UBalt is helping Baltimore bring data, analytics and innovation to our local government.
The University of Baltimore and the city of Baltimore are joining MetroLab Network, a network of 35 city-university partnerships. Members of the network research, develop and deploy technologies and policy approaches to address challenges facing the nation’s urban areas.
In the MetroLab Network, universities serve as research and development arms, and cities serve as test-beds for technologies and policies:
Faculty members and students gain access to real-world laboratories to develop and test tools and programs.
Cities benefit from their technical expertise, leading to solutions that reduce the cost of infrastructure and services, make cities more sustainable and resilient, and improve citizens’ quality of life.
By becoming members of MetroLab Network, Baltimore city and the University of Baltimore have agreed to undertake at least three projects. Johns Hopkins University will join UBalt as part of Baltimore’s MetroLab representation.
Joint initiatives between the city government and UBalt under consideration include:
Expanded CitiStat Program: UBalt will work with city officials to increase the capabilities and usability of the city’s CitiStat data collection tool to develop a predictive analytics capability. This project will also involve Johns Hopkins University.
Urban Waters Mitigation Project: In partnership with the city's Department of Public Works, UBalt will extend its work in the Lower Jones Falls, started in 2015 with an Environmental Protection Agency grant, to use a DNA-based technique to determine sources of pollution in these urban waters.
Baltimore Cultural Resources Acquisition Project: Working with the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation, UBalt will support efforts to establish and maintain an Inventory of Historical Places. This inventory will identify areas and structures that, while not designated as potential preservation districts or landmarks, are nonetheless historically and architecturally noteworthy.
