Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 56-59). / by David Victor Drubner. / M.S.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, June 2011. / "June 2011." Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-91). / Personal teacher self-efficacy (PTE), or the belief in one's own ability to overcome a particular challenge, often acts as a catalyst for teachers to improve the effectiveness of their teaching. Gaining PTE can translate into better classroom practices, thus affecting student learning and other educational outcomes (Keenan, 2005). However, the multitude of external challenges faced by teachers, especially those who teach in disadvantaged areas in developing countries such as township schools in South Africa, can overwhelm teachers and consequently lower their self-efficacy. Since the South African government neither has the resources nor the political capital to address this concern alone, reform efforts may require the expertise of and collaboration with civil society organizations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the Cape Town Teacher Training Program (CT3P)' teacher training program and its impacts on teacher self-efficacy. A 22-question survey was completed by 81 educators in ten different township schools in the Metro South district of Cape Town, South Africa. Using statistical analysis, the study finds that there was a high baseline level of self-efficacy across the board among the CT3P-trained teachers, their untrained colleagues, and educators in comparable township schools. The study also finds no statistically significant difference in the mean levels of self-efficacy between those who participated in the CT3P program and those who did not. However, the semi-structured interviews with 20 teachers provide substantive evidence that CT3P may in fact make an impact on teacher self-efficacy. / by YeSeul Kim. / M.C.P.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1989. / Title as it appeared in M.I.T. Graduate List, June 1989: Public policy, land-use planning, and development controls; zoning mandate of pipeline safety. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-107). / by Willard Nelson Hagan. / M.C.P.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture and Planning, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 260-263). / In this thesis an architectural design theory is premised so that plan making can start from a 'space scheme' which is a description of 'hierarchic balloon representation'. The space organization of a plan is described in hierarchic balloon representation in terms of a part/whole hierarchy of adumbrated space units. The information processing from bitmap representation of a plan image to hierarchic balloon representation of a space scheme is proposed to have two intermediate representations: FEB representation and primitive balloon representation. The purpose of constructing an FEB representation is to provide a principled ground for space identification. The idea of the FEB representation originates from the simulation of the directional inclination resulting from imaginary space perception in a plan. The primitive balloon representation is constructed to explicate the process of identifying and describing space primitives in a plan. The primitive balloon representation is so named because space primitives are described by extending the basin core outward which resembles the process of inflating a balloon. Hierarchic balloon representation differs from both FEB representation and primitive balloon representation in that it is dependent on primitive balloon representation by using the transform algorithm of deriving FEB representation but it also allows optional modifications. / by Chaeshin Yoon. / Ph.D.

Thesis (S.M. and M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2005. / This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-105). / In assessing feasibility of a project, developers typically use a classic financial model Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) to forecast the private benefit that accrues to the developer and financial partners. DCF is a rational method to approximate the value of a deal, but the method neglects to recognize that developments are both private assets and also possess some qualities of a public good. Buildings in historic districts, along cultural trails or art corridors are clear examples, but most developments share similar attributes that many individuals, beyond the building's users, enjoy. Most developers already understand this concept intuitively, but one of the goals of this thesis is to create tangible tools to be used in the development/redevelopment process to capitalize on undervalued projects or elements of a project and in a timeframe that is socially optimal. Making these "intangible impacts" explicit will not only help developers identify undervalued projects, but may prove a powerful argument in negotiations with city officials and with capital partners. One of the contributions of this work is to bring disparate bodies of literature together and relate them to the larger questions of total property value and the optimal allocation of scarce resources in real estate. / by Caitlin O'Connor. / S.M.and M.C.P.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-67). / In 1996, the Brazilian Government implemented the Child Labor Eradication Program - PETI, a conditional cash transfer program aimed at reducing child labor by paying a stipend to families who send their working children to an extended day program. After 12 years, PETI has had its most successful implementation in a poor semi-arid region of Brazil, the Sisal Region. The existence of an associational structure in which the federal, state and local government joined efforts with local civil society institutions, mainly a NGO and local rural labor unions, enabled each institution to contribute to the project in the best way possible. As a result the Sisal Region considerably reduced child labor, provided high quality extended day programs and assisted the families involved in PETI with projects aimed at their economic independence. / by Marilia Castelo Magalhães. / M.C.P.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1984. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 160-162. / by Howard T. Baker-Smith. / M.C.P.

Thesis: M.C.P., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, 2015. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-41). / Due to ever-increasing summer temperatures and a population with minimal technological adaptations to help them cope, extreme heat events will likely have a large impact on vulnerable populations in Massachusetts. As such, heat events are likely to impact the health of residents because they are related to a rise in all-cause hospital admissions and other health outcomes. We sought to clarify how Massachusetts may improve their extreme heat event response policies. To do so, we examined Massachusetts' current policies and best practices for extreme heat event response as well as the spatiotemporal weather and vulnerability patterns throughout the state. As a result, we found that varying the scale of response will be necessary based on the extent of different heat events. Additionally, the state ought to clarify who is in charge at the state and regional levels. By better addressing the needs of its populations during heat events, Massachusetts would likely prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and harm to its residents. / by Halley Brunsteter Reeves. / M.C.P.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-54). / The study describes a "Village Adoption Scheme" as a model for energising the rural economy in India and to slow down rural - urban migration which research has shown to be harmful to both; rural and urban people of India and their regions. The model presented here is designed to use the resources existing in social, traditional, cultural, legal, ethnic, religious, economic and political layers of the rural society and seeks to enable the region to build upon them to generate resources. The thesis describes implementation of the scheme in one region of rural India and suggests the conditions, which would be needed to prevail if the approach were to be extended. The study describes the scale of the project and also the lessons learnt from the endeavour, which would help those who plan to use the model described. The author participated in the project as a member of the GVSP's steering committee and is in a position to give first hand information of the project works. / by Shahid Sadruddin Nanavati. / M.C.P.

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2009. / "June 2009." / Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-98). / Most of the roads built over the last century in the US were built assuming that efficient mobility for drivers was most important without considering impacts to the natural or built environment. Urban neighborhoods were severed, ecologically sensitive areas were disrupted, and pedestrian, bicycle and transit accommodation was ignored. Public offense at this approach to road-building led to new policies and practices for more open, locally-based decision-making. Road construction is now subject to a higher level of scrutiny, yet investment is preserving existing roads is assumed with little public discussion even though preservation represents the majority of transportation expenditures. As public priorities shift toward favoring sustainable development and transforming out of auto-dependency, road preservation can be either a barrier or an opportunity. This study examines whether and how road preservation investments support these new priorities. I use the Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA) as a case study. As a national leader in context-sensitive solutions and in commitment to sustainable development, MSHA is expected to exhibit innovative use of system preservation expenditures to support local plans for more balanced, less auto-intensive transportation systems. I find that rather than integrate context -sensitivity and sustainability into all transportation programs, Asset Management-based preservation programs focus almost exclusively on cost-efficiency while alternate programs are created to address broader concerns. / (cont.) Policies for context-sensitive solutions, flexible transportation investment, and sustainable development have little bearing on Asset Management -based preservation investments. MSHA's Neighborhood Conservation program offers a good model for locally-based, flexible preservation investment, though the fund has been susceptible to budget cuts. Asset Management systems are an important tool for managing risk and cost associated with an aging transportation system. However, as reliance on Asset Management-based investment grows, the narrow scope of these projects will undermine commitment to responsive, sustainable transportation investment. The decision-making process for these investments should be supplemented through small-area preservation planning, incentive funds for preservation project enhancements, and performance measures that focus investment on broad transportation goals in order to achieve reduced auto-dependency and transportation investment that supports public priorities. / by Kathleen R. Sylvester. / M.C.P.