The Ralph and Goldy Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies

The Ralph and Goldy Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies was established in 1988 on the basis of a five million dollar endowment gift from Ralph and Goldy Lewis. The main objective of the Lewis Center is to promote the study, understanding, and solution of regional policy issues, with special reference to Southern California. These important issues include problems of the environment, urban design, housing, community and neighborhood dynamics, transportation, and local economic development. The academic year 2004-2005 was the fifteenth full year of the Lewis Center's operation. An expanding number of faculty and students have been involved in the Center’s work, and contacts with outside agencies continue to grow. The Center’s Director works closely with an Executive Committee, and with guidance from an Advisory Council. During 20042005, three Executive Committee meetings were held to review the Center’s activities and future directions. The Executive Committee also approved funding for two years of the Southern California Survey (SCS) on issues and attitudes of interest to the region for use by researchers, social scientists, and local agencies. A joint Advisory Council-Executive Committee meeting was also held at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). Attendees voiced support for the SCS and agreed to review and comment on it, and help disseminate survey information. Members also agreed to help promote an upcoming workshop on 2002 Economic Census data at UCLA. We would like to thank members of both groups for their willingness to assist the Lewis Center in its activities. (Members of both groups are listed at the end of this newsletter.)