Mission
The primary goal of the Penn Institute for Urban Research is to build new knowledge bases by which the dynamic processes of urban life can be better understood and to transfer this knowledge through a strong dissemination function. To achieve this end, the Penn Institute for Urban Research endeavors to:
- Provide a focus for the integration and coordination of new and existing research, educational, and administrative urban initiatives.
- Convene the relevant faculty from across the campus to share information, resources, and expertise, and to collaborate on new initiatives related to urbanism.
- Provide a forum for visiting scholars, fellows, undergraduates, graduate students, professionals, lecturers, practitioners, government officials, civic leaders, and ordinary citizens to deepen and enhance their knowledge and understanding of urban problems, experiences, and opportunities.
- Provide a vehicle for bringing urban expertise to bear on and exerting stronger influence upon the formulation of urban policies at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels.