Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
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newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
@newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
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The official Bluesky account of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. We work across departments and communities to explore, experiment, and evaluate new approaches to government and civic life.

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newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics @newurbanmechanics.boston.gov · Jan 23
Hi, Bluesky! We are the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM), the mayor's civic research and design team. We partner with departments and communities to explore, experiment, and evaluate new approaches to government and civic life. www.boston.gov/departments/...
New Urban Mechanics
The Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) was formed in 2010 as the Mayor's civic research and design team (one of the first in the nation). We explore and tackle intractable problems with fre...
www.boston.gov
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
doit.boston.gov
By pairing the right tools with cutting-edge technology, we can make city services more responsive, fair, and effective.

Last month, members of our Research and Data Team attended @bloombergdotorg.bsky.social City Data Alliance convening.

#BostonTech #Data
Three people sit at a table in a meeting room, clapping. At the near side of the table, Chief Research and Data Officer Tsay softly smiles and claps.
November 5, 2025 at 9:23 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Behind every #Boston pilot project is a curious mind asking, ‘What if?'

Meet Kathleen, our newest Urban Mechanic, turning curiosity into #civic-change.

#civicinnovation
#monum #knowyourmechanic
#innovation #whatif
November 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
🌈 MONUM joined the launch of Color Flows on Winter Street — a vibrant, multi-week program bringing art and community to Downtown Crossing! 🎨

We’re gathering feedback on how people use public space, if you see us with iPads, come say hi and share your thoughts! 💬📱
October 15, 2025 at 11:07 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Every August, Boston moves — and so does the waste.
This year, we tried something new: a coordinated furniture pick-up pilot in Brighton.

26 households. 54 items saved. 92% would recommend.
Less trash, more reuse. A cleaner city, one move at a time.

#BostonMoves #CivicInnovation #SustainableBoston
October 3, 2025 at 7:01 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
MONUM, in partnership with Household Goods, is piloting FREE furniture pick-up on Monday, August 25th, in a neighborhood in Allston.

Learn more about the pilot and eligible households here: tinyurl.com/furniture-pick-up
August 5, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
wutrain.bsky.social
Boston’s new trash cans help keep our streets clean & communities healthy 🐀❌
July 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
parks.boston.gov
See you in the parks this week!

🎤Tues 7/29: Elma Lewis Playhouse @ Franklin Park
🎨Tues-Fri: Arts & Crafts Workshops
⛳Wed 7/30: Golf Course Concert @ George Wright Golf Course
💃Thurs 7/24: Tito Puente @ Mission Hill Playground
Summer in the parks - FREE events this week jul 28- aug 3.
July 28, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
housing.boston.gov
Don’t forget! The @CityofBoston’s Office of Housing Stability is hosting a free in-person Legal Clinic for landlords and renters tomorrow, July 29th, at 5:30 PM at Grove Hall Library. At the Legal Clinic, you can meet with attorneys, mediators, and OHS staff. Please RSVP here:➡️ ow.ly/aUw250WuPLU
A blue and white graphic Office of Housing Stability Legal Clinic on July 29, 5:30-7 PM at Boston Public Library's Grove Hall for small landlords and tenants to consult legal experts.
July 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
MONUM is hiring! We are seeking a Senior Program Manager with a focus on Storytelling to join our dynamic team. This pivotal role involves leading a portfolio of projects and providing strategic creative direction. Priority apps by 7/27! Apply here: city-boston.icims.com/jobs/30534/s...
July 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
MONUM is hiring! We are seeking a Senior Program Manager with a focus on Storytelling to join our dynamic team. This pivotal role involves leading a portfolio of projects and providing strategic creative direction. Priority apps by 7/27! Apply here: city-boston.icims.com/jobs/30534/s...
July 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
♻️🗑️ Boston wants to know: How are waste services working for YOU?

We want to hear how residents manage trash, recycling, and food waste at home.

Your insights = better city services.

📲 Take the 5-minute survey now (link in bio): boston.gov/trash-survey

#BostonZeroWaste #NewUrbanMechanics
June 9, 2025 at 7:31 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
(1/2) Meet Our 2025 Summer Fellows! 🧠 This brilliant group brings together a diverse range of expertise:

Corryn: Public health policy & civic engagement

Krithiga: Governance, democracy, climate & gender in international relations

Mica: Community-led climate adaptation & resilient systems design
June 6, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
mayorwu.boston.gov
Boston is restoring the Mattahunt Woods Urban Wild—a forested haven in the heart of Mattapan. 🌳💚
June 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Team MONUM at #CfA2025! 🚗📦🚲

Loved Digitizing Boston’s Curb with ML—a packed session on AI + CDS transforming curb use.

Huge props to Anna Stoneman & M. Evans for making the tech real + relatable.
Boston’s curb just got smarter. 💡

#CivicTech #SmartCity #UrbanData #CFAsummit
May 31, 2025 at 12:04 AM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Boston needs more basic “starter homes” that are naturally affordable for middle-income families.

What would you want in a first home? What tradeoffs would you make?

Share your thoughts in this quick survey: bosplans.org/FirstHomeSurvey
Imagining Your First Home Purchase in Boston
bosplans.org
May 14, 2025 at 3:09 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
🚀 MONUM is hiring a Program Manager!

Lead bold civic projects, co-design with communities, and shape the future of Boston.

🧠 Ideal for creatives with experience in research, human-centered design & storytelling.

📅 Apply by May 25!
🔗 Learn more: content.boston.gov/departments/...

#CivicInnovation
May 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Dreaming of owning a triple-decker with your best friend or sibling? 🏡

Boston's new co-purchasing program is making that possible—with zero-interest loans and a community-first approach.

🔗 Read more: www.wbur.org/news/2025/04...
A social media graphic promoting Boston’s Co-Purchasing Housing Pilot. The top headline reads “A New Way to Buy Together: Boston’s Co-Purchasing Housing Pilot.” Below it is a photo of classic Boston brownstone buildings along a residential street. The caption underneath explains that the new pilot program helps friends and families co-buy multi-family homes, offering eligible first-time buyers up to $50K in zero-interest loans for down payments. A quote at the bottom reads: “We wanted to unlock more of the private market to our buyers,” said Paige Roosa, Housing Innovation Lab director.
April 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Catch Marcy Ostberg & Shin-pei Tsay from New Urban Mechanics at #BARI2025 tomorrow!

Hear bold, people-first ideas shaping housing, public services & the future of cities.

Don’t miss this!

#UrbanInnovation #DesignForPeople #HousingEquity #CivicDesign #BostonInnovation #InsightToImpact
A promotional flyer for the BARI Conference 2025 titled "How can cities listen to people to redesign public service?" It features two speakers from the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, City of Boston: Marcy Ostberg will present on “Unlocking Boston’s ADU Potential through Research Backed Program Design.” Shin-pei Tsay will moderate a panel on reimagining how public services are designed and delivered with people at the center. The event is part of Greater Boston’s Annual Insight-to-Impact Summit and takes place at 1234 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA starting at 8:30 AM. Photos of both speakers are included next to their names and descriptions. Icons for location and time are also displayed at the bottom of the flyer.
April 10, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
buoncities.bsky.social
🥕🥣🛒 Andrea Catania (MET '24), a gastronomy student, recounts her experiences and takeaways as a @newurbanmechanics.boston.gov fellow working on food policy and innovations @boston.gov during the summer of 2023.

📹 www.youtube.com/shorts/0W-bP...
Initiative on Cities Summer Fellow Student Spotlight: Andrea Catania
YouTube video by Boston University Initiative on Cities
www.youtube.com
March 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
citytv.boston.gov
For 30 years, The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute serves as a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief and loss. Join the Peace Institute for the Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace on May 11, 2025.
Visit ldbpeaceinstitute.org
March 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
Boston Homeowners – Your Input Matters!

The Housing Innovation Lab & Northeastern students are studying homesharing—where homeowners rent out a room.

Take the survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

#BostonHousing #Homesharing
A digital flyer from the Mayor’s Housing Innovation Lab invites homeowners to participate in a homesharing survey. The flyer asks, "Ever Thought About Renting Out a Room?" and explains that the initiative aims to explore affordable housing opportunities. A QR code labeled "Scan Me!" is centered on the flyer for easy access to the survey. The flyer encourages homeowners to share their thoughts and help shape the future of housing in Boston. The Mayor’s Housing Innovation Lab logo appears in the top right corner, and an illustration of a keyring with keys is placed above the main text. The design features a clean, navy and white color scheme.
March 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
How can small urban changes make a big impact?
Shin-pei Tsay, the Director of Boston’s Mayor’s Office for New Urban Mechanics, redefines urban innovation with bold solutions like the first 311 program & cooling towers for heat waves.

Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/3SqB...

#NewUrbanMechanics
Podcast promotional graphic for a new episode featuring Shin-Pei Tsay. The text reads: 'Improving the Public Realm through Policy, Design, and Governance.' Below, there's a black-and-white headshot of Shin-Pei Tsay. The podcast, 'Architectette,' highlights women in architecture, construction, and engineering. The Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics logo appears in the top right corner. Sponsors, Arcol and Layer, are credited at the bottom.
March 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
The #MONUM team is shaping Boston’s future! From affordable #housing to green bus stop roofs, we’re tackling big challenges. Check out our 2024 Year in Review! Join our #ScavengerHunt to explore our impact & win a prize!

Have ideas? Sign up: boston.gov/mechanics.
March 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
newurbanmechanics.boston.gov
MONUM recently helped relaunch @boston.gov's ReStore Boston program, which helps eligible businesses and commercial property owners improve their storefronts by providing financial and design assistance for signage and/or facade renovations: www.boston.gov/departments/...
Image of four different Boston business storefronts that went through the ReStore Boston Program.
February 4, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Reposted by Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics
oyea.boston.gov
The Youth Speaks Boston needs assessment is open for Boston residents ages 14-25!
🗣️Send to your networks and encourage youth to complete the survey at bit.ly/youthspeaksboston.
📩DM us or email oyea@boston.gov for a promotional toolkit.
💡Read more about this initiative in Mayor Wu's press release:
Mayor Wu Launches "Youth Speaks Boston," A Youth Needs Assessment Survey
Today, Mayor Wu and the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) announced the launch of
www.boston.gov
January 29, 2025 at 5:04 PM