The South African Cities Network (SACN) also undertakes occasional studies and research to identify themes that inform urban development thinking, practice and governance.
These studies focus primarily on two areas of research:
Secondary Cities
Since its inception, the South African Cities Network has concentrated on the eight metropolitan municipalities and Msunduzi. However, in 2012 the South African Cities Network extended its research into secondary (or intermediate) cities to determine how planning, finance and institutional support differs for different settlement categories.
General Studies
The South African Cities Network has partnered with non-profit organisation Khanya-African Institute of Community-Driven Development (Khanya-aicdd) to develop and implement community-based planning approaches across the African continent.