What is a small city, anyway? The Small Cities Lab brought together people from various sectors and disciplines to tackle this prevailing question. It’s not just a question about numbers — the size of a population, for instance — but about stories. It was clear from the people in the room that what makes a small city unique is the community it creates.

The two-day event, featuring sessions, talks, and workshops was held September 18–19 in Iacocca Hall’s Wood Dining Room. Guests looked out over the Lehigh Valley as the morning sun lifted the fog—a fitting backdrop for opening remarks by Robert A. Flowers II, the Herbert J. and Ann L. Siegel Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“The work of the Small Cities Lab is guided by a commitment to epistemic humility, approaching every project with a beginner’s mindset, listening deeply, learning from others, and shaping projects collaboratively,” Flowers said. This work is deeply personal to Flowers, who shared his own story of a challenging time growing up when his family was without permanent housing. “We can achieve much more when communities, universities, governments, and nonprofits bring their strengths together,” he concluded. “This model of partnership represents the possibility of dignity, security, and permanence for families who might otherwise be left without options.”

It was a touching reminder of why this work matters. Small cities, unlike larger metros, are often understudied, underserved, and unprepared for rapid growth as Wes Hiatt, co-director of Small Cities Lab and assistant professor of architecture in the Department of Art, Architecture, and Design, pointed out. This is especially significant given that over half of Americans live in smaller places and many people are moving to them. “The core goal of the Small Cities Lab is to fill in that knowledge and resource gap,” said Hiatt.

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