Jeff Michael

UNC Charlotte Urban Institute
Director

Biography

Jeff Michael is director of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute.  A planner and attorney by training, his professional experience includes extensive work around land use, sustainable development and land conservation  issues. Prior to coming to the institute in 2003, Jeff served as director of the Wildacres Leadership Initiative and the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, one of North Carolina’s premier leadership programs.

A native of the Charlotte region (Stanly County), Jeff is often called upon by the news media and policy makers to share his professional and personal knowledge of the region, and to provide commentary on the economic, environmental and social issues confronting its communities. 

Jeff was named a William C. Friday Fellow in 1997 and an American Marshall Memorial Fellow in 2005 and has served on the boards of numerous statewide and regional organizations.

Education

JD, University of North Carolina School of Law
Master of Regional Planning, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.S. in Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Expertise

Land use law, land conservation, regional planning, sustainable economic development, leadership development, diversity/multicultural training
 

Articles

  • Why do old places matter? A Mecklenburg native explores the question.
    plancharlotte.org
    Aug 06, 2019
    Why do we care about old places, and why should we work to preserve them? A Huntersville native and prominent national preservationist takes a look at those questions through a lens that stretches from Eastland Mall to the historic wonders of Rome. 
  • Why do old places matter? A Mecklenburg native explores the question.
    ui.uncc.edu
    Aug 06, 2019
    Why do we care about old places, and why should we work to preserve them? A Huntersville native and prominent national preservationist takes a look at those questions through a lens that stretches from Eastland Mall to the historic wonders of Rome. 
  • Ely Portillo joins Urban Institute outreach team
    ui.uncc.edu
    Apr 02, 2019
    The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute is excited to announce that Ely Portillo, longtime reporter for The Charlotte Observer, will join the institute as Assistant Director for Outreach & Strategic Partnerships, beginning April 15. 
  • Golden Anniversary year: Celebrating our history, changing to greet our future
    plancharlotte.org
    Dec 31, 2018
    As the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019, we are reflecting on how our history and growth mirror both the region we focus on and the university that nurtures us.
  • Golden Anniversary year: Celebrating our history, changing to greet our future
    ui.uncc.edu
    Dec 31, 2018
    As the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2019, we are reflecting on how our history and growth mirror both the region we focus on and the university that nurtures us.
  • Mary Newsom retiring as Director of Urban Policy Initiatives
    plancharlotte.org
    Oct 10, 2018
    When Mary Newsom retired as the institute’s Director of Urban Policy Initiatives on October 1, not only did the institute lose a trusted and respected colleague of seven years, but the Charlotte region lost one of its most important journalistic voices for quality planning, urban design and the value of public engagement to inform public policy.
  • Mary Newsom retiring as Director of Urban Policy Initiatives
    ui.uncc.edu
    Oct 10, 2018
    When Mary Newsom retired as the institute’s Director of Urban Policy Initiatives on October 1, not only did the institute lose a trusted and respected colleague of seven years, but the Charlotte region lost one of its most important journalistic voices for quality planning, urban design and the value of public engagement to inform public policy.
  • Anson County: An introduction
    ui.uncc.edu
    Sep 11, 2018
    Introduction:  Located along the eastern edge of the Charlotte region, Anson feels like a world apart from its bustling neighbors to the west.  Rolling agricultural land, sprinkled with rural hamlets like White Store and Cedar Hill, gradually gives way to the rugged hills of the Pee Dee...
  • Changing with a changing region and university
    ui.uncc.edu
    Dec 13, 2017
    As 2017 closes, a look back at the institute’s almost 50-year history of regional focus and research. 
  • Mending the rips in our rural-suburban-urban fabric
    plancharlotte.org
    Dec 13, 2016
    Over our 50-year history at the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, we’ve been committed to looking at the whole Charlotte region. So a growing divide – real or perceived – among urban, suburban and rural areas is something we take seriously.