Mission

The Urban Systems Lab is an interdisciplinary research, design and practice space at The New School that provides knowledge and analysis for developing more equitable, resilient, and sustainable cities. Our mission is to develop systemic solutions to the social and environmental challenges driving inequity and injustice in cities. We collaborate with researchers, policymakers, designers, and communities to co-create data-driven tools, research, and transformative strategies that strengthen science communication, enhance decision-making, and support urban resilience and adaptation in cities across the world.

Our research aims to reveal how social, ecological, and technological systems (SETS) processes drive everyday experiences in urban areas, leveraging empirical and theoretical approaches as well as data visualization to advance urban systems research and practice. We address a variety of research areas including: urban resilience, climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, urban land use planning, social equity and environmental justice, urban biodiversity and ecosystem services, data visualization and urban data science.

Vision

We envision a future where cities are resilient and adaptive to the challenges of climate change and urbanization. By collaborating with cities, researchers, and community organizations, we leverage cutting-edge science, advanced technologies, and nature-based solutions to co-produce research that informs effective and scalable urban resilience strategies.

Our Work

Team

Join Us

The USL provides opportunities for Postdoctoral Research Fellows, and graduate students to engage in the Lab’s research efforts and substantial academic tasks. Check our opportunities page for up to date calls for applications.

There are no staff openings at the USL currently but students interested in research opportunities should contact us at urbansystemslab@newschool.edu. Please subscribe to our Newsletter and visit our News page to see upcoming postings for jobs and fellowships. Please visit the New School’s Career page for more information.

Opportunities