Mike Raco

Mike Raco is Chair of Urban Governance and Development and Head of School at The Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. He has held this position since August 2011, following previous lectureships at the University of Glasgow (1997-2000), University of Reading (2000-2005), and King's College London (2005-2011).

His educational background includes a B.A. in Geography from Royal Holloway University of London (1994) and a Ph.D. from the same institution (1997) on 'Business Associations and the Politics of Local Economic Development in the UK.' His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to urban studies and planning.

Professor Raco's research focuses on urban governance and planning, the politics of urban diversity, and the changing nature of welfare states. His recent work examines the governance of social housing, the afterlife of time-limited organizations like Urban Development Corporations, the financialization of urban built environments, and the making of real estate markets. He has led significant projects including the ORA-ESRC WHIG project (2019-2022) on residential investment landscapes and the EU-funded DIVERCITIES project (2013-2017) on diversity policies in cities. His publications span urban sustainability, social diversity, and the politics of urban and regional economic development.

His extensive publication record demonstrates a strong focus on urban governance and real estate markets, with recent articles examining London's Docklands Development Corporation, Milan-Cortina Winter Games 2026, suburban housing development, polycentric regulation of housing associations, and pandemic impacts on residential investment. His work consistently explores the intersection of urban policy, real estate markets, and governance structures in global cities.

• Bennett Prize Environment & Planning C, Pion Ltd.

At UCL, Professor Raco leads teaching in urban regeneration at the postgraduate level, coordinating courses on Urban Problems and Problematics and Case Studies in Implementing Urban Regeneration. He has served as Joint Editor for Urban Studies Research and European Urban and Regional Studies, and has delivered keynote addresses internationally including at Sciences-Po Paris, Centre for Policy Research in Delhi, and the Mayor of Paris offices. His work bridges academic research and policy practice, addressing critical urban challenges in global cities with particular focus on London.