Cities Methodologies has been described by Monocle as a "marketplace of research ideas, [which] bring lots of different approaches to common urban questions together, and for work to be put in juxtaposition.

[6] The project seeks to expand and strengthen competence in the realms of architecture, urban planning and other built environment disciplines.

[13][14] The main objection of the Urban Laboratory (endorsed by The Bartlett's Development Planning Unit) was that the plan constituted a missed opportunity to draw on the expertise of the UCL community and show leadership in developing a sustainable and socially equitable approach to regeneration.

Plans for the new campus were dropped in May 2013 following a failure for UCL and Newham Council to agree to terms.

[18] The latter focuses on gentrification,[19] sink estates[20] and the history of regeneration in five areas of London (Somers Town, Elephant and Castle, Kings Cross, Shoreditch and Hackney Wick).