Public Works Studio Selected to Manage the Second Edition of the Research Innovation Fund

Public Works Studio has been selected by the Arab Land Initiative to manage its second edition of the Research Innovation Fund that aims to expand knowledge, data, and critical research on land-related issues in the Arab region. It seeks to strengthen the production of empirical evidence on land governance, housing, land and property rights, and related topics, while encouraging the engagement of students, young professionals, researchers, and practitioners in land-focused research and regional networks.

As the managing organization, Public Works Studio will oversee the implementation of the Research Innovation Fund, including the drafting and the launch of the call for research proposals, in coordination with the Arab Land Initiative and UN-Habitat team.

Public Works’ Proposal for the Second Edition: Urban Mobilizations and Land Issues

Amid widening urban inequalities, environmental degradation, and persistent gaps in land governance and service provision, many cities across the Arab region are witnessing growing urban mobilizations. From Tunis and Rabat,  to Cairo, Beirut, and Kuwait, more inclusive, just, and sustainable cities, better access to land, affordable housing, effective local governance, and environmental protection are becoming central to people’s perception of social justice.

Despite their growing prominence and potential significance, both contemporary and historical urban mobilizations within the Arab region remain under-studied, rarely documented, and largely overlooked in existing research. This lack of scholarly attention hinders a comprehensive understanding of their drivers, dynamics, impacts, and long-term implications.

The second edition of the Research Innovation Fund will focus on the intersection of urban mobilizations and land-related issues. The call for proposals will encourage investigations into areas such as land governance, natural resources, land policies, housing, public space, and property rights, examined through the lens of the mobilizations surrounding them.

While urban mobilizations serve as an entry point, the call will emphasize rigorous analysis of the land issues at stake and will seek to attract applicants from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, fostering interdisciplinary perspectives on these complex issues.

Further information about the launch of the call for research proposals and the next steps of the Fund will be shared through Public Works Studio and the Arab Land Initiative websites, as well as through our communication channels.