This master’s report is an assessment of a theoretical process by which the concepts of sustainability can enter into the conventional system of development, primarily focusing on the physical development and growth of the urban environment. A context-specific definition of sustainability is first derived and then inserted within the classic theory of Diffusion of Innovations in an attempt to articulate the concept of sustainable innovation diffusion. The redevelopment of the Seaholm Power Plant in Austin, Texas is then used as a case study. Specifically, carrying forward previous research on a conceptual plan for adapting the power plant’s dormant condenser infrastructure into a commercial-scale rainwater harvesting system is presented as a demonstration project for promoting sustainable innovations. Applying a systemsthinking approach to resolving the challenges of implementing alternative technologies and practices into the Seaholm case study reveals both the mechanisms for encouraging and the barriers limiting the adoption of sustainable development strategies. / text

Arts and cultural activity may play an important role in regional economic development. But to what end and by what means? Traditional economic development theory identifies export expansion and import substitution as the means by which an industrial sector may add to a region’s economic base. Recorded and visual arts may produce exports in some regions, but live performing arts are incapable of exportation. Instead, they must generate tourism to capture extra-regional dollars. Contemporary research argues two additional means by which the arts may encourage growth. First, the presence of a great many artists and arts institutions may increase firm productivity and efficiency by reducing the cost of arts services, increasing the quality of and accessibility to arts services, and promoting innovation. Second, an abundance of arts and cultural activity may attract a highly skilled, competitive workforce, which then attracts firm relocation. This report presents original research designed to test this last hypothesis as applied to Austin, Texas. Results indicate that while the arts in Austin may not attract a competitive workforce, they do appear to have at least some significance in retaining creative professionals. / text

While American cities are growing in size and population, they are losing one important group of people: children. Young people are essential to the vitality and social fabric of cities, yet cities are becoming increasingly unfriendly to young people and their families. Housing in cities is expensive, streets are devoted more to vehicles than pedestrians or bikes, and recreational space is not frequently convenient or adequate for the needs of children. While working to address any one of these needs would create greater equality for children, this report examines the impact of green recreational space for children. Adding green space to a city not only provides children with opportunities to play, which is vital to social, physical, and emotional development, but it also creates healthier communities with lower levels of crime and higher levels of community engagement. Creating spaces that are child-friendly and cherished by the community is not difficult, and can be achieved through deliberate planning and engagement with children. Due to recent downtown development initiatives, Austin has a unique opportunity to create green places for the community where children can play freely downtown. / text

The site is in a garage area in the state capitol complex, Austin Texas. Even though this place is located near by important government facilities and public park and links between UT Campus and Central Business District, there are no people who enjoy the place because there are no function except parking. There are just authoritative and mono-cultural office buildings and boring parking buildings. On the street, there are no trees, retails, and galleries for pedestrians. Existing parking buildings are same type and structure. Because the city has several plans to develop this area in the future such as Waller Creek Development, UT Medical School Master Plan, and Austin's Urban Rail, you can see the importance of this area. The most critical problem is this area is cutting the relationship between UT Campus and Downtown. My question is "How can a new type of parking building contribute to make the Texas Capitol Complex good place?" So I suggest a new type of mix-used parking building. The project goal is to gather people, link separated places: The State Capitol, Waller Creek, UT Campus, CBD, intermingle different functions: garage, gallery, shop, theater, restaurant, lounge, pool, park, and then make the place more dynamic, enjoyable and energetic place. Further, I expect that Austin become interesting city to live and visit through like this new place. / text

Austin has residents that have health and nutrition issues that are linked to a lack of access to healthy foods. Some urban agriculture experts believe that one way to help mitigate the issue of access is to increase the amount of food that is produced locally. This report will look at planning issues involving food production, examine the amount of food that is being produce at farms located in Austin, make an inventory of available agricultural lands that have the potential for food growth, and make a basic calculation of how many people food from those lands could feed. / text

Greenways offer multiple social, environmental, and economic benefits to communities, which has led to their increasing popularity. Social benefits include increased recreational opportunities; alternative transportation options and connectivity; preservation of historical and cultural landmarks; and access to nature. Environmental benefits include cleaner air due to less automobile congestion; increased awareness of environmental issues; improved ecological balance; and disaster mitigation. Economic benefits include reduced natural disaster damage and costs; increased activity, tourism and business opportunities; and revitalization of the area. Implementing greenways, however, also face many challenges, such as funding, public support, land acquisition, political will, planning and maintenance. This report looks at three case study cities: Greenville, SC, Chattanooga, TN, and Austin, TX to examine their successful greenway projects and learn best practices and implementation strategies. The lessons learned from these case study cities are then used to recommend best practices to the City of Asheville, NC, as they embark on an ambitious riverfront greenway plan of their own. / text

For almost 100 years, the Settlement Home for Children has provided an anchor of stability in the uncertain lives of hundreds of abused and neglected Texas children and young adults. The child welfare organization has evolved to fit the needs of the Central Texas community, transforming programs or overhauling its system of care when legal or social changes in child welfare called for reform. Advocates and state officials have lauded the Home as a model of innovation in statewide foster care services. Today, however, this century-old establishment faces an uncertain future as the state implements its long-awaited Texas Foster Care Redesign. Some Settlement Home staff said the redesign could change the entire structure and operation of their programs. It will cut state funding to child placement agencies. Redesign eliminates the list of criteria used to place children in appropriate care, and could change how – and to whom – the Home provides care. The privatization of the entire foster care system is the foundation of redesign and will alter the Home's relationship with the state, potentially forcing the Home to close down as a child placement agency. / text

For almost 100 years, the Settlement Home for Children has provided an anchor of stability in the uncertain lives of hundreds of abused and neglected Texas children and young adults. The child welfare organization has evolved to fit the needs of the Central Texas community, transforming programs or overhauling its system of care when legal or social changes in child welfare called for reform. Advocates and state officials have lauded the Home as a model of innovation in statewide foster care services. Today, however, this century-old establishment faces an uncertain future as the state implements its long-awaited Texas Foster Care Redesign. Some Settlement Home staff said the redesign could change the entire structure and operation of their programs. It will cut state funding to child placement agencies. Redesign eliminates the list of criteria used to place children in appropriate care, and could change how – and to whom – the Home provides care. The privatization of the entire foster care system is the foundation of redesign and will alter the Home's relationship with the state, potentially forcing the Home to close down as a child placement agency. / text

For almost 100 years, the Settlement Home for Children has provided an anchor of stability in the uncertain lives of hundreds of abused and neglected Texas children and young adults. The child welfare organization has evolved to fit the needs of the Central Texas community, transforming programs or overhauling its system of care when legal or social changes in child welfare called for reform. Advocates and state officials have lauded the Home as a model of innovation in statewide foster care services. Today, however, this century-old establishment faces an uncertain future as the state implements its long-awaited Texas Foster Care Redesign. Some Settlement Home staff said the redesign could change the entire structure and operation of their programs. It will cut state funding to child placement agencies. Redesign eliminates the list of criteria used to place children in appropriate care, and could change how – and to whom – the Home provides care. The privatization of the entire foster care system is the foundation of redesign and will alter the Home's relationship with the state, potentially forcing the Home to close down as a child placement agency. / text

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