Penn IUR Launches Online Resource Library on Cities and Covid-19

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA—How will the coronavirus pandemic and its economic repercussions affect cities and city life? How can cities respond in order to emerge stronger? Today, the Penn Institute for Urban Research (Penn IUR) announces the launch of the Cities and COVID-19 Resource Library, an evolving online compendium of data, research, and resources for scholars and practitioners seeking to make sense of and respond to the challenges this pandemic creates for cities. “The onslaught of information on coronavirus and its impact on cities can be overwhelming. This resource library brings together resources and presents them in a way that’s easy to navigate,” said Penn IUR Co-Director Eugénie Birch.

The Cities and COVID-19 Resource Library serves as a dynamic source for data and research on the implications and consequences of COVID-19 for cities. As noted by Penn IUR Co-Director Susan Wachter, “We want to help people access and make sense of the information out there, so that they can make the decisions and do the analysis needed to make progress on the ground.”

Targeted to urban practitioners and researchers, the resource library includes an evolving list of links to databases related to coronavirus and cities. It compiles COVID-19 resources from other organizations and institutions focusing on the management and study of cities, and features a collection of external research publications, webinars and podcasts, and opinion pieces organized by topic (governance and finance, urban economy and real estate, social issues, urban services, infrastructure, and planning and design). Additionally, the resource library features events and resources produced by Penn IUR and links to Penn IUR affiliates in the news.

Penn IUR developed this curated collection of resources with input from its affiliates. Penn IUR will update the library weekly. As it the library is designed to serve a rapidly changing situation, its organization may evolve over time. The library can be accessed at the following link: https://penniur.upenn.edu/cities-and-covid-19-resource-library.