Improving Urban Policy Decision Making

HUD convened an international panel of urban planning experts who will collaborate on a research project using state-of-the art analytical tools to improve urban decision making throughout the world.

1 minute read

November 16, 2000, 7:00 AM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


Joining HUD in the venture, called the "Global Urban Indicators" project, will be the UniversityConsortium for Geographic Information Science, a joint venture between a number of U.S. and foreignuniversities. HUD recently awarded UCGIS a $240,000 grant to help establish and develop thecollaborative venture. The grant is expected to leverage more than $2.6 million in additional funding. The goal of the project is to increase use of geographic information system research as the basis formaking informed policy decisions making. GIS research uses such key indicators as poverty rates,housing starts, rents, and access to safe water in helping make informed decisions. To reach the project's goal, the researchers will develop GIS training materials and data sets for aselect number of urban indicators available on the Internet by the end of the project's first year. Policymakers in the U.S. and developing countries can benefit from these urban indicators for decisionmaking on housing and urban development programs.

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Tuesday, November 14, 2000 in HUD News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

5 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

6 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

7 hours ago - Cities Today