Urban Systems Lab
About Join Us Visit
Resources Publications Annual Reports
Newsroom Blog Medium Video
Urban Systems Lab
 

Advancing science
for livable cities

 
 
fall back.png

Mission

Our mission is to develop systemic solutions to social and environmental challenges driving inequity and injustice in urban areas. To do this, we bring together designers, urban ecologists, scientists, researchers and policymakers with the goal to improve the lives of those most vulnerable, and to enhance decision making and science communication from local to global scales.

mission.png

Our Work

Climate Risk & Resilience

We collaborate with city planners, organizations, and NGOs to provide technical assistance and climate modeling to advance urban adaptation.

Nature-Based Solutions

Partnering with researchers and communities globally, we enhance understanding and implementation of nature-based solutions.

Coproduction & Engagement

Through interdisciplinary methods, we investigate the equity and justice dimensions of urban resilience in cities worldwide.

our work.png

Selected Products

 
 
selected products.png

Impact

The Urban Systems Lab has been a global leader in urban resilience since 2015, partnering with cities, NGOs, and international organizations to develop innovative climate solutions. Our work has directly influenced policy and planning in cities like New York, and contributed to global assessments like the latest IPCC UN Climate Report report to advance equitable and sustainable urban futures.

28
Research
Initiatives
150
Articles &
Publications
10
Tools &
Products
89
Partnerships &
Collaborations
109
Trained Students &
Researchers
impact.png

 Accomplishments

Our work has directly influenced policy and planning in cities across the world.

Featured
Community-Based Technical Assistance and Advocacy
Community-Based Technical Assistance and Advocacy

USL supports communities with tailored modeling and risk assessments to inform equitable climate action—helping Yonkers develop its first Climate Action Plan and guiding flood-health vulnerability work in Milwaukee that spurred state investigation and new mitigation efforts.

Read More →
Advancing Understanding of Nature-Based Solutions through Global Networks
Advancing Understanding of Nature-Based Solutions through Global Networks

As co-leads of the NSF-funded NATURA network, USL is helping build global knowledge on urban nature-based solutions and biodiversity—synthesizing insights from cities worldwide and developing tools like the Global Roadmap for Urban Nature-based solutions.

Read More →
Data-Driven Governance for Urban Climate Resilience
Data-Driven Governance for Urban Climate Resilience

For nearly a decade, USL has partnered with cities like New York, Phoenix, and San Juan to advance equitable climate adaptation—co-developing NYC’s first Flood Vulnerability Index and contributing to the City’s Stormwater Resiliency Plan, Cool Neighborhoods program, and heat emergency response strategies.

Read More →
dashboard.climateiq.org_(HD) (7).png
ClimateIQ: Empowering Cities with Hyperlocal Climate Intelligence

ClimateIQ is revolutionizing the way that city planners, organizations and communities access high resolution climate information to better prepare and plan for resilience to flooding and extreme heat.

Read More →
accomplishments.png

News

Featured
Urban Systems Lab is Moving to NYU

We’re excited to announce that the Urban Systems Lab is moving to a new institutional home at New York University, where we will join the Department of Environmental Studies beginning July 1, 2025.

Read More →
USL is Hiring for Multiple Positions

We’re expanding our team and currently hiring for several new roles. If you’re passionate about climate science, design, data science, or urban resilience, we’d love to hear from you.

Read More →
Urban Systems Lab 2024 Annual Report is live!

The Urban Systems Lab 2024 Annual Report is now live. We invite you to explore our annual report to learn how the USL is helping cities worldwide develop more resilient, sustainable, and just futures in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Read More →
 

Follow Us

LATEST BLOG ARTICLES

news.png