Urban Lab

The LBJ Urban Lab

Austin city skyline

"WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES CITIES"

“We must make sure that every family…lives in a home of dignity and a neighborhood of pride, a community of opportunity and a city of promise and hope.” – President Lyndon B. Johnson

The LBJ School of Public Affairs Urban Lab at The University of Texas at Austin will explore and address issues that affect urban and metropolitan communities.

Inspired by UT’s motto, “What Starts Here Changes the World,” the Lab utilizes Texas cities and others across the nation as “urban laboratories,” bringing together policymakers, business and civic leaders, academics, and students to tackle significant urban challenges.

Who We Are

Urban Lab Director Steven Pedigo speaking at the Mayoral Forum

What We Do: The Urban Opportunity

Cities are humanity’s greatest invention, driving global economic growth. And Texas cities serve as a key laboratory for urban innovation. The state is dynamic and a diverse epicenter of growth. Its cities also face growing challenges of affordability, upskilling, congestion and climate change. Innovative policies are to meet these challenges.

The LBJ Urban Lab is a pioneering hub for urbanism and policymaking, providing a forward-thinking model for urban policy engagement and education through:

The Future of Downtowns event panel

Austin city skyline at night

News & Events

LBJ Urban Lab News

Unlocking Housing Supply: Market-Driven Solutions for Growing Communities

Unlocking Housing Supply: LBJ Urban Lab and Civitas Institute Join Forces

Sept. 25, 2025
The U.S. faces a shortage of more than 3.2 million homes, and Texas alone is short over 300,000 — gaps fueling affordability challenges across fast-growing communities. In an inaugural collaboration, the LBJ Urban Lab and Civitas Institute hosted Unlocking Housing Supply: Market-Driven Solutions for Growing Communities. Featuring Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, developers, and policy leaders, the event drew a full house and sparked an energetic discussion on practical solutions. Watch the full session on YouTube.
Austin TX skyline

Will US companies keep faith in the ‘Texas miracle’?

June 24, 2025
The Lone Star State has attracted hundreds of corporations with its low-tax, high-touch approach, but the strains are starting to show
y'alltics

The blueprint for an ideal Texas City | Y'all-itics

May 29, 2025
Texas’ explosive population growth is putting immense pressure on the state’s largest cities and metropolitan areas.
Austin Mayoral Forum presentation

Upcoming Events

No events at this time.