# Center for Urban Science + Progress

**Source**: https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp
**Parent**: https://engineering.nyu.edu/

New York City's Leader in Urban Science

[Contact Us](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research-innovation/centers/cusp/contact-cusp)

[Apply Now](https://engineering.nyu.edu/admissions/graduate)

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The Center for Urban Science + Progress (CUSP) at NYU Tandon is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to the application of science, technology, engineering, math, and social sciences in service of urban communities across the globe.

Founded as a partnership between NYU and the City of New York, CUSP leads research, educational, and entrepreneurial initiatives that advance the science of cities. By applying novel insights to urban issues, we develop data- and technology-driven approaches that drive positive impact. With an additional focus on training future leaders, CUSP offers interdisciplinary academic programs in urban data science for graduate students and professionals.

CUSP also engages with stakeholders across city agencies, start-ups, industry players, community-based organizations, and nonprofits to address urgent socioeconomic, environmental, and infrastructural challenges. The center’s ultimate objective is to improve urban quality of life by using data to innovate and refine inclusive, equitable, and sustainable practices for cities everywhere.

### [Graduate Programs at CUSP](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/graduate-programs "Graduate Programs at CUSP")

CUSP offers a Master of Science in Urban Data Science, as well as a Doctoral Track in Urban Science.

### [Research at CUSP](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/research "Research at CUSP")

We develop and integrate data analytics and technologies to conduct interdisciplinary research in the service of urban communities across the globe.

### [Engagement Opportunities](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/engagement "Engagement Opportunities")

Get involved with CUSP by attending our events, sponsoring a capstone project, or proposing a new collaboration.

### What is Urban Science?

Just like cities themselves, urban science is a field that is constantly changing and requires many different perspectives. At its core, urban science studies how cities operate, how they grow, and how they can be improved–all using data and evidence-based practices. At CUSP, we break this down into different methodologies. Sensing technology allows researchers to collect a city’s data (i.e. sound scapes, flood patterns, energy usage, spreading of disease) in novel and creative ways. Informatics practitioners analyze that data to formulate computational insights about the challenge at hand. Complexity researchers can then create models to make predictions about a city’s potential future. Sensing, informatics, and complexity can help to inform policy and decision-makers at the city level. Specifically, CUSP focuses on using technology to impact urban health, infrastructures, and environmental concerns.

### [People at CUSP](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/people "People at CUSP")

Explore our interdisciplinary faculty, researchers, and administrative team

### [Public Events](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/public-events "Public Events")

Join us this Spring 2026 semester for urban science research seminars and our annual urban data science showcase.

### [Student Work](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/student-work "Student Work")

Browse work produced by students as part of the M.S. in Urban Data Science program at CUSP.

### [Experiential Learning at CUSP](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/experiential-learning "Experiential Learning at CUSP")

CUSP offers students opportunities for real-world data exploration and problem-solving through capstone projects, hackathons, internships, workshops, and faculty-guided research.

### [Student Resources](https://engineering.nyu.edu/research/centers/cusp/student-resources "Student Resources")

Student organizations, course prep materials, career centers and more are all available to CUSP graduate students.

“Cities have social, technical, and environmental components. Engineers like those we’re educating at CUSP address the important intersections between them. We want them to be at the leading edge of contributing to fundamental urban science while providing timely, practical, and actionable insights.”

Professor Maurizio Porfiri, CUSP Director

## Latest Stories & Events

[**All Events**](https://engineering.nyu.edu/events)

Story Type
- Any -NewsPress ReleaseResearchTandon in the Media

Event

### [Burcak Ozludil — Simulating History: Agent-based Modeling, Machine Learning, and Spaces of Madness](https://engineering.nyu.edu/events/2026/03/30/burcak-ozludil-simulating-history-agent-based-modeling-machine-learning-and "Burcak Ozludil — Simulating History: Agent-based Modeling, Machine Learning, and Spaces of Madness")

### 3/30

Tandon in the Media

### [Hyperspectral Imaging Is Transforming How Cities Understand Infrastructure](https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/hyperspectral-imaging-transforming-how-cities-understand-infrastructure "Hyperspectral Imaging Is Transforming How Cities Understand Infrastructure")

#### From Highways Today

Tandon in the Media

### [For Elizabeth Hénaff, the Gowanus Canal is a Problem, a Lab, a Thriving Community and an Artspace](https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/elizabeth-henaff-gowanus-canal-problem-lab-thriving-community-and-artspace "For Elizabeth Hénaff, the Gowanus Canal is a Problem, a Lab, a Thriving Community and an Artspace")

#### From Brooklyn Eagle

Tandon in the Media

### [Causal Effects of Media and Twitter Advocacy on Firearm Purchases](https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/causal-effects-media-and-twitter-advocacy-firearm-purchases "Causal Effects of Media and Twitter Advocacy on Firearm Purchases")

#### From SIAM News

News

### [Meet Alum Pranav Motarwar – M.S. Computer Science, '25](https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/meet-alum-pranav-motarwar-ms-computer-science-25 "Meet Alum Pranav Motarwar – M.S. Computer Science, '25")

Tandon in the Media

### [NYU Unveils New Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence](https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/nyu-unveils-new-center-robotics-and-embodied-intelligence "NYU Unveils New Center for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence")

#### From NY1

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