New Urban Mechanics
We partner with departments and communities to explore, experiment, and evaluate new approaches to government and civic life.
The Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics (MONUM) was formed in 2010 as the Mayor's civic research and design team (one of the first in the nation). We explore and tackle intractable problems with fresh perspectives and lead experiments and prototypes that cover a range of topics.
Contact
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1 City Hall Square
603Boston, MA 02201 -
Follow us on Medium
We occasionally post content on our Medium blog.
An Update on Our Current Focus
To maximize our impact, MONUM has recently shifted to a concentrated "Tiger Team" model to tackle a few major, complex challenges aligned with Mayoral priorities. As a result, we are no longer running our general bookable Office Hours.
Currently, our team’s primary focus is Permitting Transformation. We are dedicated to making permitting in Boston predictable, transparent, and efficient—unlocking progress across housing, small businesses, restaurants, and vibrant public spaces.
Highlights
Coordinated Furniture Pick-Up Pilot
We are testing whether coordinating furniture pick-up reduces the amount of furniture going to the landfill.
Public Space Invitational
Open call for people to experiment with temporary, delightful, interventions in the public realm.
Year in Review
Overview of our successes, challenges, and hopes each year.
Accessory Dwelling Unit
We want to streamline the process for homeowners looking to create a rental unit.
Our Projects
Press
Here are some pieces that have been written or recorded about New Urban Mechanics and our way of working.
Podcasts
- Design is Everywhere (Design Museum Everywhere): Civic Design with Intention and Service at the Core
- Malmö Civic Lab (City of Malmö, Sweden): What's Boston Up To?
- Gimlet Creative (Wireframe): Good Design is Good Civics
- Mathematica (On The Evidence): Boston Invites Community to Set a Civic Research Agenda
- The Move Podcast S1E4: Designing for Delight
Articles
- Apolitical: Boston's innovation lab teaches government to take risks. Here's how
- Politico: Boston, There's 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
Contact
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1 City Hall Square
603Boston, MA 02201 -
Follow us on Medium
We occasionally post content on our Medium blog.
