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Welcome to LEARN
Welcome to the Leiden-Delft-Erasmus-East Africa Research Network (LEARN), an international multidisciplinary community committed to fostering collaboration and driving impactful research on urban issues. At LEARN, we believe that research thrives on collaboration, bringing together academics, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society organizations drawn from Europe and Eastern Africa
Our Research Areas
Urban Resilience
A focus on urban resilience is important for Africa, which is experiencing unprecedented urbanization rates. Many cities in the region face resource constraints.
Cities & Climate Change
Climate change poses multifaceted challenges ranging from increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events to rising sea levels, heatwaves, and water scarcity.
Informality
In terms of urban development, informality contributes to approximately 60-80% of the prevailing urban landscapes in the developing world.
Art Culture & Heritage
LEARN is driven by a profound belief in the transformative power of art, culture, and heritage in shaping vibrant and inclusive urban landscapes.
Digitilisation
Embracing digitalisation has become an imperative for cities aspiring to thrive, as evidenced by the emergence of smart cities, which hold the promise of improving service delivery.
Network Activities
Research
By actively involving a diverse range of urban actors in the research process, we aim to ensure that knowledge is co-produced in a participatory and inclusive manner.
Policy
The network seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of urban policy landscapes, by mapping urban actors, their roles and challenges in policy formulation and implementation.
Education
True to the network’s name, LEARN believes in the transformative power of education and mutual learning to drive positive change and foster global collaboration.
Exchange & Mobility
Through a range of strategic initiatives, we empower individuals and organizations within the network to connect, learn, and co-create across boundaries.
Science Communication
LEARN engages in science communication that transcends boundaries and reaches a wider audience. We democratize access to scientific insights.
Join Our Research Network
Collaborate with academics, policymakers, and practitioners to drive impactful urban research in Eastern Africa.
Latest News And Updates
Reflections on the Thesis Lab Seminar Week
LEARN at WUF 12: Insights and Reflections from Cairo
Cross-City Dialogue in Kampala: Charting Resilient Futures for East African Cities
Collaborate with Us!
See Our Community Researchers Training workshop for 2025. This workshop sought to enhance synergies between academic and community researchers through mutual capacity-building and cross-learning. Its aims was to bridge knowledge gaps between the two groups to promote more effective, inclusive, ethical and impactful research.
