This creative project has examined the cooperation between the public and private sectors (public-private partnerships) and how they effectively combined resources to revitalize downtown Indianapolis. The public-private partnership process operating in Indianapolis was explored using two specific partnership efforts. A detailed discussion of the development of Market Square Arena - the city's first major partnership effort - and the development of the proposed Circle Centre Mall - the city's latest and reaching attempt at public-private cooperation - serve as two examples in defining the partnership process.In addition, the creative project defines five components necessary for public-private partnerships to operate effectively in Indianapolis. / Department of Urban Planning

This thesis looked into the background of downtown revitalization, historical cF3.ta about the decline of the downtown area, methods and models to reverse the decline and possible alternatives to the downtown as a center for retail trade.The thesis compared this finding to two Indiana cities' individual problems with downtown revitalization, the relationship of their solutions to the models, how their decision making influenced their moves and how successful they were with their solutions. / Department of Urban Planning

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the transportation estimation in Metropolitan Muncie for the year 2000 done in 1975. The basis for evaluation is the present situation data. From these findings I expect to learn from what was correct and what was inaccurate in their projections. Finally, this study could present several recommendations for long-range transportation planning study in the future.Barton-Aschman Associates (B-A-A) transportation planning for Metropolitan Muncie for the year 2000 based on the year 1975 is a part of Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Transportation Estimations. The B-A-A had done many studies for Metropolitan Muncie, including a comprehensive plan, to support transportation projections. Land-use, socio-economic, and vehicle travel were examined in order to produce accurate transportation estimates. Socio-economic variables for Metropolitan Muncie are population, occupied dwelling units, employment, and automobiles.Trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice, trip assignment, and traffic volume are projected in the final estimations. But this project focuses on relationships among variables: land-use, zoning change, population, occupied dwelling units, employment, average daily traffic volume (ADT), assigned over service volume, and level of service (L.O.S.) that were projected by the B-A-A and for the present situation in Metropolitan Muncie.Overall proposed land-uses in the transportation study coincide well with the actual situation 1992. But commercial land-use growth along West Bethel Ave and McGsllinrd Ave in Metropolitan Muncie was not foreseen by the transportation study.Overall estimations of population and occupied dwelling units in Metropolitan Muncie agree well with the present situation. But in tract 9.01, 19.01, and 19.02 in north Metropolitan Muncie the present situation does not follow the transportation estimations closely and major differences appear between socio-economic estimations and the actual situation. Estimations of employment by the B-A-A are not closely with the present situation.Overall transportation estimates of average daily traffic volume and assigned over service volume in Metropolitan Muncie picture the present situation well on several roads but also not so well on the other roads. The B-A-A projections of Level of Service (L.O.S.) are very close with the present situation. / Department of Urban Planning

Communities throughout the country are faced daily with growth and development pressures. Although such growth is vital to community economic health, its impact on the built environment is long lasting and much more difficult to address. Maintaining the identity or unique features of the community must be balanced against the effects of urban and suburban sprawl. Columbus, Indiana, a community world-renowned for its collection of modem architecture, is not immune to such pressures. This study is intended to serve as a tool for the citizens of Columbus as part of the never-ending process to create a better community and a more attractive urban setting.With Columbus serving as the setting, this urban design study explores how growth has evolved and reshaped the primary corridor running through the community--U.S. 31. Following a theoretical study of the traditional street corridor, and one's interaction with such a setting from both the motorist's and pedestrian's perspective, a detailed analysis of the 31 Corridor is conducted. The analysis encompasses a broad range of pertinent subjects including natural features, land use patterns, and urban design. Such analyses form the framework for the final section of this study.Following this analysis, recommendations for improving the 31 Corridor, and thus, Columbus as a whole are explored. The recommendations center on two primary goals. One focuses on stimulating and improving the motorist's perspective along the 31 Corridor and at the urban edges in the form of community gateways, while the second examines redevelopment strategies which intensify existing land uses and respect the established gateways. To support these goals, a series of objectives and methods are proposed. Both goals, and the supporting objectives are a means to maintain and strengthen the identity, or sense of place of Columbus. / Department of Urban Planning

This creative project studies the potential that brownfield redevelopment can have on revitalization efforts in small towns and rural areas. Three key research questions guide the study: What is a brownfield and why is it difficult to redevelop them? What approaches can be used to overcome the problem of brownfield redevelopment, specifically in small cities? and How can design apply methods that allow the redevelopment of a brownfield to play a part in community revitalization?Part II and Part III compose the main body of the project. Part II defines brownfields as "Real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant." The brownfield dilemma is part of the larger problem of urban decline and suburban sprawl and has many causes. A lack of environmental contributed to the formation of the brownfield problem. Other factors include changes in the global economic system, and the effects of environmental laws. CERCLA, an act enforced through the EPA, has had a particularly strong impact on the sale and redevelopment of industrial real-estate. Growing stocks of brownfields are contributing to economic, environmental, and socio-cultural problems across the country. Because the available financial resources, the culture, and the people of small towns are different from large urban areas, the brownfield problems of small towns are different. However, brownfields hold promising advantages, even for small towns when they are properly integrated into revitalization efforts. Although it is important for these efforts to be focused at the local level, success is ultimately determined by the quantity and quality of regional networking and involvement in state level programs such as voluntary cleanup programs.Key methods and strategies can also be used to help ensure the success of a brownfield as a revitalization catalyst. Raising local awareness and funding, an inventory of the area's brownfield problem, planning and outreach, environmental site assessments, clean up, and choosing appropriate end-uses are the basic steps of the process. One of the most vital elements of this process is involving the community in every step. It is especially important to have heavy public involvement in choosing the end-uses for the new development. End-uses such as public parks, waterfront development, museums, community centers, and other facilities supporting a strong civic network are shown to act as catalysts for the revitalization of surrounding commercial areas.Part III of this study discusses concepts from the design theory of multi-use and infill developments, and public and civic space design. A discussion about the Keller Manufacturing site then leads to the formation of a master plan for the redevelopment of the site. This master plan serves as an example brownfield site redevelopment in a small town. / Department of Landscape Architecture

This creative project has provided an example of a community participatory planning process in a small town setting. In this study the process specified by The Small Town Planning Handbook by Daniels, Keller And Lapping (1988) was compared to and supplemented by other contemporary small town and general planning literature. The specified process was designed to be a self help means for a small town to plan and subsequently compile an abbreviated town plan ("Miniplan"). The process was then applied to the Town of Lynn, Indiana as a case study. This study includes discussion and analysis of the study process as it occurred and resulted in several lessons learned. The most significant conclusion is that small towns cannot entirely plan on a self help basis. A visiting planner (eg. circuit rider or consultant) or a trained facilitator is necessary to guide the process. The resulting town planning study document (plan) is appended to this study for reference. / Department of Urban Planning

A significant problem for small cities is a lack of a sense of community. In some multicultural cities, land use in such categories as residential, commercial, industrial and educational forms separate uses or locations. Such segregation leads ultimately to a city stagnation which eliminates the essential life of vibrant and healthy cities. People commute from zone to zone only when necessary. Each territory is connected by automobile. Therefore, there is no interrelation which can cause discontinuity and fragmentation. The business zones are vacant at night because nobody lives there. People in the residential zones have few public facilities and places for diverse activities outside their houses within an intimate distance. Nevertheless, to eliminate segregation is not an answer. Each function improves when segregated at a certain level, but it also requires a close interaction with the other functions in order to maintain its vibrancy. / Department of Architecture

This project examines the effectiveness of a citizens' advisory committee initiated by the author to assist in the development of a bicycle facilities plan for Madison County, Indiana. A "ladder of citizen participation" was used to rank the level of citizen participation achieved. The MCCOG Bicycle Facility Plan was authored as part of the creative project is also studied in this project. Two components of the plan that were analyzed were the plan's success in meeting performance criteria, and the plan's approach in dealing with the question of separating bicycle traffic from auto traffic or integrating bicycles with auto traffic.This study finds that the participatory process is dynamic and that the level of citizen participation is variable and perhaps progressive. The plan was measured for meeting benchmarks of accessibility and continuity in its proposed routes. Local systems were found to have an integrated approach, while regional systems tend to have a nearly even mix of separated and integrated route systems. / Department of Urban Planning

The purpose of this report was to investigate the role of George Edward Kessler and the historical events which effected the development of the Indianapolis park system. Heretofore, this area of study has received little scholarly attention. Kessler has proven to be a significant figure in landscape architecture and city planning history; his landscape and planning philosophies profoundly restructured the urban fabric of Indianapolis and numerous other cities throughout America. As a result of Kessler's involvement, Indianapolis is heir to a sophisticated network of parks and boulevards representational of City Beautiful Era planning. This park system is an historically and a culturally valuable legacy as it has shaped the city's urban character.The study focused on the Indianapolis park system's developmental period, 1895-1915. Primary and secondary source material was researched in order to document the park system's initial beginnings during the Park Movement through its maturation during the City Beautiful Era.Kessler's original plan contemplated 175 miles of parkways along the city's river and stream corridors, and an additional 175 miles of connecting boulevards. The Kessler park system included a total of 12,000 acres for the city. It should be noted that the system fell short of this grandiose scheme, however, the study concluded that Kessler played a significant role in the development of the Indianapolis park system. By the close of the 1920's, much of the groundwork for the Kessler plan had been successfully implemented.In recent years, designed landscapes have gained considerable new attention from preservationists, landscape architects and allied professions. Kessler's visionary scheme for the Indianapolis park system is a significant layer of design upon the city's physical plan.In light of this growing appreciation of the nation's historic urban greenspaces and the events which shaped them, this study was undertaken. / Department of Architecture

One of the top priorities in American cities has been the improvement of business conditions in downtown shopping areas. Downtown Indianapolis, as other American cities is involved in economic revitalization in order to be able to compete with rapid suburban expansion. This revitalization effort seeks to attract more people to the city core.Downtown economic development is integrally related to the urban space revitalization. Since the beginning of cities, open spaces have been regarded as an important public amenity for providing quality urban environments. Open space provides the life of community and a place for human activity.As an entertainment center, Indianapolis can not just develop new sophisticated buildings, it needs also to comprehensively revitalize the open spaces. This project is an effort to demonstrate how urban environments located in the core area that have easy access, security, and comfort and also are joyful and attractive place for its citizen and guests.In this creative project, the designer/planner proposes an open space improvementconcept and program that can be implemented in the south-western section of downtown Indianapolis. The concepts derived m analyzing the potentials and assets that exist in the area today and responding to known future developments.The major goals of thesis project are:1 . Strengthening the pedestrian loop through out the project area in order to create a continuity of pedestrian spaces.2. Creating a pedestrian mall along five blocks of Illinois Street as a major effortto provide a pedestrian oriented environment.3. Creating a pedestrian corridor to connect the Circle Center Mall complex withthe Hoosier Dome and Convention Center.All planning and design concepts that are recommended in this project will reinforce the assets that already exist. The recommendations proposed within are meant to serve as "idea pieces" to aid in the planning and design of revitalization of downtown Indianapolis. / Department of Urban Planning