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

Austin TX skyline

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

July 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.
Andy Burnham posed in front of the UT Tower

LBJ School Meet the Mayors series welcomed Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham

March 12, 2025
On March 10, 2025, the LBJ School had the honor of hosting Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, as part of our Meet the Mayors series, which aims to give a platform to the mayors who are actively shaping the cities of tomorrow.
Austin Mayoral Forum presentation

Upcoming Events

No events at this time.