The Center for Urban and Regional Policy is involved in a wide array of research and action projects, all aimed at helping policymakers and citizens better understand the dimensions of urban issues. Research projects currently under way address housing, urban economic development, workforce training, transportation, and state/local relations.

At the grassroots level, CURP focuses on neighborhood housing, minority enterprise, and community service, with related interests in the natural environment, economic literacy, education, and culture. These projects develop and document exemplary approaches to deal with the fundamental challenges of metropolitan life in the 21st century.

CURP projects operate through the development of partnerships with government and quasi-public agencies, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and businesses. CURP is dedicated to working with others to pursue a series of initiatives critical to improving the economic, social, and cultural life of cities and regions, particularly Greater Boston, primarily by presenting and evaluating policy options on a broad range of issues.

On the Northeastern campus, CURP works with faculty, staff, and students from a wide variety of disciplines to address all of these urban issues and promote a broader understanding of the challenges of the city and region. It employs a range of expert consultants to assist in the development of these projects.