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NEW: 'Civic infrastructure in Gateway Cities' published in latest issue of MassBenchmarks
Welcome to the website of the Urban Initiative, an effort that aims to strengthen our nearby cities by conducting research, building the capacity of our community partners, and facilitating an informed conversation about urban policy. Here you can learn about what we do and why we do it, how UMass Dartmouth students are and can become involved in our work, read reports we've issued, get in touch, and stay updated on our work at the university and in the community. Our most dynamic content can be found on our blog and in our newsletter, so be sure to subscribe to both!
Mission
The Urban Initiative's mission is to address challenges and opportunities in the region’s smaller industrial cities, with a particular emphasis on strengthening our nearby communities like Fall River and New Bedford. In addition to conducting applied research, evaluating programs and policies, facilitating collaborations, and providing technical assistance to cities and organizations therein, the Urban Initiative serves as a knowledge base for urban policy issues and their applications in the region.
Scope of Services
The Urban Initiative works with a diverse array of stakeholders to address their needs for information and support. Past and prospective partners include municipalities, school districts, state and local public agencies, nonprofits, private organizations, coalitions and associations, and citizen groups. The Urban Initiative's activities include:
Conducting applied research, determining how urban policy plays out in real scenarios or settings;
Evaluating programs and policies to determine the impact they have on target audiences;
Fostering partnerships and collaborations across sectors and disciplines to encourage coordinated, strengths-based problem solving;
Making information, news, and data related to urban policy more accessible and useful to stakeholders in the region;
Providing a range of technical assistance to enhance the capacity of local stakeholders;
Convening events and workshops to disseminate skills and information to members of the community; and
Connecting the UMass Dartmouth community to cities like Fall River and New Bedford by engaging students and faculty in research and technical assistance opportunities.
