Urban Reform Institute

The Center for Opportunity Urbanism (cou) examines issues of upward mobility, growth and prosperity for all citizens with particular interest in how planning and zoning decisions can hamper or spark economic growth. Cou's work focuses on key demographic concerns, notably around the critical issue of families, who generally seek out housing that is both affordable and spacious enough to raise children. And governance - the question of who makes decisions about the commons - will also be a key area of exploration. An approach that focuses on good schools, good parks, decent jobs and strong neighborhoods may not thrill many architects, pundits and planners - who almost invariably favor ever-denser development - but they do matter to most people who live in Urban areas. In 2020, cou published major studies on "upward mobility in the united states and "the demographia international housing affordability index" sponsored virtual events on "Opportunity and upward mobility for the middle class and produced commentaries on economic growth, gentrification, demographics. Upward mobility, and affordability.