This dissertation reevaluates the controversial Disengagement Theory of aging introduced by Elaine Cumming and William E. Henry in their book, Growing Old (1961), with particular emphasis on aging in the city. Disengagement theory embodies the antithesis to the traditional activity theory of aging based on a work ethic. Disengagement theory holds that normal aging is an inevitable mutual withdrawal or disengagement between the aging person and others in the social system, that it is universal, and that, by impl ication,it is a mutually satisfying condition since it results in a new equilibrium between society and the aging individual. The theory proposes that withdrawal happens automatically in the aging person because of ego changes which are "programmed" into the human organism. Activity theory, on the contrary, claims that maintaining physical, mental, or social activity is a prerequisite to successful aging. It implies that a meaningful social role is necessary to selfesteem, and that, allowing for biological impairments, the psychological needs of older people are not much different from those of middle-aged persons. Since the United States population aged 65 and over has a net annual increase of over 300,000 people, the questions as to whether they tend to be engaged or disengaged, and whether they should be integrated in or separated from the rest of society, become very important. According to the 1970 Census, over sixty percent of persons sixty-five and over live in metropolitan areas. Therefore their housing, transportation, medical care, and other needs have to be considered in urban policies. In planning services for older people it is imperative to know what kind of services are needed, and hence engagement or disengagement becomes a crucial question. It is the assumption in this research that the city and its older population have an investment in one another, and that the city is interested in the welfare of its older citizens. Theoretically, the study was guided by the principles of symbolic interactionism. Several methods were used in the approach to the research problem because it is believed that what is known as a "triangulated" perspective can come closest to revealing the various aspects of empirical reality. Specifically, the methods employed were the social survey, the depth interview, participant observation, unobtrusive observation, and the case study and life history technique. This research has used especially Weber's method of Verstehen or empathic unders tandi rig. Three hypotheses guided the research: Hypothesis One: Disengagement is not an intrinsic or inevitable phenomenon. If it occurs, it can be traced to various causes other than aging per se, such as ill health, personal misfortunes (such as widowhood), or social pressures (such as forced retirement). Hypthesis Two: Older people do not enjoy a disengaged state. There is continuity in personality and life style, and if older people choose nonengagement, it is a continuation of former habits. Hypothesis Three: A livable urban environment is a determinant in the life satisfaction of the aged. These hypotheses were tested empirically, using both qualitative and quantitative data; and our hypotheses have been confirmed by prevalence and recurrence of expected patterns in the behavior of our samples. The use of the inductive method has given consistent results in that no instances of intrinsic disengagement were discovered. We have been able to show that other causal factors were responsible for relative nonengagement if it occurred. The dissertation also reports many suggestions which were received on how the urban environment could be improved and how the city could help older people lead better lives.

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of how community gardens can catalyze positive change in an urban environment, to determine and catalog the impacts, and to learn about their importance to small-scale agricultural production. The study surveyed neighbors of the two umbrella organizations community gardens, The Nuestras Raices of Holyoke and Growing the Community of Springfield, who strive to ensure that local families gets enough food to feed their families on a daily basis.

ABSTRACT THE IMPACTS OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT IN NICARAGUA A GRASSROOTS APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SEPTEMBER 2007 JENNIFER ATWOOD BURNEY, B.A., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS DARTMOUTH M.R.P., UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Ellen Pader This study examines the impacts of tourism and development in Nicaragua and how lessons learned from a case study review of tourism and development in Mexico and a Certificate for Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica, as well as two ecotourism and sustainable development establishments in Nicaragua can be applied to Nicaragua policy. Nicaragua’s political history, land use and policy and the tourism industry are reviewed to determine how sustainable development could be guided by the adoption and implementation of a program based on Costa Rica’s certificate program.

Public transportation ridership levels have decreased since the end of World War II. Transit systems in small cities struggle to maintain ridership levels high enough to continue receiving local subsidies. Individuals with refugee status, and those with limited English proficiency (LEP), represent an opportunity to increase ridership. The bus system increases mobility for people without a car or driver’s license, including many refugees and LEP people, thereby increasing their accessibility to work and education. This thesis places the local bus system in Manchester, New Hampshire in a historical context and identifies some barriers and potentials for increasing refugee and LEP ridership. In addition to increasing headways and hours of operation, recommendations point to improved publicity, including distributing route maps and schedules more widely, using clearer bus stop signs, and providing bus passes for refugees in the first few months after arrival. It should be noted that language did not arise as a barrier to transit ridership in this study.

A look into established planning activities, as housing, transportation, economic development, parks and recreation, indicates that there is a missing layer of actions created exclusively from the point of view and the care of the physical environment. At the same time research exists in ethics, ecology and alternative cultural frameworks which points to a level of planning to assume responsibility for the land, a level by which beliefs, values and knowledge systems will be visibly manifest in a distinctive form of the physical environment. I will call this level the Plans for Regional Landscape Structure (PRLS). The planning process has not been revised in a way to capture the maximum possible benefits from interdisciplinary studies. While discrete restrictive provisions exist, overall the United States lacks an active strategy at the national level to conserve biodiversity and sustain healthy ecosystems. This research looks at a continuum from philosophical research in ethnomethodology, ethics, theology, to planning methods and design praxis, so that beliefs, values and knowledge systems will be visibly manifest in a distinctive form of the physical environment. The research contributes to filling the void in planning by proposing the creation of Plans for Regional Landscape Structure (PRLS). These plans are developed specifically from the point of view of the environment and for the care of the physical environment. These plans are designed to be spatially comprehensive and temporally preceding other plans for development. The PRLS is a strategy set at the national level, whose implementation would occur in a multi-scale, hierarchical, iterative process. The PRLS is a four level process that: (1) identifies key, place-determined features, (2) compares alternative networks of connections, (3) establishes a main frame to protect, and (4) evaluates the remaining, surrounding matrix for areas where future change might occur. An application of the PRLS is illustrated by a series of maps of the Six Nations Indian Reserve on the Grand River in Ontario, Canada. The study looks at the Six Nations Indian Reserve/Grand River Territory to develop coherent actions with respect to the territory, to repair and strengthen ecological integrity, to increase the quality of visual image and to reinforce cultural identity of the landscape

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Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Jae Hong Kim / Professional sports stadium development projects are major civic endeavors, and city officials and sports franchises often promise stadiums will generate significant gains in the regional economy. This study examines the effectiveness of stadium development in inducing economic development and urban revitalization by conducting a secondary data analysis, and case study of PNC Park and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Consistent with prior empirical studies, the secondary data analysis shows that stadium projects do not always produce significant regional economic benefits. A close investigation of the two stadium projects in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, however, finds substantially positive effects on investment and physical development at the district level. The present research suggests that stadium developments can be a more powerful urban redevelopment catalyst when consideration is given to four essential factors – location, design, institutional structure, and history and timing.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Larry L. Lawhon / Homelessness is an issue facing numerous communities. Additionally, the increasing number of homeless youth is growing at an alarming rate. One potential solution to combating homelessness is transitional housing programs, and specifically programs aimed at assisting youth. The youth transitional housing program addressed in this research is the Crossroads program located in Lansing, Michigan, serving a tri-county area. This research study evaluates the Crossroads program’s success at preparing youth for independent living. The research questions posed for this study were: 1) What is the Crossroads program doing well to assist youth in transitioning into safe and stable housing? and 2) What does Crossroad’s need to improve upon in order to better help youth prepare for independent living? To answer these questions, data was collected through three one-on-one personal interviews with previous and current Crossroads clients to gather their perspective on the success of the program. Interview participants stated that Crossroads staff is the primary positive aspect of the program. Additionally, interview participants felt the program was good overall and had a positive impact on them, but gave a few suggestions for improvements. Interview responses are summarized and a series of conclusions and recommendations drawn to assist Crossroads in increasing their level of service to future program participants. Recommendations range from beginning the job search earlier, to increasing group activities among clients. Conclusions and recommendations are specifically for the Crossroads program and should not be inferred to be applicable to all youth transitional housing programs.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Huston Gibson / Green infrastructure is a new term with old principles that address the protection of valuable open space through the use of connected natural areas. Through implementation of green infrastructure, communities can experience environmental, social, and economical benefits such as increased biodiversity, improved human health, and increased property values. In order to determine the specific opportunities and constraints municipalities face when implementing green infrastructure, MetroGreen was examined. MetroGreen is a greenways plan for the Kansas City Metropolitan area. The plan was studied as a whole, as well as in more detail in two different municipalities: Platte County, MO and Lenexa, KS. Eight planners, landscape architects, Park and Recreation employees, and public administrators involved with MetroGreen were interviewed to document their experiences. From these interviews three categories were identified as being closely related to successful implementation of regional green infrastructure: management, education, and funding. It was found that in order to implement green infrastructure successfully, leadership of a civic-advisory group, private entity, or non-profit organization is needed; regional dedicated funding is crucial; principles should relate to broader societal issues such as storm water and health; partnerships should be created at all levels through city, county, and citizen organizations to aid in connectivity; and public support can contribute a significant amount to the progress made. These findings serve as an analysis of regional implementation of green infrastructure, in order for professionals and community members to learn from the experiences of MetroGreen.