Land Policy Institute Research and Faculty Development

LPI recognizes the need for strategic research to inform the policy debate on how land is used and on the bold, sustainable steps needed for metro and rural regions to reposition themselves for prosperity in the New Economy.

LPI fosters research to support sound land use decision-making through internal LPI research and partnerships and stakeholder input, and by facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations among MSU faculty and its partners to attract funding.

LPI also democratizes science (conveys research findings to citizens) in accordance with the founding philosophy of the land grant institution. It does this through publications, the annual Land Use Summit, legislator training, extension land use educators, media releases and other outreach, and educational and convening opportunities.

LPI developed a strategic research agenda for land use at MSU through extensive stakeholder assessment and gap analysis of internal and external capabilities. This assessment included listening sessions and in-depth interviews with stakeholders about their views of what more MSU could do related to land use policy. The University also consulted materials collected for the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council, including a survey of interest groups and Council members as well as public hearing reports.

The institute's research agenda, which falls within ten established focus areas, has been broad and insightful, addressing far-reaching topics that range from farmland preservation to urban revitalization, and from state policies to cooperation in the provision of local government services. The 10 focus areas are:

• Urban Revitalization
• Market Solutions to Land Use Problems
• Viable Agriculture for the Future
• Sustaining Water & Natural Resources
• Enhanced Planning
• Creating Healthy Communities
• Equipping State Decision-Makers
• Empowering Michigan Citizens
• Land Use Informatics
• National Leadership

For a more detailed explanation of how LPI and its partners have addressed these focus areas, view the focus area listed above.

LPI has continued to receive input and refine its research agenda, and as a result, has built a strategic research program based on research needs described here.