We seek to understand and address the most pressing challenges facing local leaders in relation to the contemporary state of cities and their future, both nationally and globally. We bring together academics, elected officials, policymakers, practitioners, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders to learn from one another and co-create solutions.
New Survey Examines Mayors’ Views on Housing, Policy Solutions, and Political Constraints Mayors Increasingly Back Housing Supply, But Back Away From Policies That Would Enable It Democratic Mayors More Supportive of Supply-Focused Reforms Than Republicans April 1, 2026 — A new report from the Menino Survey of Mayors, based at Boston University’s Initiative on Cities, […]
By Angelina Baicu | Photos by Ting Wei Li On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Boston University Initiative on Cities, alongside the City Planning & Urban Affairs Program, welcomed BU Urbanist and Lecturer, Jim O'Connell, for a discussion surrounding his new book “Boston and the Making of a Global City.” In it, he highlights Boston’s historical and contemporary […]
When: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 PM ET (reception: 6:30-7:00pm) Where: Boston University Initiative on Cities, 75 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215 Join the Boston University Initiative on Cities, Center on Forced Displacement, and the Boston Urban Salon for a discussion exploring how displacement – both structural and episodic – shapes people’s lives, […]
Applications for the Initiative on Cities (IOC) 2026–2027 Menino Fellowship with the National League of Cities (NLC) are now open for Boston University undergraduate students and due May 14, 2026. The Menino Fellowship provides one Boston University undergraduate student with the opportunity to explore interests in public service, city-level programs and policies, and municipal leadership on […]
By Angelina Baicu | Photos by Ting Wei Li On Thursday, March 19th, the Boston University Initiative on Cities, alongside the Institute for Global Sustainability and the Department of Earth & Environment, welcomed author, professor, and urban planner Dr. Jesse M. Keenan to a discussion of his recent book “North: The Future of Post Climate […]
My experience with the Menino Fellowship during my final year at Boston University was incredibly rewarding and meaningful. It not only prepared me for life after graduation but also equipped me with valuable skills in research, writing, collaboration, and interviewing. I first heard about the fellowship through the BU Newbury Center’s newsletter and applied because […]
By Sasa Ramos | Photos by Onjoli Palmer On Thursday, March 5, the Boston University Initiative on Cities, City Planning & Urban Affairs Program, and the Urban Planning Association hosted a student-focused fireside chat featuring Phil Eng, General Manager of the MBTA and interim Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation. A career civil engineer with decades of […]
When: Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET Where: Initiative on Cities, 75 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215 Join the Boston University Initiative on Cities and the City Planning & Urban Affairs Program for a discussion with BU Urbanist and Lecturer at the Boston University City Planning & Urban Affairs Program, […]
