The Return of the City
Our Survey Reveals How Perceptions Have Shifted From 2021 to 2023 Across 15 Global Cities
The Gensler Research Institute plays a vital role in unlocking innovative design solutions needed to navigate a changing world.
Our network of researchers and thought leaders create the insights our designers and clients need to address their toughest problems. The Institute is organized into six pillars of research expertise with a focus on Workplace, Cities, Health, Lifestyle, Equity, and Resilience. We fund over 50 global research grants annually.
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Research
Designing for Racial Justice 2024
We leveraged years of research and Gensler’s most recent survey data in cities and communities across the U.S. to understand the historic and current inequity and to profile how to move beyond these challenges with design action and innovation.
Research
Global Workplace Survey 2024
Gensler’s workplace survey reveals what matters most to design high-performing workplaces and proposes a new precedent for measuring workplace performance.
Research
Global Climate Action Survey 2024
Gensler surveyed people around the world about their experiences with climate-related issues, such as extreme weather, and perceptions of whether their community is built to withstand the impacts of climate change.
Research
Hospitality Experience Survey 2023
As travel ramps up, our survey explores the growing blend of business and leisure travel, new definitions of luxury hospitality experiences, and heightened guest expectations.
Research
Shifting Carbon Neutral Into Drive: The Congo Basin Institute
We partnered with UCLA’s Institute of Environment and Sustainability to investigate design methods for carbon neutral buildings in the Congo Basin of Cameroon.
Research
The Carbon Footprint of Work
We quantified the true carbon cost of office work in multiple scenarios and cities to understand the best ways to reduce total associated carbon emissions.
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Research
Global Climate Action Survey 2023
We surveyed residents in eight countries to understand how they are experiencing extreme weather and the steps they are willing to take to combat climate change.
Research
Sustainable Shade Structures
We researched how to offset the effects of extreme heat in at-risk communities through community co-creation of shading structures.
Research
Fostering Lifelong Learning at Universities in Latin America
We conducted research at five universities in Latin America to understand how learning landscapes can support different modes of learning.
Research
Education and the BIPOC Student Experience
We conducted research with a diverse group of New York City school students to understand how to create inclusive school buildings that feel welcoming and supportive for all.
Research
Germany Workplace Survey 2023
We surveyed office workers in Germany to understand how they are using the office now and their ideal workplace of the future. We found that office workers value the office for social interaction and connection with their team.
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Research
UK Workplace Survey 2023
We surveyed UK workers to understand how employees prioritise and experience workspace as work continues to evolve.
Research
Middle East Workplace Survey 2023
Our survey of office workers across Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait reveals opportunities to make critical workplace changes to adapt to new workplace expectations.
Research
Adjusting for Bias in the Workplace
We sought to understand how to address the impact of bias in the workplace and developed a process for engaging in conversations around equity and inclusion.
Research
The Return of the City
We examined how global perceptions have shifted from 2021 to 2023 across 15 global cities to understand the obstacles and opportunities facing cities today.
Blog
What the Rise of Micromobility Means for the Future of Cities
One trend that emerged from Gensler’s survey of 15,000 residents in 30 cities may change how we navigate urban life: micromobility is more popular than ever before.
Sustainability
Climate Action Through Design
Our Climate Action Through Design Report presents solutions for transforming the built environment to achieve a net zero carbon impact across our portfolio and the broader design industry.
Research
The Culture of Innovation Diagnostic
Gensler’s Culture Strategy team developed a diagnostic framework that uncovers the key factors to activate an intentional culture of innovation.
Research
Models for Co-Creation and Partnership with the Black Community
We investigated how Gensler can empower and engage Black communities with inclusive design models of partnership.
Research
Sports Experience Survey 2022
With live sports at a turning point, it’s more important now than ever to understand what people value in a live sports experience, and how venues can adapt and deliver.
Work & The Workplace
Through our global research on effective workplace experiences, we unlock new solutions and strategies that define the future of work.
Future of Cities
Through our global research on urban experiences, we are redefining the future of cities as ecosystems of multiuse, multi-generational, 20-minute neighborhoods.
Sustainability & Resilience
Our sustainability research reveals practical design solutions and strategies for reducing our carbon impact and leading the building industry toward net zero energy.
Future of Healthcare
Our research on the future of healthcare investigates how healthcare design is shaping patient and worker experiences and benefiting communities.
Design for Equity
Our research explores equitable and inclusive design solutions to create diverse spaces for our clients and communities around the world.
Lifestyle Experiences
Our research uncovers the design thinking that defines vibrant, mixed-use lifestyle districts, attainable housing, retail, and hospitality experiences.
Aligning Practice With Climate Justice
Our research explores how climate change disproportionately affects under-invested communities nationwide, with a current focus on Baltimore. We aim to inspire equitable design practices through a framework that prioritizes climate justice.
Global Climate Action Survey 2024
Gensler surveyed people around the world about their experiences with climate-related issues, such as extreme weather, and perceptions of whether their community is built to withstand the impacts of climate change.
Finance the Future: Strategies for Equitable Neighborhood Development
We explored how to effectively translate ESG commitments into financially viable equitable developments that address the housing crisis disproportionately affecting low-income and marginalized communities.
Building City Identities to Become Destination Brands
Gensler’s Global Brand Design leaders delve into a conversation with community leaders about strategies cities can use to transform their identities into vibrant destination brands.
The Workplace Experience: Redefining the Modern Office To Boost Performance
Gensler Toronto and Vancouver leaders explore what Canadians truly want in the workplace, and how effective workplaces can yield positive outcomes for individuals, teams, and organizations.
Magnetizing People & Places Through the Power of Brand
Gensler’s Brand Design and industry leaders delve into a conversation about the power of brand strategy and storytelling.
Redefining the Workplace for a New Era of Productivity and Engagement
This new era of work is not about obligation but about crafting a compelling experience that draws people in and encourages them to grow personally and professionally.
10 Workplace Trends for 2025: What’s In and What’s Out?
The workplace is evolving beyond a collection of experiences and becoming a space designed to foster intentional transformations.
What Two Mixed-Use Districts Reveal About Successful Retail and Placemaking
Lessons from two mixed-use destinations in Texas reinforce the value of adaptability and careful placemaking for large, retail-centered developments.
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