Arizona-specific Futures Studies


Arizona has done a number of studies about the future. Some are listed below as representative sources and titles. Others never made it to the web or have been removed. Not included in this list are sources of specific data or trends.


State of Arizona



Arizona Partnership for the New Economy - An Economy that Works for Everyone (2001)

The Arizona Partnership for the New Economy (APNE) was formed by Governor Jane Dee Hull in November 1999 to sustain the strength of Arizona's economy and global competitiveness. This public/private partnership was comprised of 36 members and was charged with seeking broad citizen input to define the "new economy" and its importance to Arizona, assess Arizona's current readiness and establish benchmarks for measuring progress, and develop strategies for correcting perceived deficiencies in responding to opportunities. (39 pages)

Governor's Strategic Planning and Economic Development

Begun in the early 1990s as a private initiative to develop a strategic plan for Arizona, this effort was converted to GSPED in the late 1990s. The clusters continue to operate in Phoenix and Tucson, but much of the statewide effort has been subsumed by the high technology activities currently underway. No longer available on web.

A Blueprint for Higher Education 2000-2020: Possible Approaches to Implementing the Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Higher Education

Includes issues and strategies on increased participation, increased research and business development, increased capacity and productivity, need for investment/accountability/outcomes. Conclusions: 1) Arizona is at risk if it does not become a leader in the new, global, knowledge-based economy; and 2) Arizona's institutions of higher education are the keys to developing the state's workforce and strengthening its economy. The report identifies three strategies for "The Plan for Higher Education" - 1) increase participation (raise the level of participation in higher education); 2) increase research and business development (increase the amount of targeted research, technology transfer, and business development provided by higher education); and 3) increase capacity and productivity (enhance the human, physical, and technological capacity of institutions of higher education). Limited information in Arizona Board of Regents minutes.

Arizona P-20 Council (2009)

The Arizona P-20 Council was created in 2005 and focused on public education ranging from pre-K through university graduate school. The name was changed in 2009 through Executive Order to "Governor's P-20 Coordinating Council of Arizona." The Executive Order begins with "Arizona's education system has strong governance structures in place with state and local boards, the P-20 Coordinating Council is necessary to provide a statewide forum for coordination and articulation." Over half the states have some type of P-20 councils. In 2009, the previous group, Arizona P-20 Council, issued two final reports - policy recommendations and indicators.


Arizona Board of Regents


Battelle Memorial Institute Reports (2005)

From 2002 to 2004, Battelle prepared a series of reports for the Arizona Department of Commerce and the Arizona Board of Regents as part of the Arizona Statewide Economic Study. This process grew out of a 2002 study commissioned by the Flinn Foundation on a Biosciences Roadmap. Limited information in Arizona Board of Regents minutes.

A Redesigned Public University System (2005)

Arizona University System redesign study. (11 pages)

Redesigning Arizona's Universities: Assessing Options for Arizona's Educational Futures (2005)

Faculty Stakeholders Group's report to AUS redesign study. (41 pages)

Arizona Town Hall


The Arizona Town Hall (Arizona Academy) began in 1962 and meets twice a year to address issues identified by the roughly 1,500-member organization. It refers to itself as "The Think Tank for Arizona Leaders." Background reports are prepared in advance by one of the three Arizona universities. The Academy issues reports and recommendations after a Town Hall meeting (over 100 people attend). Recent copies of the Town Hall report and recommendations, as well as some background reports, are posted on their website. Examples of several relevant reports are listed below.

  • Riding the Fiscal Roller Coaster: Government Revenue in Arizona (2009)
  • Blueprint for Arizona's Future (2006)
  • Arizona's Rapid Development: People and Demand for Services (89th Town Hall)and Natural Resources and Infrastructure (88th Town Hall) (2006)
  • Maximizing Arizona's Opportunities In The Biosciences And Biotechnology (2005)
  • The Realities Of Arizona's Fiscal Planning Processes (2003)
  • Moving All of Arizona into the 21st Century Economy (includes a section on Arizona universities and community colleges) (2001)
  • Higher Education In Arizona For The 21st Century (2000)

Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Arizona State University


Megapolitan: Arizona's Sun Corridor (2008)

Megapolitan offers a bold new picture of Arizona's geography and its future opportunities and "megaton" challenges. This report presents a scenario for 2035 based on current trends. It analyzes the Sun Corridor and provides insights into the region's global potential, water, governance, sustainability, and "trillion dollar questions." (52 pages)

Sustainability for Arizona: The Issue of Our Age (2007)

Describes sustainability as a defining issue and organizing principle for the 21st century. The report provides real life examples of sustainability in practice as well as advice and insights of 28 policy leaders and thinkers from the public and private sectors. With essays from civic leaders, ranchers, developers, educators, business leaders, scholars, and others, the topics span water resources, education, historic preservation, innovation, health care, green building, and urban planning. (84 pages)

The Coming of Age -- Four Scenarios of Arizona's Future (2002)

The focus is on Aging, Health and the Capacity to Care. Scenarios: Boomers Bust the Budget, Technology Enhances the Good Life, Who Will be Able to Afford the Future, and Arizona Takes Charge. (88 pages)

Five Shoes Waiting to Drop on Arizona's Future (2001)

What do we mean by "shoes waiting to drop"? We mean the trends already well underway — but that we can't quite see yet. These trends could overwhelm us if we don't spot them now and aggressively use our knowledge to plot our course for the future. The five "shoes" highlighted in the report are: A Talent Shake Up; Latino Education Dilemma; A Fuzzy Economic Identity; Lost Stewardship; and The Revenue Sieve. (52 pages)

The New Economy: Policy Choices for Arizona (2000)

This is a follow-up to the 1999 New Economy report. Invest in New Ideas and Knowledge; Venture Capital; Workforce Development; Work Smarter; Come Together; and Place Matters. (16 pages)

The New Economy: A Guide for Arizona (1999)

Briefly describes the old economy (e.g., industrial) and explores the new economy (e.g., technology), but the new economy is also defined by globalism, knowledge, and people. Alliances are important, competition exists, and the ride will not be smooth. The report closes with policy choices and ideas for supporting people and places in the new economy. (52 pages)

Other


Center for the Future of Arizona - Creating the Arizona We Want (2009)

The center identifies itself as helping to shape and define Arizona's future, but its primary focus is on education - individual students and institutions.