City of Baltimore and University of Baltimore Join MetroLab Network
May 3, 2016
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
The University of Baltimore and the City of Baltimore are joining MetroLab Network, a network of 35 city-university partnerships focused on bringing data, analytics and innovation to local government. Members of the network research, develop, and deploy technologies and policy approaches to address challenges facing the nation's urban areas. MetroLab Network was launched by 21 founding city-university pairings in September 2015 at the White House as part of the Obama Administration's Smart Cities Initiative. Johns Hopkins University is also part of the new expanded network and will join UB as part of Baltimore’s MetroLab representation.
MetroLab Network's city-university partnerships are relationships in which the university serves as a research and development arm, and the city serves as a test-bed for technologies and policies. Faculty members and students gain access to real-world laboratories to develop and test tools and programs that utilize information technology, data analytics, sensing, and more. 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.
"As Baltimore continues to grow, change and improve to become a truly great 21st century American city, our colleges and universities must reflect and, indeed, drive that evolution," said Kurt L. Schmoke, president of the University of Baltimore. "UB's joining of the MetroLab Network is powerful evidence that this is happening, and we're proud to join with the city in leading the way."
Darlene Smith, the University's provost and executive vice president, said, "The University of Baltimore is for Baltimore, and our engagement in MetroLab is indicative of our faculty and students’ engagement in the city and our focus on applied, practical, results-oriented education."
MetroLab Network members are working on more than 100 "research, development, and deployment" projects with broad impact on areas such as improving transportation and water systems, reducing the energy footprint in cities, advancing health and public safety goals, and many more.
MetroLab Network connects these city-university partnerships via a national, collaborative platform that will facilitate the sharing of information and the scaling of technology and solutions across the country.
By becoming members of MetroLab Network, the City of Baltimore and the University of Baltimore have signed a memorandum of understanding and agreed to undertake at least three research, development, and deployment projects. Joint initiatives between the city government and UB under consideration include:
- Expanded CitiStat Program: UB will work with city officials to increase the capabilities and usability of the city’s CitiStat data collection tool, in order to develop a predictive analytics capability. This project will also involve Johns Hopkins University.
- Urban Waters Mitigation Project: In partnership with the city Department of Public Works, UB 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, UB 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.
Christine Spencer, interim dean of the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences (one of UB's four schools and colleges), said the University's MetroLab-related research projects will be applied to student learning and experiences.
"A hallmark of the UB experience is getting students into the community to extend their knowledge and improve our city," Spencer said. "The Metrolab Network will provide UB students with even more opportunities to be involved, from tracking the source of pollutants in the Lower Jones Falls to identifying important historical landmarks that have fallen from view or into disrepair."
From May 9-11, representatives from Baltimore City government and the University will participate in MetroLab Network’s Spring Summit, hosted by the City of San Diego and the University of California, San Diego with support from Clean Tech San Diego.
"We are thrilled to welcome Baltimore and UB to our network," said Ben Levine, interim director of MetroLab Network. "Their focus on cleaner urban waters, improved local statistics and analytics, and expanded cultural recognition will help drive progress in the cities and regions that are addressing similar issues across the country. Furthermore, their collaboration with our extensive national network of cities and universities will accelerate progress in Baltimore on many of its priorities."
MetroLab Network is supported by a $1 million grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as a research enterprise that uses data and information technologies to better understand how cities work and to improve the urban condition. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the fiduciary of MetroLab Network during its incubation period.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.