Housed in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities and the College of Business and Behavioral Science, the Center for Real Estate Development enjoys a rich cadre of experts and is able to provide a unique combination of research and public service resources for students, consumers, academics and businesses that are part of the real estate marketplace. Closely aligned with the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) Program, the mission of the Center is to create an organization that complements our academic programming by providing research and outreach opportunities that will enhance the real estate profession and expand the reputation of Clemson University as a top research university. Given the expertise and network of the Director, the focus of the Center will not only include local and regional initiatives but strategic partnerships on both a national and international scale which will expand our outreach to the global real estate marketplace.

Driven by its land grant mission of information dissemination on behalf of South Carolina, the research conducted within the Center will have an emphasis on development issues as they relate to finding better ways to build more sustainable communities. This will be accomplished through appropriate research from the various disciplines at Clemson University, many of which are unique to the University. The Center will also serve as an important public service and applied research laboratory for Clemson University students as they are encouraged to get involved with its activities.

It is envisioned that the Center for Real Estate Development will focus its efforts in the following activities:

• Conduct research on land use, sustainable development and other real estate- related issues for both the private and public sectors from a local, regional, national and/or global perspective.
• Offer public service via information dissemination, best practices, educational courses, workshops and conferences, designed to benefit the real estate consuming public, members of the real estate industry as well as the business community in general.
• Provide a forum for interdisciplinary academic workshops, meetings, and conferences.
• Provide complementary efforts to the academic programming and allow Clemson University and its constituents to be at the forefront of real estate development research and education.

The Center is committed to the teaching, research, and public service ties it enjoys with related university degree programs at Clemson University, especially the MRED, and the Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning program. Both of these programs will provide supportive research capabilities as students and faculty work on research projects.

In addition, the Center will also collaborate with other Institutes and Centers at Clemson University pertaining to growth such as the Strom Thurmond Institute, the Institute for Family and Neighborhood Life, the South Carolina Water Resource Center, the Sand Hills Research and Education Center, and the Restoration Institute. Finally, the Center will support and at times partner with local, regional, national and international industry associations dedicated to improving the reputation of the real estate profession.

I look forward to working with the faculty, the students, the real estate professionals, and others to provide research, education, and technical assistance for all those involved in the real estate marketplace.

Dr. Elaine Worzala