The Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation (ISU) is a think tank focused on urban planning, design and research for cities that are more liveable, walkable, affordable and resilient. Its work centres on what it describes as “People, Place and Planet,” with smart thinking, planning and design taking priority and technology treated as an enabler rather than the main driver of city development.
ISU’s mission is broad but practical. It aims to provide a platform for discussion on critical urban issues and to develop solutions for affordable housing, mixed-use development, transit- and pedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods, mobility, health and resilience. The organisation also says it works to influence urban development patterns so they balance urban, peri-urban and rural areas and reduce dependence on motorised traffic.
The institute operates with a global outlook. Its stated focus includes both developing and developed countries, and it works on cities and communities worldwide. ISU collaborates with partner institutes and other stakeholders, including professionals, city leaders, academia and organisations involved in shaping urban policy and development. It also hosts events and conferences and shares publications and research.
A central part of its identity is a smart and sustainable city framework developed with UDP International. That framework links “Smart Living,” “Smart Mobility,” “Smart Economy,” “Smart Governance,” “Smart Environment” and “Smart Infrastructure” to the wider relationship between people, place and planet.
Publicly available material on the site does not clearly identify a founding year or a named leadership team, but it presents ISU as an established research and convening platform for urban sustainability topics.