What affect do urban trails have on Hoosiers’ health and property values? How can the impact of future urban development be forecasted? How does riverboat gambling fit into the state’s policymaking? Just what are the crucial issues affecting quality of life in Indiana?

Researchers pursue such questions at the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Working with community leaders, business and civic organizations, nonprofits, and state and local governments, center researchers and staff study social and economic issues and provide valuable data to inform policy choices in the state. Center researchers explore topics such as property taxes, community safety, riverboat gambling, neighborhood empowerment, land use, the economic impact of the arts and sports, civic engagement, and drinking water and sewer infrastructures. Much of the Center’s work is focused on economic strategies to strengthen Indiana.

A new grant of $2 million from the Lilly Endowment Inc. will further the center’s research work about Indiana and the Central Indiana region, according to John Krauss, director of the center, and Astrid Merget, dean of the IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. “The Lilly grant will enable the center to continue to provide a rich body of literature on policy matters important to leaders and decision-makers,” says Merget. “The center has worked to strengthen executive leadership; create lean, responsive government; develop high-performing agencies; and increase citizen involvement.” Merget adds that one of the best indicators of the center's success is the resources that have been invested in its work. "Since 1992, the center has received grants and contracts worth more than $27 million. These investments have made the discussion of urban policy, the environment, and our entire range of civic affairs more sophisticated and enlightened," she says.

Some ongoing projects at the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment include:

• Analysis of central Indiana—This body of research helps policymakers understand the long-term effects of options for improving quality of life for residents in the 44-county Central Indiana region. (www.urbancenter.iupui.edu/)
• The Land Use in Central Indiana Model (LUCI)—Developed by the center’s associate director John Ottensmann, LUCI forecasts future urban development in central Indiana for up to 40 years. Anyone can use the model to generate and compare urban development scenarios. The aim of LUCI is to inform public discussion and decision making about land use choices for the future of the region. (luci.urbancenter.iupui.edu/)
• Nonprofit organizations—The Center is analyzing the financial health and impact of the nonprofit sector on Indiana communities and regions.
• Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations—The IACIR works to create effective communication and cooperation between federal, state, and local units of government to improve delivery of services to citizens. The center develops an annual work plan for IACIR and conducts surveys of government officials that provide insights into local community issues such as health, public safety, economics, land use, local services, and community quality of life. (iacir.spea.iupui.edu/).

For more information about the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, visit its Web site at www.urbancenter.iupui.edu.