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.
The Boston University Initiative on Cities (IOC) is proud to share our 2026 Annual Report, highlighting another year of work to connect urban research, learning, and practice. For more than a decade, the IOC has brought together scholars, students, policymakers, and practitioners to better understand and address the challenges facing cities. This year, we expanded […]
Boston University is making a major investment in convergent research, bringing together bold ideas, deep expertise, and perspectives from across disciplines to take on society’s most critical challenges. With exceptional breadth across disciplines, a deeply collaborative research culture, and a strong history of interdisciplinary work, BU is uniquely positioned to pursue discoveries and solutions that […]
Jacqueline Maldonado (CAS '28) is a junior studying Political Science with minors in Sociology and Holocaust, Genocide & Human Rights Studies. A proud New Yorker from The Bronx, she is passionate about improving the conditions of marginalized and under-resourced communities through data-backed policy. She has gained experience in education, promoting and creating diverse spaces, and […]
By Ilias Benmokrane | Photos by Onjoli Palmer The Boston University Initiative on Cities and the Metropolitan College City Planning & Urban Affairs Program hosted Rich Davey, the CEO of Massport and a transportation expert across Massachusetts and New York, on Tuesday, September 15th. In the IOC’s first Transportation & the City event of the […]
I brought a unique background to my internship with the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM). My undergraduate degree from Northeastern University is in Game Design, and I worked as a games professor at Bunker Hill Community College for many years. I also ran testing sites and medical offices throughout the […]
It’s not an exaggeration to say that my experience serving as the Racial Justice Intern for the City of Boston’s Equity and Inclusion Cabinet was nothing short of transformative. This internship provided an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand experience in local government while contributing to initiatives designed to improve the lives of Boston residents. More […]
I have aspired to work in government and public service since a fourth-grade lesson on local, state, and federal government. I remember being inspired by the opportunity to serve others and improve my community, to lift people up while helping create a better future for the generations that come after us. That resolve has stayed […]
When I applied to intern with the City of Boston Streets Cabinet, I knew I was interested in cities, communications, and public service, but I didn't fully understand what it meant to actually work in city government. Eight weeks later, I left the intricate concrete mass that is Boston City Hall with a much clearer […]
