Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University

Uniting Harvard faculty expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Harvard research + relevance for cities = the center newsletter. 📬Subscribe to get occasional event invitations, career & student opportunities, the latest research and free resources for leadership and public management, and more: https://t.co/55IewHWj72.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

What does it take to transform a city at scale? At #CityLab2026, former Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo joined Bloomberg Center for Cities Director Jorrit de Jong to share how bold ambition and visible neighborhood wins helped reshape Paris around people, not cars.

From reclaiming the Seine to creating safer “streets for schools,” Hidalgo reflected on the political, financial, and community-building work behind lasting urban change and why mayors must pair transformative vision with improvements residents can see and feel every day.

Read more of their conversation: https://t.co/C8uzeiSZ0O

[Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative @BHcityleaders]

Introducing the 2026 Bloomberg Harvard Summer Fellows—our largest cohort to date!

Selected from 144 applicants across seven @Harvard schools, Fellows will spend the summer working directly with city leaders in the U.S. and internationally to advance priority projects and strengthen government performance. This year's Fellows represent @HarvardGSD, @hgse, @Kennedy_School, and @HarvardChanSPH.

Excited to see the impact of these accomplished graduate students as they apply their skills and contribute to meaningful progress for residents in cities around the globe.

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Fellows! 👏 Learn more about the Fellows: https://t.co/6yQcZ11pTv.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

We’re growing our communications team at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at @Harvard University! We're looking for a Social Media and Digital Storytelling Strategist to help shape how we tell stories about cities, leadership, and impact.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and creativity, from developing social campaigns and creating short-form video to translating research and policy ideas into engaging digital content for global audiences.

If you’re deeply plugged into digital culture, excited about visual storytelling, and passionate about elevating the work of city leaders and researchers, we’d love to hear from you. Please share with anyone who may be a great fit: https://t.co/L6GA73kLxx.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

From climate change to migration and inequality, global pressures are increasingly shaping the realities of local leadership. As part of Global Mayors at Harvard Day, mayors from @AlexandriaVAGov, @CityofJoburgZA, and @cityoftucson shared how they're navigating these challenges at a @HarvardIOP Forum event.

While cities may not control issues like extreme heat or housing strain due to population growth, they are often on the front lines of responding.

Read more or watch the event recording to learn how Mayor @Alyia4ALX, Mayor @DadaMorero, and Mayor @TucsonRomero are advancing progress: https://t.co/LnQUXipM6b

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

We welcomed mayoral chiefs of staff to @Harvard this week for the Project on Municipal Innovation, hosted by @DataSmartCities and directed by @GoldsmithOnGov.

Representing some of the largest U.S. cities, these leaders play a critical role in turning mayoral priorities into action. The convening creates space for them to step back, compare notes, and work collectively on some of the most pressing challenges cities face today.

Participants engaged deeply on strategies to manage rising cost pressures, expand access to affordable housing, and respond to a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Through discussions and peer exchange, they surfaced what's working, where barriers remain, and how data and evidence can drive smarter, more equitable decisions.

By connecting leaders who are often tackling similar problems in parallel, the Project on Municipal Innovation helps accelerate the spread of effective ideas. Excited to see the insights and collaborations from this convening translate into real-world impact in communities across the country.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

"We can solve [homelessness] if we have everybody in this room...especially our political leaders, our mayors, stepping up and taking charge of this crisis that is growing by the day." - @DrHowardKoh of @HarvardChanSPH.

At a Bloomberg Center for Cities event, Mayors @FarrellPatrickJ (@huntingtoncity), Kaarin Knudson (@cityofeugene), and @Monichols (@cityoftulsagov) came together at @Harvard to share how they have made progress in their cities, including launching a public safety dashboard, shortening wait times for people looking to match with a social worker, and increasing quality data collection to address homelessness. Read more in the Harvard Gazette: https://t.co/tzZozhXPWN.

[Harvard Kennedy School @Kennedy_School]

The @CenterforCities Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative bring 45 mayors from 16 countries to the HKS campus to discuss initiatives with faculty, share ideas, and talk to constituents https://t.co/G2OTomxwCb

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

From ancient Athens to today’s cities, what does it take to build trust in democracy?

At the Bloomberg Center for Cities, @dsallentess of @Kennedy_School joined Mayors @BarbaraLee_CA, @h_doukas, and Lily Wu to explore how local leaders are driving “democratic innovations” from open assemblies to community engagement and visible neighborhood improvements.

Read more about the conversation, part of the Center's Global Mayors at @Harvard day: https://t.co/LpdrCSyaaB

[Harvard Kennedy School @Kennedy_School]

Mayor @BarbaraLee_CA, Mayor @h_doukas, and Mayor Lily Wu joined HKS's Danielle Allen for a conversation on building democracy at the local level at @CenterforCities https://t.co/AufY21dkgT

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Democracy is in decline globally—and business leaders have a critical role to play in reversing that trend.

In a new article for @mitsmr, Center faculty affiliates @hellomattlee and @julie_battilana (@Kennedy_School & @HarvardHBS), with co-authors, examine why protecting democratic institutions is not just a civic responsibility, but a strategic imperative for business.

Drawing on research and global data, they outline what’s at stake for economies and societies—and why leaders are uniquely positioned to help counter rising authoritarianism.
Read the article: https://t.co/LCqAUKAsV1

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

What does it take to lead a city?

The Bloomberg Center for Cities hosted a reception connecting @Harvard students from across the University with mayors from their home cities—creating a powerful space for conversation, connection, and inspiration.

These moments are central to our work: building a talent pipeline between Harvard and city halls around the world by giving students direct access to leaders on the front lines of public service. Students engaged with mayors on the realities of governing, the challenges cities face, and the skills needed to lead effectively.

We’re especially grateful to the mayors for taking the time to share their experiences and for inspiring the next generation of leaders to pursue careers in local government.

➡️ Read more about the evening and its impact on the future generation of city leaders in the @Kennedy_School article: https://t.co/O6ygEU0bR4.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

One thing Chattanooga, Tennessee and Lusaka, Zambia have in common is that their mayors transformed their city hall by using data, innovation, and collaboration.

At Bloomberg CityLab 2026, we joined @MikeBloomberg, @PattiHarris, @JamesAnderson, and dozens of alumni of the Bloomberg sponsored city leadership programs. We enjoyed reconnecting with our alumni mayors and hearing how they continue to make a difference for residents by improving their quality of life.

@BloombergDotOrg @AspenInstitute #CityLabMadrid

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Sharing ideas across cities—and learning from one another—is essential to urban innovation.

We’re thrilled to be part of Bloomberg CityLab 2026 and to connect with mayors, senior officials, and innovation leaders from around the world.

Few people have invested more in city governments globally than @mikebloomberg. He set the tone for the twelfth edition of CityLab in Madrid, inspiring more than 1,000 leaders at the opening.

We’re looking forward to learning more about the challenges they are facing and the emerging solutions they are pioneering.

Tune in to the conversation: https://t.co/PAaQjAtLpg
#CityLabMadrid

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Mayors from around the world marked a major milestone with @BHcityleaders last week: bringing their time in the classroom to a close and carrying that work forward in their communities.

Over nine months, leaders from 45 cities across 16 countries have built new skills, tested ideas, and strengthened their teams. For the first time, they came together on @Harvard’s campus to combine intensive classroom sessions with opportunities to engage directly with Harvard faculty, students, and the public.

Mayors reflected on their growth and learned from one another through peer exchange and faculty-led discussions, culminating in a graduation ceremony to celebrate their participation in the Initiative.

We are grateful to Dean Jeremy Weinstein of @Kennedy_School and Dean Srikant Datar of @HarvardHBS for their collaboration and for joining us to recognize this milestone.

As alumni, the mayors will remain part of a global Bloomberg Harvard network of city leaders committed to continued collaboration and delivering impact for residents.

[Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative @BHcityleaders]

City leaders know tackling the toughest social challenges often requires the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to join forces. But how do you make it work in practice?

Our new Action Insights offers practical guidance for every step of the collaboration journey, distilled from four peer-reviewed studies in Public Performance & Management Review, @PMReview_, @JABS_Journal, and Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory.

Learn how to:
✅ Design partnerships deliberately
✅ Choose actionable entry points
✅ Respond to setbacks with mutual learning
✅ Build long-term collaborative capacity

Download and share the PDF for free: https://t.co/thl3fCIITo.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Over the past three days at @Harvard, mayors came together for reflection, discussion, and exchange as part of @BHcityleaders.

Conversations centered on progress—how priorities have taken shape over time, what it takes to move them forward, and how city hall teams can be strengthened to support that work.

Across yesterday's public sessions on democracy, homelessness, support for children and families, and infrastructure, mayors shared how they're approaching issues in their own communities while exchanging perspectives with audience members.

Together, more than 1,200 people joined the events in person or online, and more than 70 students met their hometown mayors at the Center yesterday. These discussions created space to explore how local governments are working to be more responsive, collaborative, and effective in delivering results for residents.

Stay tuned for more reflections and highlights from this special week of global mayors at Harvard.

Thank you to the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, The EdRedesign Lab @hgse, @HarvardWCFIA, @HarvardChanSPH, the Initiative on Health and Homelessness (IHH), and the Harvard Urban Health Initiative for co-sponsoring yesterday's City Hall Dialogue events.

[Institute of Politics @HarvardIOP]

The JFK Jr. Forum & @CenterforCities hosted Mayor Alyia Gaskins (Alexandria, VA), Mayor Dada Morero (Johannesburg, South Africa), & Mayor Regina Romero (Tucson, AZ) to explore how mayors are positioning their cities in an interconnected world.

Watch now: https://t.co/sUujNqpJ7b

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Mayors from 45 cities across 16 countries gathered at @Harvard yesterday to reconnect, reflect, and learn from one another as part of @BHcityleaders.

The first day of the convening focused on taking stock of the past year—how their approaches to leadership have evolved, the challenges they’ve navigated, and the ways they are working to deliver results for residents. Through classroom sessions and peer exchange, mayors shared perspectives, compared experiences, and explored how they are applying new ideas in their cities.

Over the coming days, the group will continue engaging with Harvard faculty, students, and fellow city leaders—building on these conversations and deepening connections across cities.

Register to attend public events where you can engage with mayors in person (for Harvard community members) or virtually: https://t.co/sE3JpuTFZ5.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Today: mayors from around the world arrived at @Harvard, where they'll share takeaways with faculty and students. Join the conversation virtually or in-person on the Harvard campus this week: https://t.co/Z6nXEkGGAk.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

Strong city leadership shapes how people live every day. The mayors who are part of the 2026 class of @BHcityleaders collectively represent 35 million residents across 16 countries. Join us virtually or across @Harvard's campus next week to learn how they're translating program learnings into results for their communities: https://t.co/sE3JpuTFZ5.

[Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University @CenterforCities]

🎓@Harvard students: curious about making a real impact, but not sure where to start?
Join us and the @Kennedy_School Office of Career Advancement for the Harvard State & Local Government Career Expo to explore opportunities in public service.
📆 Friday, April 17, 2026 | 11:45 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
📍Wexner Commons, Harvard Kennedy School
Open to all Harvard graduate students, undergraduate students, alumni, research fellows, and guest/reciprocal students.
👉 Learn more and register: https://t.co/g8utY2CxaF.