Urban Universities: Anchors Generating Prosperity for America's Cities

Report by Sheila Martin
December 31, 2010

(Inactive) Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies   (Portland)

This paper articulates the value and role of urban universities as anchor institutions and engines of metropolitan success. Founded on their long-term commitment to the metropolitan areas they inhabit, the power of urban universities is magnified by strong collaboration with their traditional partners in government and the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. By expanding the number and scope of these broad-based, robust partnerships—supported by targeted federal investment—urban universities can help lead our cities and metropolitan regions to long-term competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and enduring vitality as healthy, high-quality communities.