University of Southern California

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USC Students Engage Children Every Week

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Now in its third year, ENGAGE has been helping make a positive difference each week in the local community, providing dinner, structured homework time, guest speakers, field trips and activities for neighborhood children. The program began when then-USC graduate students Jesus Diaz and Renee Burwell noticed a dearth of after-school programming for local children. Burwell is an alumna of the USC School of Policy, Planning, Development, having earned her MPA degree in '08.


Getting the Goods on a Moving Dilemma

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November 4, 2009

More than 200 experts from the world of goods movement converged on the National Urban Freight Conference, which was organized by the METRANS Transportation Center, to discuss critical issues ranging from traffic to logistics to pollution. METRANS, a research partnership between USC and Cal State Long Beach, is directed by USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development professor Genevieve Giuliano.

SPPD Grad Wins Award for Best Dissertation

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November 2, 2009

USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development alumna Anupama Mann recently received the Gill-Chin Lim Award for the best dissertation on international planning for her thesis, "A Megaproject Matrix: Ideology, Discourse and Regulation in the Delhi Metro Rail." The award is given by the Global Planners Educators Interest Group at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

Study Examines Effectiveness of English Language Classes

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October 29, 2009

The Los Angeles Times cited research by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC which stressed the importance of getting students out from under the designation of "English-language learner" before they enter high school, when the chances of dropping out increase. "The United States has never learned what is the best way to teach English to English learners," said SPPD Professor Harry Pachon, president of the institute. "That's really a shortcoming." The research was also featured by National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Daily News, and La Opinion.

Center for Economic Development Gets Grant

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October 28, 2009

The USC Center for Economic Development was awarded a two-year $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration to broaden the scope of the center's applied research and outreach initiatives. The center is housed at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development.

Roski Discusses NFL Stadium Plans at SPPD Event

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Ed Roski Jr., chairman and CEO of Majestic Realty Co. and president of the USC Board of Trustees, gave a behind-the-scenes look at the proposed NFL stadium during a special event presented by the SPPD Athenian Society at Pacific Palms Resort in the City of Industry. The Athenian Society is the premiere donor group of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development.


Lewis on Sale of Expired Food at LA Grocery Stores

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October 8, 2009

The Los Angeles Times cited a study led by SPPD Teaching Associate Professor LaVonna Lewis which found that one in three grocery stores in low-income Los Angeles neighborhoods often sells expired food. "It's a quality question," Lewis said. "Shouldn't people have access to fresh, healthy foods no matter where they live? It's also a resource question. If you have limited resources, aren't those resources used less effectively if the food you purchase in your neighborhood is quickly out of date?" Future studies will try to determine whether expired food products are found more often in low-income areas, Lewis said.

DPPD Student Melekian to Head Justice Department's COPS Program

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October 5, 2009

The Los Angeles Times noted that Pasadena Police Chief Bernard Melekian, who is a doctoral of policy, planning, and development student at SPPD, will retire from his post to head the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program in Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder made the announcement Oct. 5 during a national police leaders meeting in Denver, according to the story.

Myers Discusses Recent Drop in Asian Homeownership

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October 3, 2009

The Pasadena Star-News quoted Professor Dowell Myers about new data suggesting that Asian Americans have been hit hard by the housing crisis. Asian homeownership dropped 1.24 percentage points to 59.4 percent last year, the largest fall in homeownership among the nation's ethnicities, the story reported. About one-third of the U.S. Asian population lives in California, which could explain the homeownership drop, Myers said. "Asians are newer into the housing market. They increased [in homeownership] more from 2000 to 2008 than most other groups," Myers said. As newer buyers, they would have been more impacted by the housing crisis than more established homeowners were, he explained.

Study Finds Expired Food Sold in Low-Income Areas

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September 29, 2009

La Opinion cited a study led by SPPD Teaching Associate Professor LaVonna Lewis which found that one in three grocery stores in low-income Los Angeles neighborhoods often sell expired food. Over the course of a year, data was collected during regular visits to supermarkets. In 18 percent of purchases, three products were found unfit for human consumption. We try to give people access to healthy food, and quality food can be found no matter what part of the city a person lives in, Lewis said.

Lewis Discusses Expired Food Sales Across L.A. Markets

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September 29, 2009

ABC News cited a study led by SPPD Teaching Associate Professor Lavonna Lewis which found that one in three grocery stores in low-income Los Angeles neighborhoods often sells expired food. But the researchers also found expired food on shelves in "the posh suburbs along the beaches to the west of Los Angeles," the story stated. "It's an issue that is more widely distributed than I had thought," Lewis said. While some expired food is sold at a "manager's special" discount, Lewis said she isn't 100 percent convinced that the food is safe. "We don't think people are making informed choices, because the information is so hard to find," she explained. "The consequences may be greater in south Los Angeles because of a low health status."

Schuetz Discusses Street-Level Commerce in NYC's Union Square

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September 27, 2009

New York quoted SPPD Assistant Professor Jenny Schuetz about street-level commerce in the Union Square area of New York City. Schuetz said that the Greenmarket, a weekly farmers market, acts as a destination that attracts people who are likely to make a day of it, shopping for shoes or clothes, having coffee or lunch, maybe going to the movies beforehand. "Once you have the stalls set up for this type of open-air shopping, people are more likely to see the little businesses on the periphery as extensions of a larger market," Schuetz explained.

Study Looks at Expired Foods in Low-income Areas

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September 25, 2009

A USC study has found a good reason to check the expiration date on market foods. Researchers, working with residents in lower-income areas of Los Angeles, counted at least one expired poultry, beef or dairy product in about a third of the store visits made over a one-year period. USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development professor LaVonna Lewis presented some of the project's data at the 2009 California REACH US Conference.

Dana Goldman to Head Schaeffer Center

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September 24, 2009

Dana Goldman, a widely respected expert in health economics, has been named director of the new Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics at USC, according to an announcement from USC Executive Vice President and Provost C. L. Max Nikias. Goldman most recently served as director of the RAND Corp.'s Health Economics, Finance and Organization Division.

Jeffe Analyzes Candidates' Stances on Public Safety

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September 23, 2009

The Sacramento Bee quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe on how gubernatorial candidates are responding to the problem of prison overcrowding in California. With voters reminded of the alleged crimes of parolee Phillip Garrido in the Jaycee Lee Dugard case, the tendency for candidates is to tack right for fear being labeled soft on crime, Jeffe said. "The candidates are only worried about the fallout," Jeffe said. "All candidates are somewhat boxed in on the center-right when it comes to public safety."

Myers Speaks on Housing, Density in Pasadena

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September 19, 2009

Pasadena Star-News reported that Professor Dowell Myers was one of the speakers at a discussion on housing and density on Pasadena. The story stated that Myers, a leading expert on the economic impact of baby boomers, discussed boomer house-buying habits during the housing boom and bust. Myers provided statistics showing that the next peak in home buying should occur among the generation that is currently 18 years old.

SPPD Hosts San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

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September 16, 2009

The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development hosted members of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce this summer in the first stop of the Texas delegation's three-day Los Angeles tour aimed at exchanging information with local civic leaders and experts.

Callahan Named to EPA Advisory Panel

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September 9, 2009

Richard Callahan, associate dean and director of leadership programs at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, has been appointed to a newly formed advisory board for the California Environmental Protection Agency's Department of Toxic Substances Control.

Ferris Dissects Celebs' Impact on Post-Katrina Charity

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August 27, 2009

CNN interviewed Professor James Ferris about New Orleans-directed philanthropy after Hurricane Katrina. Katrina has generated ongoing charitable interest partly because of the 24-hour news coverage the disaster received, some of which was fueled by celebrity response, Ferris said. "Obviously, that's one of the assets that a celebrity brings to an endeavor. It gets attention; it gets name recognition," he noted. Ferris is director of the USC Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy.

Jeffe Examines Divide over Healthcare Reform

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August 24, 2009

The Columbus Dispatch quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about the White House indicating that it would accept a health care bill without a public option. This has infuriated liberal Democrats who supported Barack Obama's campaign in 2008, the story stated. "These guys on the left invested an awful lot in Barack Obama, and I think they feel as if they own a piece of him," Jeffe said. "He's not delivering from their perspective."

Jeffe Discusses Calls for CA Constitutional Convention

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August 7, 2009

The Orange County Register quoted SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe about a proposed ballot measure that would call a California constitutional convention. Given the starting estimate of $60 million to cover convention costs, voters may balk at approving the convention, even though that would be a small part of the state's $84 billion general fund budget, Jeffe said.

SPPD Professor Raphael Bostic Joins HUD

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August 3, 2009

In his new role as assistant secretary for policy development and research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, USC's Raphael Bostic will face a huge task: helping policymakers come up with ways to bring stability back to the nation's housing market. Bostic, a professor at the School of Policy, Planning, and Development, was sworn into his new government position on July 16.

Faculty, Experts Discuss Infrastructure Strategies

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August 3, 2009

More than 160 leading experts, ranging from USC faculty to government officials and business executives, gathered at USC to address pressing infrastructure challenges facing the Southwest Megaregion, which encompasses Southern California and portions of Nevada and Northern Baja, Mexico. The conference was part of an America 2050 forum, sponsored by the Regional Plan Association, the USC Bedrosian Center and the USC Keston Institute.

Pachon Discusses Role of Mexican Consulate in L.A.

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July 22, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Harry Pachon about the community support role of the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles. The consulate has long served as a bridge between the U.S. and Mexico, but has become increasingly active in recent years, Pachon said. "It reflects the recognition by Mexico that a significant portion of its people are living in the United States. This is one of a series of steps helping the Mexican consulate be a relevant factor in the community."

Green Discusses Unsuccessful Newhall Ranch Development

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July 21, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Richard Green about the failed Newhall Ranch development, a poor investment choice which cost the California Public Employees' Retirement System almost $1 billion. "I would have said that Newhall Ranch was going to be a winner," Green said. "If I thought that at the time, criticizing others for doing the same would be unfair."

Hot Topic: Climate Change Policies

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July 14, 2009

As the U.S. Congress considers enacting historic "cap and trade" legislation, a new book by research professor Adam Rose provides valuable lessons and reference points in evaluating the economic impacts of climate change policy. Rose is considered to be one of the preeminent scholars in the field, and the book - The Economics of Climate Change Policy: International, National and Regional Mitigation Strategies - represents much of his 20 years of research and involvement in policy design on the many aspects of the subject.

Myers Tapped for California Census Committee

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June 22, 2009

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzennegger appointed Professor Dowell Myers of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development to be part of a newly created census panel that will oversee the upcoming federal census in California.

Currid Discusses Artists' Economic Contributions

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June 16, 2009

Borsen (Denmark) featured Assistant Professor Elizabeth Currid and her research on artists' economic contribution to urban areas. In her book "The Warhol Economy: How Fashion, Art and Music Drive New York City," Currid warns that the rising cost of living in New York is driving out artists who are essential to the city. If new waves of young artists can't afford to move to the city, in a few decades it won't be the culturally interesting place it is now, Currid said. A second Borsen (Denmark) story also featured Currid's work.

Study: Nonprofits Promote Civic Engagement

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June 11, 2009

Nonprofit groups are becoming increasingly active through the promotion of causes on their online sites and serving as bridges of civic engagement, according to a new study by David Suarez, assistant professor at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development.

Bostic, Green to Speak at Federal Reserve Bank Summit

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June 8, 2009

The Cleveland Plain Dealer noted that SPPD Professors Richard Green and Raphael Bostic will speak at a Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Community Development Summit titled "Credit, Capital, and Community Building in Transitional Times." Green is Director and Chair of the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.

SPPD Alum Draws Praise for Stewardship of City's Animal Care Services

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June 7, 2009

A recent Long Beach Press-Telegram story featured John Keisler MPA '05, general manager of animal care services for the City of Long Beach. Keisler is earning praise for his work to transform a once dysfunctional agency into a high-performance community system that seeksto rescue thousands of animals in a multi-city region. His efforts have led to an increase in pet adoptions, while dramatically reducing rates for the use of the use of euthanasia for dogs.

SPPD Students Earn Clinton-Orfalea Fellowships

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May 27, 2009

Four USC students - including three from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development - have won the Clinton-Orfalea Fellowships. The fellows will head to New York in August to lend their talents to the William J. Clinton Foundation, which addresses issues of global climate change, HIV and AIDS in the developing world as well as childhood obesity, and economic opportunity and development.

Myers Discusses Recession, Slowing Immigration

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May 16, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Dowell Myers about slowing immigration to outlying areas of Los Angeles. The change is a "temporary pause," and immigration will probably rise again as the economy recovers, Myers said. "Immigrants always respond to the economy," he explained. "The boom and bust cycle is totally normal."

Myers Discusses Racial Demographics, Politics in CA

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May 11, 2009

The Xinhua News Agency (China) cited Professor Dowell Myers about racial demographics and politics in California. The surge in naturalized citizens will accelerate by several years the California electorate's shift from majority white to nonwhite, Myer said. Although that shift won't be completed until 2026, Latinos, Asians and African Americans are already joining with progressive whites to elect ethnically diverse candidates, Myers and other analysts predict.

Pachon Discusses 'American Dream' among Latinos

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May 9, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Harry Pachon about the American dream among Latinos. "It's the dream of having a single-family house and a white picket fence and a dog," Pachon said. Pachon is president of the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC, the story noted.

Currid Maps Out Social Hot Spots in L.A., New York

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May 5, 2009

Christian Science Monitor highlighted "The Geography of Buzz," a study by Assistant Professor Elizabeth Currid. Currid and a colleague at Columbia University tracked geo-coded photos from Getty Images to create heat maps charting the most socially active hubs in L.A. and New York. "A sense of place has always been fundamental to everything that happens in the world," Currid said. "And all this new technology only highlights that idea: geography is basic to the way we live."

"Geography" Charts What's Hot and What's Not

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April 29, 2009

Elizabeth Currid, assistant professor at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, presented her paper, "The Geography of Buzz: Art, Culture and the Social Milieu in Los Angeles and New York," during a recent research seminar at Lewis Hall. The paper was co-authored by Sarah Williams, director of the Spatial Information Design Lab at Columbia University.

Study Finds "Milestone" in California Demographics

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April 28, 2009

The New York Times featured a new report by Professor Dowell Myers, called "The New Homegrown Majority in California." Myers and colleagues found that for the first time in California's modern history, a majority of young people in the state were born here, the story reported. More than 70 percent of 15-to-24-year-olds living here in 2007 were native born, while almost two-thirds of 45-to-54-year-olds were born elsewhere, as were about 61 percent of those aged 35 to 44 and some 54 percent of those aged 25 to 34. "It's a watershed moment," Myers said. "There has been so much focus on immigrants, on outsiders. Now we have all these insiders. These are people who carry the future, and they're mostly homegrown."

Myers' Study Finds New "Homegrown Majority" in CA

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April 28, 2009

The New York Times featured a new report by Dowell Myers called "The New Homegrown Majority in California." Myers and colleagues found that for the first time in California's modern history, a majority of young people in the state were born here, the story reported. More than 70 percent of 15-to-24-year-olds living here in 2007 were native born, while almost two-thirds of 45-to-54-year-olds were born elsewhere, as were about 61 percent of those aged 35 to 44 and some 54 percent of those aged 25 to 34. "It's a watershed moment," Myers said. "There has been so much focus on immigrants, on outsiders. Now we have all these insiders. These are people who carry the future, and they're mostly homegrown."

Ahead of the Curve in Addressing Sustainability

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April 23, 2009

Dan Mazmanian More than a decade ago, when sustainability issues were still a specialized curiosity, USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development professor Daniel Mazmanian turned his attention to the emergence of locally-based environmental policies in several communities and regions across the nation.

Demographic Shift Will Lead to "Homegrown" CA

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April 23, 2009

The Stockton Record featured new research by Professor Dowell Myers finding that California's population will soon be mostly "homegrown" instead of coming from other states or countries. This large demographic shift indicates that more Californians are staying closer to home, that fewer workers from elsewhere will be available to fuel the economy, and that the state's institutions will be held more accountable, the story stated. The report is called "The New Homegrown Majority in California: Recognizing the New Reality of Growing Commitment to the Golden State."

Study Finds Emergence of "Homegrown Majority" in CA

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April 21, 2009

The San Francisco Chronicle featured research led by Professor Dowell Myers of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development discovering that "homegrown" Californians will soon outnumber those who came from elsewhere. The story noted that more than 70 percent of teens and young adults were born in California, up from barely half in 1990. "People have felt it's a state full of newcomers, every man for himself, we don't need to invest in the next generation because they're different," said Myers. "We're waking up to the fact that we're a self-reliant state whose future depends on who is here already." Click to view full report.

Myers' Study Discovers Major Demographic Shift in CA

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April 21, 2009

The Los Angeles Times featured research by SPPD Professor Dowell Myers concluding that "homegrown" Californians will soon outnumber those who came from elsewhere. More than 70 percent of Californians aged 15 to 24 were born and raised in the state, while nearly two-thirds of state residents aged 45 to 54 were born out of state. "It's a sea change in demography but also in political perceptions," Myers said. "We've transformed from being a state of migrants to a settled state of native Californians. We're basically becoming more self-reliant on who we have here."

Little Speaks at Asia Infrastructure Summit

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April 15, 2009

Appearing on a panel at the Financial Times' Asia Infrastructure Summit, Richard Little addressed the question of whether private investment in infrastructure could be Asia's highway to economic growth. Little is a senior fellow at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development and director of the Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy.

Currid Maps Social Centers of L.A., New York City

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April 14, 2009

NBC News Los Angeles affiliate KNBC-TV featured a study called "The Geography of Buzz" by Elizabeth Currid. Currid and a colleague at Columbia University tracked geo-coded photos from Getty Images to create heat maps charting the most socially active hubs in L.A. and New York. "In Los Angeles the 'buzziest' areas were identified in Beverly Hills and Hollywood, along the Sunset Strip -- not in Silver Lake or Echo Park," the researchers wrote.

New Study by Currid Maps "The Geography of Buzz"

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April 7, 2009

The New York Times featured "The Geography of Buzz," a study co-authored by Assistant Professor Elizabeth Currid of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development. The study delineates cultural hot spots based on geo-markers of events such as film and television screenings, concerts, fashion shows, gallery and theater openings. Currid and colleague found that "buzziest" areas in New York were around Lincoln Center and Rockefeller Center, and along Broadway from Times Square into SoHo. In Los Angeles, the "buzziest" areas were in Beverly Hills and Hollywood, along the Sunset Strip. The story included a multimedia graphic of the study's findings.

Local Experts Take on Transportation Issues

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April 2, 2009

Los Angeles' "transportation transformation" was the subject of a recent panel discussion hosted by the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development. The event took place at the downtown headquarters of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). It was the third event in the SPPD Dean's Speaker series, which has focused on the revitalization of Los Angeles.

Currid Discusses Role of Arts as Economic Driver

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March 26, 2009

The New Statesman (U.K.) featured a talk by Assistant Professor Elizabeth Currid delivered at the Institute for Public Policy Research in London. Currid's book, The Warhol Economy, argues that New York's art scene is a major economic engine, and in her talk, she suggested that the same may be true of London, the story noted. In big cities, where the arts generate billions, urban policymakers need to recognize the role that networking plays in the creative sector, she said.

Local Port Stakeholders Pack METRANS Town Hall Event

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March 18, 2009

With cargo flow down about one-third since last year, port stakeholders packed the 10th METRANS Town Hall meeting on March 11 in Long Beach. More than 1,000 people, including longshore workers, terminal operators, logistics providers and elected officials, attended the event. The topic was how to make the San Pedro Bay ports competitive and protect high-paying local jobs.

Woo Analyzes How Rising Sea Levels May Affect CA

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March 12, 2009

The Los Angeles Times quoted SPPD Adjunct Professor Michael Woo about how rising sea levels could affect California. "The rising sea level could be California's version of Hurricane Katrina," Woo said. "Taxpayers and insurance ratepayers might question their responsibility to help homeowners and businesses which knowingly build in high-risk coastal areas," he noted. Woo is a Los Angeles planning commissioner, the story reported.

Latino Enrollment in Public Schools Is on the Rise

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March 9, 2009

U.S. News & World Report featured a study by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC on Latino enrollment in public schools. Latino children now are in the majority or near majority in a number of large districts, the study found. In Chicago, 45.1 percent of first graders are Hispanic, compared with 41.1 percent of sixth graders and 35.2 percent of 12th graders. Latinos constitute 74.5 percent of first graders in Los Angeles, 63.1 percent in Houston, 68.6 percent in Dallas, and 53.6 percent in San Jose, Calif.

Little Comments on Obama's "Shovel-Ready Projects"

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March 6, 2009

National Public Radio interviewed SPPD Senior fellow Richard Little about President Obama's infrastructure stimulus plan, which designates tens of billions of dollars for so-called "shovel-ready projects." Little, director of the USC Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy, discussed the impact of those projects on the nation's economic crisis and decaying infrastructure. "Essentially, it's projects that can be gotten underway within 120 days, meaning they are out to bid and ready to proceed," Little said. "The emphasis is on getting people to work and spending money," he added.

Congresswoman Shares Personal, Political Experiences with Students at SPPD

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February 27, 2009

During a recent discussion held at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) shared personal lessons and political insights from her book, Dream in Color: How the Sanchez Sisters Are Making History in Congress (Grand Central Publishing, 2008).

SPPD Alumna Solis Confirmed as U.S. Labor Secretary

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Rep. Hilda Solis, MPA '81 February 24, 2009

On Feb. 24, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) was confirmed by the Senate to become Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor for President Obama's administration. Solis graduated from the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development in 1981 with a master of public administration degree.

SPPD Signs Pact With World Bank

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February 9, 2009

The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development and the World Bank signed an agreement designed to merge scholarly research and specific program initiatives to address sustainable development in the East Asia and Pacific Region. The signing ceremony took place during a conference in Washington, D.C., focusing on challenges facing megacities in the developing world.


SPPD Helps City Officials Face Challenges

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February 4, 2009

Faculty and students at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development took part in a leadership training conference to help local government officials find solutions for public problems afflicting cities nationwide.

SPPD Celebrates Its 80th Anniversary

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January 26, 2009

The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development marked its 80th anniversary by hosting a special colloquium Jan. 16 at the Davidson Conference Center. During the conference, Dean Jack H. Knott noted that SPPD remains dedicated to advancing academic theory and making a vital impact in the world.

SPPD Signs Pact With Peace Corps

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December 22, 2008

The USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development signed a formal agreement to participate in Fellows/USA, the Peace Corps' graduate fellowship program. This agreement will enable former volunteers to pursue a graduate education in public administration, public policy, urban planning, health administration and real estate development.

SPPD Alumna Hilda Solis Tabbed for Labor Secretary

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Rep. Hilda Solis, MPA '81 December 19, 2008

During a Dec. 19 press conference in Chicago, President-elect Barack Obama nominated Rep. Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) for Secretary of the U.S. Labor Department. Solis is an alumna of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, graduating with a master of public administration degree in 1981.

Sustainability Class Helps Students to Think, Act "Green"

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December 18, 2008

Taught by Professor Daniel Mazmanian, a new class at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development gave graduate students an introductory overview of key sustainability issues along with the chance to meet with environmental policymakers, chat with "green business" entrepreneurs, and measure their own carbon footprints.

Woo Discusses L.A. Planning Commission President's Resignation

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December 17, 2008

L.A. Weekly quoted Adjunct Professor Michael Woo about the resignation of Los Angeles Planning Commission President Jane Usher. Usher was widely viewed as independent of the city's powerful developer sector, the story stated. "There has never been such a proactive commission," Woo said. Woo is a commissioner and a former Los Angeles city councilman, the article noted.

More Hispanics Now Fluent in English, Census States

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December 9, 2008

USA Today quoted Professor Dowell Myers about the increase in the number of Hispanics fluent in English. Homeownership and naturalization are more important gauges of assimilation than English fluency, but language is the most visible, Myers said. "What affects people the most is the language around them," he explained. "It's the most symbolic ... a real flashpoint."

New Census Trend Shows More Diversity in So. Cal

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December 9, 2008

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Dowell Myers about census data showing growing diversity in Southern California's suburbs. The trend reflects a broad breakdown of past housing discrimination, Myers said. "Ethnic groups of all types are integrating into suburban neighborhoods. It's the new normal," he explained. "It's not about color and ethnicity in California anymore. It's about economic upward mobility."

Myers Weighs In on New Census Bureau Methods

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December 8, 2008

The Los Angeles Times quoted Professor Dowell Myers about census methodology. The U.S. Census Bureau is offering data on a rolling basis in addition to the head count every 10 years. Some demographers are concerned that the rolling data could be misleading because it is averaged over time, the story reported. Averaging over time "only works if things aren't changing very much," Myers said. "When you have a steep trend, you want to know where things are changing now. You don't want to know where it was changing two years ago."

Global Warming's Trillion-Dollar Risk to Housing Market

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December 8, 2008

The California Real Estate Journal quoted Associate Professor Gary Painter about a new report warning of a $2.5 trillion risk to real estate posed by global warming. Rising losses from damage and destruction of buildings and land presumably will lead to higher insurance premiums, the story stated. "What's clearly going to happen is, as various places in California experience greater risk over time, you'd expect that to be reflected in higher prices," Painter said.

Anatomy of a Natural Disaster

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November 20, 2008

The impact of Hurricane Katrina continues to be felt in the New Orleans region and beyond as researchers and policymakers examine what went wrong and how to deal with the effects of a similar disaster in the future. The latest contribution comes from a team of professors at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, who edited and wrote chapters for Natural Disaster Analysis After Hurricane Katrina: Risk Assessment, Economic Impacts and Social Implications.

Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Hosts First Panel

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November 20, 2008

The Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, a new student organization at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, hosted its inaugural event -- a panel discussion at Lewis Hall addressing key issues currently facing the Asian American community.

Study: Hispanics Worried About College Expenses

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November 19, 2008

The San Antonio Express-News featured research by the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC, Sallie Mae and Gallup Inc. on Hispanics and college education. The study, "How America Pays for College," revealed that Hispanics went to universities with cheaper tuition costs than institutions Anglos and blacks attended, paying an average of about $4,300 less per year. TRPI was also cited as a source for other statistics featured in the story.

Keston Associate Director Receives National Honor

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November 6, 2008

Dr. Louise Nelson Dyble, associate director for research at the USC Keston Institute for Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy, recently received the American Public Works Association (APWA) Michael Robinson Award for her article, "Revolt Against Sprawl: Transportation and the Origins of the Marin County Growth-Control Regime."

Panel Addresses Downtown's Revitalization

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October 29, 2008

During an Oct. 21 panel hosted by the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry said that the goal of downtown's revitalization effort is to restore "the excitement of an earlier time." The changing downtown landscape was the focus of the panel discussion, which took place inside City Hall. The event was part of the SPPD Dean's Speaker Series.

Double-Decker Buses Show New Angles of L.A. Tourism

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October 28, 2008

The Los Angeles Times quoted Assistant Professor Elizabeth Currid about double-decker tourist buses in Los Angeles. The buses are a gambit by L.A.'s biggest tour operator to broaden the areas in which tourists roam, the story stated. "The double-decker buses aren't the silver bullet," Currid said. "But great cities are great cities because of all the little things adding up. The cumulative effect of all the little things actually adds up to something important."

CED Contributes to Green Jobs Growth in Inland Empire

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October 22, 2008

The Press-Enterprise cited a report by the Center for Economic Development at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development. The center developed the strategy for the Green Valley Initiative, a private-public group launched in June 2007 to foster the growth of green jobs in the Inland Empire, the story noted. The U.S. Department of Commerce recently approved the plan, which includes 18 programs to make the region a green business hub and combat job loss and low wages.

Myers Discusses Immigrant Settlement Patterns

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September 23, 2008

SPPD Professor Dowell Myers was quoted in Forbes about immigrant settlement patterns within the United States. New immigrants try to find a large community of immigrants with similar backgrounds, the story stated. "When people move to a new place, they want to be around those that they know," Myers said.

Jeffe Weighs in on Gay Marriage Amendment

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September 7, 2008

SPPD Senior Fellow Sherry Bebitch Jeffe was quoted about California's Proposition 8, which would amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage. "Republicans and conservatives tend to support it more," Jeffe said. "Hispanics are a potential group of supporters," she added. "Democrats tend not to. Moderates and liberals tend not to. Independents are more receptive to the idea of single-sex marriage."

Penalty for Downtown L.A. Grand Avenue Project

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July 29, 2008

In a Los Angeles Times story, Prof. Gary Painter was quoted about the penalty for delays with Los Angeles' Grand Avenue project. The board overseeing the project approved a measure stipulating that if the project is delayed beyond February, the developer will be fined $250,000 a month. Financial penalties like this can sometimes help get projects moving, Painter said. He added that $250,000 per month seemed not a large sum of money relative to the scale of the project.

Web Sites May Give Skewed Info on Neighborhoods

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July 18, 2008

Prof. Dowell Myers was quoted in a widely carried Associated Press story in USA Today about Web sites that use government data to provide potential home buyers with maps of criminal activity in a neighborhood. One site includes the residences of people who were arrested for crimes but not convicted, the article noted. The wealth of data provided these sites can distort what's happening in a given community, Myers said. "It amounts to a rumor that's constructed out of real data, but presented in a way as though it represents a level of threat, that's how people read it. And whether it actually represents risk to the buyer is totally uncertain."

Myers Discusses Effect of Soaring Gas Prices

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July 14, 2008

Prof. Dowell Myers of was quoted in the San Diego Union Tribune about how different communities will be affected by high gas prices. Developments in more far-flung communities will experience the biggest hit first, Myers said. "Geriatric villages" replete with health clubs and art galleries will flourish in closer-in neighborhoods, as aging baby boomers demand more amenities to entice them to leave the suburbs, he said. "Firms will locate where they can recruit workers better," he added. "That's why they've already moved to the suburbs, and they may still stay out there."

Counties Feel Impact of Hispanic Immigrants

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June 29, 2008

Dowell Myers was quoted the USA Today about baby boomers and Latino immigrants. For a nation bracing to support 79 million baby boomers in their old age, the growing and younger population of Latinos should be viewed as economic salvation, Myers said. "Children are always a fiscal burden, yet children are also the lifeblood of every community," he explained. "What's killing Japan and threatening the economic future of Europe is that they don't have enough kids, and that's what's depriving these rural areas in America," he added. Myers is the author of Immigrants and Boomers: Forging a New Social Contract for the Future of America, the story noted.

Pachon Discusses Legacy of RFK

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June 5, 2008

Harry Pachon was interviewed on "CNN Newsroom" about Robert F. Kennedy's legacy. "The national focus on the Hispanic community is something that was new," Pachon said. "He reached out and you felt that there was really a coalition that could be made of black, Latino and white working class of, you know, voters. We all have something in common. It was very powerful at that time." Pachon is president of the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at USC, the story noted.

Study Analyzes Assimilation of Mexican Immigrants

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May 15, 2008

Prof. Dowell Myers was quoted in U.S. News and World Report about variations among immigrant populations. "Asians show up with a lot more money, oftentimes," Myers said. "They have a higher education to begin with, and many of them are entrepreneurs." The Asian experience recalls a general rule of today's immigrants: The farther you have to migrate, the wealthier you probably were in your country of origin, the story stated. "Poor people can't afford a plane trip across the ocean, but poor people can walk across the border," Myers explained. "Poor Africans and poor Chinese can't do it."

Myers Examines Public's Misperception of Immigrants

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May 15, 2008

Prof. Dowell Myers was quoted in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal about immigration policy. Public discourse on the subject can be colored by what Myers calls the "Peter Pan Fallacy," the story stated. "Many of us assume, unwittingly, that immigrants are like Peter Pan, forever frozen in their status as newcomers, never aging, never advancing economically, and never assimilating," Myers said. In this naive view, "the mounting numbers of foreign-born residents imply that our nation is becoming dominated by growing numbers of people who perpetually resemble newcomers," he said.

Myers Analyzes Assimilation Trends Among Immigrant Groups

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May 13, 2008

Prof. Dowell Myers was quoted in USA Today about an index aimed at measuring immigrant assimilation. An index is a futile effort, because different characteristics change at different rates, Myers said. Some changes happen in a few years, while others take a lifetime or even several generations, he said.

Immigration Serves Interest of Older Generation, Economy

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April 21, 2008

Prof. Dowell Myers was quoted in a Los Angeles Times story about immigration policy. This week, a USC conference will bring together former federal housing secretary Henry Cisneros and other community leaders to explore ways to help immigrants better integrate into career-oriented jobs and civic life, the story reported. "It's in the self-interest of the older generation to have immigrants here," Myers said. "Even if you don't like it, you have to ask the question: Who's going to fill your jobs, buy your homes and pay the taxes for old-age support programs?" he asked. Myers is the author of the book Immigrants and Boomers: Forging a New Social Contract for the Future of America, the story noted.

Research Centers and Groups

Civic Engagement Initiative

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The Civic Engagement Initiative has developed a network of scholars from SPPD, other USC schools, and major international research universities. The initiative seeks to offer new ways of thinking about participatory democracy and governance, and to partner with civic leaders to create exemplars of how this works in neighborhoods and public institutions.

Center for Economic Development

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The Center for Economic Development (CED) is a university research center with partial financial sponsorship from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration University Center Program. CED is a clinical forum and outreach arm for the school, engaging the energy, enthusiasm, and talent of students, faculty, and staff to provide a wide range of services to public, private, and nonprofit entities in the 12 counties of Southern California.


Founded in Fall 2005, the USC Judith and John Bedrosian Center on Governance and the Public Enterprise is dedicated to understanding and fostering effective democratic governance as an essential component in ensuring the betterment of communities within the United States and around the world. The center focuses on research, policy analysis, and educational activities in three areas: collaborative governance, information technology and democracy.


SPPD and the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences have created a new center addressing the urgent need for knowledge about the successful integration of immigrants. The center aims to sponsor research and facilitate civic dialogue about the intersecting issues of immigrant settlement, economic mobility, social cohesion, and social equity.


Research Contracts and Grants

Principal Investigator: Christopher Weare
Sponsor: NSF
Amount Awarded: $68,048.00

Civil Religion and Citizenship: From Care Work to Community in Los Angeles

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Principal Investigators: Christopher Weare and Juliet Musso
Sponsor: The Pew Charitable Trusts
Amount Awarded: $34,488.16

Principal Investigator: David Sloane
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Amount Awarded: $12,675.00

Gang Risk Assessment: Trial Version

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Principal Investigator: David Sloane
Sponsor: Liberty Hill Foundation
Amount Awarded: $4,673.00

Principal Investigator: Harry Pachon
Sponsor: Department of Transportation
Amount Awarded: $162,511.00

USC Center for Economic Development Community Development Work Study Program

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Principal Investigator: Leonard Mitchell
Sponsor: Department of Housing and Urban Development
Amount Awarded: $90,000.00

Principal Investigators: Clara Irazabal and Macarena Gomez-Barris
Sponsor: Center for Religion and Civic Culture
Amount Awarded: $34,959.99

Principal Investigator: Genevieve Giuliano
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Transportation / FTA - TERP
Amount Awarded: $136,633.00

Encouraging Local Leadership and Unleashing Volunteer Resources

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Principal Investigators: James Ferris and Robert Myrtle
Sponsor: Annenberg Foundation
Amount Awarded: $109,960.15

Principal Investigators: Terry Cooper and Thomas Bryer
Sponsor: John Ramdolph Haynes Foundation
Amount Awarded: $21,522.00

Delinquency Control Institute

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Principal Investigator: Garrett Capune
Sponsor: Dr. Scholl Foundation
Amount Awarded: $10,000.00

Principal INvestigator: Tridib Banerjee
Sponsor: California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS)
Amount Awarded:  $89,976.00

Principal Investigator: Deepak Bahl
Sponsor: Department of Transportation
Amount Awarded:  $200,857.00