Architecture Commons^™

An Impact Analysis Of The 15-Year Capital Program And Budget In The City Of Philadelphia, James K. Lewis

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Abstract

In order to serve its constituents, the City of Philadelphia has established numerous public service departments and respective public goods in terms of departments facilities and other structures to provide public service. The key departments include the Police Department, Fire Department, Health Department, Libraries, and Parks and Recreation. Additionally, there are departments established to build, renovate, maintain, the public goods provided by the City of Philadelphia in order to achieve successful stewardship of the facilities. In order to carry out facilities stewardship of its public goods, the City has a long-term capital program and budget that utilizes borrowed capital …

Iii.A.2 Displacement & Barriers To Home Ownership, Kim Rostan, Bria Harper, Jim Neighbors, Mark Byrnes

Crafting Democratic Futures

This document explains how systemic racism and discriminatory policies from the Civil War & Reconstruction period through the 20th century prevented African Americans in Spartanburg from building wealth through land ownership and home equity. It details barriers such as Black Codes, sharecropping, convict leasing, exclusion from New Deal programs, discriminatory housing policies, and urban renewal projects that displaced Black neighborhoods without providing equitable opportunities for economic advancement.

Breathing A New Life Into Industrialized Cities: Adapting Warehouses In The Inland Empire, Mazzy Rosenast

Pitzer Senior Theses

This thesis explores adaptive reuse as a design strategy to repurpose aging warehouse infrastructure in the Inland Empire, specifically Rancho Cucamonga, in order to reclaim and reintegrate the urban fabric around community needs, rather than defaulting to demolition and erasure. As urban spaces become increasingly saturated, resources dwindle, and environmental concerns escalate, the need to creatively build and repurpose our urban fabric becomes a critical conversation among architects, urban planners, and designers. The Inland Empire (IE) - comprising Riverside and San Bernardino Counties - has been overtaken by the logistics industry, transforming its landscape into a patchwork of freeways, cargo …

Visions Of The Garden: Transforming The Former Claremont Golf Course Into The Coastal Sage Mosaic, Ella C. Kim

Pitzer Senior Theses

A thirty-three-acre parcel of land sits at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains at a vulnerable wildland-urban interface (WUI), raising key ecological concerns. This parcel, a former golf course, is the focused site for this conceptual landscape and restoration plan. The now-neglected site has no proposed plans for restoration or development yet holds significant potential for transformation. Stakeholders’ conflicting visions range from land preservation, ecological restoration, Indigenous land rights, commodification for revenue and development, and prioritizing the needs of the natural environment in coexistence with modern human enjoyment. The conceptual plan addresses these critical considerations in verbal and visual …

An Experimental Study On Durability Properties Of Reactive Powder Concrete Containing Silica Fume And Fly Ash As Supplementary Cementitious Materials, Ayat Mohamed Hassan Taha, Mohamed Hussain Ali Makhlouf, Khaled Mohamed El-Sayed, Gamal Ismaail Khaleel

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The paper reports the influence of using silica fume (SF) and fly ash (FA) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) on the durability properties of reactive powder concrete (RPC), focusing on sorptivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and carbonation depth. The study additionally compares the performance of RPC with highstrength concrete (HSC) to assess the relative benefits of RPC. A total of 19 mixtures, including 17 RPC and 2 HSC mixtures, were evaluated. Parameters such as volume of binder content (45%, 50%, 55%, and 60%), water-binder ratios (20%, 25%, and 30%), and SCM proportions (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) were varied; these …

Optimization Of Persulfate Activation System Using Ferrous Sulfate For Toc Removal From Real Domestic Wastewater, Mohamed Fouad, Mohamed Mossad, Mohamed Gar Alalm, Mahmoud Samy

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The reuse of treated wastewater is increasingly recognized as a sustainable solution to address global water shortage. This study investigates the effectiveness of a persulfate-based advanced oxidation process (AOP) using sodium persulfate (Na2S2O8) activated by ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) as a tertiary treatment for secondary effluents. Real municipal wastewater was collected from Agouzain Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt. A Box Benkhen design (BBD) was employed to optimize three key variables: FeSO4 dose (0.5–2.0 g/L), Na2S2O8 dose (0.5–2.0 g/L), and pH (3.0–9.0), with total organic carbon (TOC) removal as the main response. Under optimized conditions (0.50 g/L FeSO4, 2.00 …

Bioagricorridors: Uban Ecosystem Networks To Enhance Biological Diversity, Ecosystem Services And Food Production In Barcelona, Spain, Fabio Capra-Ribeiro, Filippo Vegezzi

Faculty Publications

Urbanisation and environmental degradation pose significant challenges to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and food pro- duction. The Bioagricorridors strategy addresses this by inte- grating agroecology in the urban environment, emphasising the continuity principle to connect diverse ecosystems through green infrastructure. Employing a mapping strategy, bioagricorridors bridge theory and space, using maps as communication tools and deep mapping to explore multi-layered, digital cartographic representations. This approach aids in addressing pressing urban conditions, enhancing genetic diversity, and improving soil and water quality. The exploration uses Barcelona as a case study, a city marked by historical urban planning shifts and landscape fragmentation. Taking into …

Challenges In Combating Climate Change: Lessons From Latin American And Caribbean Case Studies, Fabio Capra-Ribeiro

Faculty Publications

Climate change presents a complex global threat, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, where the impacts are severe, yet the region also showcases innovative approaches to face these issues. This study systematically analyzes the challenges faced by urban sustainability projects in the region, drawing insights from 35 case studies in the Urban Sustainability Exchange (USE) database. The primary objective is to identify shared challenges in implementing climate action initiatives, offering valuable lessons for future projects. Challenges were categorized into 14 themes, with issues related to collaboration and communication emerging as the most frequent. Other significant challenges included infrastructure limitations, …

Adaptation For Whom? Understanding The Impacts Of Dyke Policies On Small-Scale Farmers In Ca Mau Province Of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Van Minh, Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Low-lying deltas worldwide are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. As the risks of climate-induced flooding become increasingly clear, the thirst for infrastructure-driven adaptation increases. This highlights a patent need to understand the impacts of engineering adaptation solutions, especially those targeting built structures such as dykes and sluices, on farmers from a bottom-up, farmer-centred perspective. The study addresses this call by examining cases where dyke policies, while successful in some dimensions, have undermined small-scale farmer livelihoods in Ca Mau ― Vietnam’s southernmost rural province. It identifies areas in need of attention and adds empirical data related to this group of farmers. …

Bridging The Green Divide: Sustainable Community Development And Climate Resilience In Altadena, Ca, Katie Brosnan

Pitzer Senior Theses

Sustainable Community Development (SCD) is widely debated as a climate mitigation strategy, with recognized benefits such as reducing carbon footprints, enhancing public health, and fostering economic resilience. However, a major critique is its limited accessibility to marginalized communities. In particular, the resilience embedded in rebuilding plans does not necessarily translate to real access for those whose insurance coverage may not be sufficient to afford conventional design services or reconstruction costs. This thesis argues that while SCD is an effective tool for climate mitigation, its success depends on equitable access—not just in principle, but in the material capacity to participate in …

Mapping The Tren Maya’S Mark On Mérida, Diego Tamayo

Pitzer Senior Theses

Mapping the Tren Maya’s Mark on Mérida investigates whether the Tren Maya railway is ushering in new sustainable development which provides economic and social benefits for the residents of Mérida, Mexico. The Mexican government has spearheaded the megaproject’s construction in a mere four years with the goal of boosting economic growth in an environmentally and socially conscious manner. The following investigation highlights where this vision, articulated in technocratically-constructed public documents and amplified in reporting, has been fulfilled in Mérida. Through geospatial, physical, and journalistic investigations and analysis, it is revealed the Tren Maya has brought a host of impacts upon …

Sites 45ch01104 And 45ch00402 Determinations Of Eligibility, Chelan County, Washington, Benjamin Aa Hodges

All Graduate Projects

This Master of Applied Science (MAS) project report assesses the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility of archaeological sites 45CH01104 and 45CH00402 near Wells Dam in Chelan County, Washington. Field investigations conducted in 2024 included pedestrian surveys, subsurface testing, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) analysis to gather data on site conditions and potential cultural features. Site 45CH01104 was characterized by pre-contact lithic and fire-cracked rock (FCR) scatters and is recommended as eligible in this report for the NRHP under Criteria A and D due to its association with Indigenous subsistence activities and its potential to yield important archaeological information. It …

Campus Connect, Katie Coates, Bella Wengappuly, Annabelle Brown, Kyie Salerno

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This paper examines how university campus design can be strategically utilized to support student mental health, drawing on global examples to inspire improvements in the University of Montana’s (UM) campus planning. The University of Montana, like most college campuses worldwide, is currently facing pressing mental health challenges among the student body. College can be a highly stressful experience, where students encounter unique pressures that, without adequate support, can lead to mental health crises. Many universities across the globe have recognized the role of campus design in promoting mental well-being, and they have adopted innovative, student-centered design strategies to foster positive …

The Structure Of Universal History: An Architectural Analysis Of The Museo Nacional De Antropología, Stella M.W. Robinson

Scripps Senior Theses

The Museo Nacional de Antropología (MNA) is the largest and most frequently visited museum in Mexico. This monument to the splendor of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic past claims to document the entirety of Mexico's past and contemporary Indigenous heritage within its 25 archaeology and ethnography rooms However, the architects reduce Indigenous architectural features into symbols of the pre-Hispanic past in their idealization of a mixed-race (mestizo) heritage to promote the modern Mexican nation as the successors of the Mexica (Aztec) empire. My architectural analysis dissects the museum's claims of hybridity through comparing the structure to several architectural precedents, including the Maya pre-Hispanic …

Study On The Interaction Between Agricultural Practices, Religious Activities, And Cultural Relics, Fengyi Zhou, Isarachai Buranaut

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

Community participation and how socio-cultural practices in cultural landscapes affect the protection of cultural heritage and their importance in the field of heritage protection among countries in the Mekong River Basin. This is a case study based on qualitative research methods and the theoretical framework of the eco-cultural complex, which aims to explore how community groups in Jianchuan County, Yunnan Province, China, participate in the shaping and protection of the cultural landscape. The study shows that religious activities run through all stages of the agricultural cycle, and agricultural practices have a profound impact on their content and form. Religious activities …

Mixed-Use Developments And Urban Megaprojects In The Global South : A Systematic Review And Interpretation Of A Blurred Intersection, Federico Puggioni, Nij Tontisirin

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This article examines the intersection of two distinct strains of urban studies: mixed-use development and urban megaprojects, through a systematic review of literature. One strain focuses on integrating diverse uses and functions within a single space, known as 'mixed-use'. The other originates from the technical complexities of megaprojects adapted to architecture and urban design. The article seeks to address a gap in the literature by clarifying the conceptual yet geographical overlaps between these two strains, which often have broad, blurred boundaries; it proposes a novel framework for defining and interpreting the related literature at this conceptual intersection.

Perceptions Of Landscape Quality In The Historic City Center Of Konya, Türkiye : A Multi-Site User Satisfaction Analysis, Ahmet Akay

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study aims to assess user satisfaction regarding the landscape design of public spaces in historic city centers. The design of these spaces, particularly within the context of historic city centers, plays a pivotal role in preserving local identity and fostering harmonious living environments. The existing literature generally focuses on single areas or broader concepts, whereas this research stands out with its comparative examination of four different public spaces in the historic city center of Konya, filling a critical gap in user-oriented evaluations of landscape design in such environments. To provide a comprehensive user experience analysis, the study systematically determined …

Sustainable Construction Using Aragonite Sand From Mussel Shell Biowaste : Enhancing Building Material Development, Runda Aduldejcharas

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This study investigates the feasibility of using aragonite sand made from Perna viridis mussel shells as a sustainable substitute for natural sand in building materials. Growing demand for natural sand has resulted in serious environmental issues, such as habitat destruction, resource depletion, and elevated greenhouse gas emissions, driven by fast urbanization and infrastructural expansion. The goal of this project is to encourage sustainable building methods, lessen environmental deterioration, and alleviate sand scarcity by turning mussel shell biowaste into aragonite sand.  X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were among the chemical and microstructural tests used to …

Dynamics Of Landscape Transformation And Governance Of Bangkok’S Urban Waterways, Wanida Numsuk

NAKHARA (Journal of Environmental Design and Planning)

This paper critically examines the shortcomings of traditional Thai institutions in urban governance focusing on Bangkok Urban Waterways (BUW) conceptualised as dynamic and essential landscape elements. Framing BUW through the lens of ‘landscape governance’, the paper explores how institutional practices and management actions have led to erosion of cultural heritage, ineffective flood control, and the marginalisation of local communities. The research asks: To what extent does the governance of BUW contribute to these changing landscapes? To do this, the paper draws on extensive qualitative fieldwork, including interviews with government agencies, experts, practitioners, NGOs, and in-depth fieldwork with residents. The findings …

Understanding Roof Systems Of Metal Buildings, Michael W. Seek, Vincent E. Sagan

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] A metal building is a system with complex behavior that, when properly accounted for, provides an efficient structural solution. To help the engineer properly design for this behavior, the Metal Building Manufacturers (MBMA) has recently released the Roof Framing Design Guide for Metal Building Systems, 2nd Edition (Roof Framing Design Guide).

Developing Entrepreneurial Mindsets In Construction Management Through Experiential Projects, Dalya Ismael

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Entrepreneurial Minded Learning (EML), a framework supported by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), promotes critical thinking and innovation by encouraging students to explore real-world problems through the 3Cs: Curiosity, Creating Value, and Connections. In construction management education, the focus often remains on technical skills and project execution, neglecting the development of entrepreneurial skills like adaptability, value creation, and stakeholder engagement, leaving a gap in preparing students for the challenges of the industry. To bridge this gap, micro-moment activities were introduced prior to the main project to prime students for EML-based thinking. These short, focused exercises encouraged students to solve …

Healthy Building Data Collection, Angeli N. Warren, Rania I. Abdullatif, Abigail Rhea Blackmon

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Understanding the cruciality of a Healthy Building

William Edmondson Homesite Redesign, Delaney Kelly

SPARK Symposium Presentations

A redesigned concept for a historical community park, garden, & arboretum in Nashville, TN. The new historical site should pays homage to William Edmondson and his work to create an active community space, connects the main park field with the Higher Vision Master Plan and Edgehill Neighborhood Vision, and meets community reported needs for a neighborhood space.

Sustainable Hospitals Lighting Design Optimization To Enhance Patient Well-Being, Merna R. Ashac, Rania F. Ismail, Nasreen Fathy Abdelsalam

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This research investigates the critical role of lighting design in hospitals environments, focusing on its impact on patient outcomes and environmental sustainability. By integrating energy-efficient LEDs and natural light, the study aims to enhance patient well-being and staff performance. To achieve this, the research explores aligning artificial lighting with circadian rhythms to improve both patient outcomes and staff performance. Using mixed-methods approach, the research includes a literature review, case studies, and analysis using DIALux simulation software. The literature review achieves a framework for sustainable, human-centric lighting, while case studies provide practical insights into effective designs in patient rooms. DIALux simulations …

Evaluating Machine Learning Techniques For Breast Cancer Detection: A Comprehensive Review, Owen Kresse, Youssef Kamel Kamel Hassan Rezk, Alaaelddin Ibrahim Said, Rana Hossameldin Mousa, Merna Adel Abdelrahman Ibrahim, Ahmed Fathy Sweed, Tomas Pegorari, Pablo Nakasato, Ainhoa Osa-Sanchez, Itxasne Del Barrio, Francesc Serra Crespí, Keltse Santisteban Ortiz, Naiara Melián Eguia, Mohamed Elsharkawy, Ibrahim Abdelhalim, Begonya Garcia-Zapirain, Ayman El-Baz

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Breast cancer is considered one of the most common types of cancer among women. significant amount of effort done in early detection to increase survival chance since early detection is a challenging task especially in certain breast cancer conditions or using inefficient imaging modalities AI demonstrated significant potential in breast cancer detection algorithms including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and Transformers, which have achieved highly accurate results but they have some limitations, such as the large amounts of data required for training as CNNs rely on local features, while Transformers focus on global features However, recent research has proposed hybrid models …

Photocatalytic Production Of Hydrogen From Sodium Borohydride Using Tio2/Mwcnt, Ahmed S . Sewerky, Ibrahim Gar Al Alm Rashed, M.M. El-Halwany, Mohamed R. Elmarghany

Mansoura Engineering Journal

In this research, a novel photocatalyst composed of titanium dioxide TiO2 supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was synthesized using the sol-gel method to produce hydrogen H2 from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride NaBH4. The TiO2/MWCNT composite’s photocatalytic activity was examined under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, with UV lamps used as the source. The experiments were repeated at different temperatures and varying catalyst doses to analyze their effects on H2 generation. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized through structural, morphological, and compositional studies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The findings reveal that …

Nat Kunn And Nat Nann: Changes Of “Body Techniques” And Domestic Spaces Within The Spiritual Cult Of Myanmar, Aung Khant

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The British colonization of Burma in 1885 marked a turning point in Myanmar’s traditional society, particularly in changes of body techniques, shikho (prostration), and the practice of wearing or removing shoes in sacred spaces. While recent scholars have examined the changes in body techniques and spiritual cult, the relationship between body techniques and domestic spaces has remained underexplored. Tracing the changes in techniques from Colonial Burma to contemporary Myanmar, this thesis explores the relationship between body techniques and domestic spaces, Nat Kunn, small shrines dedicated to specific Nats, deities, and Nat Nann, which are larger shrines for the Nat Pantheon. …

The Insignificant: Curating “Everyday” Lights In Bangkok, Bhuvarin Thaveetermsakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The “insignificant” in this thesis is not meant unimportant, but a neutral state of the subject waiting to be acknowledged by the observer. This concept is based on the theories of “everyday life,” proposed by Charles Baudelaire and Maurice Blanchot. In “The Painter of Modern Life” (1863), Baudelaire redefined art as the object of everyday, while Blanchot’s “Everyday Speech” (1959) described the everyday as something difficult to grasp yet existed along the urban streets.This thesis is the exploration into everyday lights and darkness in different architectural scales and cultural contexts. The exploration is classified through scholarly texts from Electric light: …

Potted Plants In Urban Spaces: Analyzing Social And Spatial Dynamics For Urban Management In Bangkok's Residential Areas, Chihiro Okajima

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Potted plants have long served as portable, small-scale gardens for residents in Thailand, particularly in densely populated and flood-prone areas. In Bangkok, they remain a common feature of the urban landscape, reflecting both everyday life and traditional Thai culture. Beyond their cultural and visual value, these potted plants are increasingly recognized as a practical form of green infrastructure, especially in high-density urban areas where space is limited. However, current rigid regulatory frameworks—which distinguish strictly between public and private spaces—prioritize keeping sidewalks clear, creating tension between city and residents as most potted plants are placed on public land beyond private property …

Cinematic Architecture: Perceiving The Real From The Reel In How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Film Setting, Edbert Theo Fortino

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Cinematic architecture is a multidisciplinary approach that examines the relationship between film and architecture. This thesis explores how film offers a unique way to immerse audiences in spatial experience. Through time, movement, and visual framing, film can dramatize or reinterpret space according to the director’s vision, making it a valuable medium for understanding how architecture is perceived, used, and felt. Film also visualizes fragments of real everyday life, cultural practices, and spatial behaviour. Observing how characters inhabit and interact with spaces reveals how real users interpret the functional and symbolic meanings of architecture—insights often overlooked when architects rely solely on …