Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Charles Connerly, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences, Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Jan. 12, 2005). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1993. / "Workshop report." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 5-12, 75-77).

Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 96-100).

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 96-100). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, September 2008.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature death in the United States today, and vulnerable populations may be more susceptible to this disease risk. Relocating into a new neighborhood may affect one’s cardiovascular disease risk. Through a socio-ecological framework, this study sought to determine whether changes in one’s interior and exterior built environment had a significant effect on cardiovascular disease risk in Atlanta’s relocated public housing population. Using pre- and post-relocation data from a questionnaire delivered to public housing residents, and built environment assessments from before and after demolition neighborhoods, the results showed residents were significantly more satisfied with their new neighborhoods and residences. However, while the interior built environment improved significantly after relocation, the exterior built environment declined significantly. Further, neither overall health nor cardiovascular disease risk improved significantly after relocation. These results corroborate findings in other public housing research that shows that many former public housing residents do not perceive an improvement in their health after relocation.

Flooding in the United States has been increasing over the past century due to changing hydrological conditions as well as increased human manipulation of the waterways. People continue to live in these high hazard areas, even with increasing risk levels. Flood hazard mitigation has increasingly become a primary goal of floodplain managers with buyouts, insurance, and other nonstructural approaches becoming more prevalent over the past two decades. Whole town relocations have become one flood mitigation option. This study explores which community factors affect a town's decision to relocate. Three study areas in the Midwestern U.S. were analyzed: Valmeyer, IL, Rhineland, MO, and Pattonsburg, MO. Each of these three towns underwent a buyout and town relocation after the flood of 1993. Data was gathered using personal interviews with community members, specifically elected officials and relocation committee members. Analysis of interview responses identified community sense of place as the primary factor influencing relocation decisions including leadership, cost, people, and landscape. Leadership included town incorporation, relocation decision and committees, handling of legal issues, and site selection criteria. Cost involved the relocation cost, post-disaster development and tourism, and the business community of the study areas. People included the town heritage, community type, and the various community organizations. Landscape includes the types of relocation completed, the speed of the relocation event, and the amount of pre-disaster planning. Maps created show the pre and post-relocation municipal boundary of the study sites in relation to the 500-year floodplain boundary.