The Regional Institute concentrates its work in four key areas with particular relevance to the binational Buffalo Niagara region.
Regional transition from an industrial to knowledge-based economy brings profound challenges and offers new opportunities. What tools, innovations and strategic investments hold the most promise for growth in the 21st century economy?
Regional governance consists of a complex network of public, private and nonprofit players operating from the neighborhood to the national and international scale. What does effective regional governance look like, and how do regions achieve it?
Immigration, the aging of society, racial and ethnic change and the suburbanization of poverty – such demographic shifts are significantly shaping regions. How prepared are regions for demographic change and what policies are appropriate?
Any border, but especially an international one, raises questions of trade, security, mobility, cultural identity and environmental stewardship. What does it mean to be a binational region in a global world?
The Regional Institute’s professional qualifications cut across four diverse areas.
Working with clients to translate complex questions and issues into manageable projects with measurable outcomes.
Generating intelligence on regional issues to promote informed debate and catalyze change.
Progressively applying information technology to regional issues, from Web site construction to database management to GIS and visualization of complex problems.
Ensuring broad access to information through forums, seminars and other public channels including online and print resources.