Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Politics Of Urban Design: Racist Agendas Built Into The Environment, Chassidy Titley

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Windows Of The World: Postmodern Urbanism In Los Angeles And Shenzhen, Calvin Horning

Senior Theses and Projects

This work draws upon the ideas of Edward Soja and other spatial theorists to compare the postmodern urban development of Los Angeles and Shenzhen, China. Both cities have undergone rapid growth and become major urban metropolises, offering potential paradigmatic forms for contemporary urban studies. The thesis is based on the ideas of the LA School of Urbanism, of which Soja was a part, and reviews the school’s collective case for Los Angeles as a paradigmatic city for the postmodern age. This work then compares this account of Los Angeles with Shenzhen, a city that has risen from nothing to one …

Zamrock: Negotiating Masculine Urban Identity In Zambia And Music Success In A Postcolonial World, Emeline Avignon

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis analyzes, through predominately an ethnomusicologist approach and methodology, the lyricism, instrumentation, performance, and album art of the movement of Zamrock in Zambia from 1970 to the mid-1980s. I explore the agency and construction of urban youth masculinity by Zamrock artists in the context of Zambia’s colonial history of the Copperbelt, into its decades after independence. First, I look at the socio-political and economic context of colonized and independent Zambia, and how out of these conditions Zambian rock music was fused and forged. I break down the negotiations and desires of Zamrock artists in their identity construction via their …

Are Colleges Good Neighbors? The Impact Of Higher Education Community Engagement On Urban Neighbors, Kendra Keelan

Senior Theses and Projects

For the people who live in communities surrounding colleges and universities, does community engagement materially improve their lives? Does it help them to advance their goals? Are higher education institutions even aware of neighborhood needs and wants? Without hearing from neighbors, is higher education community engagement serving its purpose? This thesis aims to understand the current landscape of higher education community engagement and evaluate the extent to which small, selective liberal arts institutions in urban settings understand, communicate with, and uplift the goals of their immediate neighbors. This thesis will discuss Trinity College in comparison to nine similar urban engaged …

Renewal To Wreckage: Redevelopment In New Haven And The Oak Street Project, Harrison Silver

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Life On The Sidewalk: A Comparative Analysis Of Pratt Street And Park Street In Hartford, Connecticut, And Its Implications, Rocio Fernandez Gutierrez

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

From Ghettos To Authentic Hubs: The Changing Meaning Of Racial Difference In The Post-Colonial City, Samia De Araujo Khoder

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Community Development Corporations And Neighborhood Stability In Hartford And New Haven, Ct, Gabriell Nelson

Masters Theses

This study investigated the effects of CDC housing revitalization programs in Hartford and New Haven, CT on neighborhood stability. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, this study sought to connect the observed impacts in Hartford and New Haven with the literature on revitalization in formerly industrial cities. Data on three key indicators of neighborhood stability (property values, owner occupancy rates, and vacancy rates) were collected for the time period spanning 2000 to 2019. Street conditions were observed by a Google Street View “windshield survey” of the CDC focus areas; conditions were observed in 2011 and again in 2019 …

Coal And Private Prisons: The Appalachian Story Of Industrial Retreat, Developmental Decline, And Community Exploitation, Alison Odermann

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

"Urban" Dengue? An Examination Of Perceived Dengue Risk And Notions Of The Urban In Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, Charlotte Robbins

Senior Theses and Projects

Is dengue fever an urban disease as public health literature suggests? And what does this literature mean by urban? To answer these questions, I compare perceptions of the urban and dengue risk from residents who I interviewed across different sites in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador. I ground my analysis in four urban frameworks: the bounded city theory, postcolonial theory, assemblage urbanism, and urban political ecology. I find that residents in Esmeraldas Province think about urban spaces very differently from how the Ecuadorian government defines what is urban. In particular, residents discuss government investment in infrastructure and services as an important dimension …

The Permanent Liminality Of Pakistan's Northern Areas- The Case Of Gilgit-Baltistan, Hamna Tariq

Senior Theses and Projects

Since Pakistan’s inception, Gilgit-Baltistan, a sprawling region in Northern Pakistan, has not been granted provincial status due to its colonial association with the disputed region of Kashmir. Gilgit-Baltistan refutes its forceful integration with Kashmir, an unfortunate remnant of British divide-and-rule strategy, and demands provincial recognition and constitutional rights. Pakistan unfairly claims that it awaits the UN-sanctioned plebiscite in Kashmir to determine the region’s status. However, the likelihood of a plebiscite is little to none, since the Indian government officially annexed Indian-held Kashmir in August 2019, breaching the UN resolution on the plebiscite. A region that has been at the mercy …

The Dragon’S Neocolonial White Elephant Development: China’S Urban Infrastructure In Lusaka, Zambia, Kaytlin Ernske

Senior Theses and Projects

Presently, China is the largest donor, trading partner, and investor on the African continent. The current success of Sino-African relations can be traced back to global South-South cooperation beginning in the 1960s and 1970s when China assisted in funding independence movements across the African continent. Since then, China established itself as a reliable friend and alternative aid provider. The country has since transitioned from utilizing aid to foreign direct investment. Since 2013, China has continued to bolster its own global economic positioning by pushing a foreign policy agenda (One Belt One Road) that targets developing countries by providing massive loans …

Airport Infrastructure In The Shrinking City: Planning For Smart Decline In Cleveland’S Regional Airport System And Its Role In A Dynamic Urban Future, Garret Forst

Senior Theses and Projects

Cleveland, while having experienced some growth and regeneration in the 21st Century, still experiences some of the salient characteristics of the "shrinking city." It continues to slowly lose population. Metropolitan-level economic growth remains elusive. Its status as a shrinking city and metropolitan region has consequences for its systems of infrastructure, especially its regional system of airports. This study illustrates how shrinking cities theory applies to Cleveland's airport system. Namely, the airport system has experienced challenges associated with maintaining substantial levels of flight operations in addition to having experienced certain financial challenges since 2000. This study then theorizes how a plan …

Robert Moses And The Real Estate City: A Reexamination Of The Legacy Of New York's Master Builder, Jack Fascitelli

Senior Theses and Projects

The history of New York City would not look the same without Robert Moses. For over three decades, the city's "master builder" reshaped its urban landscape during an era of unprecedented top-down planning and mega-projects. The ideas of this era, once reviled, have seen a revival in the modern day, particularly in the first two decades of the twenty-first century. This essay seeks to reconcile this revival with the ongoing legacy of Robert Moses and to present an argument that such a reconciliation argues for a reconsideration of his career and his ideas.

Urban Development In Hartford: Neoliberalism, Inequality, And Trinity College As An Anchor Institution, Eavan Flanagan

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis explores the ways in which neoliberal governance takes place in Hartford, CT, particularly as the city struggles to make ends meet. It looks at the Hartford's dependence on corporations, and its growing political and economic alignment with universities. This research examines the effects of urban renewal on the city, and how post-war policies and development shape the inequalities that exist in Hartford today. Lastly, this thesis examines the inequalities and spatial dynamics in Hartford's Southside neighborhood, Frog Hollow, and between Trinity College and Frog Hollow in particular.

Development In Tanzania: From Foreign Aid Dependency To Impact Investment, Katherine Kelter

Senior Theses and Projects

The foreign aid system today is broken. Developing countries should seek to experiment with new strategies to alleviate poverty. This thesis focuses specifically on the development of Tanzania as an example for East Africa. The population in East Africa is growing at an alarming rate, yet most live on less than $1.10 a day. How can African countries prepare for such a rapid increase in population growth? How can a country with such high poverty levels take on such high growth and spread its benefits across the entire population? Traditional aid systems with a top-down approach will not solve the …

Exporting Strategies For Urban Livability: Examining Copenhagen, Denmark As A Model City For Quality Of Life Generated Through Urban Design, Austen L. Peterson

Senior Theses and Projects

Over the next fifteen years, the world’s population is expected to reach new heights at 8.5 billion people. Currently, half of the global population is living in cities, which in turn, will inevitably increase with the growth of humanity. As the Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen, so poignantly explains, “A sustainable world starts with sustainable cities. In Copenhagen, we keep this in mind as we strive to combine sustainable solutions with a focus on growth and quality of life to make Copenhagen an even more livable city.”[1] Urbanization is an unavoidable phenomenon and challenges the threshold of a successful …

The Longest Walk: Rape, Drugs, And Racial Aggression At Trinity College, Chiarra Davis

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

"I'M Doing Time On The Outside" -A Study Of The Effects Of Parental Incarceration On The Life Outcomes Of Adolescent Children In The City Of Hartford, Margaret C. Brown

Senior Theses and Projects

The mandatory sentencing criterions established via the implementation of the infamous War on Drugs has resulted in the mass incarceration of millions of nonviolent offenders in the United States, and crafted a national penal population that is distinctly the largest in the world. Blatantly disproportional and misrepresented in racial and socioeconomic configuration, America’s correctional and criminal justice system has become overcrowded with individuals who overwhelmingly hail from at-risk urban communities of color. As a result, low-income urban communities across the country have been devastated by the continuous destruction and misconfiguring of fragile families that occurs when an individual, especially one …

A Fractured Legacy: The Governance, Goals, And Guides Of The Hartford Park System, Caroline C. Feeney

Senior Theses and Projects

Since its inception in 1853, the Hartford Park System has been a crucial asset to the City of Hartford. The purpose of this thesis is to answer a set of questions about the history and future of Hartford’s parks. How has history shaped the current system of 37 parks that can be found in Hartford today? How important is the park system to the City of Hartford? Who are the most important stakeholders within the park system and what goals do they have? How can the goals created by relevant park stakeholders be consolidated into realistic goals for the City …

Rwanda: Development Towards Authoritarianism?, Chinmay Rayarikar

Senior Theses and Projects

Since the culmination of the Genocide of 1994, Rwanda has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world, while also showing great improvements on human development indicators. This has made Rwanda a brilliant example of post-conflict reconstruction. At the same time, the nation-state has been led by a single party government that works under a framework of a nominal multi-party democracy. While a large part of Rwanda’s post-conflict development has been made possible by the government in power, this paper argues that Rwanda is developing towards a completely authoritarian state structure. Development is concentrated in very few regions …

Female Patronage Of Public Space In Roman Cities, Joy H. Kim

Senior Theses and Projects

Public spaces and buildings in Roman Cities served many functions including, but not limited to, religious gatherings, economic activity, political propaganda, and entertainment. Such vital infrastructure could not exist without the financial generosity of wealthy elites. Though most of these elite were men, some women used their wealth and status, both derived from their families, to shape public space. This study looks at female patronage of public space among women of imperial, senatorial, and equestrian standing, as well as women in both the Greek East and Latin West. It also aims to discern the level of political influence these benefactresses …

Lieux De Mémoire, Lieux D'Oubli: La Mémoire Et L'Espace Urbain Dans Deux Romans De Patrick Modiano, Julia Mardeusz

Senior Theses and Projects

In this paper, I examine the intersection of memory and urban space in two of Patrick Modiano's novels, Dora Bruder and Quartier Perdu. To explain their intersection in these two novels and the difference between how memory and place relate to one another in each novel, I rely on theories of how collective and individual memory are affected by urban space created by Pierre Nora and Qazi Azizul Mowla.

Transit-Oriented Development And Weak Real-Estate Markets, Jonathan Cabral

Masters Theses

Mass public transportation has quickly become one of the hot topic issues throughout the country. Connecticut in particular has made significant investments in public transit and hopes to create a modern public transit system over the next two decades.

As part of the investment in public transit, there has also been significant investment in development planning around these newly created transit hubs. The development of the land around these hubs is oftentimes referred to as transit-oriented development (TOD). Rooted in TOD are principles of "new urbanism," an attempt to make places safer, walkable, and esthetically pleasing. In addition, TOD has …

The Perfect Storm: An Analysis Of Discriminatory Policing In East Haven (Ct), Amanda G. Gurren

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

A City In The Making: An Analysis Of The Built Environment, Lived Experiences And Perceptions Of Pikine, Senegal, Salima Etoka

Senior Theses and Projects

The Dakar Metropolitan area is a vast area containing the capital city of Senegal, Dakar and the four departments or administrative zones of Dakar, Pikine, Guédiawaye and Rufisque. Dakar is the economic, cultural and political center of the country. Its location and opportunities draws migrants every year from the rural areas. Finding a high cost of living, migrants settle into the suburbs while adding pressure to a system already facing rapid urbanization and failing infrastructure. Through a mixed method analysis of primary data composed of questionnaires, interviews and observations, this case study of Pikine seeks to understand the built environment …

Rio De Janeiro And The 2016 Olympic Games: A Critical Frame Analysis Of Competing Legacies, Julia A. Rivera

Senior Theses and Projects

The Olympics Games is a spectacle that attracts international attention. This focus comes with scrutiny and expectations for the host countries and its urban spaces. There are many constituents involved in the preparation and management of mega-events like the Olympics. The international event presents a stage where power and inequality in urban settings are on display. Dramatic transformations of urban space that make way for Olympic infrastructure are justified in the name of accelerated development. The existing power dynamics are magnified by this spotlight. Rio de Janeiro, the former capital of Brazil, is hosting the Summer Olympic Games in 2016 …

Interpreting The Roman Squatting Tradition, Shaun J. Mcgann

Senior Theses and Projects

This thesis addresses the rich tradition of urban occupations, also known as "squatting", in Rome, Italy. I argue that Roman squatting had its origins mainly in the Social Center Movement of the late 1970s and a preceding wave of occupations aimed at garnering affordable housing. In order to provide a context for these social movements, I first briefly describe the urban development history of the city since the late 1800s. The Roman pattern of urban development favored private interests and land speculation in a manner that resulted in overconsumption and the marginalization of a large sect of the population. In …

Reacciones Culturales A La Sociedad Del Consumismo En España Contemporánea: Correlaciones Entre La Economía Y Los Repertorios Culturales, Taylor M. Perry

Senior Theses and Projects

The phenomenon of postmodern society includes increased importance on consumerist culture and capitalist behavior. During the end of the twentieth century, economic prosperity reinforced this notion throughout Spain’s large cities. Following the demise of the Spanish financial and banking industries in 2010, society began to voice negative opinions surrounding consumer culture and the dependence on spending money to spur economic growth. High unemployment and increased debt levels yielded protesting art performances, politically charged editorials and various studies regarding a newly discovered “shopping addiction” disease. This social and political outrage conveyed through an assortment of cultural expressions surrounding an economic issue …

Do Good Fences Make Good Neighbors? An Investigation And Analysis Of The Nature Of The Trinity College And Surrounding Neighborhoods Relationship As Seen Through Gates, Ariel Schuster

Senior Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.