Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2003.

Thesis (M.U.R. Pl.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-114). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Master)--İzmir Institute of Technology, İzmir, 2004 / Includes bibliographical references (leaves. 73).

Thesis (B.S.) Magna Cum Laude--Butler University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (38-42).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Dept. of Communication, University of Utah, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references p. [255]-268).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Louisville, 2004. / Department of Sociology. Vita. "August 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-67).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 1987. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-141). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

The growing political interest in new communities in North America in response to central city congestion and the problems of urban sprawl underscores the need for empirical data on current new community activity as it is now being applied on this continent. This study proposes an examination of such communities but with a particular problem in mind. It attempts to identify and ascertain the relative importance of the locational determinants for private enterprise new communities in metropolitan regions. The point of view taken is that the recent proliferation of these privately developed communities provides planners with a unique opportunity to help structure the future urban pattern of the metropolitan region. But if such planners are to anticipate and plan for these communities, they must strive for an understanding of the underlying decision-making criteria involved in such projects, including their possible future locations. In addition to the basic problem outlined above, this study has also been guided by the following secondary objectives: (1) to establish the importance of examining the location of private enterprise new communities by exploring the idea that such projects reflect attempts to improve the efficiency of the housebuilding and land development industry and, therefore, represent a logical progression in the private sector's contribution to urban development; (2) to examine past new town locational experience, particularly in Britain and Scandinavia; and (3) to assess the regulatory tool presently available to planners for influencing the location of private enterprise new communities. The methodology of the study consists in part of an extensive literature review. Since there are no studies that one can point to as dealing specifically with the locational aspects of new towns, this review involved the collection of data from a wide variety of sources, However, from the existing information available it was not possible to determine the relative importance of the locational criteria selected by new community developers. The data base was therefore augmented with a questionnaire survey of twelve developers. Eight of these questionnaires were returned although one was only partly answered. The organization of the study first involved an examination of the changing nature of the housebuilding industry and the emergence of new communities after 1960. Reference was made to such factors as the structural shift towards the large building firm, the attempts to improve both the marketability of houses and management techniques in the industry, increasing corporate investment, and the economies in land costs to be gained by building new communities with balanced facilities further out on the urban fringe. It was concluded that the appearance of private enterprise new communities can be partly attributed to the evolution of the housebuilding and land development industry itself, and partly to the conditions of a period characterized by such variables as industrial decentralization, new freeways and a more articulate market demand. Chapter III identifies and lists fifteen possible locational criteria that might be applied in the selection of a site for a new community. The reasons for selecting each of these criteria are discussed in turn. Where appropriate, reference is made to European experience to illustrate the applicability of a particular locational variable. Chapter IV discusses the results of the questionnaire survey. It was emphasized that due to the small sample involved the survey should be treated as a pilot study and not as a comprehensive analysis of comparative new community experience in North American metropolitan regions. The results of the survey generally substantiate the hypothesis contended in Chapter I that the rate and direction of urban growth, land costs, land assembly, freeway accessibility and government restrictions are the most important criteria influencing the location of privately developed hew communities. The two exceptions were that government restrictions were not as significant as originally thought and access to a highway was given equal rating with freeway accessibility. It was concluded that the exact order of the variables should not necessarily be interpreted as representing the true situation. But the results do give some idea as to which variables as a group are more important than others. In Chapter V the existing regulatory tools available to planners to influence the location of new communities were examined. The various types of land acquisition techniques, in particular the land bank concept, were viewed as particularly relevant. Development sectors and skip annexation also held some potential. It was emphasized, however, that the location of new communities is very much dependent on the success of the whole land development control program. No one device, whether it be zoning, land acquisition or taxation measures is sufficient. A combination of many techniques is necessary and that increased financing should be made available to local governments for this specific purpose. Finally, three possible administrative arrangements for planning for new communities are suggested. These are a provincial development corporation, a federal crown corporation and a provincial new community committee. None of these proposals was explored in a rigorous manner. Further research would be necessary to determine their constitutional appropriateness. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

This thesis is part of a comprehensive group study undertaken by five students in the School of Community and Regional Planning. Section I, which is a combined study, explores present trends and concepts of urban growth in North America. As a result of a preliminary investigation, a study concept, "The Nodular Metropolitan Concept," was derived. An hypothesis was formulated to serve as a study base for individual research by members of the group. Section II of this thesis is the author's individual contribution which looks at one aspect, the provision and distribution of local open space within residential areas of the present city form and the Nodular Metropolitan form of development. In Chapter I, present inadequacies within North American cities are pointed out and various current classifications and standards are outlined. It was indicated that they do not appear to meet present and future needs. Chapter II looks at income as a variable of inequality in the distribution of local open space. The present system of distribution and the standards of local parks are examined in the cities of Vancouver and Montreal. Inequalities between high income areas and low income areas in respect to park quality were substantiated. Factors tested for park quality included acreage, types of facilities, seclusion and annual expenditures. It was found that lower income areas had the least acreage, types of facilities, seclusion and annual park expenditure per capita. The Nodular Metropolitan system of open space was examined in Chapter III to ascertain whether it offered a more equitable and functional distribution than the present grid system. A theoretical open space model that follows the principles of this concept was formulated and partly tested by use of a preliminary social behaviour activity survey. The model illustrates a radical change to the present open space system. Three forms of local open space are proposed for study: intensive activity open space, corridor open space and parkland open space. Due to limitations of time and survey data only the parkland category was tested as an illustration of methodology for further research. The results of the questionnaire used in the survey indicated that the present unco-ordinated system of local park distribution is not meeting basic human needs. The particular social economic group of persons interviewed expressed a need for large open spaces that offered a variety of activities but were predominately passive in character as illustrated by the parkland category within the theoretical open space model. The study indicated that the behaviour activity approach would be feasible for future use. The results of the study to date indicate that the provision and distribution of open space within the city could be perhaps more adequately provided under a form of redevelopment such as that of the Nodular Metropolitan Concept. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

M.A. / The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the nature and problems of metropolitan service delivery in South Africa. The dissertation provided a broad overview of the nature of metropolitan local government and the external environment within which local government operates. It deals with the relationship between local and other spheres of Government, as well as with the legislation that creates, defines and regulates local government. The dissertation focuses on the functioning of the sphere of local government (within its constituent structures, namely municipalities) within given regulatory and structural parameters. This enquiry is premised on the view that studying metropolitan government and administration in general, and in South Africa in particular, as well as specific factors that have a profound effect on such government-based structures should be taken into account. In the light of the above argument, the overarching perspective this study was based on was that of a documentary and conceptual analysis using qualitative research methods to explore the specific requirements that are set for the service delivery needs of citizens within metropolitan municipalities. This study aimed to provide a conceptual framework gained from the literature in order to explain the issues, concerns and challenges surrounding metropolitan service delivery and its application in municipal settings. In conceptualising local governance and management, the study focused on unravelling the concept from the perspective of clarifying and enhancing the understanding of the phenomenon, as well as exploring the inputs that may influence effective and efficient metropolitan service delivery both positively and negatively. Constant comparative data analysis methods were also used to search for recurring variables and themes. Due to the interdependence of all levels of Government, any discussion of constitutional mandates will inevitably touch on certain matters that will not only affect the other government levels in general, but also the total legislative and policy effort in particular.