In the mid-1960s, President Johnson saw the need for independent nonpartisan analysis of the problems facing America's cities and their residents. The President created a blue-ribbon commission of civic leaders who recommended chartering a center to do that work. In 1968, the Urban Institute became that center.
Today, they analyze policies, evaluate programs, and inform community development to improve social, civic, and economic well-being. They work in all 50 states and abroad in over 28 countries, and they share the research findings with policymakers, program administrators, business, academics, and the public online and through reports and scholarly books.
When President Richard Nixon declared a moratorium on subsidized housing construction, Urban Institute scholars were among the first to explore how housing vouchers could address housing needs and support economic advancement among low-income families. Our research provided critical support for the bipartisan consensus that emerged in favor of this market-driven policy. Over the course of three decades, they tracked outcomes for voucher recipients and recommended design and implementation changes to strengthen the performance of the voucher program
CENTER ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE
The Urban Institute Center on International Development and Governance (IDG) promotes economic and democratic development in developing and transition countries around the world. They do this through research, evidence-based technical assistance and capacity building support in areas such as local governance and service delivery, public finance, and other areas of government interaction with citizens.
UI’s Center on International Development and Governance (IDG) is internationally known and respected as a leading knowledge center on international development and governance. Working with central and local government officials, international development agencies, and international financial institutions, the Center provides an objective source of policy analysis on development and governance issues, program design, and project implementation around the world.
PRACTICE AREAS
Decentralization and Local Government Finance
UI experts have extensive expertise in the area of local government finance – ranging from the development of decentralization strategies and the design formula-based intergovernmental transfer systems to the on-the-ground implementation of local taxes and fees.
Governance, Organizational Development and Civil Society Engagement
UI has experience in over 70 developing and transition countries with national and local governments, civil society and private sectors actors to improve performance and accountability in the areas of local governance, public service delivery and local economic development.
Performance Management and Service Delivery
UI experts have extensive expertise in the area of local government finance – ranging from the development of decentralization strategies and the design formula-based intergovernmental transfer systems to the on-the-ground implementation of local taxes and fees.
Urban Governance, Development and Management
UI’s approach to promoting urban governance, development and management is based on knowledge of international best practices in urban governance, local economic development and public asset management and an ability to transfer this experience and make it useful to other governments. They constantly monitor new developments in this area, and have become an internationally recognized institution capable of transferring knowledge and principles of good asset management to governments of all levels.
Housing and Housing Finance
The Urban Institute is at the forefront in addressing international housing and housing finance, including housing policy, mortgage finance, microfinance for housing, and land policy and administration.
