Research: The institute will help coordinate the efforts of scholars (faculty and students) across campus and will support research to understand sustainability issues in Asia and Pacific Region (past, present and future) and its impact on the world economy. Focus areas will include rural and agricultural development, city and urban planning, environmental and energy challenges, firm activities and industrial dynamics, as well as markets and regulation. Current research projects aim to understand: the impact of industrial policies; the dynamics of firm productivity and location choices; the causes, consequences, and policy choices regarding air pollution; the transportation policies and outcomes; and electricity sector restructuring.