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Home / News / Adam Millard-Ball Explores How Data Can Expand Possibilities for Smarter, More Livable Cities

Adam Millard-Ball Explores How Data Can Expand Possibilities for Smarter, More Livable Cities

A look at his research on active transportation, climate action, and data-driven approaches to reimagining urban design.
A man with a helmet riding a bicycle, motion shot with the cover of the journal yond Copenhagen: Walking & cycling success stories from cities worldwide on the left overlay the photograph

Posted in

  • Luskin's Latest Blog, Urban Planning

Published on

  • July 10, 2026
  • city planning, Urban Planning

Share this Article

UCLA professor of urban planning Adam Millard-Ball was featured in UCLA Magazine’s “UCLA’s Innovation Engine,” highlighting his research on how cities can use data-driven approaches to rethink mobility, climate action and urban design.

Millard-Ball’s recent active travel study examined more than 11,500 cities across 121 countries to explore how walking and biking infrastructure could transform communities worldwide. The research found that adopting street designs similar to Copenhagen’s could significantly increase active transportation while reducing vehicle emissions and generating public health benefits.

At the heart of his work is a question that guides cities toward new possibilities: “What’s possible?” Millard-Ball emphasizes that universities provide the space for independent, long-term research that can help communities imagine and build better urban futures.

Faculty Mentioned in this Article
Millard-Ball headshot

Adam Millard-Ball

Professor of Urban Planning

Adam Millard-Ball is Professor of Urban Planning at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and director of the UCLA...

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    Evaluates the quality of political governance and democracy worldwide.

  • Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK)

    Specializes in spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities in neighborhoods.

  • Center for Policy Research on Aging (CPRA)

    Explores the societal and policy implications of an aging population.

  • Agile Visual Analytics Lab (AVAL)

    Empowers stakeholders with data to make informed decisions for children, families, and communities.

  • Berggruen Governance Index

    Evaluates the quality of political governance and democracy worldwide.

  • Center for Neighborhood Knowledge (CNK)

    Specializes in spatial analysis of socioeconomic disparities in neighborhoods.

  • Center for Policy Research on Aging (CPRA)

    Explores the societal and policy implications of an aging population.

  • Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS)

    Advances research, education, and meaningful civic engagement on transportation issues.

  • Institute on Inequality and Democracy

    Advances scholarship that confronts threats to democracy in America and around the world.

  • Latin American Cities Initiative

    Connects urban planning and policy networks across the Americas.

  • Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI)

    Addresses policy challenges facing Latinos and communities of color.

  • Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS)

    Advances research, education, and meaningful civic engagement on transportation issues.

  • Institute on Inequality and Democracy

    Advances scholarship that confronts threats to democracy in America and around the world.

  • Latin American Cities Initiative

    Connects urban planning and policy networks across the Americas.

  • Latino Policy & Politics Institute (LPPI)

    Addresses policy challenges facing Latinos and communities of color.

  • Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

    Studying housing affordability and transportation equity in the L.A. region.

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    Collaborates with schools to improve educational outcomes for L.A. students.

  • Luskin Center for Innovation

    Informing effective and equitable environmental policy that improves lives.

  • UCLA Voting Rights Project

    The flagship project for voting rights litigation and policy research.

  • Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

    Studying housing affordability and transportation equity in the L.A. region.

  • Los Angeles Education Research Institute (LAERI)

    Collaborates with schools to improve educational outcomes for L.A. students.

  • Luskin Center for Innovation

    Informing effective and equitable environmental policy that improves lives.

  • UCLA Voting Rights Project

    The flagship project for voting rights litigation and policy research.

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