The Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University, founded in 1999, is a "think and do tank" - a place where faculty, staff, and students pool their expertise, resources, and commitment to address a wide range of issues facing cities, towns, and suburbs with particular emphasis on the Greater Boston region.

CURP staff are involved in a wide array of projects, all aimed at helping policymakers and citizens better understand the dimensions of urban issues. Projects currently under way address housing, workforce development, community economic development, education, information access, and more. CURP now has 30 people on its staff, with 13 people as paid consultants.

The immediate CURP Staff is led by Director Barry Bluestone, Associate Director David Soule, and Executive Coordinator Heather Seligman. The staff not only has deep experience in academic research and teaching, but also impressive experience in government, community organizations, advocacy groups, and consulting firms. The CURP staff's mix of theoretical and practical capacity provides a strong foundation for research and projects.

CURP also works with a number of Associates around Northeastern University and Greater Boston. These Associates are not on the staff of CURP but play important roles in developing and implementing research and community action projects. CURP staff meet with these Associates on a regular basis. Many Associates play an important role in CURP's specific projects, while others offer their expertise behind the scenes and at forums and special events sponsored by CURP.

CURP's Partners are the formal organizations that have joined forces to develop and implement research and community action projects. These partners include government agencies, other universities, community organizations, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and a variety of advocacy groups. These groups bring their own invaluable expertise and commitments to CURP projects.

Finally, CURP salutes its Alumni, individuals who have worked at the Center and have left an indelible mark on the fulfillment of the CURP mission.