Welcome to the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute

We are a nonpartisan, applied research and community outreach institute at UNC Charlotte, seeking solutions to the social, economic and environmental challenges facing our communities.

Latest Articles & Publications

A woman kneeling next to a homeless man sleeping outside

Housing

With homeless numbers rising, Charlotte-Mecklenburg works on a new plan

Ely Portillo September 14, 2021

Environment

Native plants for native bees in the Charlotte region

Ruth Ann Grissom September 13, 2021

Planning & Development

Regional transit plan soon to be finalized

Ely Portillo September 8, 2021

Mixed-use development at the 36th Street light rail station in NoDA. Photo: Nathan Griffin

Planning & Development

Part 1: How the Blue Line Extension changed Charlotte development

Nathan Griffin September 7, 2021

Planning & Development

Part 2: The relationship between design and transit use

Nathan Griffin September 7, 2021

Podcast

Preserving the past while embracing change

Ely Portillo September 2, 2021

Our Work

Programs

From mapping key community indicators to hosting walks that help local residents explore pressing social issues, our programs focus on building regional understanding and connections.

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Data

Planning & Development

Part 1: How the Blue Line Extension changed Charlotte development

Nathan Griffin September 7, 2021

Housing

Data that show why Charlotte houses are so expensive - and scarce

Ely Portillo July 28, 2021

Equity

Supporting Charlotte’s minority-owned small businesses

Angelique Gaines June 29, 2021

Transportation & Economic Mobility

Poverty suburbanization and job access: A new study tests ‘spatial mismatch’

Ely Portillo June 16, 2021

Housing

Wall Street-backed landlords now own more than 11,000 single-family homes in Charlotte

Ely Portillo, Justin Lane June 9, 2021

Coronavirus

Tracking confirmed coronavirus cases in our region

Clayton Hanson, David Hill December 14, 2020

Issues

The Charlotte region is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic areas in the nation, with rural counties, bedroom communities and suburbs, as well as the largest city in North Carolina and rapidly changing areas in upstate South Carolina. The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute focuses on issues of growth, change and equity in this complex region.

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Researcher Spotlight

Kailas Venkitasubramanian has been at UNC Charlotte in various roles for well over a decade. He completed his PhD in Urban Regional Analysis in 2015 and Masters in Transportation Engineering in 2008, both from UNC Charlotte. “I firmly believe in the power of data to meaningfully inform and democratize our communities, empower the marginalized and give voice to people's socio-political aspirations,” he says.

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Support Our Work

If you value the work of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute as we analyze trends in the Charlotte region and the Carolinas, consider a tax-deductible gift to help sustain our operations. We appreciate your support.

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Office of Urban Research and Community Engagement

The Urban Institute is a part of the Office of Urban Research and Community Engagement (formerly known as Metropolitan Studies), which is a unit of Academic Affairs. Our mission is to provide community-based research services to local, regional, and state-level clients. Off-campus partners include local governments, non-profit organizations, and community groups.

Programs

Center for Transportation Policy Studies (CTPS)
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Annual Survey
Institute for Social Capital, Inc.
Transportation Information Management System (TIMS)
Quality of Life Explorer
The Carolinas Urban-Rural Connection

Articles & Publications

Articles Archives
Research Publications & Reports
Photo Essays and Galleries

Data

Regional Data
Interactive Maps

Issues

Arts & Recreation
Economy
Education
Environment & Planning
Government & Civic Engagement
Health & Well-being
Housing & Homelessness
Public Safety
Transportation

Our Region

Explore our region

About Us

Who We Are
Contributing Writers
Staff
Need a Speaker?
Support Us
Contact Us

UNC Charlotte Urban Institute