University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: April 3, 2008

By KATHRYN BRYK FRIEDMAN
Reporter Contributor

The Regional Institute has unveiled a new topic area, Civic Infrastructure, and an expansion of online features of its Regional Knowledge Network, a central online resource for information on the binational region of Buffalo Niagara.

The ninth and final topic area, Civic Infrastructure features 23 new variables available as data and maps on issues of civic engagement and civic identity, including voting behavior, regional newspaper circulation, political affiliation, parks funding and religion. Two added Knowledge Now reports include a profile of historic preservation in the region.

“Civic Infrastructure represents the vital amenities and actions that form the backbone of a region’s quality of life and sense of place,” said Kathryn A. Foster, institute director. “By giving users access to information about our assets, such as libraries, cultural entities and sports teams, and the ways we engage those assets through voting, philanthropy and media coverage, the RKN reveals much about who we are and how we participate as citizens of Buffalo Niagara.”

Civic Infrastructure resources offer downloadable lists containing addresses and Web sites for foundations, news media, library systems, libraries, professional sports teams, college athletic departments and labor federations for Western New York and Southern Ontario. Also available are four Topic Trivia, including rankings, lists and quick facts on foundation giving, newspaper circulation, park funding and religious affiliations in the region.

Among the highlights from the Civic Infrastructure topic area are data revealing that:

• The Town of Tonawanda spent more total money and more money per capita in 2005 on culture and recreation than any other Western New York municipality.

• Since 2000, 79 Western New York sites have been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

• The percentage of voters registered as Republicans as of November 2007 ranged from a low of 27.9 percent in Erie County to 51.8 percent in Allegany County.

• Library branches blanket the binational region with 50 in Southern Ontario and 125 in Western New York.

Visitors to the network also can access two new RKN features. The site search tool provides users with easy access to all RKN sections, including Knowledge by Topic and Knowledge by Place. The Binational Quick Report features aggregate region-wide data for the binational region including Western New York and Southern Ontario. Institute administrators believe the report represents the first attempt in North America to capture aggregate regional data for the United States and Canada at the sub-state and sub-provincial level.

RKN will reach full build out by May with support from the John R. Oishei Foundation.

A major research and public policy unit of UB, the Regional Institute plays a vital role in addressing key policy and governance issues for regions, with focused analysis of the Buffalo-Niagara region. A unit of the UB Law School, the institute leverages the resources of the university and binational community to pursue a wide range of scholarship, projects and initiatives that frame issues, inform decisions and guide change.