Boston University Initiative on Cities

?? Join us for IGS's FREE Earth Day 2025 event! ?? Registration is now open for our April 10 conversation with Keith O'Brien, acclaimed author of Paradise Falls—a true story of environmental disaster and a community's fight for justice. Moderated by Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba (Boston University School of Public Health), with opening remarks from David Abel (Boston University College of Communication), this discussion will explore topics including environmental justice and activism, community health, and science writing. O’Brien will be signing books, plus enjoy light refreshments and networking. RSVP: https://lnkd.in/dB2KCvTn #EarthDay365 This event is hosted by IGS and co-sponsored by the Boston University College of Communication and its new Center on Media Innovation for Social Impact, and the Boston University Initiative on Cities. Promotional partners include the Center for Innovation in Social Science, the Boston University School of Public Health, and the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS) Program.

In our latest #BUandBoston, we caught up with BU URBAN and Earth & Environment Ph.D. student Leeza Moldavchuk, who aims to bridge the gaps collaboratively through interdisciplinary research institutes to better understand cities' urban heat monitoring and modeling data needs. You can read more about Leeza's work and insights on collaboration with climate models, data, and contexts: https://lnkd.in/ehxqMFDN

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://lnkd.in/e2KhyTFi

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://lnkd.in/e2KhyTFi

On Monday, March 17, the Initiative on Cities and the Department of Sociology will host an Urban Inequalities presentation at the IOC (75 Bay State Road) from 12-1:30 PM. Yasemin Girgin, a Ph.D. student at Boston University, will share her paper “Symbolic Annexations: The Politics of Gentrification and Cultural Contestation in Istanbul’s Cosmopolitan Neighborhoods,” which investigates the state-driven gentrification of Beyo?lu and ?i?li, serving political Islamist goals, through economic incentives, regulatory barriers, and cultural erasures. Building on previous work on symbolic politics, it theorizes the gentrification in these neighborhoods as symbolic annexation, a process wherein states deploy urban space to redefine legitimacy and belonging. ?? Free lunch will be provided. ?? All are welcome. If you'd like to attend, RSVP to Andrew Ward ([email protected])

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!

???? ??? In our latest?#BUandBoston, we caught up with Jonathan Lee, an Environmental Health and BU URBAN second year Ph.D. candidate interested in urban planning and design impact health. He is currently a Coalition Partner on a City of Boston - Planning Department initiative for Beacon Park Yard, the new neighborhood to be developed at the Allston Interchange in conjunction with a planned overhaul of the highway in Allston. He combines his planning interests with his doctoral research on urban heat and its impacts on health in vulnerable communities. Learn more about Jonathan’s interests and research in urban planning, health, and heat by swiping right or visit this link to read the entire #BUandBoston feature: https://lnkd.in/eHMsrs8C

We're excited to announce Pinar ?obanyilmaz 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. Learn more about Pinar on our website: https://lnkd.in/dwTFwM2G

Excited to collaborate with Jamey Tesler, Executive Director of Mass Mobility Hub, at the Boston University Initiative on Cities and the Boston University City Planning & Urban Affairs Program. Join us for a panel discussion delving into the impact of innovations in infrastructure delivery, materials, AI, electrification, data, and autonomy on our built environment. We will explore both private and public sector approaches, highlighting the differences in embracing new technological advancements. Let's actively engage in interactive opportunities for research and development within cities. Learn more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/eeeu7Wp7

We're branching out! ?? You can now find us on Bluesky ?? ?? — join the conversation and stay connected with our updates there. ?? https://lnkd.in/ecmcsqfG #Bluesky