SPPD: Center for Economic Development

A professional outreach arm of the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, the Community Development and Design Forum (Forum) was established in 1995 to provide technical assistance to communities and conduct applied research throughout the Southern California region. The Forum works in collaboration with the USC Center for Economic Development (Center) to support initiatives adopted by local communities seeking to improve and develop their economies, physical environments and overall quality of life.

Please click here to access CDDF's reports and other materials.

To foster a new era of grass-root initiatives, promote community visioning skills and support local empowerment, the Forum has forged new relationships with a variety of organization including:

Public and Private Institutions

City and County Planning Departments

Economic Development Organizations

Redevelopment Agencies

Community and Nonprofit Groups

In its aim to advance community vision of local economic and physical development, the Forum attempts to integrate the comprehensive nature of professional practice and urban revitalization in the education of urban professionals who undertake complex multidisciplinary community building projects. Forum services include:

Urban Planning and Design

Finance and Market Analysis

Project Development & Project Planning

Feasibility Studies

Community Resource Mapping

Community Organization

Computer Aided Graphics

Community Projects

Most Forum projects involve real working partnerships with neighborhood residents, local community groups and agencies. This is achieved by combining the professional pedagogy, cutting edge techniques, state-of-the-art resources and creative talents of cadre of accomplished individuals. Students work under the guidance of professional supervisors, faculty and consultants in dealing with a variety of projects.

The Forum also utilizes class resources -- undergraduate as well as graduate -- from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development's multidimensional and creative curriculum. Moreover, the Forum draws from various disciplines and the services of faculty, staff and consultants as resources in addressing the diversity of Forum projects. While the Forum creates new opportunities for students, it also provides for a didactic and clinical experience which enables them to identify and understand real issues, needs, and community requirements. Student, faculty and staff are experienced in providing academic and professional support to government agencies, consulting firms and private organizations seeking effective approaches to complex urban planning and real estate development issues.

The Forum has provided design and planning assistance through applied research to the Cities of Los Angeles, Pasadena, West Hollywood, and Glendale.

For more information on the activities of the Forum and the Center, please contact Deepak Bahl.

Community Development and Design Forum (CDDF)