Fall 2006 Course Description
Policy Research Project
This course fulfills requirements for the following specialization(s):
- Public Management and Leadership
- Technology, Innovation, and Information Policy
- Urban and State Affairs
Description: East Austin, a long aggrieved and misunderstood area, is undergoing dramatic change. Low-income and minority (African-American and Hispanic) communities in this area date from the 1930s and until recent times, low levels of economic activity in East Austin reflected the low income of area residents, despite the fact the area was very close to the central business district. Demographic trends have led to tensions over jobs and neighborhood character. In particular, the past decade has seen an increase in higher income individuals and families, often Hispanic, who have contributed to development. However, these demographic and economic shifts have also created tensions with long-term residents and businesses. The new demand for space in East Austin has driven up land prices and pushed poor residents further to the east of the city and, in the case of some blacks, out of the city. Several large-scale public investments are contributing to change in this part of the city. A number of city policies concerning land use and business development, will also affect the neighborhoods of East Austin. In particular, the city has encouraged redevelopment on 11th St. to house new businesses, pursued affordable housing policies and projects, and invested in a range of other public improvements.
The Policy Research Project will investigate a set of questions raised by these demographic and economic changes:
- What impacts will changing demographics bring to the neighborhoods, including local housing markets?
- What will the new economic activity mean for small businesses? These companies face changing clients?new families, new firms?but also competition from chain stores and the like locating in the area. Special attention will be given to the principal business corridors.
- What will the ?new? East Austinites mean for local institutions, such as churches and neighborhood organizations, and social capital?
The client for this project is PeopleFund, a non-governmental organization based in East Austin, whose mission is to promote economic vitality and opportunity in low-income communities by providing financial services and technical assistance. The activities undertaken by the LBJ School will complement PeopleFund?s effort to understand changes underway in East Austin, to discuss these changes with the business community, and to identify challenges and opportunities.
Faculty: Robert H. Wilson, Mike Hogg Professor of Urban Policy; Norman Glickman, University Professor, Center for Urban Policy Research, Rutgers University (invited).
Return to Fall 2006 Course Schedule
