This thesis argues for diversity as an important element for urban neighborhoods. This argument is framed by three questions. First, what are the recent findings from urban design, planning and architecture research and practice about achieving neighborhood diversity? Second, what are the physical ingredients of traditional, diverse urban neighborhoods that enable diverse populations, lifestyles and incomes? Third, what design strategies can be formulated, based on the evidence above, to design and implement diverse neighborhoods? Three neighborhoods in Atlanta are the focus of the detailed analysis of diversity. These are: Inman Park, Ansley Park and Virginia-Highland. These three neighborhoods were chosen because of their similarities. They all appear to be single family detached neighborhoods but are actually diverse in terms of housing type and owner/renter occupancy; they are perceived to have unique identities in architectural styles, but actually have a diversity of styles and ages of buildings. They all are perceived to be fully gentrified but in fact, house diverse populations in terms of age, income, race and lifestyle. The conclusions of this thesis include written recommendations, based on current neighborhood design ideas as supported by the analysis of Atlanta neighborhoods.

Thesis (M.U.R.P.)--Ball State University, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Mar. 01, 2010). Caption title. Creative project (M.U.R.P.), 3 hrs. Includes bibliographical references (p. 114-115).

This study explores local plans as primary source documents outlining resident-requested, City-approved projects that may help reduce neighborhood-level barriers to physically active transportation and recreation. Emerging evidence suggests a link between the built environment and physical activity, but any causal relationship remains uncertain. This report begins with a literature review to discover neighborhood traits currently under investigation for correlation with higher activity levels. This is followed by an analysis of Austin Neighborhood Plans to identify community-prioritized Action Items pertinent to physical activity. Next, crime data are reviewed to assess objective and perceived safety levels in the study neighborhoods, Chestnut and East César Chávez. Finally, planners and residents are interviewed to explore how health and safety were addressed in the planning process, discover methods by which plan items have been implemented, and identify common barriers to project completion that the public health community may help bridge. Findings indicate that residents’ concerns regarding personal safety and crime may outweigh other neighborhood barriers to physical activity. Planning and health departments would be advised to address crime and safety levels as part of larger built environment efforts to encourage active transportation and recreation. / text

Thesis (M.A.)--Georgia State University, 2009. / Title from title page (Digital Archive@GSU, viewed June 28, 2010) Jeffrey Bennett, committee chair; Katherine Hankins, Mary Stuckey, Tomasz Tabako, committee members. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-134).

No description available.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

The 711-acre Mueller development is located just three miles northeast of downtown on the former site of the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. Planned as one of Austin’s major transit-oriented New Urbanist developments, Mueller contains a pattern of pedestrian and bike friendly streets to encourage a range of transportation options for residents and visitors. Mueller is 30% complete and provides housing and jobs to over 3000 residents and 3000 employees. This professional report seeks to understand how current residents, employees, and visitors use the bike lanes, sidewalks, and roads in the Mueller community. To evaluate the transportation infrastructure, the author designed and coded a custom Google Maps survey that asked residents to draw common routes, points of interest, and points of concern related to their transportation choices. Field observations were conducted to verify and triangulate the information reported in the online survey. This study investigates whether the transportation principles for the development are or are not achieved by comparing the expressed principles of the development with the actual behavior reported and exhibited by frequent users. / text

The proponents of New Urbanism claim the neighborhoods they design, called Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs), promote community, sense of place, physical health, and environmental sustainability. Critics assert that community is stressed at the expense of individuality, that design unity has become rigid uniformity, and that the neighborhoods are orchestrated and do not reflect real life. This thesis, a post occupancy evaluation (POE), examines how one TND works for its residents and whether it accomplishes the goals of the architect/planner. An additional, essential purpose of this POE is to serve the "feed-forward" role of informing future neighborhood planning projects. The Village of River Ranch in Lafayette, Louisiana is the site of my research. Utilization of multiple research methods (survey, interviews, naturalistic observations) offered opportunities for triangulation and the ability to produce a more comprehensive analysis.

The corner store represents a significant part of New Orleans' history and neighborhoods. From essential grocery providers to bars and restaurants full of local character, these buildings have held a number of roles in the community. These roles have changed in response to development patterns, market pressures, and land-use regulation. A number of these traditional businesses still exist today as neighborhood cultural institutions throughout the city. Many more, however, have faced conversions to residential buildings, abandonment, or demolition. This case study addresses the significance of the corner store, identifies a number of factors leading to its decline, and suggests that a newly revised Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance in the city of New Orleans should reserve a place for these neighborhood businesses.