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Assessment Of The Potential Of Self-Incorporation As A Solution To Roadway Maintenance In Texas Colonias, Moise Dzogolo
Assessment Of The Potential Of Self-Incorporation As A Solution To Roadway Maintenance In Texas Colonias, Moise Dzogolo
Public Affairs Theses
Colonias are communities that lack basic infrastructures such as water, sewer, and paved roads and that are located within 100 miles of the US-Mexico border. They are generally found in unincorporated areas, and the literature, as well as policy makers, have extensively called for their annexation as a solution to solve the infrastructure issues. This paper examines selfincorporation as an alternative to annexations as cities have consistently avoided colonias when they expand through annexation. The paper has two focuses. The first one consists of analyzing the economic and social aspects of a colonia to determine whether they resemble the ones …
Food Affordability: Sustainable Food Center Increasing Food Access Through Double Dollars Incentive, Codie Freeman
Food Affordability: Sustainable Food Center Increasing Food Access Through Double Dollars Incentive, Codie Freeman
Public Affairs Theses
Food barriers have become a growing problem for many communities due to lower access to healthy foods. Not having access to healthy foods has been linked to health problems rising in communities. There are several food barriers including affordability of food that causes individuals of low-income groups to struggle to gain access to fruits and vegetables. Communities across the world have been creating and implementing new policies and programs in order to reduce the geographic and monetary barriers to increase food access. The Sustainable Food Center has been utilizing their Double Dollars Program to help lower income families who are …
Gentrification In Washington D.C.: A Tug-Of-War Between Development And Displacement, Aabiya Noman Baqai
Gentrification In Washington D.C.: A Tug-Of-War Between Development And Displacement, Aabiya Noman Baqai
Public Affairs Theses
During the past two decades, gentrification has been defined as a form of urban renewal where suburban dwellers have opted to return to the inner cities, attracting new investments, property development, and higher housing prices, hoping to achieve socioeconomic growth in underdeveloped neighborhoods. However, this policy has displaced minority communities that were once deep-rooted in the area, triggering criticism by them as they feel alienated, unheard and threatened. Washington D.C. has also been a host to this policy. However, it’s had a different, yet important past. Since it’s been the capital and policy hub of the country, this has meant …
Increasing Food Accessibility Among Urban Poor: Providing An Alternative Solution Through A City-Wide Community Garden Plan, Nabila Nur
Public Affairs Theses
Community Gardens have been entitled as an emerging solution to food security and injustice issues especially among socially disempowered communities. US Department of Agriculture has designated more than half of the census tracts in City of Dallas as food deserts, representing inadequate access to fresh food in these areas. As an alternative solution, this study proposes a methodology to identify suitable locations for community gardens to increase access to fresh food for disadvantaged population. The suitability analysis was used by primarily taking the relevant socio-economic factors into consideration. The reclassification and weightings are derived through a combination of qualitative and …
Analyzing The Value Of Mixed Use Urban Infill: An Exploratory Analysis On Changes In Property Values And Demographics In Local Initiatives Of Dallas And Fort Worth Texas, Matthew A. Ables
Public Affairs Theses
Mixed-use infill development has gained national attention as a strategy for revitalization and redevelopment for cities. The strategy is viewed by "Smart Growth" proponents and New Urbanists as a potential solution to sprawling urban forms and a potential cure for many problems associated with auto-dependence. However, this strategy is not new, and it has been debated through different disciplines in relation to its true impacts on communities and cities. Yet, the discussion on infill has centered upon measuring the amount of infill occuring, and the economic impacts of residential infill. This thesis utilizes a descriptive analysis to observe property value …
Mitigating The Urban Heat Island Through A Targeted Look At Reforestation And Preservation Near Vulnerable Populations: An Applied Suitability Model, Derica Peters
Public Affairs Theses
The urban heat island (UHI) is a pervasive phenomenon that affects city dwellers. There are certain populations who are especially vulnerable to its affects. Studies have shown that the urban tree canopy helps to mitigate and alleviate the negative effects of the UHI. The research was conducted for the City of Dallas, Texas. The objective of this research is twofold: one to employ an assessment to determine who is vulnerable to the UHI affects, based on the Center for Disease Control's BRACE Framework. Next, a suitability overlay model is used to analyze the optimal places where planting trees or reserving …
A Neighborhood Foreseen: Identifying Social Capital On Congo Street, D. Deidre Humphrey
A Neighborhood Foreseen: Identifying Social Capital On Congo Street, D. Deidre Humphrey
Public Affairs Theses
The small Southeast Dallas community of Congo Street is not only unique because of its location within Jubilee Park neighborhood, but rather, it is a place where a group of five homeowners made history by cooperatively revitalizing their community with the assistance of the Building Community Workshop. Ongoing community redevelopment reveals that the homeowners are learning to use their social capital to mobilize within and throughout their community and neighborhood. The initial focus of the study aimed to discover how Congo Street residents use social capital to accept or reject community revitalization goals set by the Building Community Workshop and …
The Impact Of Institutional Support Networks: A Case Study Of A Small Texas Public School District, Christine B. Fougerousse
The Impact Of Institutional Support Networks: A Case Study Of A Small Texas Public School District, Christine B. Fougerousse
Public Affairs Theses
This thesis project focuses on a small independent school district in Texas that serves a high-poverty population yet excels at graduating economically disadvantaged students. Using the concepts of cultural and social capital as a theoretical framework, the paper discusses ways that schools can build institutional support networks that can help students succeed. The study focuses on efforts within the high school, using personal interviews to discover the foundations and methods of the school's supports. Findings include the importance of building trust among staff members and staff members working as a team, therefore building internal social capital that students can then …
Transitions In Public Administration Theory Through Presidential Approaches To Healthcare Policy, Clifford Smith Blumberg
Transitions In Public Administration Theory Through Presidential Approaches To Healthcare Policy, Clifford Smith Blumberg
Public Affairs Theses
Through interdisciplinary research of twelve presidential administrations and their various approaches to national healthcare policy, a better understanding of the borderless transitions (which I term "melting points") within Public Administration Theory can be pursued. Can key components or characteristics of these transitions in Public Administration be revealed through a President's approach to healthcare policy?
Information Technology's Impact On The Space And Automobile Relationship: A Study Of The Link Between Internet Tech, Automobiles, And Residential Preferences, Steven Duong
Public Affairs Theses
Many city planners, developers, real estate agents, and planning academics have been strong proponents of compact, mixed-use, New Urbanist developments. They point to the research that shows that younger generations will favor the revitalized mixed use, dense, urban downtown centers advocated by urbanists like Jane Jacobs and Richard Florida over newly developed, spacious, quiet suburbs In fact, recent research on ICT and driving suggests that the advent of the smart phone and ubiquitous computing (Ubicomp) may be indeed influencing the lifestyle and preference of young adults, who rather than driving are substituting shopping, social, entertainment, and other trips with virtual …
A Neighborhood Foreseen: Identifying Social Capital On Congo Street, D. Deidre Humphrey
A Neighborhood Foreseen: Identifying Social Capital On Congo Street, D. Deidre Humphrey
Public Affairs Theses
The small Southeast Dallas community of Congo Street is not only unique because of its location within Jubilee Park neighborhood, but rather, it is a place where a group of five homeowners made history by cooperatively revitalizing their community with the assistance of the Building Community Workshop. Ongoing community redevelopment reveals that the homeowners are learning to use their social capital to mobilize within and throughout their community and neighborhood. The initial focus of the study aimed to discover how Congo Street residents use social capital to accept or reject community revitalization goals set by the Building Community Workshop and …
The Impact Of Institutional Support Networks: A Case Study Of A Small Texas Public School District, Christine B. Fougerousse
The Impact Of Institutional Support Networks: A Case Study Of A Small Texas Public School District, Christine B. Fougerousse
Public Affairs Theses
This thesis project focuses on a small independent school district in Texas that serves a high-poverty population yet excels at graduating economically disadvantaged students. Using the concepts of cultural and social capital as a theoretical framework, the paper discusses ways that schools can build institutional support networks that can help students succeed. The study focuses on efforts within the high school, using personal interviews to discover the foundations and methods of the school's supports. Findings include the importance of building trust among staff members and staff members working as a team, therefore building internal social capital that students can then …
Narrowing The Sustainability Paradigm - How Meaningful Participation Builds Socially Equitable Communities, Megan L. O'Neal
Narrowing The Sustainability Paradigm - How Meaningful Participation Builds Socially Equitable Communities, Megan L. O'Neal
Public Affairs Theses
This work contributes to the third leg of the sustainability paradigm by addressing socially equitable communities in the field of Planning. It uses a case study of neighborhood planning in Seattle, Washington as its basis for linking meaningful public participation with social capital. It uses a thoughtful qualitative framework to measure social capital in primary and secondary sources and bases these parameters with expert knowledge from scholars within the social science fields.
Community Garden Suitability Analysis For A South Dallas Community, Tiffany Mcleod
Community Garden Suitability Analysis For A South Dallas Community, Tiffany Mcleod
Public Affairs Theses
Community gardens have been proposed as a solution to combat the ongoing and escalating food desert problem in low-income communities. As planners, community leaders and residents look to implement this solution and convert vacant property into gardens they need to be aware of the potential conflicts that can arise when the area starts to develop. This paper offers an analysis tool and uses it to determine vacant sites that are appropriate for community gardens in a particular South Dallas neighborhood that do not conflict with the future development of the area. It also identifies the grocery store gap in the …
Transitions In Public Administration Theory Through Presidential Approaches To Healthcare Policy, Clifford Smith Blumberg
Transitions In Public Administration Theory Through Presidential Approaches To Healthcare Policy, Clifford Smith Blumberg
Public Affairs Theses
Through interdisciplinary research of twelve presidential administrations and their various approaches to national healthcare policy, a better understanding of the borderless transitions (which I term "melting points") within Public Administration Theory can be pursued. Can key components or characteristics of these transitions in Public Administration be revealed through a President's approach to healthcare policy?
The Extent Of Social Disparities In Black And Hispanic Neighborhoods, Monique Coleman
The Extent Of Social Disparities In Black And Hispanic Neighborhoods, Monique Coleman
Public Affairs Theses
The argument of race and segregation is an age-old debate. Nevertheless, in 2013 there are still segregated black and Hispanic neighborhoods experiencing high levels of poverty despite the Fair Housing Act, inclusionary housing practices, and other methods that strive to create mixed-income and mixed-race neighborhoods. Since segregation appears to be a phenomenon that eludes a simple explanation, this research offers to shed light on the subject matter and guide others researching the subject matter to help ascertain the root(s) of social disparities in minority neighborhoods. This report is an extensive review of 2007-2011 American Community Survey (ACS) data for Dallas …
Health Information Technology And Nurse Staff Efficiency: An Empirical Test In Residential Care Facilities, Jason D. Smith
Health Information Technology And Nurse Staff Efficiency: An Empirical Test In Residential Care Facilities, Jason D. Smith
Public Affairs Theses
This study examines the effects of health information technology (IT) on nursing staff efficiency. Specifically, the impact of clinical health IT applications on nursing staff efficiency is considered, along with the impact of health information exchange on nursing staff efficiency in those facilities with that utilize clinical IT. In an effort to elucidate these effects, I use data from the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities (NSRCF) to estimate six ordered logit models. The results indicate that clinical IT sophistication is positively associated with registered nurse (RN) HPPD. The effect on licensed practical nurses (LPN)/licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and …
Farmers Markets, Low Income Communities And Government Assistance Programs, Alysha Brady
Farmers Markets, Low Income Communities And Government Assistance Programs, Alysha Brady
Public Affairs Theses
Since the passage in 1976 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act, there has been a sharp rise in number of farmers markets in this country, from approximately 600 in the 1970s to over 7,000 today. With this increase, farmers markets began to attract attention not only from farmers and consumers, but also from public policy experts. Some research has suggested that farmers markets may be a way to alleviate the poor access to healthy foods in low-income communities, in areas known as food deserts. The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) are …
The Nonprofit Sector's Involvement In Prisoner Reentry : A Mixed Methods Analysis, Michael Jay Woods
The Nonprofit Sector's Involvement In Prisoner Reentry : A Mixed Methods Analysis, Michael Jay Woods
Public Affairs Theses
The 1990's were plagued with crime and high recidivism rates, and the State of Texas responded by embarking upon the largest expansion of a criminal justice system in its history. Having served their sentences, record numbers of offenders who were sent to prison in the 1990's are now flooding the streets. At the time of their release, some of these offenders will have unmet needs, such as a lack of food, housing, and clothing. Others may need help enrolling in school or finding a job. Whatever their needs, a host of nonprofit organizations stand ready to assist ex-offenders in their …
Health Information Technology And Nurse Staff Efficiency: An Empirical Test In Residential Care Facilities, Jason D. Smith
Health Information Technology And Nurse Staff Efficiency: An Empirical Test In Residential Care Facilities, Jason D. Smith
Public Affairs Theses
This study examines the effects of health information technology (IT) on nursing staff efficiency. Specifically, the impact of clinical health IT applications on nursing staff efficiency is considered, along with the impact of health information exchange on nursing staff efficiency in those facilities with that utilize clinical IT. In an effort to elucidate these effects, I use data from the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities (NSRCF) to estimate six ordered logit models. The results indicate that clinical IT sophistication is positively associated with registered nurse (RN) HPPD. The effect on licensed practical nurses (LPN)/licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and …
Farmers Markets, Low Income Communities And Government Assistance Programs, Alysha Brady
Farmers Markets, Low Income Communities And Government Assistance Programs, Alysha Brady
Public Affairs Theses
Since the passage in 1976 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act, there has been a sharp rise in number of farmers markets in this country, from approximately 600 in the 1970s to over 7,000 today. With this increase, farmers markets began to attract attention not only from farmers and consumers, but also from public policy experts. Some research has suggested that farmers markets may be a way to alleviate the poor access to healthy foods in low-income communities, in areas known as food deserts. The WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) are …
The Nonprofit Sector's Involvement In Prisoner Reentry : A Mixed Methods Analysis, Michael Jay Woods
The Nonprofit Sector's Involvement In Prisoner Reentry : A Mixed Methods Analysis, Michael Jay Woods
Public Affairs Theses
The 1990's were plagued with crime and high recidivism rates, and the State of Texas responded by embarking upon the largest expansion of a criminal justice system in its history. Having served their sentences, record numbers of offenders who were sent to prison in the 1990's are now flooding the streets. At the time of their release, some of these offenders will have unmet needs, such as a lack of food, housing, and clothing. Others may need help enrolling in school or finding a job. Whatever their needs, a host of nonprofit organizations stand ready to assist ex-offenders in their …
The Issue Of Governance In Neighborhood Planning Programs, Brian Price
The Issue Of Governance In Neighborhood Planning Programs, Brian Price
Public Affairs Theses
Neighborhood planning programs are a kind of initiative cities all across the country utilize to engage communities in planning processes affecting their own neighborhoods and to target resources and city initiatives within these spaces more effectively. These programs also represent a governance process, where publically relevant affairs are regulated at the interface of public, private, and civic sectors. Because these programs are highly variable between cities and are structured based off of local needs, trends, and agendas exploring governance contexts and relations at the urban and neighborhood level is helpful for explaining these differences in program goals and outcomes. At …
Creating A Cohesive Triple Bottom Line: Helping The Urban Planner As A Liaison To The Citizen, Jeffery Earl Bell
Creating A Cohesive Triple Bottom Line: Helping The Urban Planner As A Liaison To The Citizen, Jeffery Earl Bell
Public Affairs Theses
This thesis is an attempt to create a viable liaison tool for the urban planner to create a cohesive idea of the Triple Bottom Line of sustainability between the citizen and the government of the city. By using consistent policy standards and adequate focus upon the new ideas of a sustainable lifestyle, the city should be able to create a viable structure for the future. In order to create a viable Triple Bottom Line, the citizen and the government will need to combine long term planning with current policy and standards of use and compliance in order to dedicate a …
Socioeconomic Background And Parental Values: An Examination Of Approaches To Bureaucratic Discretion At The Street-Level, Jesse R. Booher
Socioeconomic Background And Parental Values: An Examination Of Approaches To Bureaucratic Discretion At The Street-Level, Jesse R. Booher
Public Affairs Theses
Scholarly literature on policy implementation at the street-level generally focuses on how workers act in response to external pressures. Pressures can include policy rules, organizational culture, and the identities of the clients. Academia has produced scant work, however, examining how the identities and backgrounds of street-level bureaucrats influence their approach to the discretion inherent in their jobs. This study seeks to fill that literary gap. Using semi-structured interviews with street-level bureaucrats in North Texas, the study yields two strong relationships. First, a relationship exists between the participants' socioeconomic backgrounds as children and how they approach discretion inherent to street-level bureaucracy. …
Socioeconomic Background And Parental Values: An Examination Of Approaches To Bureaucratic Discretion At The Street-Level, Jesse R. Booher
Socioeconomic Background And Parental Values: An Examination Of Approaches To Bureaucratic Discretion At The Street-Level, Jesse R. Booher
Public Affairs Theses
Scholarly literature on policy implementation at the street-level generally focuses on how workers act in response to external pressures. Pressures can include policy rules, organizational culture, and the identities of the clients. Academia has produced scant work, however, examining how the identities and backgrounds of street-level bureaucrats influence their approach to the discretion inherent in their jobs. This study seeks to fill that literary gap. Using semi-structured interviews with street-level bureaucrats in North Texas, the study yields two strong relationships. First, a relationship exists between the participants' socioeconomic backgrounds as children and how they approach discretion inherent to street-level bureaucracy. …
Cultural And Historic Preservation Planning In Small Cities And Suburbs: A Study Of A Cultural Asset Inventory Of Kennedale, Texas, Gregory S. Collins
Cultural And Historic Preservation Planning In Small Cities And Suburbs: A Study Of A Cultural Asset Inventory Of Kennedale, Texas, Gregory S. Collins
Public Affairs Theses
This thesis examines how smaller communities, which often lack the financial resources and the so-called "high culture" or marketable culture found in larger cities, can overcome challenges and develop cultural and historic preservation programs that perform the social function of unifying a community while also providing economic development opportunities that are connected to the community. The paper discusses "authenticity," and how this stated goal of city planners is actually a complex and contested concept rather than an objective standard that can be used to evaluate cultural planning programs. The paper reviews a number of cultural planning methods discussed in the …
Data Sharing Between Transportation Planning And Public Health: Issues And Opportunities Using A Regional Eco-Logical Framework, Michele Berry
Data Sharing Between Transportation Planning And Public Health: Issues And Opportunities Using A Regional Eco-Logical Framework, Michele Berry
Public Affairs Theses
Transportation planning has been shown to strongly impact public health yet collaboration and data or information sharing between the two communities is lacking. The Eco-Logical approach is a potential solution designed to advance transportation planning through an integrated planning process that includes other stakeholders. However, since the Eco-Logical approach provides no guidance on forming collaborations, network theory will be used to fill this hole. Both the Eco-Logical approach and network theory place heavy emphasis on information sharing and data exchange. This study will examine the current status of data sharing between transportation planning and public health through an analysis of …
Understanding Social Networks In Frazier Courts Hope Vi Development, Christopher Buentello
Understanding Social Networks In Frazier Courts Hope Vi Development, Christopher Buentello
Public Affairs Theses
The HOPE VI program enacted in 1992 represented a shift in public housing by addressing resident's needs through physical design improvements, self-sufficiency programs, and the deconcentration of poverty. Funding through HOPE VI allowed local housing authorities to demolish deteriorated public housing units and replace them with new income-inclusive housing units. The "hope" would be that low income residents would interact with middle income residents to access resources that are normally beyond the reach of low income individuals. This assumes of course that residents will interact amongst each other. Therefore, I conducted a survey of residents at Dallas' Frazier Courts to …
Impacts Of Urbanization On Environmental Resources: A Land Use Planning Perspective, Gehendra Kharel
Impacts Of Urbanization On Environmental Resources: A Land Use Planning Perspective, Gehendra Kharel
Public Affairs Theses
The main purpose of this thesis is to (1) study the impacts of urbanization on environmental resources, and (2) propose land use planning strategies to avoid or at least minimize the impacts from future land use planning and decision making process. Urbanization, one of the major drivers of land use change, has profound impacts on environmental resources. It has been revealed that more than one third of the U.S. water resources have already been impaired or polluted, and many species have become endangered or threatened with some already gone extinct and more on line. My analysis of the impact of …