Strategic Economics is a consulting and research firm specializing in urban, regional and real estate economics.  The firm assists local governments, transit agencies, developers, and non-profit organizations in understanding the economic and development context in which they operate. The outcome of our work is to help organizations take strategic steps towards creating high quality places for people to live and work.

Strategic Economics is seeking to hire an Associate I, with knowledge and interest in urban planning and real estate economics.

This position will work on a variety of projects that may include: real estate market analysis; fiscal impact analysis; transit-oriented development strategies; and regional economic development strategies. The following skills and experience are required:

• Masters degree in city planning, public policy or a related field is required.
• Strong analytical skills – The applicant must have experience analyzing various data sources, including Census and employment data.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following areas: statistical analysis, regional economic analysis, pro forma modeling, market analysis, and/or fiscal analysis.
• Strong proficiency with Excel, ArcView (GIS), Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint
• Excellent writing skills
• Some consulting experience preferred

Creative thinkers are encouraged to apply. The ability to manage budgets, deadlines, and other staff as well as demonstrated experience with independent work and leadership is highly desirable.

The position is full-time and available immediately.  Salary is commensurate with experience.

Qualified candidates please submit your cover letter, resume and work sample to hr@strategiceconomics.com.  Incomplete submittals will not be considered or reviewed.

Strategic Economics is an equal opportunity employer.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

(Source: In Transition via Planetizen)

By some estimates, the only thing Ferraris, Hummers and Priuses have in common is that 95 percent of the time they’re all going nowhere. Though idleness would seem to be the most benign aspect of America’s automotive fleet, UCLA Planning Professor Donald Shoup has written 733 pages that say otherwise. Because when cars aren’t going, they are parked somewhere, and when they are parked in one place, an average of six spaces per car nationwide stand vacant. Shoup considers the proliferation of parking spaces to be a plague on American cities, and because the vast majority lie open for the taking, they represent the largest devaluation of real estate short of the subprime mortgage crisis.

Published in 2005, The High Cost of Free Parking has begun to influence planners and policymakers in cities across the country.

Published in 2005, Shoup’s The High Cost of Free Parking amounts to an unwieldy volume full of data, regressions, and intricate analysis of these most overlooked squares on the grid of American cities. If America’s streets were a Monopoly board, it would be a dull contest indeed, with almost every space “Free Parking.” Each of the country’s roughly 200 million vehicles typically demands spaces at home and work, with shares of countless spaces at the market, restaurant, post office, mall and every other imaginable destination. Eighty-seven percent of all trips are made by personal vehicle and 99 percent of those trips arrive at a free parking space.