Vacant Property Research Initiative (VPRI)
Communities of all types—urban, suburban, and rural—confront the challenges posed by vacant, abandoned, and distressed properties. Propelled by the recent economic recession and foreclosure crisis, trends indicate the adverse economic, fiscal and social impacts from vacant properties will be with us for years to come. Policymakers are also paying more attention to the plight of distressed cities and making the regeneration of these communities a top priority. The challenge is how applied policy research can facilitate the design of new, strategic policy models that synchronize regeneration initiatives and programs.
Launched in October 2011, the Vacant Property Research Initiative (VPRI) is a collaborative network of researchers, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in the design and testing of new models for reclaiming vacant and abandoned properties and creative planning and policy strategies for regenerating distressed cities.
VPRI provides a dynamic platform for collaborative problem-solving, exchanging ideas about new models, developing applied research projects that support policy change. The web site provides researchers, policymakers and practitioners with a wealth of information, tools and resources. The website’s main features:
NETWORK. Assembling a network of individuals and institutions to contribute and share research and policy analysis within the emerging fields of urban regeneration, cities in transition, shrinking cities and vacant property reclamation. The network offers a virtual space for tracking, debating, and assessing the diffusion of innovative policies and practices across multiple research and policy initiatives. Participants include representatives from academia, policy institutes, professional organizations/associations, national and local nonprofits and intermediaries, community based initiatives, and practitioners. Learn more about what you and your institution can do to participate and support the network.
INVENTORY. Using the networking platform Diigo, our Research Inventory provides a comprehensive bibliography of articles and reports on topics relevant to regenerating distressed cities, reclaiming vacant properties, and revitalizing neighborhoods. By making it a web-based inventory, researchers and practitioners can post and share their own work or reports they have may have run across. The inventory is a dynamic platform that can facilitate larger conversations between policy makers, practitioners and researchers about existing research needs that can help build a strong evidence base in support of policy change.
BLOG. Providing space for researchers, policymakers and practitioner to comment on the latest developments from the field, identify and address existing or potential barriers, and discuss how applied policy research could support the design and development of new models and innovative strategies for reclaiming vacant properties and regenerating distressed cities. Our blog includes recent summaries on the latest academic articles and policy reports from the Institute’s Research Inventory.
RESEARCH. Showcasing articles and reports by Metropolitan Institute professors and staff and Network Contributors along with the latest policy research from the emerging fields of vacant property reclamation and urban regeneration.
LINKS. Compiling a current list of web sites and blogs that feature initiatives, programs and policies on vacant properties, cities in transition, shrinking cities, sustainability, and urban generation.