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
Research Report Broadband Access in Indian Country
This report covers the current conditions of broadband access in Indian Country, the main federal programs aimed at improving broadband access, and findings, best practices, and policy recommendations to support tribal governments in building and maintaining necessary broadband infrastructure for
Research Report Criminal Case Processing Reforms in Harris County, Texas
Harris County, Texas, with support from the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC)—an initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to reduce overincarceration and disparities in jail populations—enacted various case processing changes to reduce the local jail population
Aerial top-down view of a suburban neighborhood with single-family houses, green lawns, driveways, and trees lining a grid of residential streets, with a few cars parked along the road.
In the face of today’s affordable housing crisis, federal policymakers can provide the leadership needed to advance a sustained, comprehensive strategy that drives down costs for all families.
A work meeting in a conference room.
We spoke with a dozen thought leaders in the criminal legal space—including researchers, nonprofit leaders, and direct service providers—about how to consider lived experience and leadership.
A woman at an outdoor community event stands under a white canopy tent, pointing to a display board while holding a clipboard with a map. Several people stand around her listening. Behind them are tables with materials and a pink sign that reads “Ohio Ave Safety Mobility Project.”
Historic community engagement processes haven’t lifted the voices of all residents, but hyperlocal data and outreach can help ensure new investment meets the needs of every block and neighborhood.
Research Report Young Adults' Perspectives on Wealth Building
In this report, we hear from young adults directly so that practitioners and policymakers working to expand opportunity for all Americans can deepen their understanding of the types of challenges young adults face in establishing lasting financial stability that provides them with the foundation to
Research Report Implementation of the VictimConnect Resource Center
We surveyed nearly 1,000 visitors, observed over 350 interactions between visitors and hotline staff, interviewed staff and partners, and analyzed three years of hotline data. This report summarizes our evaluation and presents results.