Urban and Regional Planning graduate students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs created a plan to address transportation barriers in Burlington and West Burlington, specifically for residents who face mobility challenges, such as lack of access to reliable transportation. 

Master of Public Affairs students in the School of Planning & Public Affairs conducted a study for the cities of West Burlington and Burlington that explores opportunities for shared services, with a focus on providing efficient and cost effective services to their residents.  

Individuals seeking essential social services across the United States often face significant administrative burdens that make accessing aid time-consuming, complex, and discouraging. In rural areas like southeast Iowa, these challenges are intensified by geographic isolation, limited digital access, and a lack of centralized service infrastructure. Pathfinders RC&D sought strategies to reduce administrative burdens for residents in six Southeast Iowa counties: Davis, Keokuk, Jefferson, Mahaska, Wapello, and Van Buren. 

For their capstone project, a team of graduate students in Urban and Regional Planning developed a comprehensive document to guide the future of downtown Oskaloosa, and updated the community historic preservations guidelines for the downtown district. 

Oskaloosa, the county seat for Mahaska County, is a relatively small community of about 11,000 people located in south central Iowa. The downtown district, which features a historic county courthouse and iconic town square, serves as a retail hub and social gathering space. 

For their capstone project, a team of Master of Public Affairs (MPA) graduate students worked with Iowa Valley RC&D staff to determine the feasibility and structure of a workplace program to offer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) vouchers to employees at the University of Iowa, aiming to increase local food purchasing and improve employee health while also expanding market access for local farmers.

As part of their capstone project, students seeking the Transportation Certificate in the School of Planning & Public Affairs created a comprehensive resource for communities to work toward "complete neighborhoods" that provide close access to basic needs. They also applied the Complete Neighborhoods concepts in a collaboration with officials from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Students in the course Policy and Persuasion worked with City of Bondurant representatives to develop policy directions for issues related to the city's rapid growth and their desire to preserve the community's core "hometown" identity.    

Masters of Public Affairs students in the School of Planning and Public Affairs conducted a study to provide decision-making support to Bondurant community leaders as they consider alternatives for public safety and law enforcement services.

Faculty researchers and University of Iowa students collaborated with an Eastern Iowa regional provider, ECR, on a study to close transportation gaps for individuals with brain health/mental health needs and disabilities.

As part of their capstone project, Public Affairs graduate students developed metrics and conducted an analysis of Dubuque's Green Alleyways Project, which is designed to improve the aesthetic and environmental functions of alleys in the Bee Branch Watershed.  

Urban & Regional Planning and Sustainable Development graduate students synthesized existing documents and developed new strategies to create the City of Dubuque's first plan focused specifically on Affordable Housing.   

As part of their capstone project, second-year Urban & Regional Planning graduate students created a plan to spur action toward improving bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Dubuque.

As part of its ambitious sustainability plans, Dubuque seeks to reduce vehicle dependency and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and create/promote accessible and equitable transportation alternatives.