Architecture Commons^™

Conspicuous Space: Parking Lot Suburbanism, Ian Nicholson

Architecture Senior Theses

"Locating neighborhoods of housing in currently underutilized surface parking lots which serve successful commercial shopping centers and big box stores can synergistically improve the American suburb by allowing opportunities to maintain the suburban idea (rugged individualism, privacy, and mobility) while mitigating its problems (automobiles dependence, distance, and isolation)."

Urban Form In Europe And America, Pietro S. Nivola

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

Why do America's cities sprawl whereas European cities remain comparatively compact, and what difference do the patterns of urban development make? Pietro Nivola, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, addresses these questions. Nivola examines two kinds of determinants of urban form: (1) market forces, including those influenced by geography, demographics, and technological change, and (2) public policies shaping national transportation systems, tax policy, educational institutions, and more. He also discusses the implications of the different cityscapes for energy consumption.

Managing An Unstable Housing Market, Brendan Williams, Brian Hughes, Declan Redmond

Articles

Abstract
In this paper it is intended to place the recent experience of the Irish housing market in the context of economic and property market cycles, how these interact over a property cycle and lessons from recent policy experience including interventions in the housing area. In spatial terms the current
housing market can be seen as the result of an ad-hoc development led urban growth pattern which contributed to a dispersed development pattern with problems in oversupply. It is clear that alternative options exist to this approach and that evidence based management systems in terms of planning, development and financial …

Bridge_Works, Chris Driscoll

Architecture Senior Theses

Building typologies are generally well defined and functionally specific. A church is for worship, a house is for living, and a theater is for performing. In certain instances, these basic building typologies have been combined to form composite structures such as mixed-use housing/retail projects, or a house on a boat. The opportunities created by composite typologies have allowed for broader economic development, more complex and integrated programming, greater utility and richer social structures. A specific combination of typologies--the mix of infrastructural bridge with housing/retail/public space--has produced a few historically successful models[...] Over time, the bridge was developed from a simple …

Rebuild New Orleans, Sean Karns

Architecture Thesis Prep

"The development of a city depends on its ability to rebuild. In many cases planners have been unaware of future threats to their city that may occur. Often times in order to rebuild one must rethink and replan in order to fully utilize while learning and taking away valuable lessons from the past. In the case of a natural disaster, such lessons usually stem from precautions that could have been made to proactively resolve the situation."

A Pocket Guide To Housing Of The Udc: The New York State Urban Development Corporation 1968-1975, Elizabeth Kamell, Christopher Hayner, Aaron Hernon, Kristen Wisniewski

School of Architecture - All Scholarship

This guide is exclusively dedicated to the housing production of the UDC, both planned and projected during its short life from 1968 - 1975. The guide is organized in three parts: a map that locates projects throughout New York State and New York City, detailed descriptions of selected projects, and a database that lists most, if not all of the UDC housing projects, including those not represented by image and text in the project summaries.

It is the intent of this guide to provide basic statistical information and to locate housing projects so that anyone may visit the projects and …

All Party Oireachtas Committee On The Constitution Ninth Progress Report, Tom Dunne

Reports

Ireland, like many other countries with high rates of economic growth, is urbanising rapidly. There has been considerable emphasis on planning for this through the National Development Plan, the National Spatial Strategy, development guidelines and other measures. Through these the state intends that a proper planning process will lead growth rather than leaving it to market forces to drive development in what are regarded as undesirable directions. The latter it is feared will lead to unsuitable social, economic or physical outcomes. Unintended results have flowed from the implementation, or flawed implementation of many of these policies and have given rise …

Town Of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan Appendix B Community Charrette Results, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This is Appendix B of the Town of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan. This Appendix contains the results of a Community Charrette in Billerica, Massachusetts that helped identify the desires of residents in the community.

Town Of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan Appendix A Community Socio-Economic Profile, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This is Appendix A of the Town of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan. This Appendix contains a Community Socio-Economic Profile.

Town Of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan Appendix C Community Survey Results, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This is Appendix C of the Town of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan. This Appendix contains a summarized report of the results of a community survey.

Town Of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Billerica is a community rich in history and burgeoning with change. We come from colonial, agrarian roots, participated in the industrial revolution and enjoyed our day as a vacation destination. Billerica changed as the post war economy changed and became a haven for those, many from the city, seeking a close-knit community to raise families. We are now at the forefront of a high technology economy that has brought with it jobs, hotels and more change. As a community we struggle with our desire to preserve our historical character as a rural community and our realization that economic development is …

Town Of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan Appendix D, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This is an appendix for the Town of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan. This Appendix contains a community buildout analysis for Billerica.

Town Of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan Appendix E, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This is an Appendix for the Town of Billerica, Massachusetts Master Plan. This Appendix contains an open space and recreation plan for the Town of Billerica.

Town Of Amesbury, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report explored the town of Amesbury, Massachusetts. Amesbury’s municipal government was supported by diverse citizen groups and business organizations. The town was a suburban community with abundant natural resources and a delightful village core.

Town Of Boxford, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report explores the town of Boxford, Massachusetts. Boxford is a unique rural community in the Merrimack Valley and the Boston metropolitan area. It has no traffic lights, sidewalks or signs, and very few streetlights, or commercial or industrial activity. Because of its 50-year old 2-acre zoning and close proximity to Boston, which contribute to its high housing costs, this community is out of reach for most Massachusetts residents.

Town Of Haverhill, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report focuses on the town of Haverhill, Massachusetts. The town was settled in 1650, with a population of 52,000. Haverhill has maintained the characteristics of hometowns found throughout New England. The town has an established restaurant district and a proliferation of specialty shops that are all within walking distance of each other, while surrounding neighborhoods reflect interesting architectural diversity.

Town Of Lawrence, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report takes a look at the town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Lawrence, originally a rural farming town, was transformed into a major industrial center when Boston Entrepreneurs developed huge textile mills on the Merrimack River to use the power of its water falls. The mill owners built canals, a dam and reservoir, boarding houses and a machine shop for locomotives, creating one of the first industrial complexes in the country.

Town Of Andover, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Andover is a suburban community of 32 square miles with a population of 29,000. The town is located just 20 miles south of Boston at the intersection of I-93 and I-495. With easy access to the city and Logan Airport, Andover is home to many of the largest high-technology firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Raytheon, Digital, Gillette, and Genetics Institute.

Town Of Georgetown, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report focuses on the town of Georgetown, Massachusetts. While it was still widely forested, with many acres of open and recreation land, the town also had a walkable village core as well as industrial and commercial development. The town was renowned for its thriving antique industry and also boasted an organ manufacturing company, a supermarket and an expanding public golf and country club.

Town Of Merrimac, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Starting out as a farming and maritime community in the 1600’s, Merrimac, Massachusetts became an active manufacturing community through the 19^th century with thirty-one different carriage factories, and today has developed into principally a residential community.

Town Of Methuen, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Methuen, Massachusetts played a significant role in this country’s industrial revolution, which began in the Merrimack Valley. In the mid-to late 19^th century, mills along the Spicket River and Spicket Falls produced hats, shoes, and textiles.

Town Of Salisbury, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Salisbury, Massachusetts has the history and the skeleton of a typical New England village, but has lost much of the identifiable character to post 1950 regulated development. (Town of Salisbury Local Partnership Committee Economic Development Plan, 1996) Today Salisbury has two identifiable centers. The historic town center, known as Salisbury Square, and the Salisbury Beach…

Town Of Groveland, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report takes a look at Groveland, Massachusetts. Groveland is a small residential community that retains all of the characteristics of a friendly rural town in the setting of a convenient suburb. The town was incorporated in 1850, and changed gradually from an agricultural community to one that is almost wholly residential.

Town Of Newburyport, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Newburyport is a diverse and thriving city that harmonizes commercial, residential and industrial needs. Nestled on the shores where the Merrimack River meets the Atlantic Ocean Newburyport is among the smallest cities in the state.

Moving Toward The Millennium With Open Space In Huntington, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report includes presentation and examination of community, environmental and conservation/recreation issues. The information is then analyzed according to the needs of the town and incorporated into recommendations for future action.

Laying The Groundwork: Preparing For A Master Plan In Deerfield, Ma, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

In April of 1998 a Master Plan Committee was established to start work toward the first Master Plan for Deerfield, Massachusetts. A major catalyst for this decision was chronic septic failure throughout much of Deerfield. This failure raised the question of whether or not Deerfield should expand its public sewer. Expanding the system would solve the immediate problem of septic failure, but could potentially encourage unwanted development and create a new cycle of problems.

Town Of Rowley, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Rowley, Massachusetts is an attractive residential community striving to find a balance between residential growth that compliments its small town ambience and commercial development that can offset the high cost associated with an increasing population. With 80% of the land within its boundaries forested and well over 2,000 acres permanently protected, Rowley sees its rural character as a major asset.

Town Of North Andover, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

North Andover, Massachusetts lies along the banks of the Merrimack River and is surrounded by the Towns of Methuen, Haverhill, Boxford, Andover, Middleton, North Reading, and the City of Lawrence. The settlement of the town began in 1640 and was incorporated as Andover in 1646. North Andover is governed by an open Town Meeting form of government, a five-member Board of Selectmen and a Town Manager pursuant to a Home Rule Charter that went into effect in 1986.

Roosevelt Island: Completing An Urban Community, Karin M. Kilgore

Architecture Thesis Prep

"The thesis became an architectural exploration of what makes neighborhoods and community at two scales: at the scale of the city (macrocosm), represented by the urban plan; and at the scale of the individual (microcosm), represented by the concept of house and housing. At these two contrasting scales, the main focus of the study was:

To explore how an urban design can shape community; To explore the role housing plays in the making of urban fabric/neighborhood."

A Build-Out Study Of The Mid-Connecticut Valley Of Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This is a study of growth potential in seven towns located along an east-west axis in the mid Connecticut River Valley in western Massachusetts. It employs a planning method commonly described as a build-out analysis in which lands are identified that are both physically suitable and available for future development. Zoning regulations, population growth projections, land conservation trends, and other constraints are then used to project different growth scenarios that result in estimations of the number of new residences that can be accommodated over time and the increases in population that would be likely based on those. The results of …