The Anderson School at UCLA has raised $10 million to launch a new center for real estate research and education. Richard S. Ziman, a Southern California real estate executive with a long history of support for education and community causes, provided the lead gift of $5 million to kick off the center, which will be named the Richard S. Ziman Center for Real Estate.

Ziman, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Los Angeles-based Arden Realty, Inc., said the real estate industry has become one of the most important forces in shaping the nation's urban centers.

"Real estate extends far beyond its traditional focus on bricks and mortar. It now reflects, and is a major factor, in the significant social and political issues of our time," Ziman said. "Where we live and the quality of our future personal and business lives will be determined by the planning, design and development of our urban environment."

Anderson Dean Bruce G. Willison said the Ziman gift and other contributions will help position the center as a global resource for academics and practitioners as they confront new challenges in the real estate industry.

"This gift will serve to bring vitality and prominence to the center and will capitalize on The Anderson School's defining strengths - expert faculty, outstanding students, research and forecasting, dedicated alumni and corporate alliances," Willison said.

In addition to Ziman, major contributors include John S. Long, chairman of the center and founder and managing partner of Highridge Partners; John and Marion Anderson; Arden Realty, Inc.; and Lenore and Murray Neidorf, senior partner of Perry and Neidorf.

While expanding the concentration in the M.B.A. program, the center will also develop undergraduate courses in real estate and executive-education programs customized for real estate professionals.