Thesis (D. Ed. Min.)--Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-127).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-53).

Brownfield developments offer cities and developers an opportunity to engage with the public in ways unavailable to greenfield developments as brownfield redevelopments are generally found in established neighborhoods where the site’s history has been deeply intertwined with the history of the neighborhood. However, the levels of public participation vary widely from state to state, city to city, and even project to project; resulting in an array of positive and negative outcomes for all the stakeholders. It is under these varying participatory requirements and engagement strategies this research is grounded. First, the research addresses how varying levels of public participation affect stakeholders’ definitions of success or failure and how it was measured. Secondly, stakeholder’s perceptions of each other are analyzed to determine whether projects that had higher levels of participation also had higher instances of cooperation and collaboration. Thirdly, the research examines how stakeholders perceive the outputs and outcomes of a project and whether varying levels of participation affect stakeholders’ satisfaction with the project. Specific sites for this research were the Summerset at Frick Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Watershed at Hillsdale, Portland, Oregon, the Alta Design District, Dallas, Texas, and Montgomery Plaza, Fort Worth, Texas. / text

The US Environmental Protection Agency 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 existence of brownfield presents enormous challenges for cities across the United States. This report explores the possible roles nonprofits can play in brownfield development. As part of this investigation, the problems and opportunities brownfields offer socially, environmentally and economically are examined through literature review. Further on, three existing brownfields-specific nonprofit corporations are discussed through case studies. Each of these organizations The Guardian Trust, The Brownfields Stewardship Fund, and The Center for Creative Land Recycling, provide unique services facilitating the redevelopment of brownfields across the country. The lessons learned are then applied to the City of Dallas. The report concludes by exploring the potential roles the third sector could play in the redevelopment of brownfields in Dallas. With increased involvement, nonprofits can help convert brownfields back to their highest and best use for the benefit of the community. / text

As a means of promoting “smart growth” in the United States, Transit-Oriented Development has become a significant strategy for planners to solve urban problems. Most researches and studies discuss transit-oriented development on a single node level, which created some barriers during the implementation process. This report demonstrates transit-oriented development on a corridor level to optimize its benefits. Three case studies, which are in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, San Francisco Bay Area and Dallas Region, are used to illustrate different typologies of transit-oriented development corridors and to analyze significant planning principles for transit-oriented development at a regional or sub-regional level. / text

As American cities continue to expand and their existing transportation infrastructure becomes strained from increased demand, many cities have turned to light rail transit to not only alleviate congestion but also to provide an economic development stimulus to the areas around the stations. This report focuses on determining the economic impact on areas surrounding announced light rail stations in Austin, Texas while also attempting to quantify changes in land use and demographics experienced in a city who has an established light rail line; Dallas, Texas. In addition to examining any changes associated with the announcement and construction of a light rail project this report will qualitatively examine the role of these project in stimulating gentrification in station areas and what effect gentrification will have in preventing low-income households from accessing the improved transit system. The report will also propose actions that could ensure that these households continue to have access to public transportation, which would mitigate the strain of increasing transportation costs. / text

In the last few years, the City of Dallas has witnessed a substantial increase in the level of citizen participation in land-use decisions. A little known provision of the Texas Civil Statutes allows cities to divide their town into 'Neighborhood Zoning Areas' to provide another method for citizen review of zoning applications. The purpose of this thesis is to examine present methods for soliciting citizen comments, examine the quality of land-use decisions and to determine successes and failures 'Neighborhood Councils' have had in three other cities.The literature concerning present neighborhood involvement in the zoning appeals process is sketchy and somewhat contradictory. Therefore, the experience of Portland, Oregon; Dayton, Ohio; and Washington, D.C. was analyzed to determine how well subordinate governmental units function in other cities. The information received in the case studies was limited due to several factors, but all three city staffs gave hearty endorsement to their particular systems. No negative consequences of using this particular system was noted.A review of Plan Commission voting records revealed that the quality of land-use decisions made through the zoning appeals process needs to be improved.Citizen attitudes were examined to determine whether a neighborhood advisory council would increase citizen input or merely interject an anti-development bias into the zoning appeals process. Three neighborhood representatives were interviewed and all demonstrated that they were capable of negotiating and possessed a good perspective of neighborhood planning issues. Creation of neighborhood advisory councils would possibly correct the existing imbalance between developer interests and neighborhood interests.Whether neighborhood advisory councils will ever be initiated in Dallas is difficult to predict. One recent City Council recommendation directed the staff to explore ways to encourage negotiations between neighborhoods and developers. A proposal to form neighborhood advisory councils could grow out of this recommendation. / Department of Urban Planning

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, May, 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Baylor University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-78).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes final project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-163, 250-256).