Research Partners

As a research institute within the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), GCI partners on a regular basis with a number of UIC colleges, academic departments and other research institutes within UIC which focus on urban planning and related public policy.

GCI’s Partners Within UIC


College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs (CUPPA)

The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs is a nationally recognized innovator in urban planning, and public management education, research, and engagement to support the nation’s cities and metropolitan areas.

Department of Urban Planning & Policy (UPP)

Located within UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, the Department of Urban Planning and Policy (UPP) is one of the largest graduate planning programs in the nation and the only accredited planning program in the Chicago area, offering Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degree programs. The mission of UPP is to foster scholarship about cities, educates people to plan for cities and offers advice to city makers and users.

Department of Public Administration (PA)

UIC’s Department of Public Administration offers a Ph.D. program, a Master of Public Administration degree accredited by the National School of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), and an innovative undergraduate program in urban and public Affairs. The department is highly-ranked in research, effectiveness in teaching, and relevancy to policy and practice in the nation and the community.

Natalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement (VC)

The Voorhees Center is part of UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs and works in collaboration with faculty and involves urban planning and policy graduate students in research and technical assistance to organizations and local government agencies in their efforts to revitalize the many and varied neighborhoods and communities.

Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (IPCE)

As a catalyst for creating engaged citizens and effective leaders, IPCE creates opportunities for scholars, concerned citizens, students, and government officials to actively participate in social discourse, research, and educational programs on policy issues and social trends within Chicago and across the country.

Urban Transportation Center (UTC)

The Urban Transportation Center at UIC is dedicated to research, education and technical assistance on urban transportation planning, policy, operations and management and is funded as a partner of three new national transportation research consortia: The National Center for Transit Research; the National University Rail Center (NURail); and the National Center for Freight & Infrastructure Research & Education (CFIRE).

Urban Data Visualization Lab (UDVL)

Housed within the Department of Urban Planning and Policy in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at UIC the Urban Data Visualization Lab is a research center which employs various technologies to assist students, faculty, and external public and community agencies with visualization challenges.

Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP)

Through the funding of research on race and ethnicity, training of scholars in policy discussion participation, collaboration with community organizations on social justice projects, and hosting of events IRRPP works to increase society’s understanding of the root causes of racial and ethnic inequality and provide the public, organizers, practitioners, and policy makers with research-based policy solutions.