Initiative on Cities

What We Do

Urban-H

Housing. Heat. Health.

The Initiative's new tripartite research agenda seeks to connect and engage practitioners, policymakers, governments, and communities to pursue evidence-based and practical solutions.

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Latest News

Gentrification & Urban Displacement Lab

GUDL Awards Third Pilot Partnership Seed Grant Between Boston University and Lowell Community Organizations

June 17th, 2026

The Boston University Initiative on Cities Gentrification & Urban Displacement Lab (GUDL) is proud to announce the third recipient of our pilot partnership seed grant program. This award supports a collaboration between Lowell Alliance, the Merrimack Valley Project, and Yeşim Sungu-Eryilmaz, Assistant Professor and Director of the Boston University Metropolitan College City Planning & Urban […]

MetroBridge

2025-2026 MetroBridge Recap

June 8th, 2026

MetroBridge, the experiential learning program of the Boston University Initiative on Cities, collaborated with 19 municipal and community partners on 20 projects over the 2025-2026 academic year. During the fall and spring semesters, 410 students worked on applied learning projects, gaining real-world experience addressing urban challenges. Municipal and community partners interested in partnering with MetroBridge […]

Student Fellows & Interns

Meet Reuben Danyali, 2026 Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library Summer Research Intern

June 2nd, 2026

We are excited to share that Reuben Danyali (CAS/KHC '28) is the inaugural Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center Summer Research Intern at the Boston Public Library! Reuben will contribute to geospatial research and data analysis of historic housing patterns, evictions, and property ownership in Boston and across Massachusetts to support a new public-facing […]

Student Fellows & Interns

Meet Iliana Colie, 2026 City of Boston Streets Cabinet Intern

June 2nd, 2026

We are excited to share that Iliana Colie (CAS '27) is our inaugural City of Boston Streets Cabinet Intern! Iliana will aid in the Streets Cabinet's community engagement and outreach initiatives for transportation projects and mobility programs, including creating social media content, designing communications materials, and working on the ground to learn from and hear […]

Student Fellows & Interns

Meet Dominic Muratore, 2026 City of Boston Planning Advisory Council Intern

June 2nd, 2026

We are excited to share that Dominic Muratore (Pardee '28) is this year's City of Boston Planning Advisory Council (PAC) Intern, representing the Initiative on Cities and Boston University this summer at the City of Boston Planning Department. Dominic will work under the Executive Director of PAC Katharine Lusk, who is also the former Co-Director […]

Student Fellows & Interns

Meet Briannya Evans, 2026 City of Boston Equity & Inclusion Cabinet Intern

June 2nd, 2026

We are excited to share that Briannya Evans (Pardee '27) is this year's City of Boston Equity & Inclusion Cabinet Intern! Briannya will be contributing to efforts to address racial equity policy priorities in the City of Boston, to community engagement with stakeholders and residents of Boston, and to developing data-driven policy recommendations. She will […]

Student Fellows & Interns

Meet Metis Christodoulou, 2026 City of Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) Fellow

June 2nd, 2026

We are excited to share that Metis Christodoulou (WED '26) is this year's City of Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) Fellow representing Boston University and the Initiative on Cities! Metis will join a cohort of fellows to develop, research, or implement innovative, actionable prototypes, policies, and experiments that benefit Boston residents. MONUM […]

News

BU Artists Featured in Icons of Franklin Park Poster Competition

May 29th, 2026

Inspired by classic Works Progress Administration (WPA) poster designs, the Icons of Franklin Park Poster Competition invited artists to submit original works highlighting the park's physical and cultural icons, past and present. The City of Boston, the Boston Society of Landscape Architects, and the Franklin Park Coalition sponsored the competition. Franklin Park, designed by renowned […]

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IOC In the Press