New Urban Mechanics
We work across departments and communities to explore, experiment, and evaluate new approaches to government and civic life.
Our office was formed in 2010 as the Mayor's civic research and design team. We explore and tackle experiments and prototypes that cover a range of topics. This includes everything from the future of mobility to City infrastructure to collective well-being.
Join us!We are looking for someone to build off of the initial successes of the Housing Innovation Lab (HIL). The ideal candidate will bring energy and direction to develop a new portfolio of initiatives to help make Boston affordable for all. The director will work with senior leaders across City government to test new housing programs and policies. Our goal is to ensure the affordability of housing in Boston in the decades to come.
Contact
Do you have an innovative idea to improve the City? Let us know through email, or schedule an in-person brainstorm during an upcoming office hours. We host 30-minute blocks every Tuesday, from 2 - 5 p.m.









News
Here are some pieces that have been written about New Urban Mechanics and our way of working.
- Gimlet Creative (Wireframe): Good Design is Good Civics
- Apolitical: Boston's innovation lab teaches government to take risks. Here's how
- Politico: Boston, Theres an App for That
- Boston Globe: New Urban Mechanics, keep tinkering
- Fast Company: Boston Does Digital
- MIT Review: Cities Find Rewards in Cheap Technologies
- Governing: Will Urban Innovation Teams Outlast Political Change?
- GovTech: Boston Tackles Housing with Dedicated Innovation Lab
- Living Cities: Guide for Embedding Innovation in Local Government