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buoncities.bsky.social
Initiative on Cities
@buoncities.bsky.social
580 followers 210 following 46 posts
🏙️🚶🚋🚎🚲 Interdisciplinary Center for Urban Research & Learning @bostonu.bsky.social. Work in, on, and with cities locally to globally. Led by Director @lorettaclees.bsky.social.

🔗 https://www.bu.edu/ioc/
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buoncities.bsky.social
Join the @buoncities.bsky.social and @busph.bsky.social for a virtual discussion of Urban Health in Africa, co-edited by BU Associate Professor Elaine Nsoesie! The event will feature a panel on case studies on Africa’s urbanization, health, and prosperity.

Register: www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/10/...
Join us for a virtual discussion of Urban Health in Africa, co-edited by Boston University Associate Professor of Global Health, Elaine Nsoesie. The event will feature contributing authors highlighting case studies from the volume and a panel conversation on Africa’s rapid urbanization and its implications for health, prosperity, and sustainability. Essays in the book explore a range of topics—from housing to climate change—across diverse African cities. Contributing authors sharing: Blessing Mberu, Senior Research Scientist and the head of population dynamics and urbanization, African Population and Health Research Center; Dina Machuve, Co-Founder and CTO, DevData Analytics; Jane Weru, Executive Director, Akiba Mashinani Trust; Deo Okure, Head of Research & Global Partnerships, AirQo; Elizabeth Bakibinga, Legal Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, UK
October 28, 2025 at 7:29 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
We’re excited to introduce our new Postdoctoral Research Associate, Josh Lown! Building on his work in East Boston, he aims to develop a green gentrification toolkit for activists and advocates to use in creating more green spaces while minimizing displacement.

Q&A🔗 www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/09/...
September 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
🔖🥳 We’re excited to share our 2025 Annual Report!

We deepened our role as an interdisciplinary hub for urbanists, bridging research and practice and expanding connections with partners locally, nationally, and globally.

Read the report: drive.google.com/file/d/1Ok_8...
Cover of the 2025 Boston University Initiative on Cities Annual Report
September 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Developing Place-Based Learning Opportunities to Support Climate Change Education in Somerville Public Schools

PI: @eveimanz.bsky.social, Associate Professor of Science Education, @buwheelock.bsky.social

Co-PIs: Genelle Diaz-Silveira & Angel Osorio Pizarro, Ph.D. Students, Wheelock College
May 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Occupational Heat & Cooling Strategies: A Pilot Study

PI: @mscammell.bsky.social, Associate Professor of Environmental Health, @busph.bsky.social

Co-PIs: @patriciafabian.bsky.social, Associate Professor of Environmental Health, SPH; @jonylee.bsky.social, Ph.D. Student, Environmental Health
May 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Heat, Health, and Hurricanes: Urban Resilience versus the Long Mortality Shadow of Cooling Disruptions

PI: Ian Sue Wing, Professor, @buearth.bsky.social

Co-PIs: Jiahang He, Ph.D. Student, Earth and Environment; ‪‪@suzannasumkhuu.bsky.social‬‬, Ph.D. Student, Earth and Environment
May 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
We're proud to announce the 2025 recipients of our 11th request for proposals for 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.

🔗 www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/05/...
May 28, 2025 at 8:02 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
The Initiative on Cities proudly celebrates our External Advisory Board member, Dominic Moulden, for receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Boston University’s 2025 Commencement!

🔗 www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/05/...
May 18, 2025 at 2:40 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
• Julia Wagner | Postdoctoral Associate, Earth and Environment
• Shannon Whittaker | Postdoctoral Associate, CISS
• @nigreaux.bsky.social | Assistant Professor of Macro Practice
• @marydwillis.bsky.social | Assistant Professor of Epidemiology
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
• Ian Smith | Research Scientist, Earth and Environment
• Keith Spangler | Clinical Assistant Professor of Health Sciences
• Amanda Tarullo | Associate Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences
• Kathryn Thompson | Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
• @mollyrichard.bsky.social | Postdoctoral Associate, Center for Innovation in Social Science
• Kaila Rudolph | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
• Emily Ryan | Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
• Sylvia Shangani | Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
• Kevin Lane | Associate Professor of Environmental Health
• PhuongThao Le | Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences
• Jessica Leibler | Assistant Professor of Environmental Health
• Rachel Oblath | Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
• Jacob Brown | Assistant Professor of Political Science
• Bahar Erbas | Senior Lecturer of Economics
• Patrick Kinney | Beverly A. Brown Professor for the Improvement of Urban Health, Environmental Health
• Kipruto Kirwa | Assistant Professor of Environmental Health
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
We’re thrilled to announce the Initiative on Cities 2025 Public Impact Scholars cohort! This year, 20 BU researchers will take part in a multi-day workshop (happening next week!) to equip them with skills to translate their research into meaningful policy and societal impact.

See scholars below ⬇️
May 13, 2025 at 10:09 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Hear past summer interns/fellows talk about their experiences working in the City of Boston!

Any additional funds raised will be used to expand our MetroBridge public service experiential learning program, student research, and future internship programs.

Give Today: give.bu.edu/schools/Bost...
April 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
To friends, BU alumni, students, and supporters of the IOC, make a gift this Giving Day to make a difference for the next generation of civic leaders!

Your gift will help support our summer student interns and fellows' housing up to our goal of $3,200.

Give Today: give.bu.edu/schools/Bost...
April 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Make a gift today for the civic leaders of tomorrow! Chip in today: give.bu.edu/schools/Bost...

Your gift will help support our summer student interns and fellows' summer housing up to our goal of $3,200.

We're halfway there, and a gift as little as $5 goes a long way in helping students succeed!
April 8, 2025 at 5:38 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Join the IOC, Children's HealthWatch, and End Poverty in California (EPIC) for a special film screening of Poverty & Power, followed by a panel discussion, Q&A, and a reception.

When: April 24, 2025 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM ET
Where: 610 Commonwealth Avenue, RKC 101

🔗 www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/03/...
Join the Initiative on Cities, Children's HealthWatch, and End Poverty in California (EPIC) for a special film screening of Poverty & Power, followed by a panel discussion, Q&A, and a reception. When: April 24, 2025 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM ET Where: 610 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 101 (Eichenbaum Colloquium Room) Directed by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, Poverty & Power is the story of what happens when you bring people with lived experience — their voices, ideas, and aspirations — to the halls of power.
March 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Join us for a special lunch seminar featuring @madalinamez.bsky.social of @liser.lu on Luxembourg's housing crisis, multinational gentrification, and "domino displacement.”

When: April 10, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM ET
Where: Initiative on Cities, 75 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215 [Open to Public]
March 25, 2025 at 1:41 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Recently, @buoncities.bsky.social affiliates @mollyrichard.bsky.social (@buciss.bsky.social) and @kentoncard.bsky.social (IOC Visiting Urban Scholar & @curaumn.bsky.social) prominently shared their work on housing and good/just cause eviction protections in the U.S.

🔗 www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/03/...
Recently, Boston University Initiative on Cities affiliates Dr. Molly Richard, a Postdoctoral Scholar at Boston University’s Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS), and Dr. Kenton Card, an IOC Visiting Urban Scholar and current Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, University of Minnesota (CURA), prominently shared their insights and research on housing and “good cause” or “just cause” eviction protections in the United States through different platforms. Both made the case that passing new tenant protection legislation across the country had major benefits for renting families, reducing evictions and homelessness, and did not come at the expense of housing production. 🏘️ On February 24, 2025, Dr. Richard testified as an expert panelist for Rhode Island’s Special Legislative Commission to Study and Provide Recommendations to Update and Clarify the “Residential Landlord and Tenant Act” on good/just cause eviction protection laws (citing Dr. Card and colleagues' research) and the causes of and solutions to homelessness. 📄 On March 3, 2025, Dr. Card, in collaboration with Evan A. Davis (CURA), Edward Goetz (CURA), and Jeremy Schwartz (Loyola University Maryland), published a report and op-ed with evidence that good/just cause eviction protections do not harm housing production and supply. Learn more about Dr. Richard and Dr. Card's activities: https://www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/03/14/ioc-affiliates-published-and-presented-research-on-housing-and-eviction-protections/
March 15, 2025 at 2:14 AM
buoncities.bsky.social
ICYMI: We’re proud to announce that IOC Director @lorettaclees.bsky.social will receive @geographers.bsky.social’s 2025 E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Award and the 2025 Contribution to the Field of Urban Affairs Award from @uaanews.bsky.social!

Congratulations, Director Lees!
ICYMI: We’re proud to announce that Director Loretta Lees will receive the American Association of Geographers’ 2025 E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Award and the 2025 Contribution to the Field of Urban Affairs Award from the Urban Affairs Association (UAA) in recognition for her years of groundbreaking international collaborative and multidisciplinary research, mentorship, and working with and in communities as a scholar-activist. Congratulations, Director Lees!
March 11, 2025 at 4:36 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Jonathan is a Coalition Partner on a City of Boston initiative for Beacon Park Yard, the new neighborhood to be developed at the Allston Interchange. He combines his planning interests and background with his doctoral research on urban heat and its impacts on health in vulnerable communities.
March 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
🌱📏 🌡️ In our latest #BUandBoston, we caught up with @jonylee.bsky.social, an Environmental Health and @bu-urban.bsky.social second year Ph.D. candidate interested in urban planning and design impact health.

Learn more about Jonathan’s interests and research: www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/03/...
March 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
We're excited to announce Pinar Çobanyilmaz as the Initiative on Cities Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar! She is currently researching urban and rural climate resiliency measures and management after forest fires.

Learn more about Pinar on our website: www.bu.edu/ioc/2025/02/...
We’re excited to announce Pinar Çobanyilmaz as the Initiative on Cities Visiting Postdoctoral Scholar. She is a Turkish urban scholar who is currently researching urban and rural climate resiliency measures and management after forest fires. Her academic research areas include climate change and urban resilience, the right to the city, urban conflicts, the politics of urban space, mega projects and urban regeneration, and planning theories. Dr. Çobanyilmaz received an undergraduate and a master’s degree from Gazi University’s Department of City and Regional Planning, focused on climate resiliency measures taken by the University. She worked as a research assistant and received her doctorate in Urban Planning from Middle East Technical University. Her doctoral dissertation focused on Urban Social Movements and the Production of Urban Space. After earning her doctoral degree, she worked as a Program Coordinator at the Institute of Urban Studies. She contributed to academic studies and led projects primarily focusing on local governments. Notably, she executed the Handbooks for Local Governments project, which involved broad participation from government institutions, academia, civil society organizations, and experts. She co-authored The Right to the City Handbook for Local Governments and Safety on the Axis of Climate Change for the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Additionally, she played an active role in organizing a series of conferences on various urban issues. As an Urban and Regional Development Advisor, Pinar continued her professional career at the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH. Beyond her institutional experience, Pinar has maintained freelance consultancy work and pursued independent academic studies in her field.
February 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
buoncities.bsky.social
Join the IOC and the @bostonu.bsky.social City Planning & Urban Affairs Program on March 6, 2025, from 4-5:30 PM at 75 Bay State Road for a panel discussion on how innovations in infrastructure delivery, AI, electrification, and autonomy impact our built environment.

🔗 www.bu.edu/ioc/2024/11/...
Join the Boston University Initiative on Cities and the City Planning & Urban Affairs Program on March 6, 2025, from 4-5:30 PM at 75 Bay State Road for a panel discussion on how innovations and the latest in infrastructure delivery, materials, AI, electrification, data, and autonomy impact our built environment. The panel will delve into private and public sector approaches — and differences — to new technological advances and how to proactively engage with interactive opportunities for research and development in cities. Jamey Tesler, Executive Director of Mass Mobility Hub, and Paul Lam, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Finance of BOT.Auto will join the panel. Register for the event on our website: https://www.bu.edu/ioc/2024/11/01/accelerating-change-in-the-mobility-sector-trends-cutting-edge-technology-and-how-cities-can-proactively-engage-and-participate/
February 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM