IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs underwrites NPR 'Cities Project'

Broadcast and digital series explores new ways to tackle global urban issues

  • Sept. 19, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Stories about new ways to confront urban issues worldwide will reach a national audience of more than 25 million people this fall, in part from support to National Public Radio provided by the Indiana University Bloomington School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

SPEA is the exclusive underwriter of the NPR “Cities Project,” an extensive series of broadcast and digital reports that begins this week. The broadcast reports will be featured on NPR’s morning and afternoon newsmagazines “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered,” which together reach a national weekly audience of more than 25 million listeners.

Each “Cities Project” report will feature a message from SPEA: “Support for NPR comes from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington. SPEA is committed to preparing leaders and advancing knowledge for the greater good.” NPR radio programming airs on more than 900 NPR member stations nationwide.

In addition to on-air sponsorship credits during NPR’s flagship programs, SPEA messages will be visible alongside “Cities Project” content at NPR.org.

“The NPR audience includes many in government and higher education, as well as leaders of corporations and nonprofits,” SPEA Executive Associate Dean David Reingold said. “This is a way for SPEA to communicate our values and goals to a broader group of stakeholders.”

The underwriting messages will also air during the popular American Public Media program “Marketplace” in several markets, including Chicago and Indianapolis.

The NPR “Cities Project” series dives into the many challenges that face modern urban areas and new, innovative ways people are tackling cities’ unique development needs. Reports will center on:

  • Where We Live: Location matters, especially when planning for natural disasters and demographic shifts. How do old divisions within a city play out decades later?
  • How We Live: Urban design affects the way people experience community life and relate to the natural environment. How might innovations like tiny homes and micro-grids affect a city’s social demographics and economy?
  • How We Get Around: Nothing is more integral to city life than the mobility of its residents. How can big data and technology help make transportation more resilient -- and more equitable?

“We’re proud that we can support thoughtful and groundbreaking journalism,” Reingold said. “The NPR ‘Cities Project’ series dovetails nicely with our focus on city issues that include development, education, transportation, revenue and sustainability.”

Together SPEA and NPR will present a program at the SPEA Atrium on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 13, during which an NPR “Cities Project” senior producer will host conversations with SPEA faculty and other guests about focusing on location, design and transit as keys to urban resiliency. The forum will be open to the public.

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Media Contacts

Jim Hanchett

  • School of Public and Environmental Affairs
  • Office 812-856-5490
  • jimhanch@indiana.edu