Decaying urban spaces are common in post-industrial New England. When manufacturing activities withdrew from New England they left holes in the urban fabric. Physical absence of these former economic drivers is easy to note in empty mill buildings, warehouses, and storefronts. Farther reaching impacts of this exodus are less apparent. Jobs went with manufacturing. Raw materials needed to be harvested and made available to manufacturers; the finished products needed to be distributed, sold, and moved; supporting businesses provided for these needs. Many other groups supported manufacturing; some through the management of the companies, some catered to workers’ needs, or the needs of workers’ children and families. This network of groups and individuals connected to industry made up vibrant communities in the heyday of manufacturing in New England. When manufacturing left many of the groups providing support functions collapsed. Many people moved away, or if they stayed they were left unemployed or underemployed. Whole communities were damaged when manufacturing left New England. Many have not yet fully recovered. The goal of this thesis is to propose a path toward the revitalization and repair of the urban fabric of depressed post-industrial communities in New England. Many post-industrial New England communities have lost their identity. These places have empty buildings, empty lots, and their main streets, former “downtowns,” are quiet. There is little to recommend these areas as a place to be. These depressed and decaying places need revitalization. They are no longer centers of manufacturing or industry; they need a new identity, one that reflects what they are now and what they would like to become in the future. Revitalization should be grounded in a study of the unique place it addresses. There are communities and inhabitants present in even the most depressed places. These groups need to be recognized and their needs identified before revitalization can be undertaken. Revitalization should be inclusive. Residents should feel encouraged to stay in, and be proud of, their community. Revitalization should be sustainable; socially, ecologically and economically. If revitalization of a depressed area calls for attracting more residents and businesses, those targeted to inhabit the revitalized space should fit into the existing community, not displace it. This thesis proposes a revitalization of a depressed post-industrial area of Millers Falls, Massachusetts in the vicinity of East Main and Bridge Streets. This revitalization proposal will be carried out within a framework of study of place, inclusivity, and holistic sustainability.

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The development of air transport industry contributes to the economic growth worldwide. It evolves from a luxury form of transportation to an affordable and quick way to move between places. The airline operation model evolves from a traditional point-to-point operation to a hub-and-spoke model, where airline funnels passenger through a centralized location called hub. This model, while reducing operational cost and increasing connectivity, is also adding more time and distance to one’s journey. The development in aircraft technology however, allows airline to by-pass the traditional hub and fly directly to their destination with a longer-range aircraft with a low capacity, somehow returning to the original operational model of point-to-point flight. However, this new type of aircraft also allows airline to reach a smaller destination that didn’t justify the use of the high-capacity aircraft that was traditionally used on this long-haul flight. Aside from the lower acquisition cost, this smaller aircraft also burns less fuel and reduce the airline financial risk.   The study was focused on locating a new hypothetical hub to connect Europe with Eastern Asia, the top two aviation market by passenger number. This new hub will be strategically located between the two markets, unlike the current Middle-Eastern hub that requires a significant detour. The Buffer Tool that is available in ArcGIS will be utilized to draw a radius between each airport in the study area, where the radius’ values were based on the range of the Airbus A321NEO (New Engine Option). Area with the most intersection will be further analyzed to determine the most reasonable location for the new hub, based on the airport infrastructure and the country’s socio-economic index.   The result of this study shows that the Central Asian region has the most overlapping circle, with the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan emerged as the most potential location for this new hub. The geographical advantage, backed by a relatively strong economy and stable socio-political condition, made Almaty left the other candidates behind.

This study provides valuable insights into the factors making an innovation hub attractive to potential tenants, with a specific emphasis on the role of cognitive social capital (CSC). Drawing on semi-structured interviews with industry professionals, the research uses thematic analysis to parse out key themes and sub-themes. It uncovers the multi-layered value offered by innovation hubs, highlighting the significance of not only tangible elements like physical infrastructure, but also intangible aspects such as networking, collaboration, knowledge, and learning opportunities. Moreover, the strategic role of an innovation hub in helping businesses meet their objectives is accentuated. The research delves deeper into CSC, revealing the intricate interplay of shared values and understanding, trust, and recognition in enriching the attractiveness of innovation hubs. Furthermore, the study suggests potential avenues for additional services, underscoring the desire for consultancy expertise and wellness facilities. The findings underscore the critical role innovation hubs play in fostering entrepreneurship and the potential they hold in contributing to economic development when they focus on building a supportive and interconnected community. The research not only illuminates the importance of CSC in the context of innovation hubs but also indicates future areas of investigation for scholars and practitioners alike.

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