Essential information needs for potential cooperative efforts between colleges and cities for the 1980s and possible collection and dissemination strategies are considered. It is suggested that less federal funding will be available, and that state and local governments will probably be the primary supporters of urban projects. In addition to providing specific educational services and research functions within the community, urban colleges also may provide certain kinds of public services, particularly in the health and entertainment fields. Characteristics that colleges have in common with other urban enterprises are noted. There is controversy over the appropriate roles of colleges as settings for remedial academic work, job training, meeting community avocational interests, and relating to high schools and other less traditional college campuses and branch campuses opened in the 1970s. Recommendations include the following: in the early 1980s, it would be worthwhile to study the availability of education facilities from an urban resident's perspective and from a national capacity perspective; information about the size and characteristics of urban colleges and universities should be publicized; facility use at colleges should be surveyed; shared facilities by the college and the community should be promoted; the college housing loan program and all federal housing programs should be publicly evaluated; an update of the local economic impact methodology should be undertaken; information on the impact colleges have on their local economies should be collected for the nation; and information on public relations materials and techniques should be prepared to encourage linkages between industry and colleges. A bibliography and articles are appended. (SW)