Our Work
The Metropolitan Center serves as a link between campus and community in a regional approach that encompasses seven counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Volusia. We work in partnership with other institutions and organizations committed to a shared future that advances economic prosperity, social connectedness, natural resource protection and individual well being.
Growth and Urban Patterns
History of the Region
Central Florida encompasses a vast array of beautiful geological features, an industrious and talented population, and a living history that has shaped the destiny of the region. (More)
PennDesign Central Florida
This project developed a trend model for the 7-county Central Florida region for 2025 and 2050, based on current planning policies, transportation plans, and population forecasts. (More)
Planning Matters
"Planning Matters" is an occasional forum featuring distinguished speakers who discuss issues of planning, growth and development.
Ties That Bind: Social Capital
Many communities are suffering a shortage of "social capital," the networks of family, neighbors and friends and the trust and reciprocity that flow from them. When social capital declines, the quality of education is threatened, public safety suffers, philanthropy weakens, economic development lags, and civic institutions become less responsive. A community without adequate social capital is distrustful, disengaged and disenfranchised. (More)
Governance
Consolidation Study
In the fall of 2002, a group of doctoral students in UCF's College of Health and Public Affairs asked their professor, Dr. Aaron Liberman, to let them tackle an issue of special interest. Their five months of research and study led them to the conclusion that the consolidation of Orange County, the City of Orlando, and other municipalities would make local government more efficient, cost effective, and responsive to the citizens. (More)
School Board Study
This report is a summation of the pertinent findings of the research regarding public education (K-12) legislation. To fully understand the changes being proposed the bill was analyzed, other models that are in use across the country were researched, and interviews with school board members and local business people were conducted. (More)
Natural Resources
Florida's Threatened Resources
In the Fall of 2007, The UCF Metropolitan Center presented a multi-part series of forums focusing on the threatened natural resources in Florida. (More)
Naturally Central Florida
Naturally Central Florida is a cooperative land conservation effort jointly sponsored by the Metropolitan center for Regional Studies and the Environmental Task Force of myregion.org. (More)
Wekiva Forum
On March 12, 2004, there was a community roundtable concerning the Wekiva River Basin Challenge. (More)
Water Forum
On February 15, 2002, The UCF Metropolitan Center presented a two-day symposium on Central Florida water resources. (More)
Social Policy & Urban Issues
Brown v. Board
During the spring of 2004, the Metropolitan Center led the Central Florida community in a region-wide observance of the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision. A dozen partners collaborated in promoting a dialogue which asked the question: "How far have we come since Brown, and how far do we have yet to go?" (More)
Ethics Forum
On Friday, November 7, 2003, the Metropolitan Center and the Department of Philosophy at the University of Central Florida hosted a forum that examined the role ethical considerations play in our community's everyday life and workplace. (More)