This study demonstrates how a community can effectively use brownfield redevelopment strategies as an integral component of its comprehensive plan strategy. The research presents a primer on the major advantages and disadvantages of conducting brownfield site remediation. Overall, it was found that a significant portion of the goals and objectives outlined in the comprehensive plan for Anderson, Indiana can be directly impacted through a carefully planned and coordinated brownfield redevelopment strategy. Ultimately, a sample site design was conducted for a site within Anderson to provide the city with an example of the design process required for successful brownfield site redevelopment. / Department of Landscape Architecture

This creative project presents a review of the literature of urban forestry issues and a case study which demonstrates application of this literature review to the urban forest of the City of Anderson.The planning process of the case study includes a street tree inventory, and developsexisting Land Use and Transportation land classification system related to the Plans for the City of Anderson. The classification system ties the urban forest guidelines to prototypical situations which are documented through photographs and drawings. The methodology of the classification system can provide a model for development of methodology appropriate for evaluation of other communities. The recommended plant lists are included to be used in conjunction with the guidelines.In order to provide the Madison County Council of Governments and citizens of Anderson with recommendations based on results of the study, Section E of Chapter III, Design and Urban Forestry Guidelines, is organized so that it can be removed from the text and reprinted as a separate document for general distribution. / Department of Landscape Architecture

This study has contributed to two areas of growing interest and involvement: the knowledge base of public participation in community workshops for design practitioners and Muncie's White River project.Two community workshops were conducted and compared to study their processes and end results. All variables were constant between both workshops with the exception of a video, When the Wind Stops by Dianne Haak and Bernard Wilets, shown at the beginning of only one workshop. The group dynamics of the workshops were reviewed to understand their influence. It was determined that group size, persons conducting the workshops, the video, and the composition of the participants all affected the workshops' process and results.Focusing on the proposed White River Corridor Greenway, participants generated 183 ideas for increasing use and extending ownership of the river to the community. Participants produced 51 benefits, 85 potential physical development, and 47 programs and activities for improving connections to the creation and use of the river greenway. / Department of Landscape Architecture

The purpose of the creative project is to propose a revitalization strategy with emphasis on certain components for the central business district (CBD), of Hammond, Indiana.In order to properly assess the condition of the CBD, an historic overview of the CBD's development provide insights into how the area has developed into its present physical state. Further information is gained by looking at the density of building cover in the CBD, mapping the change over a 95 year period. A detailed survey of the present status of the CBD is conducted to assess the present assets and liabilities within the area.The revitalization strategy itself focuses on tying the CBD together, using abandoned railroad right-of-way in the center of the area as a connecting link between what now is two physically separated sectors of the CBD. The strategy is formulated in order to take advantage of all potential opportunities already existing within the CBD.The future of the Hammond CBD is found to rest in the maintenance and preservation of its historic resources, as well as an innovative strategy to take the best advantage of present opportunities. / Department of Urban Planning

This creative project is a rivitalization plan of the McKinley neighborhood, Muncie, Indiana. This project is focused primarily on the existing problems, as they related to the expanding urban pattern in the City of Muncie, and uses an urban design process to produce a final research paper and neighborhood design proposal incorporating social, residential, commercial, recreational, streetscape and industrial uses, public facilities, zoning traffic systems and pedestrians. In addition this project includes a design for a portion of McKinley neighborhood (located between Jefferson and Madison street, being bordered on the south by Race street). It is a case study aimed at improving the new use of housing as well as relating to harmony within this neighborhood. / Department of Architecture

In this study, Multidimensional Scaling of a reperatory grid using five point scale was found to be a flexible, precise and sensitive method of measuring visual quality and preference. The results of the multidimensional scaling were found to be consistent with the arithmetic means of a five point rating scale. Each of the two major dimensions of the spatial configuration gave important insights into the criteria by which Muncie residents (Ball State Students) evaluated townscapes. "Dim 1" revealed the importance of whether the townscapes have dense or little vegetative cover, and "Dim 2" indicated that visual perception of a townscape is influenced by whether it is "old" or "new". In addition the resulting solutions also showed a high positive correlation between visual quality and preference.The dimensions may be used as generalized guidelines for determining characteristics of visual quality and preferred townscapes. / Department of Landscape Architecture

The objective of this creative project is to investigate the process and principles of designing within and for the downtowns of small, Midwestern towns of the United States. The main focus is the definition of urban character and identity of “place”, as well as exploring ways to preserve and enhance the character and the identity of these downtowns. It uses Greensburg, Indiana as a case study to illustrate possible implementation of these processes and principles.With its focus on urban character and “identity of place”, this study investigates the different characteristics that exist in downtown Greensburg, and applies established urban design principles in order to preserve the town’s historic character while improving its vitality.This study generates beautification and development guidelines, as well as recommendations that will help in process of the redevelopment of downtown Greensburg. This study also offers examples of how these guidelines can be applied in different local contexts, and buildings in the downtown. / Department of Architecture

Cemeteries have both problems and opportunities which have not been considered by land use planners. These problems include the consumption of land that might have a better use, the concealing of below-grade resources, pollution, vandalism and others. The opportunities are that cemeteries have multiple land use potential.A survey of cemeteries in Delaware County, Indiana, brings clearness to policies for American planners. Some of that clearness is that the older abandoned cemeteries have potential for recreation, for open space preservation and for historic preservation. The modern cemeteries which are still receiving burials are living symbols of how society is currently dealing with death. These must be left primarily for this purpose. The future holds the best opportunities. The question for the future is not: "Where shall we put the next cemetery?" But, more clearly, there are two questions--each of which has a separate set of answers. One is: "How do we dispose of the body?" The other is: "How can we improve the memorialization of our loved ones while still respecting the land?" / Department of Urban Planning

Today's planners and designers are working to improve the quality of living areas in cities, as is observable in such urban centers as Chicago, Cincinnati, New York, Atlanta and of course, Indianapolis, just to mention a few. To create or keep those desirable spaces, cityscapes, historical sites, plazas and recreational areas, the use of planning, design and redesign is necessary.This creative project deals with the redesign of the City Market Plaza in Indianapolis. Potentials and possible future concepts are addressed.Today's City Market is not a major place of interest that attracts a large clientele. Places like Union Station, Pan American Plaza, The Indianapolis Circle and the recently approved circle Mall, diminish its importance as an attraction. The large O'Maiia's and other smaller specialty markets detract from its value as a market. But the potentials still are there for tourism, daily shopping and restaurant dining. By adding new locales in the City Market's plazas, with new uses and adjusting a well planned program of activities to these locales, it will help survive and compete successfully against the competition. / Department of Landscape Architecture

This project is a test of the recurring dilemma of preparing a small town plan within a larger planning jurisdiction. The other specific issue raised in this paper is who establishes the desires or preferences of a small community. My theory was that education about planning could increase the community residents' understanding of the relationship between their various interest groups as well as the community and the county. The product of this project consists of a land use plan for Harrodsburg in Monroe County Indiana. When the project was finished little additional understanding of the basic principles was achieved. Additionally, the various interest groups in the community had difficulty relating to each others concerns when establishing the desires or preferences of a small community. / Department of Urban Planning