Report - September 2026
Unlocking Public-Private Partnerships to Help Support and Strengthen NYC’s ParksNew York has a long history of tapping public-private partnerships to strengthen vital city services and infrastructure. This report argues that it's time for NYC to develop a new generation of public-private partnerships to support the city’s parks, while strengthening existing partnerships. It offers five ideas for doing so.
Event - September 2026
Ideas for Cutting Bureaucratic Hurdles and Getting Things Done in NYCOn September 22nd, the Center for an Urban Future held a policy forum focused on identifying opportunities to reduce outdated and unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles across city government. Speakers advanced ideas for how leaders can make these changes happen.
Report - August 2026
Strengthening CUNY’s Computer Science Faculty to Prepare Students for NYC’s Changing Tech EconomyComputer science enrollment at CUNY has more than doubled over the past decade, but faculty capacity has not kept pace. To bolster this vital pathway to the middle class, policymakers should help CUNY recruit and retain enough faculty with applied expertise and industry experience to equip students with the skills and experiences employers increasingly demand.
Report - August 2026
Harnessing NYC’s Natural AreasNew York City’s 12,000 acres of natural areas can improve public health, strengthen communities, and build climate resilience, yet remain overlooked and underused. Our research suggests that realizing more of that potential may depend on continued investment in staffing and maintenance, stronger awareness and wayfinding, and new approaches to programming, partnerships, and long-term funding.
Report - August 2026
10 Ideas for Expanding Equitable Access to Natural AreasNew York City is teeming with wild spaces. Yet too many New Yorkers remain cut off from these connections—especially in low-income communities. These ten ideas offer policymakers creative and practical options for unlocking the full potential of the city’s natural areas.
Event - July 2026
Leveraging Affordable Housing to Advance Economic Mobility in NYCOn July 15th, the Center for an Urban Future held our third annual NYC Economic Mobility Summit to explore the important, but often overlooked, connection between housing and economic mobility.
