Urban geography focuses on social, cultural and economic characteristics of cities and urban regions. Research interests include, for example, changes in urban structures, impacts of urban policies or social and cultural interpretations of urban space. Research topics can be approached at different levels ranging from an analysis of neighbourhood level local phenomenon to international comparisons between cities. Housing issues, spatial and social differentiation and regional development of Helsinki Metropolitan Area have been some of the major topics in recent urban geography research at the University of Helsinki.

Urban geography is closely linked to other research fields within geography and regional science, for example planning geography and urban economics. It also shares research interests with other disciplines such as sociology, social policy and urban planning.