IAUn

IAUn, short for International Association of Urban Networks, is a non-governmental international organization that coordinates research, policy development, and professional practice focused on interconnected urban systems—transport, utilities, communication networks, and data infrastructures.

IAUn was founded in the early 2000s by a coalition of universities, planning institutes, and professional associations to address the complexity of rapidly urbanizing networks. It operates across multiple regions and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge academia, government, and industry.

The organization facilitates research projects, hosts annual conferences, publishes reports and guidelines, and maintains a data-sharing platform. It aims to improve resilience, efficiency, and equity in urban networks through collaborative methods that combine urban planning, engineering, and social science perspectives.

Membership includes universities, research institutes, city agencies, and private-sector partners. The governance structure features a General Assembly, a Council, and an elected president; decisions are made by majority vote with rotating leadership. Programs are often organized around key themes such as transportation networks, energy and utilities, digital infrastructure, and climate resilience.

IAUn has contributed to standardized methods for network resilience assessment and cross-city knowledge transfer; however critics note limited uptake in local governance and concerns about representativeness of member voices. Ongoing efforts seek to broaden participation and translate research into actionable policy at the city level.

See also: smart city, urban infrastructure, sustainable development.