Architecture Commons^™

Greenway Design And Planning For Healthy Communities: Case Study Of Knoxville, Yilin Shi

Masters Theses

Abstract

Greenway design and planning have become a multi-functional, multi-objective approach to address social, cultural and ecological concerns. Traditional greenway design and planning have focused more on ecological, historic and recreational values. However, the current focus of greenway planning is also shifting to community health, which includes both physical health and emotional health. This thesis focuses on physical health. This concern arises out of observations on obesity and physical inactivity as two of the most serious health problems in the United States which greatly threaten the quality of life in the country. Greenways can help address the issues of obesity …

Planning Growth - Preserving Character, Nathan Daniel Oliver

Masters Theses

Gateway communities are the towns, cities, and communities that border public lands such as national and state parks, wildlife refuges, forests, historic sites, wilderness areas, national forests, and other public lands. They offer scenic beauty and a high quality of life that attracts millions of Americans looking to escape traffic congestion, fast tempo and uniformity of cities and suburbs. Gateway communities provide food, lodging, and business for Americans on their way to public lands. They serve as portals to public lands and therefore play an important role in defining the park, forest, or wilderness experience for many visitors. Their beauty, …

Urban And Regional Planning: A Review Of Three Rational Planning Processes, Mark Joseph Taylor

Masters Theses

The rational planning process is a widely accepted method to guide the profession of Urban and Regional Planning. After a literature review, limited and incomplete information was found concerning the rational planning process.

A comparison was conducted among three documented rational planning processes. A common labeling system identifying all the concepts within each process was developed in order to examine the steps within each process for similarities and variations. The three areas focused on are the sequential ordering, labeling and defining of steps within the processes.

The inconsistent sequential ordering, labeling and defining of steps detailing the rational planning model …

Applying Information Technology To Decision-Making: The Epa Geobook Applied To Greenway Planning, Margaret Ann Ely

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the role information technology could play in the planning process, by studying the role GeoBook played in its application to greenway planning. Technology has continued to advance through the years, so it is important that the planning process incorporates these technologies so as to become more proficient at making decisions. Because our natural resources are limited, we have the responsibility to steward them to the best of our ability and to make the most educated decisions possible. By incorporating modern science into land-use decisions, decision-makers can make more informed decision. This thesis …

Transit Oriented Development, Park And Ride, And Transit Station Placement Along Bus Rapid Transit Corridors: A Study Of The Sevier County, Tennessee Route, Melany Strike Noltenius

Masters Theses

This study analyzes the current land use practices along the proposed Sevier County Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route from Interstate 40 through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The study then provides direction in the possible placement of transit oriented developments (TOD), park and ride lots, and transit stations along the route based on population levels, commuter travel patterns, and employment nodes. The current zoning practices and regulations of each town along the proposed BRT are reviewed to see what changes need to be made to allow for TODs, park and ride, and transit stations.

An Analysis And Case Studies Of Community Development And Economic Development And Their Relationship To Planning, Stacey U. Tucker

Masters Theses

This study began as an exploration of the fields of Economic Development and Community Development. By researching an extensive selection of literature, the two terms were defined and the disciplines expounded upon. The two were then compared and contrasted in their relationship to each other and their relationship to the field of Planning. A matrix was developed from the literary findings of the various functions of each field in relation to several community issues.

Eight cities, selected from two population groups and four regions, were examined as case studies, to compare the functions of actual Community Development, Economic Development, and …

A Comparison Of Residential Markets For Chain Retail Stores In The Central Business District Of Knoxville With Residential Markets For Chain Retail Stores In The Central Business Districts Of Birmingham, Lexington, And Greenville, Jennifer Robin Hassell

Masters Theses

(Need for Study)

A potential solution for the problem of high vacancy of retail space in the central business district of Knoxville may be revitalization of the retail role of the central business district. The role may not be equal to the once vital historical role. In other words, the role may not be as a regional center but rather a center to serve the needs of the community within and surrounding the central business district. This new role may be secondarily supported by the cultural opportunities of the central business district. These opportunities are the focus of …

Bear/People Conflicts In Gatlinburg, Tennessee: An Analysis Of The Social, Political, And Ecological Elements, Kate Mitchell Newton

Masters Theses

Nuisance black bears cause property damage, threaten public safety, and heighten wildlife use conflicts among people across the United States. Wildlife managers have solutions to control nuisance black bear behavior and the accompanying conflicts that occur. The solutions are to require bear-proof garbage disposal, to prohibit intentional feeding, and to educate the public about black bear behavior. However, these solutions are either slow to be adopted or are ignored by local legislative bodies.

In 1999, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, adopted a local ordinance mandating bear-proof garbage containers. This thesis will explain why the city of Gatlinburg adopted the ordinance by documenting the …

A Methodology For Natural Resources Analysis Appropriate For County Level Planning, Jeffrey Carl Pfitzer

Masters Theses

In this thesis a methodology for developing an integrated cumulative analysis of sensitive natural resources was developed. Themes of natural resources-waterways, wetlands, forested lands, prime agricultural soils, and steep slopes-were brought together in a GIS system, in a grid format, in a manner so that each cell of the grid accumulated value according to the increasing presence of resource themes. For example, an area (30 meter x 30 meter grid cell) containing only one of the above themes is given a value of "l," whereas an area containing slopes, streams, and forests might, after weighting factors, have a value of …

Pigeon Forge Pedestrian Study, Dawn M. Foster

Masters Theses

Since the development of the National Park Service in 1916, communities near national parks have experienced more than just their share of tourists in the area. Overtime, these gateway communities have taken on their share of economic development to meet the growing needs of vacationers. Tourism has since become a major industry that promotes economic growth and vitality to particular communities connected with nearby attractions. Many communities have become successful tourism sites, although continuing success depends on more economic development and improvement in areas where the city needs enhancement.

Located in East Tennessee's Sevier County, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is a …

Participatory Planning At The Grassroots: The Tennessee Valley Authority's Tributary Area Development Program, Ekem Amonoo Lartson

Masters Theses

This research studied how, and the extent to which, participation was part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Tributary Area Development (TAD) program.

The methods of the research and collection of data and information for this thesis project was done through a couple of techniques. An extensive review of participatory planning, tributary area development, and Tennessee Valley Authority literature was conducted. This review included going through TVA and TAD files. An interview process involving past participants and liaisons of the TAD program was also conducted as part of the research and documentation process.

This study concluded the following as regards …

A Proposal To Foster Civic Leadership And Participation In Knoxville, Madeline A. Rogero

Masters Theses

The ineffectiveness of leadership and a low level of citizen participation in public affairs in Knoxville prompted this study. Research showed that Knoxville's leaders are dissatisfied with their own ineffectiveness and there are few opportunities for citizens to participate in the decision-making process for major community issues.

Based on a contemporary theory of leadership, this thesis suggests that the ineffectiveness of leadership reflects an ineffectiveness of followership. Leaders and citizens must engage in an interactive process in order to achieve a mutual empowerment and to build a tradition of civic leadership. This thesis proposes that such an interactive process could …

An Analysis Of Energy Conservation In Residential Space Heating And Cooling And Recommendations For Public Information Programs For Knox County, Tennessee, Karen Martin

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine for the residents of Knox County, which energy information programs have been used in the past; what home heating and cooling conservation actions have already been taken; which financial benefit programs have been used; the level of interest in new information programs; and public attitudes toward some of the Knox County Energy Project conservation strategies. The data gathered are to be used to design and target energy information programs for the residential sector as part of the comprehensive community energy planning project.

Data on Knox County residential energy conservation actions and energy …

Computers In Planning: A Knoxville Example, Lynn E. Miller

Masters Theses

The availability of computers at the local level of government has been steadily increasing. With this increase, planners are in a unique position to utilize computer capabilities to assist in the full range of planning activities. The problem to date seems to be one of a lack of understanding as to what computer applications are being used and how these applications can be useful to planners. This research is, therefore, oriented towards presenting an overview of computer applications used in planning agencies. Attempts are made to show how these applications are used and how they relate to planning needs.

An …

Consolidated Government, Urban Services Policy And Urban Development: A Case Study Of Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County, Edward Howard Cole

Masters Theses

Urban planners continue to explore various ways of influencing the type, rate, location, quality and timing of urban development. The need for such influence is evidenced by the compounding of urban environmentmental and energy concerns with local government fiscal difficulties. This study examines two of the tools frequently identified as being useful in efforts to effectively manage urban development: consolidated urban government and the controlled extension of certan urban services, especially water service, sewage service, fire protection and police protection.

These two tools are explored through a case study of the urban and general services district concept as it has …

City Planning And Politics In 136 Midwest Cities, James A. Owen

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Development Plan For Friends Creek Township, Michael J. Edwards

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Provision Of Inner-City Recreational Facilities: A Look At Tennessee's Four Largest Cities, William L. Murrah

Masters Theses

Recreational facilities and activities have an increasing importance in the way Americans life today. Contrary to the past, recreation can no longer be considered a frill or luxury. Today recreation is considered to be an essential part of man's life, an outlet for the pursuit of activities enjoyed during leisure time.

The United States is becoming more and more an urbanized nation. As more and more people live in metropolitan areas, the demand for open space and recreational facilities will increase in these areas. Of special interest is the inner-city area. The people living in inner-city areas are often poor …

Power, Decentralization And Urban Change: An Evaluation Of Urban Renewal Decision Making, John Alessio

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of Tent And Trailer Camping In The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Michael Paul Baumstark

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to study the problems associated with the growing demand for tent and trailer camping facilities. In order to study the problem under controlled conditions, a case study of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was undertaken. The study reviewed campers on three levels-- wilderness, primitive, and modern. Each of these categories was then divided into ten and trailer campers and a model campground facility developed for each. The facilities which presently exist in the park were then compared with the models. The comparison revealed that study area facilities were lacking in many of the …

Interstate 40 Through North Nashville, Tennessee: A Case Study In Highway Location Decision Making, Hubert James Ford

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to prove that state highway departments are assumed to be technical experts and that this role conception, in fact, enables them to make intuitive political decisions under the guise of technical expertness. The location of Interstate 40 through the black community in North Nashville was used as a case in point.

In order to examine the interaction of the various actors involved, the author emphasized selected decision strategies for each and related the theoretical setting to the legislated, hierarchical, and procedural framework in which highway location decisions are actually made. The extent of rationality …

The Recreation Potential Of Abandoned Railroad Rights-Of-Way: Feasibility Of The Smoky Mountain Railroad As An Urban Regional Hike/Bike Trail, Dale Clayton Eberhardt

Masters Theses

The provision of outdoor recreation facilities, easily accessible to our urban populations, has become a prime concern of federal, state, and local governments. A major problem encountered in the provision of such facilities, is the scarce supply of land available for outdoor recreation, in and around our urban areas. The abandoned right-of-way (railroad, canal, road, etc.), is seen as one solution to the existing land crisis. This thesis is concerned with the abandoned railroad right-of-way and its potential for trail oriented activities. The thesis utilizes the abandoned Smoky Mountain Railroad as a case study to illuminate the many problems that …

The Economic Feasibility Of The Re-Use Of The Louisville And Nashville Railroad Depot, Knoxville, Tennessee, William J. Schwartzkopf

Masters Theses

A problem which exists in many cities today is the abandonment of railroad depots. Re-use should be considered both by the railroad industry and cities. If the property is to remain vacant or underused, there may be an unfavorable effect on the surrounding uses. It is the purpose of this thesis to determine the economic feasibility of re-use of the abandoned Louisville and Nashville depot in Knoxville, Tennessee. A case study was conducted to determine the highest and best re-use for this parcel of land. The main assumption is that the architectural quality of the shell of the structure will …

Highway Location As A Factor In Regional Development In Areas Adjacent To National Parks: A Case Study Of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Region, Carl Rowan Leathers

Masters Theses

How may highways be located in regions containing a national park so as to maximize the park as a resource appropriate to the stimulation of regional development and, at the same time, preserve the values which the park represents?

Research was conducted on the history and purposes of the national park system to determine factors which are relevant to the establishment of national parks and related areas. Available literature on the history and establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was used to supplement material obtained from personal interviews with various staff members of the park. The 1964 Master …

Investigation Of Administrative Factors Relating To The Expansion Of Planning Operations From A Single-County Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (Nashville-Davidson County) To A Multi-County Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area, Franklin Delano Mckee

Masters Theses

Introduction: Census data collected for the past 170 years reveals, with few exceptions, a continuous trend towards increased urbanization in the United States. Urban population surpassed rural population around 1920. During the past two decades population shifts from rural to urban have increased at an accelerated rate. This is true in Tennessee as well as the rest of the nation. According to the 1960 United States Census, the population of Tennessee was 3,567,089 persons. Of this total, 45 percent lived in or around four metropolitan centers-- Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville.