The City-History Lab, established within the Institute of Urban Studies and Spatial Planning, is a multidisciplinary research initiative dedicated to the study and interpretation of urban history in Kosovo and the broader region. Recognizing the inherently interdisciplinary nature of urban history, the Lab brings together a wide range of scholars—historians, geographers, architects, planners, economists, sociologists, culturologists, philosophers, psychologists, anthropologists, and art and architectural historians—to collaboratively explore the many dimensions of urban development over time.
The LAB is particularly focused on themes such as public housing, migration, urban growth, planning history, spatial segregation, urban culture, and cultural heritage. Through these lenses, it aims to critically examine how cities evolve, how societies interact with urban space, and how historical narratives shape our collective understanding of the built environment.
Guided by strategic goals, the City-History Lab seeks to foster high-impact academic research through joint projects and interdisciplinary collaboration. It facilitates the organization of conferences, seminars, and public discussions on key urban history topics. One of its core missions is to conduct in-depth historical research, contributing to the formation of a comprehensive archive of urban narratives, with a special focus on Kosovo’s unique urban transformation throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
The LAB also plays an active role in supporting new generations of scholars by encouraging and funding academic research, including doctoral dissertations and postdoctoral work in the field of urban history. Equally committed to public engagement, the LAB initiates outreach activities aimed at popularizing urban history—ranging from exhibitions and competitions to community-based projects and collaborative events with local institutions.
To extend its impact beyond academia, the LAB maintains a strong online presence through The Urban Image Database, a digital platform that provides open access to visual and textual materials related to Kosovo’s urban past. This platform curates photographs, postcards, maps, and lithographs, working closely with public and private archives to document the evolving identity of Kosovo’s cities.
Through its interdisciplinary approach and commitment to open knowledge, the City-History Lab aims to advance critical understandings of urban history while promoting a broader cultural and civic appreciation of the urban experience.