There is a plethora of research and literature focusing on strategic planning yet there few case studies have been done that describe the strategic planning process for university career centers. No effective strategic planning guide has been written to assist career center employees with building a strategic plan that will assist in reaching all Texas A&M University students with job skills training. The purpose of this study is to give a detailed account of the strategic planning process used by the Texas A&M Career Center to create the technology initiative. The study will also provide guidance to the researcher and others who will be developing similar initiatives in the future. In an effort to assist career centers nationwide it would be helpful for those career centers to look at others, like Texas A&M Career Center, who have already begun the strategic planning process. A descriptive case study design was chosen because it adds strength to what is already known and also helps explain complex issues. Case study research gives an in-depth contextual analysis of a limited number of events. The study of the planning process is very complex and case study research is one method that can be used to bring deeper understanding and add strength to what we already know about the planning process (Dooley, 2002). Following the lead of Rice (2002) a descriptive case study was chosen so that the researcher could describe the strategic planning process and interpret the findings in a way that would provide greater insight. Qualitative methods, including examination of documents, examination of journals, calendars and meeting notes, and interviews with a few members involved in the process to clarify any questions of memory, were used in this study. The study described the technology initiative and split the development into five stages: Conception, Birth, Toddling, Up and Running, and Adolescence (Rice, 2002). The researcher has completed the descriptive case study and analyzed the data according to the planning approach continuum. A new model has been created that provide insight to the researcher and hopefully other planners. Recommendations and conclusions have been provided that will hopefully be beneficial to other planners. The descriptive case study provides a story that highlights good and bad planning techniques and the researcher hopes that others will read and learn from this study. The purpose of the study has been fulfilled.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 87-90).

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes special study report entitled: Regional landscape strategy. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1986.

Robot actuators have physical limitations in how fast they can change their velocity. The more accurately planning algorithms consider these limitations, the better the robot is able to perform. Sampling-based algorithms have been successful in geometric domains, which ignore actuator limitations. They are simple, parameter-free, probabilistically complete and fast. Even though some algorithms like RRTs were specifically designed for kinodynamic problems, which take actuator limitations into account, they are less efficient in these domains or are, as we show, not probabilistically complete. A common approach to this problem is to decompose it, first planning a geometric path and then time-parameterizing it such that actuator constraints are satisfied. We improve the reliability of the latter step. However, the decomposition approach can neither deal with non-zero start or goal velocities nor provides an optimal solution. We demonstrate that sampling-based algorithms can be extended to consider actuator limitations in the form of acceleration limits while retaining the same advantageous properties as in geometric domains. We present an asymptotically optimal planner by combining a steering method with the RRT* algorithm. In addition, we present hierarchical rejection sampling to improve the efficiency of informed kinodynamic planning in high-dimensional spaces.

Distribution, warehousing and logistics facilities located in Canadian municipalities have significant impacts on surrounding land uses and on nearby transportation infrastructure, not to mention the broader socio-economic environment. While there is considerable literature available concerning the location choices of generic industrial firms, explorations of logistics firms’ locations have been less extensive. This is somewhat surprising because of the increasing ‘footlooseness’ of logistics firms and the potential issues surrounding their activity, for example related to the amount of freight traffic that they generate. There is a need for the public sector, including planners and economic developers, to better understand the requirements of the logistics industry in order to accommodate these firms while mitigating potentially adverse impacts to communities. The goal of this thesis is to identify and assess the relative importance of factors that influence the location choices of logistics firms in a municipality, and to identify potential issues of operational conflict between municipalities, their residents, and logistics firms. A web-based survey of logistics professionals has been carried out to help address this goal. Semi-structured interviews were then undertaken with participants who completed the survey and indicated an interest in further participation in the study. Overall, 42 completed survey responses were received, and 10 follow up phone interviews were conducted. The ability to operate 24/7 was reported as one of the most important location factors in addition to land costs, proximity to transportation infrastructure, and access to a skilled workforce. Transportation infrastructures such as rail intermodal facilities and airports are seen as important regional considerations but close proximity is not important on a site specific level. Through interview results participants indicated problems with parking bylaw requirements, and operating restrictions during the nighttime as challenges related to their specific location. Results confirm general understanding of what drives location choice for industrial firms, but the additional necessity for a robust operating environment for logistics firms highlights the need for planners to pay particular attention to the specific requirements of this important economic sector.

Schools have always played an important role in modern society. They are a reflection of local values and changing educational and societal trends. The 21st century brings with it a multitude of challenges as we design schools and communities that embrace and engage learners in an era of global communication and unfettered knowledge exchange. This project explores the concept of a school-centred neighbourhood in response to these changes. Through a case study review of Grande Prairie’s Community Knowledge Campus, the study looks at the social influences of a multi-use school facility through the use of indicators of social capital, lifelong learning and learning-based community development. Interviews with school and municipal planners as well as facility users are used to explore the intended purpose of the development and to measure the effectiveness of this concept. The study concludes that multi-use school facilities have a measurable impact on the promotion of these social elements and thus contribute to the creation of a school-centred neighbourhood. Six recommendations are presented at the end of this study for use by school and municipal planners. These include: i) central locations and community linkages, ii) efficiencies and flexibility through multi-use school facilities, iii) the promotion of joint-use agreements, iv) coordinated school board capital planning and municipal land use planning, v) establishing a common planning language between schools and municipalities and vi) community planning and neighbourhood design through CKCs.

This thesis examines energy planning to reduce GHG emissions from cities. Examining federal government policy to reduce GHG emissions suggests that municipalities and provinces may be the better government levels for action. A review of types of municipal energy planning, and energy-GHG reduction plans from three cities shows different strategies and policies in implementation, and differing levels of success. Interviewing planners from these case-study cities provides critical insight into the challenges of implementing energy-GHG planning. The lessons learned show the best course of action for other jurisdictions, including the importance of an appropriate policy framework to support municipalities. Such a framework is suggested by this thesis. This research is meant to inform planners of best practices, challenges, opportunities, and courses of action for municipalities in formulating GHG reduction strategies.

Schools have always played an important role in modern society. They are a reflection of local values and changing educational and societal trends. The 21st century brings with it a multitude of challenges as we design schools and communities that embrace and engage learners in an era of global communication and unfettered knowledge exchange. This project explores the concept of a school-centred neighbourhood in response to these changes. Through a case study review of Grande Prairie’s Community Knowledge Campus, the study looks at the social influences of a multi-use school facility through the use of indicators of social capital, lifelong learning and learning-based community development. Interviews with school and municipal planners as well as facility users are used to explore the intended purpose of the development and to measure the effectiveness of this concept. The study concludes that multi-use school facilities have a measurable impact on the promotion of these social elements and thus contribute to the creation of a school-centred neighbourhood. Six recommendations are presented at the end of this study for use by school and municipal planners. These include: i) central locations and community linkages, ii) efficiencies and flexibility through multi-use school facilities, iii) the promotion of joint-use agreements, iv) coordinated school board capital planning and municipal land use planning, v) establishing a common planning language between schools and municipalities and vi) community planning and neighbourhood design through CKCs.

This thesis examines energy planning to reduce GHG emissions from cities. Examining federal government policy to reduce GHG emissions suggests that municipalities and provinces may be the better government levels for action. A review of types of municipal energy planning, and energy-GHG reduction plans from three cities shows different strategies and policies in implementation, and differing levels of success. Interviewing planners from these case-study cities provides critical insight into the challenges of implementing energy-GHG planning. The lessons learned show the best course of action for other jurisdictions, including the importance of an appropriate policy framework to support municipalities. Such a framework is suggested by this thesis. This research is meant to inform planners of best practices, challenges, opportunities, and courses of action for municipalities in formulating GHG reduction strategies.