Urban Policy

The vitality of Michigan cities is at risk. Many are losing population, are struggling to attract new business and industry, and see their political power waning. Even in the good economic times of the 1990s, a number of Michigan cities were simply holding their own. Michigan's largest city has special problems. Unlike other Midwest peer cities, Detroit continues to lose population and struggles to attract new businesses and keep the businesses it has. Detroit suffers political problems in Lansing and more significantly is not viewed as important to many of the state's citizens. Urban issues range from housing to economic development and brownfields. At Michigan State University's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR), urban policy is a key area of research. Provided in this area of the website is information on IPPSR's urban policy related activities and resources.

In the latest undertaking, IPPSR is co-hosting a series of State and Local Policy Forums, hosted by the Urban Caucus and Urban Core Mayors.

These two forms, exploring state and local relations and economic development and poverty, took place in late October 2007. Please look forward with IPPSR to the 2008 series on these most pressing issues. Check back with this site for more information about future programs.