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 during the 2026-2027 academic year can learn more here.
Scroll through below this year’s MetroBridge projects with a brief recap!
Students conducted comparative fiscal studies of select transit agencies in the United States, examining their financial outlook and measures to address fiscal constraints to provide greater insight to the MBTA Advisory Board.
CAS EE 512: Urban Climate — City of Boston Office of Climate Resilience
Students conducted research on urban shade to support the City of Boston’s efforts to develop a more formal, intentional strategy for implementing shade in a four-season climate. In addition to quantifying urban shade and evaluating costs, students analyzed case studies of other cities’ use of shade and conducted geospatial analyses of shade in Boston’s Chinatown and Dorchester neighborhoods.
CAS PO 519: Inequality and American Politics — City of Boston Planning Advisory Council and Housing Innovation Lab
Students researched the barriers to accessing safe and affordable housing among four sub-populations in the City of Boston: 1) Cost-burdened senior renters, 2) Homeless seniors, 3) Families at risk of homelessness, and 4) Cost-burdened college students. Students analyzed housing supply, policy landscape, administrative burdens, and best practices.
CAS PO 524: Local Policy Analysis Lab — City of Boston Office of Nightlife Economy
Students examined the current state of Nubian Square’s nightlife economy and provided potential recommendations and paths forward for the City of Boston to improve nightlife. Students’ analysis focused on four broad groups: young adults, small businesses, 35-50-year-olds, and families.
CAS SO 280: Global Urban Studies — Chinese Historical Society of New England (CHSNE)
Students explored the history of Boston’s Chinatown through oral history interviews with current and former residents. This work supports the Chinese Historical Society of New England’s efforts to document the lives of Chinatown residents during continuing urban change in the neighborhood.
CAS SO 483/883: Gentrification Studies — West End Museum
To support the policy efforts of Partners in Health, students conducted a comprehensive 50-state scan of Community Health Worker (CHW) definitions, certification structures, reimbursement mechanisms, and governance approaches across the United States, drawing on academic literature, legislation, and stakeholder interviews.
MET UA 589: Research and Evaluation — Town of Easton
Students developed data-collection tools for the Town of Easton to gather input from community members on existing parks and recreation assets, including accessibility, safety, and usage.
QST BA 223 (Sections A1, B1, C1): Business Modeling with Spreadsheets — Town of Brookline Department of Public Works Transportation Division
Students analyzed data privacy laws regarding minors in select states, with an emphasis on data sharing related to interactions with law enforcement. This informs the efforts of Chelsea School Committee Members Dr. Sarah Neville and Jonny Gomez-Pereira, who will determine a path forward to better protect students in Chelsea schools.
Spring 2026
CAS EN 509: Playwriting 2: Writing the Social/Political Play — West End Museum
Students created monologues based on the museum’s archival materials, bringing to life the experiences of West End residents affected by urban renewal and displacement. The West End Museum plans to stage performances of the monologues at a future event.
CAS HI 528: Engineering Boston — West End Museum & the Little Syria Project
West End Museum Curator Bob Potenza with archival materials for students to explore; Photo by Ting Wei Li
Students examined and analyzed the West End Museum’s archival materials to better understand the history of the West End and the lives of displaced residents.
CAS SO 244: Urban Sociology — City of Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics
Through general research and interviews with municipal staff, students produced memos on pay-as-you-throw programs in select municipalities across the United States to help inform the City of Boston’s broader understanding of how such programs operate.
CAS SO 372/772: Psychological Anthropology — CultureHouse
Students examined third spaces in Cambridge, MA, to inform CultureHouse’s efforts to activate the Cambridge KiOSK as a reimagined third space for public use, replacing the now-closed Out of Town News.
CDS DS 488/688: Spark! UX Design X-Lab Practicum — Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) had previously developed an interactive board game called “Homeward.” Homeward is an educational tool for municipal-level government officials, students, real estate professionals, and others interested in zoning and development. However, the game’s scoring instrument needed significant improvement. Students developed a revised scoring instrument through a web application that enables smoother gameplay, easier scoring, and improved navigation.
LAW JD 786: Legislative Policy and Drafting Clinic — City of Boston Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics and Inspectional Services Department
A student researched and drafted revised zoning language regarding the legal status of new basement construction while mitigating the risk of future flood events.
Two groups of students worked on distinct projects for the City of Boston’s Property Management Department:
Boston’s City Hall Plaza frequently hosts public events that result in debris and litter of various sizes. However, it consists of many pervious surfaces, including resin-bound aggregate and brick pavers, and many areas have strict weight limitations. This prevents the City of Boston from employing cleaning methods that are currently available and can be acquired. Students worked to develop a prototype and proof of concept for a solution.
Boston City Hall has many data closets that lack access to external venting and thus cannot be cooled by traditional means. These data closets make office space uncomfortable for employees. Students worked to develop a prototype and proof of concept for a solution that absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night, when offices are unoccupied.
MET UA 756/757: Capstone — City of Boston Transportation Department
Students developed a vision plan for Maverick Square in East Boston, including research on existing conditions, community engagement, vision strategy, and scenario planning.
