The City of Tempe Public Works Department, committed to sustainability and innovation, is working to advance the goals of the Tempe Climate Action Plan. In partnership with undergraduate chemical engineering capstone students, the department explored new ways to divert water treatment sludge solids from landfills.

As redevelopment pressures grow and community needs change, we are exploring tools to strengthen fiscal resilience and deliver community benefits. In partnership with graduate students from the School of Public Affairs, the City evaluated how value-capture mechanisms could work within Arizona law to support mixed-use development, affordable housing, and public infrastructure.

Recognizing the importance of younger generations in shaping Tempe’s future, the City sought to understand how youth envision Tempe in 2050. Students partnered with the City to explore ways to incorporate youth perspectives into long-range planning, organizing four research teams focused on Health, Career, Leisure, and Hometown.

Tempe is committed to inclusive economic development, innovation, and long-term competitiveness. As entrepreneurship grows, we are exploring ways to strengthen its ecosystem beyond early-stage support to improve business retention, scaling, and equity. Graduate students partnered with the City to assess how municipal programs, university partnerships, and regional governance can better support businesses across the full entrepreneurial lifecycle.

The City’s Career Ready Tempe program represents an innovative municipal effort to bridge the gap between high school education and workforce readiness for underrepresented youth. Students collaborated with City staff from Community Health and Human Services and the Tempe Chamber Foundation to strengthen and scale the Career Ready Tempe program.

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce is positioned as a key advocate and connector for businesses across Tempe. The Chamber maintains a strong market position through its deep community relationships, policy advocacy, and comprehensive member services. Students collaborated with the Chamber to establish a formal vision statement, conduct a value chain analysis, and identify member engagement initiatives.