Community Innovators Lab

Community Innovators Lab. Also known as CoLab, it is an action research center within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Urban Studies and Planning. The lab works at the intersection of community development, democratic practice, and economic democracy, partnering directly with community-based organizations, labor unions, and cooperatives. Its mission is to design and implement strategies that build community power and create more equitable and sustainable places.

Overview

The lab operates as a bridge between the academic resources of MIT and grassroots organizations working on the front lines of social justice and economic inequality. Its work is fundamentally interdisciplinary, drawing from fields like urban planning, political economy, and critical race theory. Practitioners and researchers collaborate on projects that address systemic issues such as climate justice, workforce development, and community land trusts. This approach emphasizes co-creation, where community knowledge is centered alongside academic expertise to develop practical solutions.

History and founding

The lab was formally established in 2005 by a group of faculty and practitioners led by prominent urban planner and former Mayor of Boston policy advisor, Dayna Cunningham. Its founding was deeply influenced by the legacy of progressive planning at MIT, including the work of figures like Lisa Peattie and the principles of advocacy planning. The initiative emerged from a recognition that traditional planning models often failed to address deep-seated racial and economic disparities in cities like Boston and Detroit. Early support came from foundations such as the Ford Foundation and the Surdna Foundation, which were interested in fostering more equitable urban development practices.

Core programs and initiatives

A central program is the **Mel King Community Fellows Program**, named for the legendary Boston activist and former Massachusetts House of Representatives member Mel King. This fellowship brings community leaders from around the world to MIT for a year of collaborative research and strategy development. Another key initiative is the **Just Urban Economies** portfolio, which supports the growth of cooperative businesses and community wealth building models like the Evergreen Cooperatives in Cleveland. The **Climate Resilience and Environmental Justice** work focuses on supporting communities, such as those in the Gulf Coast region, in developing community-owned renewable energy and resilience plans.

Research and impact

The lab's research has produced influential frameworks and tools for participatory action. This includes the **Community Planning Toolkit** and research on anchor institution strategies, influencing policies in cities from New York City to Jackson, Mississippi. Its work on **solidarity economy** principles has been cited by organizations like the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. Evaluations of its fellowship programs have documented significant impacts, such as alumni launching new community development financial institutions or shaping municipal policies in places like San Juan, Puerto Rico and Durham, North Carolina. The lab frequently publishes its findings in partnership with entities like the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

Organizational structure and partnerships

The lab is housed within the MIT School of Architecture and Planning and is led by an executive director, with faculty oversight from senior figures like Phil Thompson. It operates with a core staff of researchers, project managers, and designers who work in interdisciplinary teams. Strategic partnerships are fundamental to its model, including long-standing collaborations with the Right to the City Alliance, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and the Highlander Research and Education Center. It also works with municipal governments, such as the City of Rochester and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, on specific community-driven projects.

Category:Research institutes in Massachusetts Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology Category:Urban planning organizations