Urban Issues Hub

Bringing Together Research, Policy, Practice, and Leadership for Cities in Transition

Cities are where the world’s biggest challenges and greatest opportunities converge. Housing affordability, homelessness, transportation systems, climate resilience, infrastructure, governance, and economic mobility are deeply interconnected issues that demand interdisciplinary solutions.

At the USC Price School, experts and students across urban planning, public policy, real estate, transportation, and governance are working to shape more equitable, sustainable, and resilient communities at home and abroad.

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Homelessness and Housing Security

Transportation and Mobility

Metropolitan Governance

Climate, Infrastructure, and Urban Resilience

The Urban Challenges Defining Our Era

Housing Security

Los Angeles and cities around the world face growing pressure to expand housing supply, preserve affordability, and create inclusive neighborhoods. USC Price faculty, students, and researchers study housing production, zoning reform, tenant protections, land use policy, and equitable development strategies.

The USC Price School is home to nationally recognized expertise on homelessness policy, supportive housing, public systems coordination, and service delivery. Faculty collaborate with government agencies, nonprofits, and civic leaders to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Transportation and Mobility

From public transit and active transportation to emerging mobility technologies and infrastructure investment, USC Price graduates, research centers, and expert faculty are shaping the future of urban movement. The school’s transportation programs explore accessibility, sustainability, congestion reduction, and transit-oriented development.

Metropolitan Governance

Cities don’t operate in isolation. USC Price examines how regional governance, local government leadership, public finance, and interagency collaboration influence economic growth, infrastructure, and quality of life across metropolitan regions.

Climate, Infrastructure, and Urban Resilience

Urban resilience requires preparing communities for climate change, environmental risks, and infrastructure challenges. USC Price faculty, students, and researchers work on sustainability, resilience planning, energy systems, and long-term strategies for adaptable cities.

In Focus View All

Get to know the USC Price School’s new department chairs

The Price School regularly rotates its department chairs, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to support faculty, mentor students and develop academic programs.

• Health Policy and Management
• Public Policy and Administration
• Urban Planning

Featured Faculty: Elizabeth Graddy, Geoff Boeing, Rosalie Pacula

Trump administration relied on flawed analysis to justify vehicle emissions rollback, study finds

Featured Faculty: Antonio M. Bento

Price center brings together military, civilian leaders to bolster national defense

Featured Faculty: Frank V. Zerunyan

Featured Faculty

David Sloane

Professor Emeritus

Jeffery A. Jenkins

Provost Professor of Public Policy, Political Science, and Law

Maria B. Crutcher Professor of Citizenship and Democratic Values

Director, PIPE Collaborative

Wändi Bruine de Bruin

Provost Professor of Public Policy, Psychology, and Behavioral Science

Director, Behavioral Science and Policy Initiative, USC Schaeffer Institute

Director of Research, Center for Civic Society, USC Schaeffer Institute

Policy Impact and Community Engagement

USC Price’s work extends beyond the classroom and into communities, government agencies, and policy conversations.

How USC Price Engages Cities

• Applied research partnerships
• Public policy convenings
• Community collaboration
• Technical assistance and consulting
• Government advisory work
• Data-informed policy evaluation

Faculty, students, researchers, and alums contribute to local, national, and global conversations about how cities can become more equitable, resilient, and sustainable.

Stories of Engagement

USC Price grad has inspected every LA Metro station

MUP grad Ashley Espinosa spent summer 2023 inspecting Metro stations and parking lots for the agency, where she’s an administrative intern. Her reports were used by the Metro Transit Court to determine if riders were responsible for transit and parking violations.

MPAOL Capstone Research Shows ‘Safe Parking’ Can Help Homeless

Three USC Price Master of Public Administration online graduates – Laila Waheed, Lindsay McElwain, and Daniel Schiele – were given the Haynes Award for their capstone project researching the efficacy of safe parking zones.

USC Price grads help California city electrify vehicle fleet

MPA students identified ways to electrify Rancho Cucamonga’s fleet to cut emissions, save money, and comply with state climate regulations.

Learning in Los Angeles

Located in Los Angeles, USC Price offers students direct access to one of the world’s most dynamic urban regions. Students engage with:

• Local government agencies
• Transportation authorities
• Housing organizations
• Community-based nonprofits
• Regional planning organizations
• Public-private partnerships

Through internships, research projects, studios, and applied coursework, students gain hands-on experience solving real urban challenges.

Fight On! In Los Angeles