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Global cities and the regions that surround them are powerful drivers of economic, social, environmental, cultural, educational, technical and political development.

The Dukakis Center was founded by public officials and academics to analyze existing urban conditions, and to collaboratively assist policy-makers and communities in the implementation of strategies that improve the quality of life within, and the efficiency of urban places. Our goal is to integrate thought and action to achieve social justice through collaborative data-driven analysis and practice. We prepare emerging practitioners and academicians to transcend the mysteries and frustrations of successful urban policy-making.

Students and faculty have worked together with cities, towns, and regions on issues of transportation and mobility (including autonomous vehicle uses); labor market and demographic analysishousing (including gentrification and homelessness); economics, education and youth development; resiliency, technology, and big data applications; organizational development; urban design thinking; and cultural impacts of planning and policy-making.

We facilitate interactions among innovative and well-grounded practitioners, academics, and practice-based students, to develop creative ways of improving the quality of urban life. We engage diverse professionals and community participants in developing inter-disciplinary approaches to addressing urban and regional issues. We match visionary thinkers with grounded practitioners to think critically and pragmatically about how urban areas can be qualitatively better places within which to live, work, and recreate. We welcome your participation in our efforts to enhance public service and social justice.

Dr. Ted Landsmark, M.Env.D., J.D., Ph.D.
Director, Kitty & Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy