluation & monitoring

Evaluate interventions and monitor interventions and key sustainability metrics over time, such as climate impacts or changes in pedestrian activity.

Dissemination

Data visualisation & communication

Convert complex urban data into clear, actionable insights, using interactive maps, dashboards, and simulations.

Public participation

Develop guidelines and tools to encourage community engagement and build consensus.

Technical training

Train local teams and professionals in data workflows and tools address urban challenges, delivered through intensive workshops tailored to city-specif needs.

Applied Research

The NFI City Lab is further expanding its capabilities through several strands of development. Furthered exploration of targeted research themes, such as health, urban compactness, and social dynamics to deepen our understanding of cities and their complexities. The insights generated from this research support the ongoing development of the Lab’s toolsets and enhance the services that the Lab provides to cities.

The NFI City Lab underpins NFI’s activities with data-driven methodologies operating on two levels: CityPulse and City-specific Guidelines, delivering tailored solutions based on local needs. This dual approach ensures scalability and local relevance across NFI’s education, research, and consultancy efforts.

NORMAN FOSTER INSTITUTE_STUDENTS_06_MAY_2024_F7A7991

CityPulse Platform

CityPulse, the NFI’s urban analytics interface, leverages open data and open toolsets to provide cities with insights into their performance across key categories such as walkability, access to green spaces, and urban compactness. The platform encourages engagement, fosters discussion on key urban issues, and underscores the role of data and measurable analytics in informing decision-making. With its high spatial resolution, City Pulse offers a granular view of urban conditions, making it easier to identify areas of improvement, while having the potential to assess the impact of local interventions.

CITY PULSE App