Our Mission

The CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities (CISC) works to realize cities as part of the solution to global sustainability challenges. By merging the science of sustainability with innovative public programming, we examine opportunities available to cities—and their residents—for proactive responses to on-going environmental change. We harness the potential of formal and informal means to inspire a new generation of environmental thinkers. In doing so, we seek to understand and influence the evolution of the urban environment, while connecting the CUNY community, decision makers and the general public to these critical issues.

CISC explores the nature and complexity of cities through the following themes and questions:

Consumption: What are the elements, patterns, and impacts of urban consumption and how do they change over time?

Vulnerability and Resilience: How are cities impacted by global environmental change and what are their response capacities?

Ecosystem Services: What services do urban ecosystems provide to cities and how can their maintenance and restoration benefit urban areas?