A decade of research and public dialogue
Since 2016, the Center has brought scholars, civic and business leaders, and the public together around the forces reshaping California and the nation.
Reports, Events, Podcast
Research and convenings on the forces shaping America's future, prosperity, and success, through the lens of demographic change, policy, and ideas.
Latest reports
We share our reports and data openly, from our annual housing report to new research on community and policy. Open data builds shared understanding, honest disagreement, and, ultimately, consensus.
Rise of the Artisan Economy
2026Joel Kotkin and Irene Lottini on what Italy’s artisan tradition can teach America about small business, craft and the future of work.
Rebuild the Homeownership Ladder
2026Our 2026 housing report on restoring access to homeownership and the path to American success.
Demographia International Housing Affordability
2026The annual Demographia report ranking housing affordability across major housing markets worldwide.
Events
Convenings that reach decision makers and community. We believe the ideas in our reports should be discussed and debated with the community at large. Our convenings move the research into rooms where policymakers, business leaders, scholars, students, and neighbors work through the evidence together.
10th Anniversary Appreciation Breakfast
Tuesday, November 17, 2026•8:30 to 10:30 AM
Newport Beach Country Club, Newport Beach
We gather to thank the donors, partners, and friends whose generosity has carried the Center through its first decade, and to invite you into the next one: a leisurely breakfast in good company, a look back at the work you made possible, and a candid conversation about the questions ahead.
Private event · By invitation only
10th Anniversary Appreciation Breakfast
A private breakfast for the Center’s donors and supporters, celebrating ten years of research and public dialogue. Supporters are welcome to join us; email cucdp@chapman.edu to reserve your place.
2027 Community Reinvestment Forum: CRA at 50
Marking 50 years of the Community Reinvestment Act, presented in partnership with the Affordable Housing Clearinghouse. Financial institutions, housing developers, nonprofits, and community leaders from across Southern California will reflect on the progress, challenges, and future of community reinvestment.
International Housing Field Study
Senior Fellow Karla López del Río presents what she learned about affordable housing in Vienna as a California delegate representing the Center. Students, faculty, and staff welcome; details coming soon.
Iranian American Community Report: 2027 Release
The release of the Center’s second report on the Iranian American community, a follow-up to The Evolution of the Iranian American Community (2026). Details coming soon.
2027 Housing Solutions and American Success Summit
Our annual summit on housing and opportunity returns. Visit the summit site for updates, speakers, and registration as they are announced.
Housing Reality Check
A collaboration of UC Riverside, Chapman University, USC, and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) on the Inland Empire: a dynamic region shaped by rapid demographic change, and what that change means for housing and opportunity.
The Italian Artisan Economy and Its Relevance in America’s Future
Joel Kotkin and Irene Lottini presented our new report, Rise of the Artisan Economy, in conversation with Shaheen Sadeghi, with Chapman’s Ferrucci Institute. Revisit the photos, program, and report.
A Convening of the Iranian American Community
The release of our report, The Evolution of the Iranian American Community, with a community panel. Revisit the photos, video, and report.
Housing Solutions and American Success Summit
Our summit on housing and opportunity has wrapped. Revisit the conversations, speakers, and key takeaways on the recap page.
Science and Religion Discussion
A discussion on science and religion in public life, drawing on our published report, Is There a New Religious Revival?
The Feudal Future podcast
The Feudal Future, hosted by the Center's Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky, asks what it takes to give the global middle class more opportunity.
Each episode sits down with business, government, and community leaders to uncover the trends shaping our future, and the tools to build a better one.
New conversations on cities, class, technology, and the forces reshaping opportunity, from the team behind the Center's research.
Featured episodeThe Evolution of the Iranian American Community →
Leadership
Our leadership team guides the Center’s mission: research, reports, and convenings that examine how demographic change is shaping America’s future, prosperity, and opportunity.
Joel Kotkin
Executive Director Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures, Chapman University LinkedIn ↗
Marshall Toplansky
Co-Director Faculty Fellow for Innovation, Chapman University LinkedIn ↗
Mahnaz Asghari
Associate Director LinkedIn ↗
Karla López del Río
Senior Fellow LinkedIn ↗
Diego Aguirre
Student Assistant LinkedIn ↗Partners and donors
Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board, together with the donors who support our work, helps guide the Center’s mission and sustain the research and convenings we share with the public.
Howard Ahmanson, Jr.
Philanthropist and writer
Cullum Clark
Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative
Wendell Cox
Principal, Demographia
Joel Farkas
Founder, Fruition Communities
Jennifer L. Hernandez
Holland & Knight
Robert Koepp
Director, Asia-Pacific Geoeconomics, Chapman University
Ali Modarres
University of Washington Tacoma
Pete Saunders
Writer, researcher, and urban planner
Dr. Farrokh Shokooh
Founder and CEO, Operation Technology, Inc.
Thomas Tseng
Principal, Sengo Insights
Soledad Ursúa
Principal, Orinoco Equities
Morley Winograd
Author and speakerWith gratitude to our donors
Their generosity makes the Center’s research, reports, and public convenings possible.
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