Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Do We Have A Climate For Change? Insights About Adaptation Planning Actions In Coastal New England, Ana M. Emlinger

Doctoral Dissertations

“I just drink more coffee and stay late” – declared the town planner of a small coastal community in the South of Boston, Massachusetts (MA) referring to the need of extra work to address climate change adaptation in a short-staffed planning department. These words illustrate one of the many common issues faced by planners of small and medium coastal communities in the region. A systematic incorporation of climate change concerns into formal community planning, management, and infrastructure design is in nascent stage. The challenges of effective adaptation are complex and likely to be politically hard, especially at the local level …

Urban Metabolism And Land Use Modeling For Urban Designers And Planners: A Land Use Model For The Integrated Urban Metabolism Analysis Tool, Mohamad Farzinmoghadam

Doctoral Dissertations

Predicting the resource consumption in the built environment and its associated environmental consequences (urban metabolism analysis) is one of the core challenges facing policy-makers and planners seeking to increase the sustainability of urban areas. There is a critical need for a single integrated framework to analyze the consequences of urban growth and eventually predict the impacts of sustainable policies on the urbanscape. This dissertation presents the development of an Integrated Urban Metabolism Analysis Tool (IUMAT) – an analytical framework that simulates urban metabolism by integrating urban subsystems in a single comprehensive computational environment. It reviews the existing literature on urban …

Thinking In Circles: A Systems Theory Approach To Public Participation In Planning, Stephen Meno

Masters Theses

In the field of planning, there is widespread consensus that the mechanisms in which most planners use to engage with the public are ineffective and exclusive. Although there has been much work done on the techniques planners can adopt to reach out to underrepresented segments of the community, few municipalities have adopted them. This thesis seeks to advance the conversation on public participation beyond the mechanisms and into a discussion of why only certain communities are implementing these more progressive, efficient, effective, and equitable measures. By depicting how public participation functions as a system of interconnected paths and feedback loops, …

Planning [And] The Sanitary City: Understanding Implications Of Community-Based Ecological Sanitation Reforms In The U.S., Catherine K. Bryars

Masters Theses

Though most commonly regarded as a revolutionary public health invention, the introduction of conventional wastewater sanitation systems has a mixed legacy in the U.S. A growing body of research links sewage-based sanitation systems with nationwide ecosystem degradation and an unsustainable dependence on vast inputs of materials and resources. In addition to contributing to chronic problems across the country, today these wastewater infrastructures are in various states of disrepair. The EPA estimates that at least $270 billion must be invested in coming years to prevent massive sanitary failures, but municipalities are increasingly unable to fund these expensive (re)investments in buried water-carriage …

Creating A Successful Wayfinding System: Lessons Learned From Springfield, Massachusetts, Yanhua Lu

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

The masters project presents findings from recent work the author completed related to wayfinding, and wayfinding systems. This work began as part of a graduate urban design studio, followed by work as a research assistant at the UMass Design Center in Springfield, on a new “demonstration” wayfinding system installed in Springfield, Massachusetts. The wayfinding project was done in association with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and the Springfield Office of Planning and Community Development, was implemented with the main goals of improving public health by encouraging more people to walk.

Wayfinding systems are increasingly seen as an important part of …

Uncovering And Mapping Place Attachment In Small Cities, Nicole L. Vaugeois, Alanna Williams, Sharon Karsten, Pam Shaw

TTRA Canada 2016 Conference

Understanding the connections that visitors and residents have to places is critically important for tourism development. Aided with this knowledge, authentic experiences can be developed, stories can be uncovered and told, and resident perspectives can be identified. This paper describes a case study to uncover and map place attachment in three small cities in Western Canada. The project was conducted in the cities of Courtenay, Port Alberni and Nanaimo, BC. A one day “walk about” in each community was used to record 1.5 minute videos (n=85) of residents speaking about a place in their downtown core where they felt connected …

Assembling Creative Cities In Seoul And Yokohama: Rebranding East Asian Urbanism, Changwook Kim

Doctoral Dissertations

By investigating institutional and cultural practices as well as the consequences of the creative industry-led development policy in Yokohama, Japan and Seoul, South Korea, this dissertation critically reexamines the key rationales of creative economy-driven urban development and considers social costs and tensions between the state, capital and citizens that are embedded within creative city policy discourses and practices. This dissertation intervenes in the conventional understandings, which consider the influx of neoliberalism as the key to explain the rapid global circulation of creative city policy, typically based on cities in the West. By considering the policy transfer as endless processes of …

Characterizing The Urban Human Environment System In Boston, Massachusetts, Rachel S. Danford

Doctoral Dissertations

Access to natural resources and restorative green space, especially in urban areas, has become critically important as an increasing number of people throughout the world move into cities. Stewardship of natural spaces and a sense of engagement with these environmental benefits are crucial, especially in urban areas where access to nature is more difficult and less equitable. This research proposes a model where individual and policy level values and decisions shape how urban nature is used, which affects the adoption of environmentally responsible behavior and natural resource conservation and in turn feeds back into environmental values and decisions. The research …

A New Vision For An Old Institution: Addressing The Challenges For Urban And Peri-Urban Agriculture At The Waltham Experiment Station, Kevin C. Hartzell

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

Urban and peri-urban agriculture has a new place in (sub)urban landscapes because of the suite of ecosystem services it can provide including, but not limited to; increased local food production, waste recycling, stormwater infiltration, and reconnecting urban dwellers to their food source. The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Waltham Experiment Station, located in Waltham, Massachusetts, is poised for redevelopment as a model for multi-use urban agriculture production, research, and education as well as a living laboratory to monitor and document the ecosystem services provided to the surrounding community. This project will focus on educational and research categories within the theme of …

Developing An Ecological Sanitation Transect, Ian Kolesinskas

Masters Theses

A sanitation problem exists for people across the globe: basic human waste collection and treatment is inaccessible to much of the world’s population; and the status-quo gray infrastructure system of sanitation is unsustainable and unsuitable for widespread application. A paradigm shift is needed: this thesis makes the case for developing an Ecological Sanitation Transect to bring back the closed loop that connects consumption, waste excretion, sanitation, and food production. The Ecological Sanitation Transect is a synthesis of ecological sanitation, where human excreta is reused, and the urban transect, where development density is conceptualized along a continuum from rural to urban. …

The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Study: A Socioeconomic Analysis And Closure Transition Guide Book, Jonathan G. Cooper

Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Masters Projects

Between February 2013 and December 2014, four communities hosting a nuclear power plant in the U.S. were faced with the sudden closure of the plant. These closures were largely attributable to market changes in the energy sector, driven by sustained growth in the natural gas industry. The rise of natural gas-fired plants has recently forced several of the nation's older coal-fired and petroleum-based power plants into early retirement, and nuclear industry analysts suspect that the nuclear closures of the past two years may be just the beginning of a similar trend.

Unfortunately, the extent of nuclear power plant closure impacts …

Becoming Sustainable In Our Own Way: Sustainability At The Flagship Massachusetts Public University, Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, Dennis Swinford

Campus Planning Community and Conference Presentations

This presentation was delivered at the 2016 World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities . It outlines a case study of the comprehensive sustainability efforts undertaken by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and evaluates its progress by applying Kotter’s 8-step approach to change management to multiple phases of the campus development efforts. Emphasis is placed on efforts to integrate sustainability goals with campus master planning, facility plans, green building policies, governance and educational and operations teaching and research initiatives. The presentation also outlines concrete steps for comprehensive physical planning that universities may consider as they integrate change management practices for …

Publications From The Mastering Mills Symposium, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Through the Center for Economic Development's research, consulting and technical assistance efforts, it has become increasingly apparent that increased knowledge concerning the revitalization of old mills and mill communities is necessary. The problem is particularly acute in smaller communities and in areas of slow growth, where problems and solutions are addressed differently than larger towns near urban locations. The purpose of this symposium was to gain an understanding of the methods that can protect and enhance mill character and the economic viability in mill communities. It included several presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities for audience involvement. Presentations and any supplemental …

Promoting Productive Agriculture In Massachusetts: An Analysis Of Chapter 61a Land In Hardwick, Massachusetts, Sarah Lang

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this study is to look at the role MGL Chapter 61A plays in promoting agricultural production within the state of Massachusetts.

Towards The Creation Of A Horse Park In The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts: A Feasibility Study, Henry Renski, John R. Mullin, Jonathan G. Cooper

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This study finds that the development of a Massachusetts Model horse park represents a significant economic opportunity for the Commonwealth. Capital costs are not expected to exceed $150 million. The annual economic impact is expected to approach $99 million and lead to the creation of more than 950 jobs throughout Massachusetts. Economic activity resulting from the facility’s development would also generate an additional $5 million in state and local tax revenues per year.

Mastering Mills: Recommendations For Planning Massachusetts Mill Communities, Angelica Carey, Madison Burke, Alexandra Smialek, Margaret Palmer

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This paper is meant to summarize the findings and recommendations that came directly from attendees at the “Mastering Mills” Symposium in order to influence future state policies regarding mill revitalization, especially for rural communities.

Orange Arts And Economic Development: Identifying Non-Traditional Innovative Educational Opportunities For Economic Development In The Town Of Orange, Massachusetts, Brendan Conboy, Michael Goulding

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this collaboration is to develop creative, ‘out of the box’ solutions for a wide range of economic development issues in Franklin County, Massachusetts. One area of focus is in identifying innovative and educational opportunities that promote economic development strategies for the town of Orange, Massachusetts.

Forging Ahead: Towards An Arts Center In North Quabbin, Leonard Kendall, Stephen Meno

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report is a feasibility study to assess the potential adaptive reuse of mill buildings in the North Quabbin region as a site for an arts education center that would specialize in large-scale sculpture fabrication. This report relies on interviews with experts and conducting case studies on similar instances of creative economy revitalization.

A Call To Arts: Integrating The Arts Into Downtown Orange, Ma, Leonard Kendall

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report is an implementation plan for a demonstration project to integrate the arts into the economy of the town of Orange. It includes recommendations for the town to develop an arts-led economy as well as an arts chapter for the master plan. This is the last report in a series of three that have analyzed creative economic development strategies for the region.

Working Draft, The Mill And The Mill Town Pilot Feasibility Checklist: Redevelopment Of Once And Future Mill Sites, John R. Mullin, Erica Roper

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This checklist was designed by the University of Massachusetts Center for Economic Development to identify how prepared a town is to revitalize its Mill buildings and to help potential developer identify priorities and viable redevelopment sites. The high volume of abandoned mills in New England demonstrates the need for creative tools to serve as a preliminary filter for redevelopment opportunities.

Vermont Futures Project: Vermont Economic Indicators And Dashboard., Henry C. Renski

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

http://www.vtfuturesproject.org/vermont-economic-snapshot/
Statistical data compendium website with narrative.
Prepared on Behalf of the Vermont Futures Foundation.

Mastering Mills: Recommendations For Planning Massachusetts Mill Communities, Angelica Carey, Madison M. Burke, Alexandra 'Ola' Smialek, Margaret Palmer

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This paper provides specific recommendations that have been prioritized in an effort to influence state policy that will positively support mill revitalization.

Municipal Guidance For Flood Emergencies In Vermont, Deborah Shriver & Windham County

Water Publications

This is a guide to provide guidance to Vermont rural communities in the Deerfield River watershed to prepare and recover from devastating floods.

Municipal Guidance For Flood Emergencies: Franklin And Berkshire Counties, Massachusetts, Deborah Shriver

Water Publications

This is a guide for rural municipalities in the Deerfield River watershed in Massachusetts about what to do to prepare and recover from devastating floods.