  We consider the coupling of scalar topological matter to (2+1)-dimensional
gravity. The matter fields consist of a 0-form scalar field and a 2-form tensor
field. We carry out a canonical analysis of the classical theory, investigating
its sectors and solutions. We show that the model admits both BTZ-like
black-hole solutions and homogeneous/inhomogeneous FRW cosmological
solutions.We also investigate the global charges associated with the model and
show that the algebra of charges is the extension of the Kac-Moody algebra for
the field-rigid gauge charges, and the Virasoro algebrafor the diffeomorphism
charges. Finally, we show that the model can be written as a generalized
Chern-Simons theory, opening the perspective for its formulation as a
generalized higher gauge theory.
