CUDC staff and students engage in a variety of academic and research activities that put ideas to work for communities in Northeast Ohio. In studio courses, graduate students work on sites and challenges that are key to the civic agenda in Cleveland or another city in the region. In student charrettes, the staff and students work intensively in selected communities, developing design solutions in close contact with community members and public officials. The UDC staff also engages in event-based research to examine problems that grow out of the UDC design practice. Finally, the CUDC works through public events and publications to raise awareness of best practices in urban design, urban architecture, public space planning and sustainable design.