Informed by the UN Millennium Development Goals, the global policy framework for 2000-15, the Global Studio program promotes forms of education and practice that will benefit under-served communities and facilitate bottom-up, collaborative partnerships.

The Global Studio responds to the critique by the urban poor that “urban professionals don’t listen” and ‘don’t take account of local knowledge”, and aims to nurture skills that will lead to people-oriented design and planning, and sustainable, resilient and equitable cities.

Through its hands-on think and do-tank approach , Global Studio aims to support Goal 7 (ensure environmental sustainability) and Target 7d (improve the lives of 100 million slum dwellers), and Goal 8 (develop a global partnership for development).