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
1
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 wellbeing of those who are being “left behind”
2
The Economic Challenge in a Nutshell
Percent Change inTotal Non-Farm Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)
(January 2001 - April 2007)
5.0%
3.9%
4.0%
3.6%
3.0%
2.0%
1.3%
1.5%
1.7%
1.0%
0.2%
0.0%
MA
CT
ME
VT
NH
RI
U.S.
-1.0%
+5,213,000 jobs
-2.0%
-111,400 jobs
-3.0%
-3.3%
-4.0%
Source: U.S. Bureau of
3
The Demographic Challenge: I
Massachusetts Net Migration (2000-2005)
50,000
33,292
33,347
31,785
29,041
30,000
26,515
10,000
-10,000
-30,000
-50,000
2000-2001
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
-22,892
-39,506
-48,514
-61,980
-70,000
Foreign Immigration
-60,053
Internal Migration
4
The Demographic Challenge: II
Population Change by Age Cohort (2000-2004)
25%
Percentage Change
20%
15%
10%
Mass
5%
U.S.
0%
-5%
Under 5
5 to 19
20-24
25-34
35-54
55-64
65+
-10%
Age Cohort
5
The Cost of Living Challenge
Boston
Raleigh-DurhamChapel Hill
Monthly Housing
$ 779
Monthly Food
$ 587
Monthly Child Care
$ 866
Monthly Transportation
$ 358
Monthly Health Care
$ 368
Monthly Housing
$1,266
Monthly Food
$ 587
Monthly Child Care
$1,298
Monthly Transportation
$ 321
Monthly Health Care
$ 592
Monthly Other Necessity
$ 500
Monthly Other Necessity
$ 369
Monthly Taxes
$ 824
Monthly Taxes
$ 350
Monthly Total
$5,388
Monthly Total
$3,677
Annual Total
$64,656
Annual Total
$44,124
Source: Economic Policy Institute, “Family Budget Calculator, 2005”
6
A Model for
Research
Graduate
Education
Academic
Departments
Academic
Research
Community
Engagement
Centers &
Institutes
Applied Public
Policy Research
7
Model of Applied Policy Research in Practice
Rigorous Analysis of
Economic/Social
Challenge
Periodic “Report
Cards”
Cards” on
on Meeting
Progressthe
in
meeting
Challenge
Challenge
(Annual Greater
Boston Housing
Report Card)
(Housing Challenge)
Develop New Policy
Proposals to Meet the
Challenge
(Chapter 40R/40S)
Work with Civic
Collaborative to
Advocate for New
Policy
(CHTF)
Work with Civic
Collaborative to
Implement New Policy
8
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
9
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
10
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)
11