How is the Initiative on Cities Making a Difference in Urban Scholarship?

We catalyze early-stage research that deepens understanding of cities and urban populations. Today, with over half the world’s population living in urban areas, it is more crucial than ever for scholars and practitioners to address the complex challenges facing 21st-century cities – and to shape the policies and practices that will shape their future. If you are a member of the BU community and interested in submitting a proposal, we encourage you to review our annual requests for proposals, which typically open in December or January.  
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Project Themes

Year Awarded

724 result(s) found.

  • 2024 Greater Boston Housing Report Card

    November 14, 2024
    The Initiative on Cities Co-Authors the 2024 Greater Boston Housing Report Card Special Analysis on Using Public Land to Develop Affordable Housing Greater Boston’s well-publicized housing challenges continue, even as communities work to change zoning rules to comply with the state’s new MBTA Communities requirements. A lack of new construction, high interest rates, and changing […]

  • 2024–2025 MetroBridge Recap

    June 6, 2025
    MetroBridge, the experiential learning program of the Boston University Initiative on Cities, collaborated with 14 municipal and community partners on 17 projects over the 2024-2025 academic year. During the fall and spring semesters, 293 students worked on applied learning projects, gaining real-world experience addressing urban challenges. Municipal and community partners interested in partnering with MetroBridge […]

  • 2025 Careers in Transportation Information Session

    October 24, 2025
    When: Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 4:00 – 5:30 PM Where: Initiative on Cities, 75 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215 Join the Boston University Initiative on Cities and City Planning & Urban Affairs Program at Metropolitan College for our annual Careers in Transportation Information Session! This session provides a direct venue for students and aspiring […]

  • 2025 Greater Boston Housing Report Card

    November 12, 2025
    By The Boston Foundation, November 12, 2025 Boston, MA – A new report on the current state of housing in Greater Boston presents a picture of strong construction, a concerning trend in building permits, and critical affordability challenges in the region. The mixed signals are the focus of the 2025 Greater Boston Housing Report Card, […]

  • 2025 Initiative on Cities City of Boston Summer Internship Applications Now Open

    February 3, 2025
    The IOC is excited to offer three paid undergraduate internship opportunities this summer. Interns will work 35 hours weekly in Boston's City Hall in one of the three roles listed below. Equity & Inclusion Cabinet [Free housing in partnership with the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground]: The intern will advance Boston's racial equity policy priorities, foster community engagement […]

  • 2025 Menino Survey of Mayors: Unlocking Housing Supply

    March 31, 2026
    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, […]

  • 2025-2026 MetroBridge Recap

    June 8, 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 […]

  • 2026 Early Stage Urban Research Award Recipients

    May 26, 2026
    The Boston University Initiative on Cities (IOC) is pleased to announce the recipients for our 12th request for proposals for the 2026 cycle of the Early Stage Urban Research Awards. These seed grants support early-stage academic research focused on urban challenges and urban populations across various disciplines and scopes. Research projects also serve as mentorship […]

  • 2026 Early Stage Urban Research Awards: Request for Proposals

    February 13, 2026
    The Boston University Initiative on Cities (IOC) Early Stage Urban Research Awards is accepting project proposals for the 2026 cycle from Boston University faculty members and graduate students. This year, we invite research proposals that explore pressing challenges and solutions facing cities—past, present, and future. Projects may focus on urban places and populations at the […]

  • 2026 Initiative on Cities Summer Internship Applications Now Open

    January 29, 2026
    Calling all Boston University students: IOC's 2026 summer internship applications are now open! This year, the Initiative on Cities is offering four full-time, paid summer internships in the public sector. You can now apply: all information related to the internships is on their respective pages. Please note that, to apply, you must be in good […]