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

The largest focus of redevelopment in Rockford, Illinois is downtown, which it should be. However, without the successful redevelopment of surrounding business districts, the neighborhoods surrounding downtown cannot redevelop, ultimately hindering the successful redevelopment of downtown itself. Probably the most important of these districts to the overall health of the City and downtown Rockford is the 7th Street Business District. The 7th Street Business District is adjacent to downtown and one of the largest business districts in the City. This project is the creation of a business district plan for the 7th Street business district in Rockford, Illinois. It is intended to be a real world exercise and the end result will be a usable plan. This creative project will look at programs and documents such as Main Street USA, Smart Growth, neighborhood plans and local resources to create a unique neighborhood planning process that will work best for the business district. / Department of Urban Planning

Influenza is a population health issue in Canada, with an annual infection rate of 10-25% of the population. The purpose of this thesis was to analyze influenza-like illnesses (ILI) from 2004-05 through to 2008-09, both spatially and temporally, throughout the province of Manitoba. The analysis used a framework specific to spatial analysis, and incorporated the principles of population health and ecological frameworks. The underlying objectives of the research were to better understand the patterns of ILI diagnoses as well as the characteristics of those diagnosed. Maps were created to show the results from various perspectives and negative binomial regression analysis was used to test which, if any, of the chosen variables were significant. Based on this research, one could conclude that although clusters of ILI do exist in Manitoba, a clear relationship does not exist between the determinants of health and ILI.

The participation of irrigation districts (IDs) in surface water transfers from agriculture-to-municipal uses is studied by examining IDs’ economic and political behavior, comparing their performance with non-districts (non-IDs), and analyzing the role of economic and demographic heterogeneities in water transfers. Economic modeling, econometric, and analytical techniques are used to investigate these issues. An economic model is developed to investigate how the collective-type institutional structure of IDs in the presence of local interdependencies (between internal water delivery and external water transfers) and increasing returns to scale in the internal water delivery causes reduction in marginal benefit of water transfers and the optimal transfers. The model is also used to investigate how the involvement of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in IDs causes more water uses in agriculture availing less for external transfers. The conjunction of multiple uses and exclusion rights without ownership rights in IDs’ water and vote-maximizing political structure of IDs are found to create disincentive for water conservation and transfers. Water transfer responses of IDs and non-IDs are empirically investigated by using a Quasi Maximum Likelihood Estimation (QMLE) technique. Based on the analysis of 38 years of time series water transfer data, IDs are found to be less responsive in water transfers relative to non-IDs in terms of water right-weighted transfers. It is found that water scarcity, private housing permits, and nonfarm establishments are positively associated with water transfers. The marginal effect of water scarcity on water transfer is stronger for non-IDs than for IDs. Impacts of economic and demographic heterogeneities on water transfer behavior of IDs are investigated using unbalanced panel data econometric techniques. Water right holdings and population in nearby cities of IDs are found to be significantly correlated with water transfer behaviors of IDs. Larger IDs with higher water right holdings and higher population centers in nearby cities are found to be more responsive to water transfers. The findings complement previous studies that commend public attention for policy redesign including institutional changes to motivate IDs to increase their water transfer activity.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Toronto, 2005.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Institute of Land and Food Resources, 1999. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2008. / Vita. Appendices: leaves 48-51. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-54). Also available on microfilm.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Illinois State University, 2007. / Title from title page screen, viewed on July 16, 2008. Dissertation Committee: Elizabeth T. Lugg (chair), Beth Hatt-Echeverria, Diane R. Dean, Norman D. Durflinger. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 220-227) and abstract. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-76). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (doctoral)--Friedrich-Wilhelm-Universität Bonn.