This proposal is a catalogue of considerable contextual issues that inform the architect about values, environmental qualities, and principles, found within existing building structures of an American downtown. It is the intention of this collection to help the architect considering a broader range of ideas in a new single building to be designed, with the intent of improving foremost the public quality of a future building in the downtown.The main architectural questions embrace the definition of the contextual influences, dimensional and non-dimensional, and the clarification what type of influences remain under the control of the architect.It is my overall premise that buildings in downtown are indeed of "higher quality" when they reflect the surrounding rules, i.e., when the architects, clients and any other powerful participants of the building enterprise know about the additional ideas that have been established around the proposed site. The downtown is often the oldest part of a city where first housing, first trade, growth, and the idea of neighborhood had its roots, where it all began. I specify downtown still as the traditional center of a community, a center, not defined so much geographically or architecturally as it is socially.How can a future best building become a piece of the existing downtown environment as an ideal. Is there such an ideal answer? Or is the downtown itself a conglomerate of random individual and uncompromising Inventions?What is the basic language, the common traits that all buildings in downtown shareMarkus Vogel, May 1997•What parts of a building are of importance in becoming a part of downtown and what reasons can we identify for attaching importance to those parts?What generates form, use and expression in downtown buildings which we consider as being a successful part of the place.Out of these questions, a catalog of influences will be presented, a reference framework of 21 issues, notions, and contextual influences, divided into dimensional and non-dimensional influences. Each of the influences analyses a single aspect out of the pool of qualities of downtown buildings. The consideration of non-dimensional contextual influences without any obvious visual dimensions such as contextual symbolism, questions of aesthetics, and behavioral aspects is of special importance. In defining the references the following set of questions serve as a guideline:A) Why are the notions important and where are they coming from?B) How can we look at them in downtown Indianapolis?C) What are the related suggestions and implications for a design study?The research includes visual, graphical and oral analysis whereby downtown Indianapolis serves as an example and as a resource city. The target groups includes senior students of architecture, architects and the community, or any other public client involved in design decisions or design reviews which supervise new developments in downtown.It is the position of this paper that only a consideration of all contextual influences together in one building may create what utopists could consider an ideal building. Aware of this heavily difficult ideal, an overview on those constraints that are not sufficiently under the control of the architect will be given in order to clarify the dualism between the ideal outcome and realistic possibilities. This proposal is therefore the creation of a methodology which defines questions and issues rather than providing the answers, describing final design implications.In conclusion, I assume that the belief and the application of such a contextual framework is characteristic of those people interested in particular and individualistic design responses rather than those individuals preferring universal and broad rules honoring all kinds of manifestoes that can be found in the pluralistic mishmash of present day's architectural theories. / Department of Architecture

The objective of this study is to understand why planning and development strategies have failed to address and prevent the unprecedented conditions of historical social fragmentation, economic decline, and environmental destitution currently present in the city of Gary. Evidence suggests a complicated set of historical structural and cultural factors have contributed to the severe environmental, social, and economic distress and disinvestment seen in inner-city neighborhoods throughout the United States, specifically Gary, Indiana. Understanding and reflecting on the historical development discourse within American Capitalism and the social construction of race as contributors to the current conditions of Gary, only then can planners consider the adverse effects of this discourse in present environmental, social and economic conditions. Ultimately through utilizing ethnographic methods, a crucial missing element in planning strategies, opportunities for planning and development in post-industrial Gary, Indiana are explored as an approach to planning in the absence of development. / Review of related literature -- Discourse of development within American capitalism -- Social construction of race in Gary -- The potentials and limitations of planning? / Department of Urban Planning

The primary goal of this creative project is to identify the architectural styles of the significant structures in the historic district of Dublin, Indiana, and develop a preservation plan to protect the heritage and identity of the town.The document consists of the historical growth of the town, description of the nineteenth and twentieth century residential styles, and a detailed study of the issues and techniques adopted by a few selected preservation plans. Based on the research, three objectives are proposed to achieve the goal of the plan.Finally, several recommendations and techniques are discussed for the effective implementation of the objectives. Personnel and funding activities are also outlined. / Department of Urban Planning

This creative project has analyzed the feasibility of project #35 of the Delaware County Long Range Plan. This analysis was accomplished by determining if present capacity is adequate to accommodate traffic volumes projected using current data. Once this relationship was determined, alternatives were developed that would aid in maximizing the efficiency of traffic movement in the corridor. Eventually it was concluded that the project should be undertaken with some minor additions. / Department of Urban Planning

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Muncie's city center was the core of urban life. It was similar to many industrial cities of the late 1800s, where the central business district was the hub of activities. The urban fabric in Muncie has changed significantly over the years, making it a city with very little activity in the city center. Downtown revitalization has therefore been an important task for civic leaders in the city. There are various revitalization strategies that aid in city center revival. Some have been classified as incremental, while some as catalysts. The first approach seeks to revitalize a city center using programs that show results over a period of time. The second approach depends on the successful development of a large project like a shopping mall, convention center or a hotel that brings back life in the city center. The goal of this study is to prove the effectiveness of colleges and universities as catalysts in downtown revitalization. Researched material suggests that various communities across the United States are harnessing the resources and forming partnerships with their host universities in order to aid in downtown revitalization efforts. Traditionally, universities and colleges in the United States developed away from the city center, but physically shifting downtown has proven effective in reviving the deteriorating condition of economically deprived communities. The proposed Integration Plan is aimed at guiding as well as providing ideas to further enhance the downtown revitalization process in the City of Muncie. / Department of Urban Planning

The process by which ideas, designs, and plans are formulated has an influence on whether or not they will be implemented. Consensus-based planning is a tool which is being incorporated more and more in planning efforts in order to create broad-based goals and objectives. However, many times it is used in the comprehensive planning process where it is more difficult to gauge the amount of implementation being done. There is a large amount of information on how consensus-based planning creates stronger decisions, goals, etc. based in the public interest but there is little information on how these decisions or goals impacted their communities. The study looks at obstacles to implementation and what would have helped to eliminate them. It also questions whether, if consensus-building techniques had been used during the planning process, it would have helped to eliminate these obstacles to implementation. In order to answer these questions, three charrettes conducted by Community Based Projects of Ball State University in the years between 1990 and 1992 are evaluated. / Department of Urban Planning

The purpose of this creative project was to bring about the development and hypothetical implementation of development guidelines for the McGalliard Road commercial corridor in Muncie, Indiana, as an example of how the development guidelines can improve the development character, safety, and creativity within Muncie's urban arterial corridors. The project introduces the development guidelines, explains the existing conditions along McGalliard Road in terms of transportation efficiency, safety, and aesthetics, implements a model design alternative along McGalliard Road based on the guidelines, and presents implementation strategies and recommendations for changes in current development regulation policies which would bring about these changes for arterial commercial developments in the city of Muncie. / Department of Urban Planning

This thesis has traced the development and demise of Allen Chapel Terrace Estates. Its purpose has been to identify why the project failed and presented alternative proposals for the reuse of the complex. This was done within the framework of actual funding possibilities which exist at the present time.The thesis was developed by presenting the project history, program characteristics, demographic information, demand and supply, project financing, and the reuse alternative suggestions. / Department of Urban Planning

One of the primary planning issues facing small rural communities today is balancing the need of economic growth with the preservation of local character and natural resources. Faced with increasing development pressures, these communities often are unequipped from a planning and ordinance standpoint to deal with accelerated demands for subdivision approval, infrastructure planning, and other legal issues that come with development. This can lead not only to loss of local and natural character, but also to long term community debt as small municipalities are obligated or agree to install infrastructure that the tax on the new construction will not pay for. This report examines the town of Pendleton, Indiana, and focuses on local character, historic, and natural resources to form the basis for future land use recommendations. The primary steps in this process are; 1) a contextual (visual) analysis of Pendleton and its surrounding area to identify the different neighborhoods, landmarks, nodes, edges, and circulation patterns based upon visual criteria, 2) analysis of Pendleton's zoning ordinances and land use controls, 3) determination of potential physical and fiscal impacts of development of available land according to existing zoning, and 4) development of future long term land use recommendations in the planning format of a comprehensive plan. / Department of Landscape Architecture

The objective of the study is to propose a strategy to revitalize Muncie's downtown through cultural tourism. This is seen as a critical catalyst to help preserve the historical fabric of the downtown.Muncie's downtown, with its historical and cultural assets, has an opportunity to attract the tourism, convention, and conference business which in turn can support hotels, restaurants, specialty shops, and entertainment establishments.In view of above, this creative project attempts to revitalize downtown through linking and promoting cultural tourism facilities like museums, theaters and festivals, convention and conference centers, and specialty shops.A transport loop connecting the tourist anchors like Ball State University, Minnitrista Cultural Center, and downtown of has been proposed. The tourist routes in Muncie and to East Central Indiana have been identified to enable the visitors to visit tourist destinations easily. Signage, and banners have been proposed along major routes to give proper orientation to visitors and also to enhance the image of Muncie.A strategy has been outlined for the preservation historical buildings through adaptive reuse. All these proposals have been incorporated as an urban design strategy. / Department of Architecture