The Bartlett Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA) is an interdisciplinary research institute at University College London’s Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. Established in 1995, it was founded by Professor Michael Batty to develop a science of cities using modelling, data science, urban sensing, visualisation and computation.34 Batty led the centre as founding director from 1995 to 2010; Jon Reades is listed as its current head of department, while Michael Batty remains its founder.1112
CASA studies urban systems through spatial analysis, geographic information systems, computer models, data visualisation, sensing technologies and mobile applications. Its research spans three broad themes: smart cities, visualisation and mapping, and urban modelling and simulation.6 The work ranges from hyper-local sensing to analysis of buildings, metropolitan regions and wider global challenges, and is intended to inform practical applications such as urban planning, as well as museum, retail and heritage work.36
The centre’s projects connect research with public and private partners. UCL describes collaborations involving Transport for London, the Department for Transport, Westminster City Council and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, among others.8 CASA is based in London, with its listed location at Maple House on Tottenham Court Road; UCL also describes activity at UCL East in the Olympic Park.18 Its geographic reach is international: the institute brings together researchers from around the world and works across scales extending beyond individual cities and regions.3