Cities Joining Ranks: Policy Networks on the Rise

On April 23, 2018 in New York City, the Boston University Initiative on Cities, with support from Citi Community Development and The Rockefeller Foundation,  released “Cities Joining Ranks—Policy Networks on the Rise”. This newest report, which draws on data from the 2017 Menino Survey of Mayors as well as new research, offers the first systematic review of US city-to-city policy network activities, their media visibility, perceived value in the eyes of mayors, and membership composition. The report also provides novel insights into city peer groups based on an evaluation of network joining behavior.

Catch up with our AP press release.

Peruse our Key Findings: Cities Joining Ranks Key Findings

Read our full report: Cities Joining Ranks Final Report

Watch the launch of the report below.

News

• May 30, 2018 – Curbed: Climate Mayors: The impact a year after the U.S. left the Paris agreement – According to a new study that examines the growth of city-led, issue-based coalitions, groups like Climate Mayors serve a very important purpose. At Boston University’s Cities Initiative, executive director Katharine Lusk and research fellow Nicolas Gunkel recently co-authored a report, “Cities Joining Ranks,” studying these groups. The report looked at 15 different organizations, 10 focused on environmental issues and one each pertaining to immigrant inclusion, gun violence, violence involving men and boys of color, volunteering, and broadband access.
• May 30, 2018 – The Conversation: Many Republican mayors are advancing climate-friendly policies without saying so – Leadership in addressing climate change in the United States has shifted away from Washington, D.C. Cities across the country are organizing, networking and sharing resources to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and tackle related challenges ranging from air pollution to heat island effects.
• May 9, 2018 – CityMetric: Here’s how city networks can help American cities reduce their carbon footprint – Over the last three years, US mayors have become increasingly convinced that cities should play a strong role in reducing the effects of climate change. Today, two thirds of mayors are willing to expend resources to take action on climate. If the political will exists, the question then becomes: who is offering a roadmap to get there – and what are the next steps?
• May 8, 2018 – GovTech: To Close Gaps at the Federal Level, Cities Are Increasingly Turning to Networking – From climate changes to smart cities, mayors and high-level staff are joining more networks to address pressing issues in their jurisdictions. A new report looks at how mayors and cities have tried to address concerns and fill federal gaps through new networks.