About Us

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Learn more about our team.

Our Mission

The Florida International University Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center is an applied research institute that provides policy solutions to public, private, and non-profit organizations in South Florida.

The Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center is a part of the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs.

To view our most recent brochure, click here.

Our Background

The Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center is the leading urban “think tank” in South Florida and an applied research unit in the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Florida International University.

Since 1997, the Center has provided policy solutions to public, private and non-profit organizations in South Florida, taking into account the unique needs of individual communities. The Center offers customized services and studies while adhering to recognized methodologies for applied research. Our staff combines skills and experience in various areas of research and practice, from economic and community development, housing and business analysis, to population studies, survey research, and public policy development and feasibility analysis.

Spatial analysis and graphic displays are included in all the center’s research including GIS-mapping, infographics and videos to illustrate data and information, as well as the importance of the research findings. This provides residents and policymakers with readily transparent data displays to assist in planning and policy considerations. Some of our reports can be accessed online at https:/metropolitan.fiu.eduresearch/periodic-publications/recent-reports/

For a review of some recent infographics on housing, equity, impact of COVID-19 and others, visit our Infographics section: https:/metropolitan.fiu.eduresearch/periodic-publications/hot-topics/

The Center’s approach to providing consulting services is to take into account the unique needs of individual communities and/or clients and offer customized services and studies while adhering to recognized methodologies for applied research, survey design, and data analysis. The Center houses the ongoing South Florida Regional Database Project which includes asset mapping, best-practice research, and full in-house Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capabilities. Moreover, the Metropolitan Center is a Census Information Center (CIC), which allows for early access to release data and data with restricted use.

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Our core areas are:

The Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center employs a holistic approach to economic development that integrates traditional concerns for economic base expansion with an eye to affordable housing, human capital and organizational capacity.

The Jorge M. Pérez Metropolitan Center conducts quantitative and qualitative public opinion research, including surveys, focus groups, one-on-one interviews and mystery shops. These services aimed to provide a better understanding of general public policy issues and to assist our partners in efforts to improve customer service and satisfaction