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Policy Commons

North American City Reports

In-depth surveys, reports, and research from hundreds of North American cities and urban agencies

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Cities are on the front lines addressing climate change, immigration, racial equity, and other pressing issues. North American City Reports is the best source of current, detailed information about what happened, what was tried, and what worked.

Rich in statistics and hard evidence, the reports document attitudes, actions, and outcomes—through surveys, budgets, case studies, training manuals, plans, and other records.

At a glance

600+

The largest cities in the US and Canada, plus hundreds of related agencies and non-governmental organizations.

1.6M+

More than 1.6 million reports, and the database is continually growing.

Our solution

1

Preservation

City reports are at risk of disappearing. We make copies and assign a permanent identifier to each. If an item disappears, the backup copy is available. Citing is reliable, and careful curation and indexing make the content easy to search.

2

Continual growth

The larger cities are monitored for items monthly, others quarterly. Members are encouraged to add reports from smaller cities and other municipal organizations. The result is a constantly growing archive that adds more than 40,000 new reports each year.

The Minneapolis and Portland reports after George Floyd's murder

Reaching beyond urban studies

Users can read the report by the Minneapolis Department of Human Rights following the murder of George Floyd and then see how other cities responded—for example, Portland's report of riots following the event.

But North American City Reports goes beyond urban studies. The content will be used to research and teach issues related to race and religion, health, sustainability and the environment, women’s studies, the arts, sports, education, and much more.

Exclusive digital archive

We also include items dated 2000 and forward from the now defunct Index to Current Urban Documents (ICUD)—capturing thousands of reports that have disappeared.

Topics covered

  • Racial justice and human rights

  • Diversity, equity, inclusion

  • Status of women

  • Climate and environment

  • Police crime and incarceration

  • Public health and epidemiology

  • Leisure and tourism

  • Mental health

  • Small business

  • Zoos, parks, forestry, and urban agriculture

  • Urban planning

  • Architecture

  • Local history

  • Emergency fire and safety management

  • Libraries

  • Water resources, pollution, and sewerage

  • Transportation

  • Statistics and data

  • Animal control and welfare

  • Arts and culture

  • Education and youth

  • Energy and utilities

Sample reports

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A 2019 report guiding land use, transportation, job and housing distribution, and infrastructure investment for an inclusive city by 2040.

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A 2020 report published by the City and County of San Francisco describes the Hazards and Climate Resilience Plan.

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A 2021 report published by the city of Miami details the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan and Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality by 2050.

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A 2023 report published by the city of Long Beach details the robust care system for addressing homelessness, led by the Homeless Services Bureau.

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A 2023 report published by the City of Phoenix outlines the Phoenix Police Department's Crime Reduction Plan.

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A 2023 report published by the state of New York summarizes the Assembly Minority Conference's Task Force on School Safety & Security recommendations.

Want a trial?

  • Free, 30-day trial offered with training

  • Flexible pricing options, tailored to your institution's needs

  • Ask your sales rep about collection packages that offer the best value