Innovative Ideas. Independent Policy.

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  Impact - April 2025

  “The think tank quietly influencing NY’s top officials”

  On April 3, Crain's New York Business published an in-depth profile of the Center for an Urban Future (CUF), titled “The think tank quietly influencing New York’s top officials.” The article spotlights how CUF’s research has quietly but powerfully shaped policy initiatives and public investments over the years—from bolstering the tech and design sectors to increasing funding for libraries, supporting entrepreneurs, and expanding access to higher education.
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  Report - April 2025

  Expanding Concession Opportunities in NYC’s Parks

  A modest expansion of parks concessions could provide a much-needed source of new dedicated revenue for New York's parks at a time when city funding has failed to keep pace with their growing maintenance needs. Today, there are surprisingly few restaurants, cafes, and other destination-worthy concessions in parks, but where they do exist, they invariably enhance the experience of parkgoers.
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  Report - March 2025

  5 Ideas for Retaining NYC’s Young Families

  New York’s enduring appeal to young adults remains one of the city’s greatest strengths—and in today’s talent-based economy, it presents a massive opportunity to set the city up for years of future economic success. But to fully capitalize on this opportunity, city policymakers need to take concrete steps to make sure New York can do far better in holding onto young people as they age into their thirties and start families.
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  Report - March 2025

  New York City’s Green Economy Opportunity

  A flourishing green economy may be the best chance in a generation to expand access to well-paying career opportunities, especially for New Yorkers of color and individuals from low-income communities. While there has been job growth in several parts of the green economy in recent years, our research suggests that New York City’s green economy is not yet close to fully charged.
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  Report - February 2025

  The Emerging Financial Security Crisis Facing Older Adults Across New York State

  Over the past decade, the number of older New Yorkers living in poverty has surged nearly 50 percent, nearly half of the state’s older adults report having no retirement income, and hundreds of thousands lack access to Social Security benefits. This report examines the alarming financial challenges facing New York’s rapidly growing older population and outlines urgent policy solutions to address this crisis.