Urban across the Country

Urban’s researchers partner with state and local leaders to provide the evidence, tools, and support they need to improve lives and strengthen communities. This work includes strategic advising to translate research into action, program evaluations to measure effectiveness, and research and data analysis to inform decisionmaking. Our experts develop custom data tools and modeling to support equitable resource allocation and lead community-engaged research and convenings to ensure policies reflect local priorities.

Use this page to explore Urban’s work. Search by region to see examples of our research, and filter by evidence and products to narrow results by topic or type of work.

Dive deeper into your state and community with our data tools. View highlighted tools below, select “Data tools” under “Filter by Product Types,” or head directly to our data tools page.

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State and community data tools
Explore our work by state
Public Comment What It Takes for a Community To Be Good at Using Data
In this written comment submitted to the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature, Kathryn L.S. Pettit and Leah Hendey write about how their experiences from the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP) could inform the discussion around Nebraska Unicameral Legislature Bill LB1214—Create a Pilot
A smiling woman wearing a beige hijab and a green volunteer T-shirt stands outdoors in a wooded area, holding a trash bag, while other volunteers in matching shirts gather around her during a park cleanup.
Parks aren’t just for play or beauty—they’re potential platforms for building lives, careers, and communities.
Aerial view of a large suburban neighborhood in a desert landscape, with curving residential streets, single-family homes, a small lake with a fountain, and a golf course, bordered by open undeveloped land and distant mountains.
Major pieces of legislation in the House and Senate leverage land-use policy as a tool to advance national housing affordability. Policymakers have an opportunity to do this even more effectively.
Op-Ed Baby Bonds and the Great Wealth Transfer
Drawing on new research, Mingli Zhong explains how baby bonds can counterbalance the “Great Wealth Transfer” by providing public inheritance where private wealth falls short.
Cheerful teenage girls talking while standing at illuminated corridor. Female friends are by lockers in education building. Students are at high school.
SUMI talked with 50 students in Bangor, Maine to learn about the transition from middle school to high school. Their perspectives show us how academic success is deeply intertwined with emotional safety, preparedness, and connection--and the importance of school conditions that promote all of the
photo of View along West St Clair Avenue in Historic Warehouse District of Cleveland, Ohio
This product will illustrate how data and tech can improve CVI service provision and evaluation, using examples from LISC and Tech Impact.