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Assessing Flood Resilience In West Virginia Communities: Integrating Physical, Institutional, Socioeconomic, And Environmental Dimensions, Anahita Mahmoudi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Flooding is one of the most frequent and damaging natural hazards in the United States, with impacts expected to intensify under changing climate conditions. In regions such as West Virginia, complex terrain, development patterns along river corridors, and socioeconomic disparities contribute to elevated flood risk. Traditional approaches to flood risk assessment often focus on single dimensions of vulnerability or rely on binary floodplain maps, which do not fully capture the spatial variability and multidimensional nature of flood resilience.

This dissertation develops an integrated, community-scale framework for assessing flood resilience in West Virginia by combining physical, environmental, institutional, and socioeconomic dimensions …

Demonstrating The Potential Of Biophilic Design, Sustainable Site Initiatives, And Regenerative Landscape Design To Transform Neglected And Underutilized Spaces Into Vibrant, Eco-Friendly Hubs In Mckeesport Pennsylvania., Chinweuba Stephen Kikanme

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

McKeesport is a city located along Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, about 13 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It is part of the River metropolitan area. McKeesport, once a thriving center of steel production, is now facing significant challenges associated with industrial decline, urban blight, flood hazard, population decline, brownfield sites and environmental degradation. However, the transformation of neglected spaces within the city into sustainable and vibrant urban hubs offers a powerful opportunity for revitalization. By incorporating natural elements such as green roofs, urban agriculture, and native plant restoration, this project seeks to create spaces that not only …

Asset Mapping: A Tool Used To Identify Community Resources, Gentry Shrewsbury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Physical activity is vital for health and quality of life; however, for individuals with disabilities, there are numerous barriers to participation. In rural and low-socioeconomic regions, barriers such as lack of awareness, limited restrooms, and lack of public transportation create challenges when attempting to be physically active. Using the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) framework, this study examined physical activity resources within Mercer County, West Virginia, and evaluated their accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Methods: A qualitative research design was implemented using three data collection strategies: (1) a google search to identify existing physical activity opportunities followed by a windshield …

Toward A University-Led Community Indicator Project For West Virginia, Daniel Carson Eades

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rural communities across the United States are experiencing profound social and economic transitions that demand innovative, asset-based approaches to community development (CD). This study responds to calls from West Virginia (WV) community development practitioners, funders, and university leaders for a standardized, contextually relevant framework to assess and track community well-being. The objective of this study was to develop a university-led community indicator project in West Virginia (WV CIP) that incorporates best practices recognized by the literature as critical to successful community-based indicator projects, specifically, the identification of scientifically and normatively grounded indicators rooted in a conceptual framework (the Community Capital …

Impacts Of Community Food Outreach Programs On Low-Income Families: St. Ursula’S Food Outreach Program In Pursglove Monongalia, West Virginia, United States As A Case Study, Oluwafunke Abeleje

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Impacts Of Community Food Outreach Programs on Low-Income Families: St. Ursula’s Food Outreach Program in Pursglove Monongalia, West Virginia as A Case Study

Abeleje Oluwafunke Rebecca

According to previous research studies as stated by Fatka (2023), in 2014, 14% of households in the United States had levels of food insecurity. Also, as noted by Pitts, 2020, food insecurity rates rose across the board in the United States during the early COVID-19 epidemic and tripled among families with children. Compared to other industrialized countries, the United States had very high rates of food insecurity before the outbreak (Poblacion et al., …

Pathways To Health: Linking Accessible Green Space To Improved Health And Well‐Being In Rural Appalachia., Udday Shankur Datta

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Green spaces are essential for our physical health. The quality of its green space often determines the health of a community. The presence of green space in our lives is associated with reduced stress levels, better sleep, and increased feelings of safety. Lack of access to green space can lead to many health issues, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and has been linked to obesity and physical inactivity.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) defines Appalachia as a region covering 420 counties across 13 states in the eastern United States. A large part of this region is …

Two Essays To Encourage Agritourism Cluster Development In The Appalachian Region: An Analysis Of Agritourism Operation Regarding Clustering And Toolkit Curriculum For Cluster Development, Oluwatoyin Adebisi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study focused on encouraging agritourism operators in the study area to engage in clustering. Collaboration within networks and clusters is strongly encouraged as a catalyst for accelerating industrial transformation, developing regional competitive advantages, and boosting company and job creation. All these factors ultimately contribute to economic progress and prosperity. A snowball sampling method was used to survey 192 agritourism operators, with 145 responses meeting the inclusion criteria for analysis. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to identify factors contributing to agritourism business development in the selected six states. Based on a linear regression model, the findings reveal that net income …

The Role Of Digital Spaces In Caring For Children With Feeding Tubes: Home, Family, And Community Reconsidered, Sara Gilbert Loftus

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

This dissertation draws from feminist geographic research to critically examine the landscapes of care traversed by family caregivers of children with feeding tubes and complex medical and long-term care needs. Drawing from theories and methodologies from feminist disability and digital geographies, in combination with feminist science technology studies (STS), I explore the impact of neoliberal policy changes on daily caregiving tasks and how families, in response to these policy changes, (re)create digital spaces and relationships to satisfy their unmet needs. This research examines the growing and shifting roles of digital spaces in the everyday lives of marginalized and/or vulnerable …

Synergies Between Residents: Evaluating Support And Concerns Of Recreation And Tourism Economic Development Within The Monongahela National Forest Region, Morgan R. Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tourism has continually been presented as a growing economic sector around the world. Having become an area of increased interest for diversifying rural economies, tourism is an attractive alternative to the declining traditional economic engines of rural communities like agriculture, forestry, and mining. Rural destinations have become increasingly attractive to outside visitors who seek to pursue activities embedded within the local culture and distinctive attractive assets available in rural regions. The USDA has recognized the increasing importance of recreation and tourism economies as an emerging or priority area of national need and an effective means for rural development. Even with …

Galvanizing Germantown: The Politicization Of Louisville's German Community, 1848-1855, Ann Kathryn Fleming

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This project interprets the Revolutions of 1848 and their ideological legacy through a transnational and transcultural context, highlighting the role of radical forty-eighters who imparted their republican messages to “Little Germanies” within the United States. Karl Heinzen serves as the primary example of the transient group that shared their radical visions with local German communities populated with political and cultural organizations, an active press and a commitment to civic engagement demonstrated through their involvement anti-slavery groups, labor reform, and improved rights for the immigrant population.

The thesis traces the politicization of Karl Heinzen in the German Confederation and his involvement …

The Effect Of Resident Attitudes, Social Capital, And Stakeholder Engagement On Rural Tourism Development In West Virginia., Doug Arbogast

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

While rural tourism has been a prominent topic of tourism research sine the 1970’s, more research is needed to further identify key factors for success and methodologies successful in achieving both theoretical and practical outcomes that can advance field of study. This study attempted to apply a mixed methods approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods to explore factors for success by gathering data from a wide range of stakeholders attempting to triangulate results using a transdisciplinary approach. Multi-stakeholder engagement (key informants, local residents, and visitors) in the tourism development process is essential in identifying opportunities and challenges and appropriate …

Super-Localizing Food As Tourism Development™: Producing The 30 Mile Meal™ In Athens, Ohio, Jed Debruin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Geographers have played a leading role in the theorization and critique of local food initiatives, raising critical questions about why they are advanced, how they work, and who benefits. Central to geographic critique of local food initiatives is how “the local” is framed, valued, and fetishized. The 30 Mile Meal™ (30MM) is one of these local food initiatives that seeks to rebrand local food in Appalachia through tourism development, as well as expand this model to other communities. In this paper, I explore how the 30MM is distintinctive in relation to other local food initiatives, how the 30MM constructs and …

An Assessment Of Farmer Participation In The United States Department Of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Services’ Conservation Technical Assistance Program In West Virginia, Matt D. Oliver

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Food and fiber production on America’s farmlands have a major influence on the environment, therefore, soil and water conservation practices are critical. NRCS has provided no-fee technical assistance for nearly 100 years through the Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program. The CTA program is essential because it provides technical knowledge directly to farmers for planning and implementing conservation practices that are proven to benefit environmental health and on-farm production. CTA program funds support NRCS staff and training and are thereby the local service delivery vehicle for all NRCS programs. However, in recent years, funding for CTA has remained relatively constant while …

Ripple Effect Mapping Of Youth & Adult Dyad Pairs Demonstrating Community Impact From Icook 4-H Intervention, Sina J.E. King

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Creating effective dissemination and implementation tools within community based, obesity prevention research is needed to bridge the current science to practice gap. Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) using Community Capitals Framework (CCF) is a community impact evaluation tool that is hypothesized to positively capture activity during dissemination within community programs. Although REM is a proposed impact evaluation method, it has not been widely adopted within the research sector. In order to facilitate the translation of research into evidenced based practice, a stepwise process must be described and tested to determine efficacy and effectiveness, followed by a method to translate findings …

The "Boom" And "Bust" Patterns Of Communities Within The Energy Rich Region Of West Virginia: A Case Study Of Moundsville, Brandon S. Kiger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The increasing worldwide demand for energy will provide Energy Rich Regions (ERRs) the opportunity to increase their wealth and quality of living. However, a reoccurring pattern of boom and bust cycles in ERRs suggests the need for more sustainable development strategies.;A mixed methods approach (case study) is employed to explore the "wicked human problems" occurring in one community, Moundsville, WV and to discover development patterns that might inform sustainable development strategies for the future.;This study explores briefly the distant past development patterns, and in greater detail the pre-boom and most current boom in natural gas. First, data will be derived …

Farmers Markets And The Emergency Food System In West Virginia: An Analysis Of Intersection To Improve Community Food Security, Jessica L. Crum

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Food insecurity is a problem in West Virginia. Individuals who are food insecure rely on assistance from private organizations, such as food pantries and soup kitchens. Individuals may also rely on government assistance, with programs like SNAP and WIC, as a means to cope with food insecurity. Farmers markets have been trying to become more accessible to low-income individuals and increase community food security through the acceptance of SNAP, WIC, and SMFNP vouchers. This study uses key informant interviews to understand to what extent and in what ways farmers markets are interacting with emergency food systems to improve community food …

Lower Greenmont Revitalization Featuring Deckers Creek, Anna Marie Withrow

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Eco-Town: An Integrated Modeling Framework For Simulating The Effects Of Urban Morphology On Sustainable Development, Ali Abutalebpur

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Spatial structure of a city is a key determinant of its socioeconomic well-being and there is a growing interest in models that investigate the relation between spatial structure and sustainable urban development. This dissertation aims to examine the role of urban spatial structure on social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability through developing an integrated modeling framework. In particular, this modeling framework bridges "design of urban built environment" and "sustainable development" at the city-region level through simulation and measuring the effect of changes in urban spatial structure on the stock of various asset forms including natural, human, and physical capital.;The …

Improving Community College Student Success Through Investment Of A Community Capitals Framework: A Multi-Case Study, Gregory T. Busch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this dissertation is to understand how community colleges invest in a wide range of resources to achieve student success and how that investment can be better understood through the roles of the constructs found in the Community Capitals Framework. To address these questions, the top two Ohio community colleges demonstrating the greatest positive percent growth in overall student success from 2012 to 2015 were analyzed through case studies. From these inductive inquiries, success initiatives and college interventions to overcome barriers to student success were grouped into strands. The strands reflected a collection of similar themes helpful for …

The Impact Of Service Learning On Leadership Skills Of Students Who Are Gifted And Talented In The Middle School, Patricia Anne Coon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This investigation relates to the impact of service learning on leadership skills of students who are gifted in the middle school while the students plan the project in-school and execute their goals out-of-school for their yearlong service learning project called Community Problem-Solving, or CmPS. Based on surveys, observations, and interviews from 25 students identified as gifted in the middle school, this study describes the student responses and observations from the researcher and teacher of the gifted. Findings show that most of the students in the study felt that their yearlong service learning project positively impacted their leadership skills. The data …

Examining Ohv User Displacement At The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area: A Ten Year Trend Study, Candice J. Riley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Off-highway vehicle (OHV) use has become an increasingly popular form of recreation among users in national forest land in recent years. This increased use of OHVs on National Forest land has led to numerous environmental and social impacts, leading land managers to resort to restrictive management policies to contend with the impacts. The purpose of this research is to combine data from three cross-sectional surveys (2002, 2006, and 2011) to examine OHV user displacement and other trends at ODNRA/Sand Lake. This paper uses Descriptive statistics, Chi Square, Analysis of Variance, and Structural Equation Modeling to determine relationships between the following …

Fractured Communities: Natural Gas, Resource Control, And Social Response In Bradford County, Pa, Chad F. Spade

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis examines natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation through a case study and research conducted in Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Drawing upon the literatures of environmental justice and accumulation by dispossession, this thesis examines the impacts natural gas drilling has on the local community. Themes of economic benefits, leasing procedures, environmental concerns, social fracturing and political power are explored as they relate to the natural gas industry's impact on the local community. Viewed through the theories of accumulation by dispossession and environmental justice, this thesis examines the role resource control plays in the development and exploitation of natural …

The Role Of Geography, Demographics, Bandwidth Speed And Internet Availability In Rural West Virginia Communities: A Multiple Case Study Of The 2012 Cards Of Hope Fundraiser, Rebecca Diehm

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Today, social media has become a popular public relations tool in the promotion of campaigns and fundraisers. While this new addition may be a key tool in the promotion of certain fundraisers and campaigns, this study was designed to focus on what public relations methods successfully promote events, campaigns and fundraisers in rural areas, such as those in West Virginia. The objective of this master's thesis is to support the notion that press releases are still the foundation of public relations methods not only in West Virginia, but in rural communities throughout the United States. In order to support this …

Beaumont Glass Site In Morgantown, Wv. Sustainable Urban Redevelopment Through Interpretive Design, Brownfield Reclamation And Mixed Uses., Maria Juliana Lloreda

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis project consists of a design approach to the former Beaumont Glass site and the adjacent sites, a total of 14.6 acres. The city of Morgantown and its downtown area are in need of demonstrations of sustainable development practices and mixed use design. The project design and development focus on site inventory and analysis, historic quality of the site, needs of the community, and stakeholder expectations. The applied design strategies are based on sustainable development, interpretive design, brownfield reclamation, phytoremediation technologies, and stormwater management. The vision of this project is the creation of an overall conceptual masterplan based on …

A Uk Market Town Maintaining Identity Amidst Urbanizing Sprawl: A Learning History, Jennifer Rachelle Parsons

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

English market towns greatly reflect British culture through unique traditions, architecture, and other characteristics. Market towns are often secluded from the outside world, located in rural areas of England with less significant roadways and very few railways leading into the towns. Despite the charming facade of market towns, challenges in contemporary society and the expansion of cities throughout the 20th century have swamped these rural communities, threatening their historical character and initiating problems such as forced growth, increased housing, and urbanization.;This study seeks to better understand the experiences and perspectives of the individuals and organizations dealing with change in an …

The Sustainability Of Hunger Relief: Analysis Of Emergency Food Providers In Low Access Counties Of West Virginia, Juston Chad Morrison

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Hunger in West Virginia has long been considered a problem that stems from high poverty rates and rural low access communities. The purpose of this study is to assess the stability of emergency food providers in economically distressed counties in West Virginia. Data was collected from Clay and Webster counties, of which Clay is considered low access and Webster is severely low access or a food desert. Administrators of emergency food providers were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding basic information about their program, changes in client usage, and possible threats to the existence of their program. The questionnaires were …

The Role Of Urban Forests In Sustainable Tourism Development: A Case Study Of Savannah, Ga, Stacy L. Casinelli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to identify a range of stakeholder (tourism providers, resource managers, elected officials, tour operators and tourists) perceptions, issues and concerns of Savannah, Georgia's, urban forests to help develop opportunities for the growing sustainable tourism industry. Stakeholder interviews were conducted using an open ended, semi-structured questionnaire. Based on the three dimensions and the scope of sustainable development, the themes, trends and patterns that emerged were utilized to assess the current issues facing Savannah's urban forest. Through content data analysis, four overarching themes surfaced: development, preservation, balance, and diversity. The results of this study indicate a …

Contributing And Constraining Factors To Collaborative Land Use Planning: Consequences Of Proposed Housing Development "In And Around" The New River Gorge National River, Candice Jo Ann Riley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In recent years, population increases in gateway communities has led to developers wanting to development adjacent to public lands. Although gateway community developments provides economic benefits such as increases in jobs and tax revenues, the population increase can cause a negative change in the landscape of the public land. As a result, public land managers are approaching more collaborative ways to engage in land use planning.;The purpose of this study was to assess the level of support for collaborative land use planning in and around the New River Gorge National River in Fayetteville, WV, particularly focused on the context of …

Integrating Community, Education, And Global Sustainability: The Vash Recycling Model., Tracy A. Vash

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Action research engages researchers and communities in iterative, reflective inquiry to address issues and solve problems with the support of data analysis. The study was structured by and analyzed using the prototype Vash Recycling Model (VRM). For three years, January 2005 through December 2007, this study engaged textiles, apparel, and merchandising students at West Virginia University in collaboration with The Mission, a homeless shelter in Clarksburg, in a joint recycling project. The VRM, found to be an effective guide in textiles and apparel recycling, assisted environmental sustainability, and in 2007 eliminated 679,271 pounds of waste from the landfill while generating …

Planning And Design Guidelines For Accommodating Non-Motorized Transportation In Suburban Office Parks, Keith B. Bryant

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recently, there have been many publications that chronicle suburban sprawl and the associated health risks, pedestrian safety concerns, economic impacts, and transportation consequences. Sprawl can be defined as dispersed, automobile-dependent development typically found along roadways outside of urban downtown areas.;Because of the problems associated with sprawl, planning and design guidelines have been developed for certain major land uses that offer guidance on more sustainable development practices. Other guidelines address the accommodation of non-motorized transportation in land uses such as residential, commercial, and retail. However, one land use for which such guidelines have not been developed is the suburban office park. …