The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies' Sustainable Development Goal Knowledge Hub: A Reflective Narrative

The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) (https://www.ihs.nl), an internationally recognized training and research organization at the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), Netherlands, originated from the post-World War II reconstruction of the Netherlands, and housed “Het Bouwcentrum” (Building Center) (https://wederopbouwroterdam.nl/en/articles/bouwcentrum), which provided training and education for the construction sector, focusing on training architects and urban planners. IHS, the international offshoot of the Bouwcentrum, was established in 1958. Its unique library was started in 1971, focusing on the social, economic, and environmental aspects of urban development, particularly in emerging economies, primarily serving its international Urban Management and Development (UMD) master’s students and academic staff. Beyond this, the IHS library engages in information outreach via its website, featuring thematic pages like the SDG 11 Knowledge Hub (https://www.ihs.nl/en/resources/sdg-11-knowledgehub). Based on the author’s experience as IHS Information Manager, this chapter reflects on IHS’s training and research, highlighting its SDG 11 Knowledge Hub. Following a brief introduction to IHS and the urban context through influential practitioners, the chapter details the Knowledge Hub’s structure and the challenges of its maintenance.