Browsing by Author "Zahm, Diane L."

Now showing 1 - 20 of 37
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    Addressing Barriers to Brownfield Redevelopment: An Analysis of CERCLA and the Voluntary Cleanup Programs of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan
    Hudak, Tracy A. (Virginia Tech, 2002-04-19)
    Across America, thousands of old industrial or commercial facilities lay abandoned, idle or under-utilized due to real or perceived environmental contamination. These sites, called brownfields, present an opportunity to repair environmental damage and encourage economic development. In 1980, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to address contaminated sites. This law enables the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to force the cleanup of contaminated sites by using the â polluter paysâ principle. In some cases, CERCLAâ s liability scheme, strict cleanup standards and the lawâ s tendency to produce long and expensive cleanups, discourage brownfield reuse. In an effort to remedy the negative consequences of CERCLA, 47 states have enacted Voluntary Cleanup Programs (VCPs). A VCP generically denotes a form of legislation enacted by a state to encourage the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfields under the guidance of an authorized state agency. State VCPs utilize liability protection, streamlined cleanup procedures, and financial support to promote brownfield reuse. This paper examines the VCPs of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan to explore how these states address CERCLAâ s barriers to brownfield redevelopment. In addition, this paper offers recommendations for the development and improvement of VCPs in the future.
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    America's Converging Open Space Protection Policies: Evidence from New Hampshire, Virginia and Oregon
    Appler, Douglas R. (Virginia Tech, 2003-04-22)
    The nature of open space protection in America is changing. All across the country, states have begun to converge on a common set of tools designed to protect the rural land within their borders from development. Ideas which are successful in one state are being borrowed and copied in others. When adopted in a new state, these tools work in conjunction with, or sometimes replace, the state's traditional methods of open space protection. The adoption of these new tools is important because it highlights the fact that traditional approaches to preserving open space may no longer be able to protect land to the degree desired by local residents. The more quickly policy makers become aware of this trend, the more quickly they can begin to search for new ideas to slow the loss of open space. This paper shows that the convergence of open space protection policies is taking place first by documenting the widespread popularity of open space protection throughout the country, and then by chronicling the relevant policy changes of three representative states: New Hampshire, Virginia, and Oregon. It closes with a discussion of the importance of this shift to the planning profession, and it identifies three future challenges for open space protection in the United States. It also includes an appendix, which gives a detailed discussion of three different approaches to defining â Open Space,â and gives examples of each approach.
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    An ArcView tool for simulating Land Subdivision for Build Out Analysis
    Wakchaure, Ashwini S. (Virginia Tech, 2001-05-22)
    The objective of this paper is to develop a tool in ArcView for simulating the land subdivision process in order to simplify the process of build out analysis. Build out analysis is a valuable tool for evaluating the effectiveness of land regulations and performing impact analysis of development on the environment and other natural resources. The process involved in carrying out build out analysis involves dealing with various layers of spatial information, maps and tabular data. Geographical information systems (GIS) are very effective in handling spatial and tabular data. Analysis of various layers of information at the city level can be done simultaneously using GIS. However, GIS does not possess necessary tools to model future development on buildable land. Hence modeling of development is done using AutoCAD or similar drafting software. In addition, the modeling of development has to be done at a single parcel level, as parcel characteristics like size, shape, terrain, land use and zone greatly influence the probable pattern of subdivision of land parcel. This paper looks at the process of developing a subdivision layout in AutoCAD at a single parcel level. Based on the understanding of this process, a tool has been developed in ArcView, which enables a user to draw different arrangements of lots in gridiron pattern of development. This tool has been developed using Avenue. The layout developed using ArcView program is not as precise as the AutoCAD generated layout, however it is sufficient to simulate a probable subdivision layout pattern for a land parcel in less time.
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    Assessing the Effectiveness of the Microcredit and Integrated Asset Building as a Social Approach to Poverty Reduction in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
    Mbeky, Morgan (Virginia Tech, 2017-06-05)
    In recent years, the concept of poverty has shifted away from a narrow definition—caloric intake based poverty—to a much broader one that places emphasis on a variety of factors, such as health, education, income, and powerlessness. Most researchers agree that eliminating poverty requires a holistic approach that is attentive to promoting pro-poor growth, creating opportunities for employment, ensuring that the fruits of growth reach impoverished communities, and protecting vulnerable segments of the impoverished population. This study looks the role of microcredits, which has received increasing attention as a means to combat poverty. The advent of neoliberalism led to advances in autonomous markets, commodification, market-led growth, and the dissolution of the Keynesian welfare state. Microcredit growing out of a neoliberal shift plays a powerful role as an instrument to fight poverty, especially in the age government and state failure, entrepreneurial expansion and self-employment income-earing opportunities. Microcredit programs are of great interest to governments, non-governmental organization, and banks because of their potential for reducing poverty. Critics of the microcredit movement argue that microcredit does little besides replacing existing informal credit arrangements to fund subsistence activity, which they view as having little or no prospect of growth. They argue that support of microcredit may over anticipate its benefits, such as the alleviation of poverty and female empowerment. This study assesses the effectiveness of microcredit combined asset building as a pro-growth approach to reduce poverty sustainably in Kinshasa. The recent crises of over-indebtedness in several markets and Kinshasa have fueled growing concern that microcredit may be getting borrowers into trouble. However, my study findings show that assets, specifically microcredit, can stem the poverty cycle and better enable individuals to "stand on their own two feet"socio-economically if combined with other innovative programs. This study uses the test of significance to assess the effectiveness microcredit integrated asset building.
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    Behavioral scripts of urban park offenders: a rational choice perspective on influences of the park setting
    Michael, Sean Edward (Virginia Tech, 1997)
    This study examined the influence of Iocational factors on offender behavior in four serious and common park offenses: auto burglary, drug sales, indecent exposure by homosexual males, and robbery. Specifically, the study sought 1) to develop prototypical script(s) for each of the four study crimes, and 2) to support or contradict the influence of effort, risk and reward on offender behavior. Using the theoretical bases of opportunity, rational choice, and scripts, behavior of study offenders in 6 U.S. Park Service reservations in Washington, DC was interpreted. A case study strategy was chosen, utilizing participant observation, direct observation, archival records, physical artifacts, and interviews. Data collection occurred between January and March, 1996, with law enforcement personnel serving as the primary information source. Following qualitative analysis that relied upon pattern-matching and explanation-building, results suggested that 1) offenders follow logical sequences of behavior consistent with concept of a script, 2) offenders were found to act rationally, appearing to consider effort, risk and reward, 3) that offenders weight the importance of effort, risk and reward differently across offense types and across the different Acts of the same offense script, 4) that Iocational factors do influence the behavior of offenders, and 5) that offenders utilize Iocational factors that serve to decrease effort and risk, and increase reward.
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    A Behavioral Theory of Planning
    Chance, Donald R. (Virginia Tech, 2007-08-14)
    This dissertation introduces a new theory of practice for land planning in America based on behavioralism. It is called culture based incentive planning, or CBIP. The CBIP model and techniques are based on four pillars: cultural snesitivity, behavior analysis, engineered incentive regimes, and the tools of persuasion. CBIP is designed to provide an adaptable framework from which to approch regulatory reform in planning. The framework is applicable to the full range of planning implementation strategies from commond and control to market-based approaches. CBIP, as a systems model, has been engineered to create a cooperative rather than adversarial relationship between government and the regulated community by recognizing issues of cultural sensitivity, market response, and behavioral motivations. Under the model, effective implementation of planning objectives is directly tied to the role that incentives play in human behavior. Based on the foundation of incentive theory, CBIP integrates a variety of principles and techniques from applied behavior analysis and behavioral economics to align incentives that drive personal behavior with public planning objectives. CBIP utiliizes a variety of incentives in planning practice including economic, process, lifestyle, social, behavioral, and technical assistance inducements.
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    Bring the form back to planning: Using urban form characteristics to improve the predictability of transportation mode choice models
    Howard, Eric John (Virginia Tech, 2007-07-17)
    The financial and environmental effects of traffic congestion and automobile-centric air pollution continue to be problems that must be addressed within the United States. In response, travel demand management (TDM) has emerged as a potential way to reduce automobile-based travel in order to minimize these effects. TDM strategies are highly dependent on specific urban form characteristics such as bicycle lanes, sidewalks, or transit facilities. A current gap exists in the analytical tools available to transportation planners when evaluating TDM projects. The standard transportation models do not take into account urban form characteristics in a systematic way. These characteristics play an import role in an individual's selection of walking, bicycling, or transit based travel modes. This gap needs to be filled in order to evaluate TDM projects with the same decision-making rigor that is applied to road expansion projects. The purpose of this project is to develop an enhanced transportation mode choice model that presents a systematic approach for incorporating urban form characteristics. This approach determines which elements of urban form have the strongest influence on transportation mode choice behavior. This work is being done in conjunction with the Roanoke Valley Allegheny Metropolitan Planning Organization as a way to evaluate the potential of TDM projects in promoting non-automobile forms of travel within the Roanoke region. This approach to developing an enhanced transportation mode choice model is a step forward in address the gap between TDM strategies and the tools needed to evaluate them.
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    Build-Out Analysis as a Planning Tool With a Demonstration for Roanoke County, Virginia
    Zirkle, Mary A. (Virginia Tech, 2003-04-18)
    The objectives of this paper are to explain what build-out analysis is and how localities can integrate it into their planning regimen. In addition, I will demonstrate a build-out analysis tailored to Roanoke County, Virginia, in order to calculate the fiscal impact of its current zoning ordinance at complete build-out. I conclude with recommendations for Roanoke County, other uses of build-out analysis and conclusions about this tool. The purpose of a build-out analysis is to show a locality what land is available for development, how much development can occur and at what densities, and what consequences may result when complete build-out of available land occurs according to the zoning ordinance. A build-out analysis can reflect changes in the zoning ordinance to illustrate the effects of those changes on future resources. A build-out analysis can also help quantify the costs of growth. Original build-out analyses were done by hand and relied on mathematical formulas. Now, build-out analyses are becoming more popular, feasible and dynamic with advances in computers and developments in geographic information system (GIS) software. While mathematical formulas still produce the quantitative measures of build out, GIS can provide visual representation and spatial specificity, as well as some of the quantitative measures. The first part of this paper describes the process of conducting a build-out analysis. The second part uses a modified process to illustrate how to tailor build-out analysis to a real location. This location is Roanoke County, which is experiencing growth demands in its low- to medium-density residential zoning districts. It appears from my analysis that Roanoke County can withstand another century of growth in these zoning districts before it reaches build-out, if the smallest lot sizes are applied. If larger lots are used, build-out will occur faster. From my analysis, it appears that small-lot zoning would cost the County more initially but may ultimately preserve more of the things that citizens value, as described in the goals of the 1998 Community Plan. Measures need to be taken at present to prepare for the growth allowed by the Countyâ s 1992 Zoning Ordinance.
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    Campus Master Planning; A Need for Standards
    Mouras, Steven L. (Virginia Tech, 2004-12-07)
    Universities, particularly large ones, often operate as autonomously as towns, with their own police departments, residential neighborhoods, public transit, and power plants. Universities and towns also address similar issues such as future land use, housing development; public services such as utilities, parks, recreational facilities and libraries; public safety; and transportation, transit and parking. There are areas where towns and universities are different such as a universityâ s focus on education, research, and learning facilities. There is also a difference in the primary planning tool with campus master plan versus the comprehensive plan for towns. This paper examined four campus master plans to determine whether a need exists to establish basic guidelines for campus master plans, to ensure they address the complex requirements of large campuses. The examination looked at both the uniformity and completeness of the four master plans. The results of the examination showed a wide variety of documents. The master plans lacked uniformity in basic areas such as implementation guidance, a summary of existing conditions, or even an executive summary. Additionally there were a number of core planning criteria that were incomplete (planning in land use, housing, and public safety). The conclusion of this evaluation is these plans are interesting and even insightful, but generally lack some basic areas of good planning. In particular there is a need for land use analysis for current or future growth management, inclusion of public safety planning, and a more complete explanation of methodology and data analysis.
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    China's Comprehensive Planning Practice, its Evolution, and Prospects
    Guo, Yong Hong (Virginia Tech, 1999-05-12)
    This paper describes the evolution of Chinese comprehensive planning and proposes a number of recommendations related to the country's economic development and political reform, based on analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the current approaches to comprehensive planning. Chinese urban planning has a long history. Its origin can be traced back to 5,000 years ago. The urban planning approaches advanced along with the development of Chinese cities. During the long history, Chinese people formulated a unique way of urban planning. The different urban planning approaches have specifically identifiable features in different historic periods. Particularly, with the establishment of the socialist regime in China in 1949, complete and systematic urban planning approaches were created. Today, when the country is proceeding with economic and political reforms, the reform of comprehensive planning approaches has also been undertaken in a significant way. The author poses a number of viewpoints for the potential transformation of the approaches in China, with particular emphasis on the change of planning mechanism (including planning process and implementation) and citizen participation.
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    Considerations, Process, and Practice for Bicycle Planning
    Lohr, Amy M. (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-14)
    Picture for a moment your commute to work, school, or any other destination you make on a regular basis. Chances are, you imagine automobiles moving along a highway, or you see yourself traveling to the bus or subway station to use a form of mass transit. At any rate, you are probably not picturing the use of a bicycle. Yet, in many European and Asian countries this scenario is quite common. Because of our predisposition for the car, planners in the United States continually face the problems of congestion, pollution, and energy-efficiency when examining transportation issues. In spite of this affinity for the car, bicycle use has gained momentum during the past 25 years, creating the need for more bicycle facilities. The following paper chronicles the emerging importance of bicycle planning to create multimodal and intermodal transportation systems and examines several issues that surround the implementation of effective bicycle facilities.
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    Constructions of Scarcity and Commodification in University Strategy: Restructuring at Virginia Tech
    Kirk, Gary R. (Virginia Tech, 2004-11-30)
    Higher education institutions in the United States have come under increased scrutiny due to increasing demands for accountability in the use of public funds and increasing visibility (Altbach, Berdahl, and Gumport, 1999; Trow, 1974). Colleges and universities must continually prove their credibility and legitimacy to their stakeholders, including government officials (Lawrence & Sharma, 2002), donors, students, and sponsors. The proving process may involve engagement in legitimacy-seeking behaviors designed to show efficiency, access, and quality in terms defined mostly by external perceptions. The decision to concentrate organizational resources on activities designed to influence the opinions of external agents has the potential to lead organizations away from their core values and historic missions. The case study that follows documents the restructuring of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and the drivers that led university administrators to pursue change. The case was developed based on a series of interviews with key informants associated with or affected by the restructuring process. Explanations for the restructuring and the underlying university goal of becoming a top 30 institution, included cost-savings and efficiency via a "fiscal rationalization"; the framing of programs in terms of their entrepreneurialism, innovativeness, and revenue generating capacity; and an emphasis on the economic development benefits of university programs. Even though Virginia Tech administrators were not expressly responding to external demands for restructuring, there was evidence to suggest that a need to construct a more business-like model for university structure and operations had entered the collective conscience of Virginia Tech's leadership. I document the rhetoric and actions that I believe influenced university administrators in their decision to restructure. I also draw attention to administrators' use of language that I believe exemplified the commodification of the university's human and intellectual capital. Theoretically, I believe that the constructs from resource dependency theory and neoinstitutional theory have relevance to the interpretation of this case. Specifically, the construction of legitimacy-seeking behaviors, the imperative to decrease reliance on external organizations (i.e., the state), and the institutionalization of acceptable management behaviors are aligned closely with the propositions of one or both of these theories. The lack of theoretical distinctiveness between these two organizational perspectives indicated a need for further research and limits the ability to anticipate the potential outcomes for Virginia Tech and the broader field of higher education.
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    Designing a Sense of Community: The Use of Neo-Traditional Design Elements in Public Housing
    Winter, Laura L. (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-08)
    This paper will address the question of whether neo-traditional design elements can promote a sense of community in low income or public housing neighborhoods. To answer this question, I will first provide a brief history of public housing and its design, describing the main architectural styles used over the years and their relation to sense of community (or lack thereof). I will then examine the current meanings associated with community and the possible implications for using design elements to aid in fostering a sense of community for public housing residents. I will next explore the basic tenants underlying the theory of neo-traditional design elements and how these design elements can assist in the community building process. I will then apply these neo-traditional design elements to a prototype neighborhood for public and low-income housing residents in order to understand how these design elements could be implemented in order to encourage the creation of a sense of community. Finally, I will examine Diggs Town, a public housing project in Norfolk, Virginia that recently underwent renovations using neo-traditional design elements. I then draw some conclusions concerning the strengths and weaknesses of this public housing renovation effort and the possible successes associated with the use of neo-traditional design elements in low income and public housing.
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    The Effect of a Capital Budget on Capital Spending in the U.S. States
    Plotnikova, Maria (Virginia Tech, 2005-02-28)
    This thesis analyzes the impact of capital budget on capital spending in the U.S. states. The analysis is based on the James Poterba's 1995 study of the impact of a capital budget on capital spending using 1962 U.S. state-level data. I first replicate Poterba's model using the 1992-1996 data set that I had constructed for this study. I then extend Poterba's model to include a set of variables that allows exploration of the specific effects of the regulatory environment on spending outcomes in each state. These are mainly categorical variables that classify states in accordance with their definition of capital expenditure, organization of capital planning process, project selection and cost estimating techniques and capital financing practices. These were constructed using the data of the 1997 NASBO survey after reviewing the suggestions of practitioners and policy makers, as well as those engaged in research in this field. The introduction of a set of budget rule/budget composition variables into the analysis is an important contribution of this study. I also introduce additional control variables such as those controlling for the age of infrastructure. This study supports the claim that government spending is determined by a host of causal factors that can be grouped into four broad categories, (1) demographic-economic factors, representing both demand for public capital and source of its financing, (2) political decision-making factors that reflect electorate/party in power preferences for spending, (3) capital stock variables that relate to the age of infrastructure and control for spending culture in a state, and (4) budget composition/spending rules. The main finding of this study is the confirmation of Poterba's finding with respect to the positive effect of capital budget on capital spending using a recent data set and longer time frame of analysis. Another major contribution of this study is a statistically significant effect of sixteen spending rule/ budget composition variables. The results of this study support the basic premise found in the literature that budget process affects capital spending.
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    The Effect of the "No Surprises" Policy on Habitat Conservation Planning and the Endangered Species Act
    Slingerland, George (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-14)
    The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the ESA and the impact of the "No Surprises" policy on habitat conservation planning. Habitat conservation planning was initiated in 1982 in response to drawbacks of the ESA. The "No Surprises" policy was introduced in 1994 to mend shortcomings of the habitat conservation planning process. The paper presents three descriptive chapters on the ESA, habitat conservation plans (HCPs), and the "No Surprises" policy, then investigates the HCP process in two case studies.
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    An Examination of the Form-Based Code and its Application to the Town of Blacksburg
    Sharp, Jeremy E. (Virginia Tech, 2004-11-04)
    The form-based code has emerged only recently as an alternative to the traditional Euclidean zoning method. This new method was originally created as a part of the landmark Seaside, FL new town of the 1980s that was one of the first projects to display the ideas of the emerging New Urbanist movement. This earliest version of the form-based code established the form and structure that would remain largely intact in all future implementations of the concept. Most importantly, though, the Seaside code established the idea that form is more important than function when designing a community. Since the time of Seaside, the form-based code has been utilized for many projects, evolving from a tool used entirely for rural new towns to a method that was applicable to existing communities as well. These new applications, most notably in South Miami, FL and Arlington, VA, show that the form-based concept can be used for the revitalization of a community by establishing a form-based overlay district and providing incentives to encourage development based on the form-based code. This paper examines the effectiveness of the form-based code in such an environment, namely in a portion of the town of Blacksburg, VA. This is accomplished by comparing the potential effectiveness of the existing Blacksburg zoning ordinance against that of a form-based code for implementing the goals of the town's comprehensive plan. The potential benefits and shortcomings of each method are discussed and a recommendation is made for how the town should proceed.
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    An Examination of the Use of Urban Entertainment Centers as a Catalyst for Downtown Revitalization
    Bender, John (Virginia Tech, 2003-12-12)
    This paper presents an examination of the use of urban entertainment centers as a catalyst for downtown revitalization. To provide context, the examination begins with an overview of the history of downtown in America, the reasons for its decline, and past attempts at renewal and revitalization. The discussion of urban entertainment centers includes a definition of the trend and the issues surrounding their use and success or failure. Two cities, Baltimore and Denver, are presented as examples of the urban entertainment center trend in America.
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    Gated Communities: Gating Out Crime?
    McClellan, Robert Eric (Virginia Tech, 2002-04-05)
    Gated communities exclude the public by presenting barriers to entry. Barriers take many forms, ranging from simple gates and fences to sophisticated electronic devices and security guards. Today, more than 20,000 communities in the United States are gated, housing a population in excess of 8 million. Those figures continue to rise, and there is no indication that current trends will slow in the immediate future. While several factors are fueling the growth of gated communities, crime tops the list. This paper evaluates the effect of gating on crime inside gated communities. To provide a context for the paper, a detailed description of gated communities is offered by way of introduction. Scholarly findings and several brief case examples are then presented in order to evaluate the impact of gating on crime. The notion that gating delivers crime prevention benefits stems from defensible space theory. This paper introduces defensible space theory, discusses the links to gated communities, and uses the findings to evaluate the contentions of defensible space theory. Several additional crime theories are also introduced, and their implications for gated communities discussed. Gated communities excite a number of concerns. Those that are relevant to planning objectives and ideals are presented in the final chapter of this paper. Areas for further research involving gated communities are also identified. Attention to these issues will further our understanding of gated communities and answer many questions that remain unresolved. Opinions, insights, and recommendations for addressing gated communities and crime are offered in conclusion.
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    Gender Inequality in Thai Academia
    Grisanaputi, Wipawee (Virginia Tech, 2005-05-12)
    This exploratory research is a case study of a public university in Thailand. The research examines whether gender inequality exists in the pay raise process at Khon Kaen University over a two-fiscal year period (FY2002 and 2003). It also considers what factors might account for differences between male and female faculty in pay raises at this university, looking at factors such as productivity and family responsibilities. The research develops and tests measures of the Southeast Asian concepts of kinship, patronage, turn-taking and seniority systems. Three data sources are used, university personnel records, self-administered surveys and the annual evaluation report. Results show that raises tend to be equitable and faculty are equally productive, regardless of gender, discipline, academic rank, or position cluster. When significant differences are identified in this study, female faculty frequently reported that they received higher pay raises than their male colleagues. The well-established rules and regulations regarding pay raises (minimum requirements for productivity and pay raise steps) at this university prohibit any kind of systematic bias in pay raises. One of the other goals of this research was to test the Southeast Asian concepts of kinship, patronage, turn taking and seniority, and the extent to which each may be a factor in performance and pay raises. The research indicates these four may play a role, but their actual influence is not entirely clear and will require additional study. To address some of these issues, future research would explore the same public university with a longer time frame and then compare the result at KKU with other universities in Thailand and other universities in Southeast Asia. Interviewing both male and female faculty members in terms of their actual workloads, productivity, assigned tasks, and their perceptions of the impact of age and administrative position is recommended. Interviewing only female faculty members in different disciplines (female-dominated, male-dominated and balanced disciplines) concerning their experiences of inequality and how they deal with family responsibilities that affect productivity is also important for future research.
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    Healthy Communities: Designing, Planning and Implementing
    Smith, Andrea Lynn (Virginia Tech, 2008-04-28)
    It is easy to overlook the individual features that constitute a community, including types and mix of land use, lot sizes, building type, size and height, setbacks, street and sidewalk widths, parking requirements, and infrastructure, all of which are controlled and regulated by land use development codes, more commonly referred to as zoning. Zoning is the primary means communities employ to control and guide land use and development decisions affecting the physical form of these places. However, zoning is a rigid, legal framework that separates uses and prescribes standards without describing or even considering what development will or should look like. Disenchantment with conventional zoning methods combined with innovative new approaches that address current and emerging issues are now readily available to learn from and adapt. A number of these approaches focus on design and form rather than use alone. The intentions of code reform focus on the creation of better public space, pedestrian friendly streets and communities, mixing uses and reducing parking requirements, all of which can lead to increased physical activity and healthy communities.