City and regional development expert Dr Lee Pugalis has been appointed professor of urban studies at the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Local Government.
Dr Pugalis will use his European research experience and previous roles in local, regional and national government to provide new insights to help strengthen intergovernmental relations, cross-sector working and community coproduction that can deliver more sustainable patterns of development.
“I am delighted to welcome Lee to the Centre and to UTS,” centre director associate professor Roberta Ryan said. “Lee hails from the North East of England, a veritable urban policy laboratory, which has shaped his passion for all aspects of urban studies. Lee has a first-class reputation for devising urban regeneration schemes and economic development strategies that grapple with complex social, economic, environmental and physical issues.
“Through his award winning research, Lee will deepen and extend UTS:CLG’s policy engagement, research impact, and bespoke consultancy offering across the field of urban studies.
Dr Pugalis said it was an exciting time to be joining UTS:CLG.
“It is now time to re-energise city and regional development debates across Australia in a manner that accounts for population growth pressures and new ways of living in the context of international crises, environmental constraints and growing socio-economic disparities,” he said.