Urban Core Mayors (UCM) is a bipartisan, multiregional coalition of Michigan’s 13 central-city mayors intended to address areas of mutual concern as well as develop and implement an agenda for local and state policy for cities. The group provides mayors with regional and professional support, the opportunity to combine resources, and a common venue to share information. Through this group, mayors exchange information and ideas about mutual concerns and local policies and practices that have benefited individual cities. UCM's goal is to enhance local governance and provide mayors with innovative resources to combat their cities’ problems. This group establishes a network for collaborative policy learning and leadership to revitalize Michigan’s core cities.

Since its formation in 1992, UCM has undertaken a variety of collaborative initiatives. In 1998 and 2000, the mayors collaborated with the Bipartisan Urban Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives to organize Urban Summits to develop a common policy agenda for urban Michigan. In 2008, the UCM and the Bipartisan Urban Caucus organized a series of briefings based on policy analysis and research projects commissioned in direct response to priority issues identified by member mayors. UCM's mission is to create positive policy changes favoring Michigan’s core cities and improving residents’ quality of life through innovative policy, collaboration, and continuous improvement.