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Opportunities for Development

and Investments in Translational Research

URBAN & REGIONAL POLICY

Barry Bluestone

Center for Urban and Regional Policy

School of Social Science, Urban Affairs, and Public Policy

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The Urban and Regional Challenge

• Undertaking interdisciplinary research to address the question of local and regional economic development more equitably shared

• Generating new policy prescriptions to enhance the competitiveness of communities and the Commonwealth in the new global economy

• Generating new policy prescriptions to enhance the well-being of those who are being “left behind”

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The Economic Challenge in a NutshellPercent Change inTotal Non-Farm Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)

(January 2001 - April 2007)

-3.3%

0.2%

1.3%1.5%

1.7%

3.6%3.9%

-4.0%

-3.0%

-2.0%

-1.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

MA CT ME VT NH RI U.S.

-111,400 jobs

+5,213,000 jobs

Source: U.S. Bureau of

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The Demographic Challenge: I

Massachusetts Net Migration (2000-2005)

33,292 33,347 31,785 29,041 26,515

-22,892

-39,506-48,514

-61,980 -60,053-70,000

-50,000

-30,000

-10,000

10,000

30,000

50,000

2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005

Foreign Immigration Internal Migration

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The Demographic Challenge: II

Population Change by Age Cohort (2000-2004)

-10%

-5%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

Under 5 5 to 19 20-24 25-34 35-54 55-64 65+

Age Cohort

Per

cen

tag

e C

han

ge

Mass

U.S.

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Boston

Monthly Housing $1,266

Monthly Food $ 587

Monthly Child Care $1,298

Monthly Transportation$ 321

Monthly Health Care $ 592

Monthly Other Necessity $ 500

Monthly Taxes $ 824

Monthly Total $5,388

Annual Total $64,656

Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill

Monthly Housing $ 779

Monthly Food $ 587

Monthly Child Care $ 866

Monthly Transportation$ 358

Monthly Health Care $ 368

Monthly Other Necessity $ 369

Monthly Taxes $ 350

Monthly Total $3,677

Annual Total $44,124

The Cost of Living Challenge

Source: Economic Policy Institute, “Family Budget Calculator, 2005”

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Academic Departments

Centers & Institutes

Academic Research

Graduate Education

CommunityEngagement

Applied Public Policy Research

A Model for Research

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Model of Applied Policy Research in Practice

Rigorous Analysis of Economic/Social

Challenge

Periodic “Report Cards” on Meeting the

Challenge

Develop New Policy Proposals to Meet the

Challenge

Work with Civic Collaborative to

Advocate for New Policy

Work with Civic Collaborative to

Implement New Policy

Periodic “Report Cards” on Progress in

meeting Challenge

(Housing Challenge)

(Annual Greater Boston Housing Report Card)

(Chapter 40R/40S) (CHTF)

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Current Areas of Applied Research

• Housing Analysis and Housing Policy– “New Paradigm” Report– Annual Greater Boston Housing Report Cards– Chapter 40R and 40S Proposals– Technical Support to Local Communities to Implement Chapter 40R/40S

• Local Economic Development– Analysis of Industrial Location Factors– Development of Economic Development “Self-Assessment Tool”– Economic Development Training Sessions

• Workforce Development– Labor Market Analysis Tool

• Civic Information Tools– Boston Renaissance Resource Kit– Heart of the City Website

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New Opportunities for Academic and Applied Research/Community Engagement

• Paying our Public Bills: State & local short-term and long-term revenue policies (taxes and revenue sharing)

• Changing demographics of Greater Boston and the Commonwealth (age, race, nativity)

• Education and childhood development inside and outside the schools/New models of workforce development

• Smart Growth and “Emerald Cities” – Urban transportation, housing, energy conservation, environmental protection

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Possible New Translational Research Centers

• Center for State and Local Public Finance

• Center for the Study of Education and Childhood Development

• World Class Cities Core Center (WC4)