Penn IUR endeavors to build new knowledge bases by which the processes of urban life can be better understood and to transfer this knowledge to scholars, policy-makers, and the public. To this end, Penn IUR hosts a number of special events each year. These events range from small, focused workshops to extensive conferences of national impact.

Penn IUR's events cover a wide range of urban topics. Past events have focused on urban growth and development, disaster management and recovery, race and social justice, urban greening, and urban research methodologies.