The centre was established as a research centre by the University under the special assistance programme of University Grants Commission in the Department of Economics with urban economics as the thrust area. For the last quarter of a century, it has established itself as a premier multi-disciplinary research centre of urban studies in India. A number of dissertations done under the guidance of faculty members have been awarded M.Phil and Ph.D degrees.  Apart from publishing books, monographs, discussion papers and database for urban studies and a bi-annual newsletter, it has been regularly holding workshops, seminars and short-term courses on different aspects of urban studies. It has been engaged in different type of collaborative activities with other organisations like Indian Council of Social Science Research, Anthropological Survey of India. Other than the regular faculty members and research staffs of the Centre, it also accommodates eminent researchers on urban topics from related disciplines like Political Science, Sociology, Geography, History, as honorary associates. It also offers Urban Economics as an optional paper as a part of the post-graduate course in Economics.