About - Bloomberg Center for Cities

Who we are

Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University is a fast-growing global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The center’s unprecedented cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use.

Building on Harvard faculty research and teaching and Mike Bloomberg’s ongoing commitment to cities—and belief in their ability to drive change around the world—the center is designed to have a widespread impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world.

Catalyzing improvements in cities and the lives of city residents

A professor speaks to a class of city leaders.

Executive Education

We deliver executive education for mayors, senior officials, and local leaders, helping them make city halls more effective, efficient, equitable, responsive, and accountable.

Harvard faculty member, Kimberlyn Leary, writes data on a blackboard of a classroom

Multidisciplinary Research

We pursue multidisciplinary academic research to generate practical knowledge and tools, launching ideas and insights into the world.

Management and Leadership Tools and Resources

We communicate and promote action-inspiring, data-driven trainings, tools, and resources at no cost to people around the world who want to become better managers and leaders.

Female student speaks up in classroom discussion

Student Learning and Growth

We create opportunities for students to work with city leaders on priority projects, gaining experience in local government and honing their analytical and leadership skills.

Chiefs of staff convene at the Project on Municipal Innovation at Harvard, March 2023.

Convenings to Exchange Knowledge

We host virtual and in-person convenings, connecting city government leaders, scholars, students, and others who come to learn and share insights, promoting the broad exchange of knowledge and ideas.