The Metropolitan Futures Initiative explores how various regions operate, and the differences across regions. We pay particular attention to Orange County and its location within the larger Southern California area. The MFI approaches these goals by bringing together an interdisciplinary research team along with the insights and techniques of “big data” research. By combining various large longitudinal and spatial data sources, and then employing cutting edge statistical analyses and machine learning techniques, the goal is to come to a better understanding of how the various dimensions of the social ecology of a region across various spatial scales move together to produce the outcomes observed. The MFI studies community challenges including those involving physical infrastructure, environmental sustainability, criminal justice, economic vitality, and equitable distributions of shared benefits and burdens.
The initiative encourages moving beyond jurisdictional borders and encouraging stakeholders in communities to more effectively collaborate on issues of regional consequence.
Contents
Key questions the Initiative addresses include:
- Changes in the future for our communities and how they are linked to the larger regional and global economy and environment
- Given the dynamic transition of Orange County into an urban center, what are the implications for transportation, business location, and residential choice?
- How will these changes affect access to opportunity (jobs, housing, and education) and quality of life (health, air quality, water resources, safety, and open space)?
Engaged research
The Director of the MFI, John Hipp, made a presentation at Solving Societal Problems, Social Ecology Style.; this link has a photo show, as well as videos of the various presenters. Here’s the link to his presentation on “Foreclosures, Neighborhood Dynamics, and the Ecology of Communities”. Nov 4, 2011
A Better Metropolitan Future
Answers to these questions from our research will provide insights regarding the future of Orange County within the context of the larger region, the future of governance for the region, and potential strategies aimed at promoting a thriving future for Orange County and Southern California.