Centers and Projects

Brookings’ Center for Community Uplift (CCU) is an initiative that seeks to increase economic security and well-being for people across racial and geographic lines. Through innovative public policy research, CCU aims to dismantle discrimination, racism, and exclusion. Rather than focus on racial disparity, CCU’s research explores how diversity and inclusion can yield better outcomes for all by building upon the assets and strengths in cities and neighborhoods.

Investing in place-based assets for residents and businesses is key to growing safe, healthy communities and generating widespread social and economic well-being. At Brookings Metro, we’re helping local leaders realize the benefits of “transformative placemaking” through community–centered economic inclusion; community safety investments to address crime and homelessness; downtown revitalization, including through office-to-residential conversions; wealth-building via community ownership of real estate; innovative place governance; and many more ways that advance inclusive development across America’s cities, suburbs, and rural areas. 

Brookings Metro is helping state and local leaders make the most of generational federal investments via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Brookings Metro is bringing together government, business, civic, and community leaders, as well as policy advocates and technical experts, to find the most effective and equitable ways cities and regions can rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while helping our communities become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate. Our work is part of the Brookings Initiative on Climate Research and Action, an institution-wide effort to strengthen global as well as domestic solutions.