Neighborhood decline is a critical issue in shrinking cities. Components of sustainable urbanism such as mixed land uses have risen as possible urban planning-based approaches to help mitigate urban and neighborhood decline. This research... more
Neighborhood decline is a critical issue in shrinking cities. Components of sustainable urbanism such as mixed land uses have risen as possible urban planning-based approaches to help mitigate urban and neighborhood decline. This research identifies examines if mixed land uses can help mitigate urban decline by using the tax delinquent status of single family houses as a proxy for decline in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Logistic regression models are utilized to estimate the probability of tax delinquency. The results suggest that the proximity to mixed land uses is associated with increasing or decreasing the probability of tax delinquent for single family lots. The number of commercial and industrial lots in a neighborhood also has effects on the probability of a lot becoming tax delinquent, but the specific types of commercial and industrial lots dictate the direction of effects. The existence of commercial apartment lots, retail lots, and industrial food and drink plant lots were shown to help decrease the probability of tax delinquent lots. Also, decreasing the amount of property tax applied to parcels can help to limit distress in neighborhoods. This research contributes to the ongoing efforts to stymie the amount of residential abandonment in depopulating and declining cities.
Research Interests:
Many urban areas affected by flood disasters are also becoming increasingly ecologically and socially fragmented due to the accumulation of vacant properties. While redevelopment is often viewed as the primary objective in regenerating... more
Many urban areas affected by flood disasters
are also becoming increasingly ecologically and
socially fragmented due to the accumulation
of vacant properties. While redevelopment
is often viewed as the primary objective in
regenerating vacant properties, they can also
potentially provide ecological and hydrological
land uses. Rather than chasing developmentbased
incentives for regenerating vacant lots in
high flood-risk communities, a balance should
be sought between new developmental land
uses and green infrastructure to help counteract
stormwater runoff and flood effects, or “Resilience
through Regeneration.” This paper uses
landscape performance measures to evaluate
the economic and hydrologic performance of
green infrastructure regeneration projects for
three marginalized neighborhoods in Houston,
Texas, USA. Each project site is characterized by
excessive vacant lots and flood issues. Results
suggest that, when using green infrastructure
to regenerate vacant properties, 1) flood risk
continually decreases, 2) upfront economic costs
increase in the short term (when compared to
conventional development), and 3) the long-term
economic return on investment is much higher.
are also becoming increasingly ecologically and
socially fragmented due to the accumulation
of vacant properties. While redevelopment
is often viewed as the primary objective in
regenerating vacant properties, they can also
potentially provide ecological and hydrological
land uses. Rather than chasing developmentbased
incentives for regenerating vacant lots in
high flood-risk communities, a balance should
be sought between new developmental land
uses and green infrastructure to help counteract
stormwater runoff and flood effects, or “Resilience
through Regeneration.” This paper uses
landscape performance measures to evaluate
the economic and hydrologic performance of
green infrastructure regeneration projects for
three marginalized neighborhoods in Houston,
Texas, USA. Each project site is characterized by
excessive vacant lots and flood issues. Results
suggest that, when using green infrastructure
to regenerate vacant properties, 1) flood risk
continually decreases, 2) upfront economic costs
increase in the short term (when compared to
conventional development), and 3) the long-term
economic return on investment is much higher.
Research Interests:
Uncertainty about the impacts of sea-level rise make the ability to forecast future spatial conditions a necessary planning/design tool. Geodesign integrates multiple fields of science with change/impact models and planning/design... more
Uncertainty about the impacts of sea-level rise make the ability to forecast future spatial conditions a necessary planning/design tool. Geodesign integrates multiple fields of science with change/impact models and planning/design strategies. Proactive planning analyses such as newly developed scorecards allow for plan evaluation; design strategies can now be quantitatively assessed using landscape performance calculators. Neither have been explored as Geodesign tools. A Geodesign process was developed using the resilience scorecard to assess flood vulnerability using projections for the 100-year floodplain with sea-level rise by 2100. Projections were used as a guide to develop a resilient master plan for League City, TX, USA. Future impacts of the plan are projected using landscape performance
measures.
measures.
Research Interests:
Comprehensive plans provide an overall vision for a city’s land use and development and influence community health conditions. As part of a community-engaged research project, a Healthy Living and Active Design Scorecard was applied to... more
Comprehensive plans provide an overall vision for a city’s land use
and development and influence community health conditions. As
part of a community-engaged research project, a Healthy Living
and Active Design Scorecard was applied to the comprehensive
plan of League City, Texas, to identify health-promoting design
and planning strategies. Although the plan scored similarly to
published examples, several areas of improvement aligned with
priorities from a community health assessment were identified,
including improving public transportation and access to exercise
and recreation. Future revisions of the plans and neighbourhood
scaled designs targeting these issues could improve the health of
the community.
and development and influence community health conditions. As
part of a community-engaged research project, a Healthy Living
and Active Design Scorecard was applied to the comprehensive
plan of League City, Texas, to identify health-promoting design
and planning strategies. Although the plan scored similarly to
published examples, several areas of improvement aligned with
priorities from a community health assessment were identified,
including improving public transportation and access to exercise
and recreation. Future revisions of the plans and neighbourhood
scaled designs targeting these issues could improve the health of
the community.
Research Interests:
Many urban areas affected by flood disasters are also becoming increasingly ecologically and socially fragmented due to the accumulation of vacant properties. While redevelopment is often viewed as the primary objective in regenerating... more
Many urban areas affected by flood disasters
are also becoming increasingly ecologically and
socially fragmented due to the accumulation
of vacant properties. While redevelopment
is often viewed as the primary objective in
regenerating vacant properties, they can also
potentially provide ecological and hydrological
land uses. Rather than chasing developmentbased
incentives for regenerating vacant lots in
high flood-risk communities, a balance should
be sought between new developmental land
uses and green infrastructure to help counteract
stormwater runoff and flood effects, or “Resilience
through Regeneration.” This paper uses
landscape performance measures to evaluate
the economic and hydrologic performance of
green infrastructure regeneration projects for
three marginalized neighborhoods in Houston,
Texas, USA. Each project site is characterized by
excessive vacant lots and flood issues. Results
suggest that, when using green infrastructure
to regenerate vacant properties, 1) flood risk
continually decreases, 2) upfront economic costs
increase in the short term (when compared to
conventional development), and 3) the long-term
economic return on investment is much higher.
are also becoming increasingly ecologically and
socially fragmented due to the accumulation
of vacant properties. While redevelopment
is often viewed as the primary objective in
regenerating vacant properties, they can also
potentially provide ecological and hydrological
land uses. Rather than chasing developmentbased
incentives for regenerating vacant lots in
high flood-risk communities, a balance should
be sought between new developmental land
uses and green infrastructure to help counteract
stormwater runoff and flood effects, or “Resilience
through Regeneration.” This paper uses
landscape performance measures to evaluate
the economic and hydrologic performance of
green infrastructure regeneration projects for
three marginalized neighborhoods in Houston,
Texas, USA. Each project site is characterized by
excessive vacant lots and flood issues. Results
suggest that, when using green infrastructure
to regenerate vacant properties, 1) flood risk
continually decreases, 2) upfront economic costs
increase in the short term (when compared to
conventional development), and 3) the long-term
economic return on investment is much higher.
Research Interests:
Climate Change Armor is a collection of adaptive flood attenuation mechanisms for protecting newly designed communities from flood events and the eventual impacts of sea level rise. League City, TX is used as an application site. NOAA... more
Climate Change Armor is a collection of adaptive flood attenuation mechanisms for protecting newly designed communities from flood events and the eventual impacts of sea level rise. League City, TX is used as an application site. NOAA predicts that sea levels will increase and storm surge will become more frequent along the Texas coast. In the Gulf Coast, sea level projects to rise up to 6.29 feet by 2100. The Climate Change Armor Toolkit comprises both structural and non-structural mechanisms which are either engineered to block and control heavy floods or rely on natural systems and green infrastructure to attenuate flood waters from frequent storms or hazard flood events. With the application of the Armor Toolkit, 221,921 ft3 of runoff can be captured, nearly 2,400 new residents are protected, over 3,000 jobs are created, $23 million in physical flood damage can be avoided, and approximately $1.3 billion can be generated in the life cycle benefits of the newly designed community by 2100.
Research Interests:
Urban decline is a critical issue in shrinking cities. The collapse of the American housing market in 2008 resulted in widespread foreclosures/abandonment throughout many U.S. cities. Many municipalities in the Rustbelt, a historical... more
Urban decline is a critical issue in shrinking cities. The collapse of the American housing market in 2008 resulted in widespread foreclosures/abandonment throughout many U.S. cities. Many municipalities in the Rustbelt, a historical region that has experienced massive depopulation since the 1960s, were hit particularly hard, leaving them characterized by vacant land, a visible symptom of decline. Research on how to deal with vacancy and abandonment has become a crucial urban issue. The specific aspects of sustainable urban form which can potentially aid in counteracting decline have not been thoroughly evaluated. It has been shown that cities developed around sustainable public transportation systems tend toward growth and stability as opposed to decline. This research seeks to better understand the relationship between proximity to public transportation hubs and urban decline and whether greater access to said public transportation hubs can encourage urban regeneration using Dayton, Ohio as an area of investigation. Dayton has suffered a 47% population decrease since 1960; these conditions have resulted in an abundance of declining area. This paper 1) presents an index for measuring area of urban decline using suitability modeling and 2) compares the spatial location of that decline to the proximity of three primary public transportation hubs. Results indicate that proximity to multi-modal transportation options is related to lower amounts of decline. Therefore, stronger policies encouraging complete streets, related alternative transportation options, and enabling mobility may be a strategy for preventing decline or spurring regeneration in declining areas in shrinking cities.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Climate change and its related factors are increasing the frequency of hurricanes, coastal storms, and urban flooding. Recovery from disasters can be slow, with jurisdictions failing to rebuild better, wasting time and money without... more
Climate change and its related factors are increasing the frequency of hurricanes, coastal storms, and urban flooding. Recovery from disasters can be slow, with jurisdictions failing to rebuild better, wasting time and money without improving resilience for the next disaster. To help attenuate floods and mitigate their impact, Low-Impact Development (LID) and the incorporation of green infrastructure (GI) is gaining in popularity. LID includes more natural methods of absorbing, redirecting, retaining, and filtering water through GI installations such as rain gardens, detention ponds, and the reduction of impervious surfaces. LID is, however, primarily implemented and evaluated only on a local scale; few studies have assessed the broader impact of GI on a larger scale. In fact, most performance calculators that evaluate the effects of GI are only useful at the site scale. Further, most GI advocates propose its use in new developments without much attention to retrofitting existing suburban development. This article seeks to determine what the potential effects of retrofitting an existing suburban neighborhood with GI for flood protection at a larger scale could be, using Sugar Land, Texas, United States as a case site. First, low-impact facilities are proposed and schematically designed at a site scale for a typical single-family lot. The volume of rainfall that can be retained on site, due to each incorporated feature, was then derived using the Green Values National Stormwater Management Calculator. Using these data, the total volume of rainfall that could be retained if all residential sites in Sugar Land incorporated similar facilities was then projected. The results show that Sugar Land has the capacity to annually capture 56 billion liters of stormwater if all residential properties use LID. Additional benefits of the use of GI include reduced heat (37%), improved aesthetics and property values (20%), increased recreational opportunities (18%), improved water quality (12%), improved air quality (5%), increased green collar jobs (4%), reduced damage from harmful gas emissions (3%), and increased energy savings (1%), thereby surpassing conventional stormwater management techniques.
Research Interests:
A B S T R A C T Climate change and increasing natural disasters coupled with years of deferred maintenance have added pressure to infrastructure in urban areas. Thus, monitoring for failure of these systems is crucial to prevent future... more
A B S T R A C T Climate change and increasing natural disasters coupled with years of deferred maintenance have added pressure to infrastructure in urban areas. Thus, monitoring for failure of these systems is crucial to prevent future impacts to life and property. Participatory assessment technique for infrastructure provides a community-based approach to assess the capacity and physical condition of infrastructure. Furthermore, a participatory assessment technique for infrastructure can encourage grassroots activism that engages residents, researchers, and planners in the identification of sustainable development concerns and solutions. As climate change impacts disproportionately affect historically disenfranchised communities, assessment data can further inform planning, aiming to balance the distribution of public resources towards sustainability and justice. This paper explains the development of the participatory assessment technique for infrastructure that can provide empirical data about the condition of infrastructure at the neighborhood-level, using stormwater systems in a vulnerable neighborhood in Houston, Texas as a case study. This paper argues for the opportunity of participatory methods to address needs in infrastructure assessment and describes the ongoing project testing the best use of these methods.
Research Interests:
Despite global projections of increasingly concentrated urban population growth, many cities still suffer from severe depopulation (or shrinkage), which results in increased vacant land/structural abandonment. As a consequence, shrinking... more
Despite global projections of increasingly concentrated urban population growth, many cities still suffer from severe depopulation (or shrinkage), which results in increased vacant land/structural abandonment. As a consequence, shrinking urban areas are now seeking ways to more intelligently inventory and manage declining neighborhoods. Smart Shrinkage, a means of planning for fewer people and less development, has become a popular approach to managing depopulation. This research explores current approaches to managing vacant urban land through case evaluations approach, using findings to inform an applied Smart Shrinkage strategy for repurposing vacant lots. Land use prediction modeling is integrated into the process using Dayton, Ohio, USA, as an application site. A GIS-based development suitability model was used to identify pockets of future nodal development, and the land transformation model (LTM) was used to predict areas of future decline. Typologies of vacant/ abandoned lots were then developed based on spatial characteristics of each parcel. The result of the process is a framework for executing Smarter Shrinkage—a community-scaled approach integrating land use prediction modeling into the process for managing vacant lots. Findings suggest that forecasts from the LTM require policy mechanisms to be put into place that will allow land to be transformed for nonresidential uses that are consistent with where demand exists. Smarter Shrinkage approaches should emphasize the implementation of newly proposed development only within nodes of high development potential and should utilize temporary or green infrastructure-based functions in areas predicted to become vacant or with low development potential.
Research Interests:
A B S T R A C T War-city relationships had long been studied by scholars regarding wars' sudden impact on cities. Studies typically focused on one specific event's impact on urban military, politics, economy, or society. This approach,... more
A B S T R A C T War-city relationships had long been studied by scholars regarding wars' sudden impact on cities. Studies typically focused on one specific event's impact on urban military, politics, economy, or society. This approach, however, treated war's impact on cities as only temporary, hindered opportunities to reveal multiple political regimes' spatial competition through war-oriented city planning and construction, which is crucial for city development, and their resultant urban form changes through time. In response, this study has examined city planning and construction activities during the short time gaps between multiple military conflicts, with various military objectives, and conducted by different political regimes in Shenyang, China. In accordance with archival research, a space syntax axis analysis has been used to quantify spatial dynamics throughout war-peace-war cycles to explore the impact of military-oriented planning on city-scaled development. We have found these planning strategies, initiated by specific military goals, acted as extensions of war planning, segregating the city and causing urban fragmentation. They also acted as a driving factor which promoted modernization of the city in the early 20th century. We conclude that wars oriented planning can alter a city's development track and impact its structure and form through the creation of internally connected but isolated urban districts.
Research Interests:
Every city seeks opportunities to spur economic developments and, depending on its type, vacant land can be seen as a potential threat or an opportunity to achieve these developments. Although vacant land exists in all cities, the causes... more
Every city seeks opportunities to spur economic developments and, depending on its type, vacant land can be seen as a potential threat or an opportunity to achieve these developments. Although vacant land exists in all cities, the causes and effects of changes in vacant land can differ. Growing cities may have more vacant land than shrinking cities because of large scale annexation. Meanwhile, depopulation and economic downturn may increase the total amount of vacant and abandoned properties. Despite various causes of increase and decrease of vacant land, the ability to predict future vacancy patterns—where future vacant parcels may occur—could be a critical test to set up appropriate development strategies and land use policies, especially in shrinking cities, to manage urban decline and regeneration efforts more wisely. This study compares current and future vacancy patterns of a growing city (Fort Worth, TX, USA) and a shrinking city (Chicago, IL, USA), by employing the Land Transformation Model (LTM) to predict for future vacant lands. This research predicts and produces possible vacancy pattern scenarios by 2020 and deciphers the ranking of determinants of vacant land in each city type. The outcomes of this study indicate that the LTM can be useful for simulating vacancy patterns and the causes of vacancy vary in both growing and shrinking cities. Socioeconomic factors such as unemployment rate and household income are powerful determinants of vacancy in a growing city, while physical and transportation-related conditions such as proximity to highways, vehicle accessibility, or building conditions show a stronger influence on increasing vacant land in a shrinking city.
Research Interests:
Historically, wetlands in the United States have been lost due to agriculture, anthropogenic activities, and rapid urbanization along the coast. Such losses of wetlands have resulted in high flooding risk for coastal communities over the... more
Historically, wetlands in the United States have been
lost due to agriculture, anthropogenic activities, and rapid
urbanization along the coast. Such losses of wetlands have resulted in
high flooding risk for coastal communities over the period of time. In
addition, alteration of wetlands via the Section 404 Clean Water Act
permits can increase the flooding risk to future hurricane events, as
the cumulative impact of this program is poorly understood and
under-accounted. Further, recovery after hurricane events is acting as
an encouragement for new development and reconstruction activities
by converting wetlands under the wetland alteration permitting
program. This study investigates the degree to which hurricane
recovery activities in coastal communities are undermining the ability
of these places to absorb the impacts of future storm events.
Specifically, this work explores how and to what extent wetlands are
being affected by the federal permitting program post-Hurricane Ike
in 2008. Wetland alteration patterns are examined across three
counties (Harris, Galveston, and Chambers County) along the Texas
Gulf Coast over a 10-year time period, from 2004-2013 (five years
before and after Hurricane Ike) by conducting descriptive spatial
analyses. Results indicate that after Hurricane Ike, the number of
permits substantially increased in Harris and Chambers County. The
vast majority of individual and nationwide type permits were issued
within the 100-year floodplain, storm surge zones, and areas
damaged by Ike flooding, suggesting that recovery after the hurricane
is compromising the ecological resiliency on which coastal
communities depend. The authors expect that the findings of this
study can increase awareness to policy makers and hazard mitigation
planners regarding how to manage wetlands during a long-term
recovery process to maintain their natural functions for future flood
mitigation.
lost due to agriculture, anthropogenic activities, and rapid
urbanization along the coast. Such losses of wetlands have resulted in
high flooding risk for coastal communities over the period of time. In
addition, alteration of wetlands via the Section 404 Clean Water Act
permits can increase the flooding risk to future hurricane events, as
the cumulative impact of this program is poorly understood and
under-accounted. Further, recovery after hurricane events is acting as
an encouragement for new development and reconstruction activities
by converting wetlands under the wetland alteration permitting
program. This study investigates the degree to which hurricane
recovery activities in coastal communities are undermining the ability
of these places to absorb the impacts of future storm events.
Specifically, this work explores how and to what extent wetlands are
being affected by the federal permitting program post-Hurricane Ike
in 2008. Wetland alteration patterns are examined across three
counties (Harris, Galveston, and Chambers County) along the Texas
Gulf Coast over a 10-year time period, from 2004-2013 (five years
before and after Hurricane Ike) by conducting descriptive spatial
analyses. Results indicate that after Hurricane Ike, the number of
permits substantially increased in Harris and Chambers County. The
vast majority of individual and nationwide type permits were issued
within the 100-year floodplain, storm surge zones, and areas
damaged by Ike flooding, suggesting that recovery after the hurricane
is compromising the ecological resiliency on which coastal
communities depend. The authors expect that the findings of this
study can increase awareness to policy makers and hazard mitigation
planners regarding how to manage wetlands during a long-term
recovery process to maintain their natural functions for future flood
mitigation.
Research Interests:
Storm surge protection systems have proven effective in protecting populations in developed areas and can allow for development in otherwise potentially flood-prone areas. Resultant intensification of land conversion can result in... more
Storm surge protection systems have proven
effective in protecting populations in developed areas
and can allow for development in otherwise potentially
flood-prone areas. Resultant intensification of land conversion
can result in large scale habitat fragmentation.
Simultaneously, urbanized areas worldwide are increasingly
accumulating large amounts of vacant land, creating
an unprecedented opportunity to improve green space
networks and natural systems. This article describes
creation of a regional growth framework that balances
the need to repurpose vacant lots with the provision of
ecosystem services. The analysis seeks to maximize the
structural connectivity of the landscape by using high
ecological potential of vacant lands as a device for linking
existing habitat patches, wildlife conservation areas, wetlands,
riparian corridors, and small-scale green spaces.
The research uses raster-based
suitability models generated
in ArcGIS to determine development potential and
ecological values of vacant land parcels. Vacant lands
having low development potential and high ecological
value are linked spatially to create ecological corridors
among patch areas using a least cost path connectivity
model generated with Linkage Mapper software. Results
indicate that vacant land can connect existing ecological
patch and core areas with relatively minimal negative
impact on development potential while simultaneously
enhancing provision of ecological services. The approach
provides a model for an ecologically based solution for
repurposing vacant urban land.
effective in protecting populations in developed areas
and can allow for development in otherwise potentially
flood-prone areas. Resultant intensification of land conversion
can result in large scale habitat fragmentation.
Simultaneously, urbanized areas worldwide are increasingly
accumulating large amounts of vacant land, creating
an unprecedented opportunity to improve green space
networks and natural systems. This article describes
creation of a regional growth framework that balances
the need to repurpose vacant lots with the provision of
ecosystem services. The analysis seeks to maximize the
structural connectivity of the landscape by using high
ecological potential of vacant lands as a device for linking
existing habitat patches, wildlife conservation areas, wetlands,
riparian corridors, and small-scale green spaces.
The research uses raster-based
suitability models generated
in ArcGIS to determine development potential and
ecological values of vacant land parcels. Vacant lands
having low development potential and high ecological
value are linked spatially to create ecological corridors
among patch areas using a least cost path connectivity
model generated with Linkage Mapper software. Results
indicate that vacant land can connect existing ecological
patch and core areas with relatively minimal negative
impact on development potential while simultaneously
enhancing provision of ecological services. The approach
provides a model for an ecologically based solution for
repurposing vacant urban land.
Vacant urban areas (VUAs) can consist of both vacant land and abandoned structures. In this article, the authors summarize a recent survey on VUA, examine current conditions and causes of VUA, and explore the possible interconnections... more
Vacant urban areas (VUAs) can consist of both vacant land and abandoned structures. In this article, the authors summarize a recent survey on VUA, examine current conditions and causes of VUA, and explore the possible interconnections among these conditions and causes. The research examines employment, fiscal position, elasticity , population alteration, and regional location as primary variables. We find that VUAs are not interchangeable indicators of urban decay. Vacant land is most often associated with cities that have expanded their political boundaries while structural abandonment is more related to a city's population loss. Improvement of the local economy may not necessarily help reduce vacant land while structural abandonment is more sensitive to a city's economic status. Regional planning for VUAs, the strategic location of new industries and jobs, and new population/density regulatory approaches could be the next phase in addressing VUA changes.
Research Interests:
This project is to develop a comprehensive master plan incorporating key principles of sustainable urbanism for a business district in Houston, Texas, USA. The main design objectives are to create a livable and sustainable urban business... more
This project is to develop a comprehensive master plan
incorporating key principles of sustainable urbanism
for a business district in Houston, Texas, USA. The main
design objectives are to create a livable and sustainable
urban business center, to promote economic growth and
to implement a streetscape design guideline to promote
walkability and bikeability.
incorporating key principles of sustainable urbanism
for a business district in Houston, Texas, USA. The main
design objectives are to create a livable and sustainable
urban business center, to promote economic growth and
to implement a streetscape design guideline to promote
walkability and bikeability.
Research Interests:
Recovery after hurricane events encourages new development activities and allows reconstruction through the conversion of naturally occurring wetlands to other land uses. This research investigates the degree to which hurricane recovery... more
Recovery after hurricane events encourages new development activities and allows reconstruction through the conversion of naturally occurring wetlands to other land uses. This research investigates the degree to which hurricane recovery activities in coastal communities are undermining the ability of these places to attenuate the impacts of future storm events. Specifically, it explores how and to what extent wetlands are being affected by the CWA Section 404 permitting program in the context of post-Hurricane Ike 2008 recovery. Wetland alteration patterns are examined by selecting a control group (Aransas and Brazoria counties with no hurricane impact) vs. study group (Chambers and Galveston counties with hurricane impact) research design with a pretest-posttest measurement analyzing the variables such as permit types, pre-post Ike permits, land cover classes, and within-outside the 100-year floodplain. Results show that permitting activities in study group have increased within the 100-year floodplain and palustrine wetlands continue to be lost compare to the control group. Simultaneously, post-Ike individual and nationwide permits increased in the Hurricane Ike impacted area. A binomial logistic regression model indicated that permits within the study group, undeveloped land cover class, and individual and nationwide permit type have a substantial effect on post-Ike permits, suggesting that post-Ike permits have significant impact on wetland losses. These findings indicate that recovery after the hurricane is compromising ecological resiliency in coastal communities. The study outcome may be applied to policy decisions in managing wetlands during a long-term recovery process to maintain natural function for future flood mitigation.
Research Interests:
A B S T R A C T Population and land use out-migrations from urban to peripheral areas can result in non-functional, unmaintained historic structures which deteriorate to the point where removal is cheaper than removal – or demolition by... more
A B S T R A C T Population and land use out-migrations from urban to peripheral areas can result in non-functional, unmaintained historic structures which deteriorate to the point where removal is cheaper than removal – or demolition by neglect. The increasing rate of neglected historic structures is a growing concern. There is a need for research investigating connections between urban growth management and its effect on neglect. This paper applies Newman's (2013) conceptual model of measuring neglect to Geographic Information Systems, comparing rates of neglect in historic Doylestown, Quakertown, and Bristol boroughs in Pennsylvania, USA utilizing different amounts of peripheral agricultural preservation. Comparisons are made examining descriptive statistics on existing conditions, a Polychoric correlation evaluating relationships between drivers of neglect, and a cross-comparative GIS spatial analysis. Results indicate as amounts of peripheral preserved farmlands increase, neglect can be lowered.
Research Interests:
Urbanisation is characterised by cycles of activation and obsolescence leaving in their wake an abundance of non-productive space (NPS). Expanding cities report more vacant land than do fixed cities, which report higher structural... more
Urbanisation is characterised by cycles of activation and obsolescence leaving in their wake an abundance of non-productive space (NPS). Expanding cities report more vacant land than do fixed cities, which report higher structural abandonment. If left untreated, existing NPS can spread to surrounding properties. Using Fort Worth, TX, USA as a case site, this research explores the spatial distribution of NPS using Geographical Information Systems spatial analyses. Directional distributions, time series analyses, spatial assessments using 5-mile buffer increments and weighted suitability models were combined to determine if urban core fragmentation is occurring, despite population and economic growth. Findings indicate that peripheral NPS area decreased but these spaces were redistributed into
the urban core. Parcel size and regeneration potential in the city centre also decreased. This has resulted in a fragmented urban core characterised by disconnected and small/irregularly shaped parcels of NPS which are difficult to regenerate—an urban shrapnel.
the urban core. Parcel size and regeneration potential in the city centre also decreased. This has resulted in a fragmented urban core characterised by disconnected and small/irregularly shaped parcels of NPS which are difficult to regenerate—an urban shrapnel.
Research Interests:
In the past two centuries, many American urban areas have experienced significant expansion in both populating and depopulating cities. The pursuit of bigger, faster, and more growth-oriented planning parallels a situation where municipal... more
In the past two centuries, many American urban areas have experienced significant expansion in both populating and depopulating cities. The pursuit of bigger, faster, and more growth-oriented planning parallels a situation where municipal decline has also been recognized as a global epidemic. In recent decades many older industrial cities have experienced significant depopulation, job loss, economic decline, and massive increases in vacant and abandoned properties due primarily to losses in industry and relocating populations. Despite continuous economic decline and depopulation, many of these so-called 'shrinking cities' still chase growth-oriented planning policies, due partially to inabilities to accurately predict future urban growth/decline patterns. This capability is critical to understanding land use alternation patterns and predicting future possible scenarios for the development of more proactive land use policies dealing with urban decline and regeneration. In this research, the city of Chicago, Illinois, USA is used as a case site to test an urban land use change model that predicts urban decline in a shrinking city, using vacant land as a proxy. Our approach employs the Land Transformation Model (LTM), which combines Geographic Information Systems and artificial neural networks to forecast land use change. Results indicate that the LTM is a good resource to simulate urban vacant land changes. Mobility and housing market conditions seem to be the primary variables contributing to decline.
Research Interests:
The principles of New Urbanism such as increased density, mixed land uses, and street connectivity are often recommended in response to the typical conditions of suburban developments. Much current empirical research has begun to test... more
The principles of New Urbanism such as increased density, mixed land uses, and street connectivity are often recommended in response to the typical conditions of suburban developments. Much current empirical research has begun to test whether these principles can increase property values. The findings of these studies have, however, been quite inconsistent. This research attempts to quantitatively synthesize these conflicting findings through a statistical meta-analysis. This study finds that a lower density, decreased street connectivity, and a closer proximity to a transit stop can contribute to increased housing premiums, while mixed land uses are not shown to always do so.
Research Interests:
“Research Design in Urban Planning: A Student’s Guide [book review].” Journal of Planning Education and Research
DOI: 0.1177/0739456X16674260
DOI: 0.1177/0739456X16674260
Research Interests:
his project uses a participatory process to inform design decision making in the Manchester neighborhood of Houston, Texas, USA. Vacant and underutilized parcels are stressed as key facets for ecological infrastructure placement. The... more
his project uses a participatory process to inform design decision making in the Manchester neighborhood of Houston, Texas, USA. Vacant and underutilized parcels are stressed as key facets for ecological infrastructure placement. The proposed design increases green space seven times its current amount, strengthening the neighborhood’s capability to attenuate flooding.
Research Interests:
Many empirical studies assessing the economic benefits of urban green space have continually documented that green space tends to increase both value and sale price of nearby residential properties. Previous studies, however, have not... more
Many empirical studies assessing the economic benefits of urban green space have continually documented that green space tends to increase both value and sale price of nearby residential properties. Previous studies, however, have not fully captured the quality of neighborhood level landscape spatial patterns on housing prices. To fill this literature gap, this study examined the association between landscape spatial patterns of urban green spaces and single-family home sale transactions using a spatial regression model. The research was conducted through the analysis of 11,326 housing transaction records from 2010 to 2012 in Austin, TX, USA. Variables measuring the structural, locational and neighborhood characteristics of housing were coupled with Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing and FRAGSTATS to calculate several landscape indices measuring the quality of existing landscape spatial patterns. After controlling for any spatial autocorrelation effects, we found that that larger tree and urban forest areas surrounding single-family homes positively contributed to property values, while more fragmented, isolated and irregularly shaped landscape spatial patterns resulted in the inverse. The results of this research increase awareness of the role of urban green spaces while informing community design/planning practices about the linkages between landscape spatial structure and economic benefits.
Research Interests:
The effects of urban expansion and population change on vacant land patterns are not fully understood. While the majority of previous research documents that depopulation can result in increased vacant urban areas, there are conflicting... more
The effects of urban expansion and population change on vacant land patterns are not fully understood. While the majority of previous research documents that depopulation can result in increased vacant urban areas, there are conflicting findings in regards to the effects of urban expansion. What remains unclear is whether higher urban elasticity (expansion in size) contributes to increases in urban vacancies, or the inverse. While elastic cities extend their boundaries and develop outwardly, inelastic cities contract or stay the same in size and utilize infill development. This research sought to determine if urban elasticity plays a significant role in contributing to urban vacancy increases through an exploratory, quasi-experimental longitudinal analysis of vacant address data from 40 U.S. cities of over 100,000 persons from 2000 to 2010. We compared the top 20 elastic (boundaries expanded the most) and inelastic (boundaries contracted the most) cities. A fixed effects panel model was developed to observe changes over time and differences in total, residential, and business land uses. Results indicate that aggressive urban expansion can contribute to increased urban vacancies, specifically in reference to residential land uses. This finding clarifies what had heretofore been a murky aspect of the urban studies literature. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Research Interests:
The effects of urban expansion and population change on vacant land patterns are not fully understood. While the majority of previous research documents that depopulation can result in increased vacant urban areas, there are conflicting... more
The effects of urban expansion and population change on vacant land patterns are not fully understood. While the majority of previous research documents that depopulation can result in increased vacant urban areas, there are conflicting findings in regards to the effects of urban expansion. What remains unclear is whether higher urban elasticity (expansion in size) contributes to increases in urban vacancies, or the inverse. While elastic cities extend their boundaries and develop outwardly, inelastic cities contract or stay the same in size and utilize infill development. This research sought to determine if urban elasticity plays a significant role in contributing to urban vacancy increases through an exploratory, quasi-experimental longitudinal analysis of vacant address data from 40 U.S. cities of over 100,000 persons from 2000 to 2010. We compared the top 20 elastic (boundaries expanded the most) and inelastic (boundaries contracted the most) cities. A fixed effects panel model was developed to observe changes over time and differences in total, residential, and business land uses. Results indicate that aggressive urban expansion can contribute to increased urban vacancies, specifically in reference to residential land uses. This finding clarifies what had heretofore been a murky aspect of the urban studies literature. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Research Interests:
Rapid land conversion of peripheral areas helped facilitate both relocation of populations and land use from many heritage areas, leaving numerous historic districts replete with nonfunctional and unmaintained structures. Many once-vital... more
Rapid land conversion of peripheral areas helped facilitate both relocation of populations and land use from many heritage areas, leaving numerous historic districts replete with nonfunctional and unmaintained structures. Many once-vital structures were removed while others abandoned, left to decay a process known as demolition by neglect. While new historic preservation policies attempt to salvage these structures, such policies tend to be based primarily on local ordinances. In response to growing concerns about the climbing rate of neglected historic structures, this paper investigates connections between peripheral growth management (specifically agricultural preservation) and its effects on deterring demolition by neglect. Newman’s model (in press) of measuring neglect is utilized to compare neglect rates in 3 historic urban boroughs in Bucks County Pennsylvania. The research utilized three scales of analysis: a micro scale using descriptive statistics of measures applied to ...
Research Interests:
Vacant land is a significant issue in virtually every country across the globe. This study presents a current inventory of vacant land and structural abandonment in the urban United States. Using survey data, it analyses vacant land... more
Vacant land is a significant issue in virtually every country across the globe. This study presents a current inventory of vacant land and structural abandonment in the urban United States. Using survey data, it analyses vacant land trends by region and city type. Nationally, an average 16.7% of large US cities’ land area is considered vacant, with approximately 4% of city addresses unoccupied. The ratio of vacant land to city size has increased by 1.3 percentage points since 1998 but decreased by 3 percentage points since 1963. Regional variations exist in both the amount and kind of vacant land, suggesting that any ameliorative actions should be designed to fit specific conditions. Cities also reported that most vacant parcels are small, odd shaped, and disconnected, making them difficult to regenerate. Disinvestment, suburbanization and annexation are the primary causes of increases in vacant land supply while growing local economies, population in-migration,
and city policies tend to help reduce the amount of vacant land.
and city policies tend to help reduce the amount of vacant land.
Research Interests:
Growing or shrinking cities can experience increases in vacant land. As urban populations and boundaries fluctuate, holes can open in once tight urban areas. Many cities chase growth-oriented approaches to dealing with vacancies. It is... more
Growing or shrinking cities can experience increases in vacant land. As urban populations and boundaries fluctuate, holes can open in once tight urban areas. Many cities chase growth-oriented approaches to dealing with vacancies. It is critical to understand land-use alteration to accurately predict transformations of physical change in order to make better informed decisions about this phenomenon. This research utilizes the land transformation model (LTM), an artificial neural networking mechanism in Geographic Information Systems, to forecast vacant land. Variable influence on vacant land prediction and accuracy of the LTM is assessed by comparing input factors and patterns, using time-series data from 1990 to 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Results indicate that the LTM can be useful in simulating vacant land-use changes but more precise mechanisms are necessary to increase accuracy. This will allow for more proactive decisions to better regulate the process of urban decline and regeneration.
Research Interests:
This project uses Western Galveston Island, Texas, USA to explore design options for integrating a projective storm surge barrier system into the coastal landscape. The design creates a comprehensive master plan using four target sites on... more
This project uses Western Galveston Island, Texas, USA to explore design options for integrating a projective storm surge barrier system into the coastal landscape. The design creates a comprehensive master plan using four target sites on the island, develops design strategies for barrier integration, and suggests principles for successful integration.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Civic expansion and land use migrations to urban peripheries can accelerate the conversion of agricultural land uses. Widespread trepidation concerning urban sprawl has led to innovative frameworks for conserving or enhancing farmland.... more
Civic expansion and land use migrations to urban peripheries can accelerate the conversion of agricultural land uses. Widespread trepidation concerning urban sprawl has led to innovative frameworks for conserving or enhancing farmland. New Ruralism is one such framework, linking farmland preservation with developmental plans to reduce farmland conversion and low density development. Although the concept is still evolving, recent support for New Ruralism has grown. One of the most important factors in creating a New Ruralism-based development is coherent policy for permanent agricultural preserves. These preserves require the simultaneous, careful planning of land preservation balanced with the location of future development. This paper discusses the current condition of farmland loss and reviews issues and challenges associated with farmland preservation with existing New Ruralism developments. The goal is to synthesize this information into recommendations for increasing farmland preservation opportunities in New Ruralism-based developments. A more comprehensive definition for New Ruralism is presented, accompanied by several priorities for maximizing the economic, environmental, and cultural viability of New Ruralism-based farmland preserves.
Research Interests:
Increased demands for technological integration in higher education have resulted in new forms of course instruction. Under a flipped approach, students learn course materials outside the classroom while active learning methods are... more
Increased demands for technological integration in higher education have resulted in new forms of course instruction. Under a flipped approach, students learn course materials outside the classroom while active learning methods are employed inside. This study fo-cuses on the perceived effects of flipped instruction on knowledge acquisition in under-graduate students using information communication, accessibility, stimulation, interac-tion, and accumulation as measures. Undergraduate students indicated positive effects of flipped teaching and student’s perceived learning improved as time spent using learning management systems increased. While knowledge acquisition tended to increase in most students, technological incompatibilities prevented the flipped approach from being fully accepted.
Research Interests:
The approach of American preservationists differs from European heritage management by remaining primarily locally regulated while many European cities practise an area-based approach. Growth management and historic preservation are... more
The approach of American preservationists differs from European heritage management by remaining primarily locally regulated while many European cities practise an area-based approach. Growth management and historic preservation are intrinsically linked but the connections between the two are not fully understood. Local authorities alone do not sufficiently meet the needs to regulate the process of demolition by neglect (DBN). This paper seeks to understand if area-based approaches directly or indirectly affect DBN, expanding on these principles by comparing amounts of neglect in historic
urban boroughs with differing amounts of peripheral preserved farmlands. The research compares two historic urban boroughs in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a leading region for sprawling development, historic preservation and agricultural preservation in the USA. The results indicate that, as the amount of preserved farmland increases, rates of DBN tend to decrease, but only indirectly.
urban boroughs with differing amounts of peripheral preserved farmlands. The research compares two historic urban boroughs in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a leading region for sprawling development, historic preservation and agricultural preservation in the USA. The results indicate that, as the amount of preserved farmland increases, rates of DBN tend to decrease, but only indirectly.
Research Interests:
The aim of this study was to identify the major variables identified as important for considering the stabilization of slope revegetation based on hydroseeding applications and evaluate weights of each variable using the analytic... more
The aim of this study was to identify the major variables identified as important for considering the stabilization of slope revegetation based on hydroseeding applications and evaluate weights of each variable using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with both environmental experts and civil engineers. Twenty-five variables were selected by the experts’ survey from a total of 65 from the existing literature, with each variable considered as an important factor for slope stabilization in South Korea. The final results from the AHP method showed that variables associated with the driving force of water resources showed higher values in all expert groups such as rain intensity, seepage water and drainage condition. Other important variables were related to plant growth such as vegetation community, vegetation coverage and quality of soil ameliorant produced in an artificial factory such as tensile strength, permeability coefficient, soil texture and organic matter. The five highest-ranked variables that satisfied both environmental experts and civil engineers were rain intensity, seepage water, slope angle, drainage condition and ground layer. The findings of this research could be helpful for developing a more accurate rating system to evaluate the stability of slope revegetation.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The effects of city decentralization and counter-urbanization of the American landscape have resulted in simultaneous negative impacts on both historic structures and agricultural landscapes. Rapid conversion of farmland has helped to... more
The effects of city decentralization and counter-urbanization of the American landscape have resulted in simultaneous negative impacts on both historic structures and agricultural landscapes. Rapid conversion of farmland has helped to facilitate the relocation of both populations and commercial activities in communities across the United States, leaving inner cities replete with functionless, unused, and unmaintained heritage structures. As civic core areas have become shells of their former selves, many once-vital structures have been removed while others have been abandoned and left to decay—a process known as demolition by neglect. While historic preservation efforts have attempted to salvage these historic structures, these efforts have initially focused on the preservation of each buildings individually, based on its historical value and architectural merit, not taking into account its role in a constantly changing contextual landscape. Attempts to counteract this process and t...
Land use planning is key to mitigating natural hazards and the effects of climate change. Communities adopt multiple plans that directly and indirectly address hazard mitigation; the integration of local plans can signifi cantly... more
Land use planning is key to
mitigating natural hazards and the effects of
climate change. Communities adopt
multiple plans that directly and indirectly
address hazard mitigation; the integration of
local plans can signifi
cantly affect future
community vulnerability to hazards. We
develop a resilience scorecard to assess the
degree to which the network of local plans
targets areas most prone to hazards and then
evaluate the coordination of local plans and
test it in Washington (NC), a community
vulnerable to coastal fl
oods and projected
sea-level rise. We fi
nd that local plans are
not fully consistent and do not always
address the areas in a community most
vulnerable to fl
oods or sea level risks;
moreover, some plans actually increase
physical and social vulnerability to hazards.
While these results indicate the validity of a
resiliency scorecard, we were forced to use a
narrow range of vulnerability indicators;
better data would improve the process.
Planners can
assume a crucial role in improving planning
for hazards by using the scorecard to identify
confl
icts among local plans, assessing
whether local plans target areas most vulner-
able to specifi
c hazards. Planners can inform
the public and decision makers about missed
opportunities to improve local hazard
mitigation planning. To support such
important efforts, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and other
federal agencies should consider developing
additional databases that are widely applica-
ble and available.
mitigating natural hazards and the effects of
climate change. Communities adopt
multiple plans that directly and indirectly
address hazard mitigation; the integration of
local plans can signifi
cantly affect future
community vulnerability to hazards. We
develop a resilience scorecard to assess the
degree to which the network of local plans
targets areas most prone to hazards and then
evaluate the coordination of local plans and
test it in Washington (NC), a community
vulnerable to coastal fl
oods and projected
sea-level rise. We fi
nd that local plans are
not fully consistent and do not always
address the areas in a community most
vulnerable to fl
oods or sea level risks;
moreover, some plans actually increase
physical and social vulnerability to hazards.
While these results indicate the validity of a
resiliency scorecard, we were forced to use a
narrow range of vulnerability indicators;
better data would improve the process.
Planners can
assume a crucial role in improving planning
for hazards by using the scorecard to identify
confl
icts among local plans, assessing
whether local plans target areas most vulner-
able to specifi
c hazards. Planners can inform
the public and decision makers about missed
opportunities to improve local hazard
mitigation planning. To support such
important efforts, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency and other
federal agencies should consider developing
additional databases that are widely applica-
ble and available.
Research Interests:
Despite the efforts of preservationists, numerous decaying heritage structures dot the urban landscape. Simultaneously, new development in historic areas has received much debate. Applying Plato’s theory of Forms, this research highlights... more
Despite the efforts of preservationists, numerous decaying heritage structures dot the urban landscape. Simultaneously, new development in historic areas has received much debate. Applying Plato’s theory of Forms, this research highlights contributions of the historic built environment to place making, offering a new theoretical framework based on the study of eidetic imagery. The root word for eidetic is eidos, the foundation of Plato’s theory. This paper traces the connotational evolution of the term eidos, applies these meanings to place research and case sites, and presents a new framework for heritage- based place making based on these meanings. Two salient factors are suggested moving forward: (1) the regeneration of non-productive heritage structures; and (2) utilizing the shared characteristics in the local and regional historic environment for design and planning of new development. While the case sites are international, the contextualization of the problem is primarily US-oriented.
Research Interests:
This study introduces a preliminary approach to integrating design framework with Low Impact Development (LID) technologies which promote education and awareness, and evaluates the impact of LID. The proposed framework, called a... more
This study introduces a preliminary approach to integrating design framework with Low Impact Development (LID) technologies which promote education and awareness, and evaluates the impact of LID. The proposed framework, called a “BLUEprint” for Stormwater Infrastructure Design, serves as a three-tiered design performance measurement structure. To verify the proposed framework, three water conservation-based design projects in Texas were selected. The framework was applied to determine types of appropriate LID facilities in each project and to simulate their hypothetical performance with quantitative measurements utilizing same variables to compare efficacy of LID applications in each site. First, to develop the framework, after reviewing existing LID facilities applied in previous projects, 17 LID facilities including the green roof, bio-swale, and bio-detention pond were selected and categorized into three typologies based on hydrological functionality: capture, convey, and clean. Runoff amounts and collectable rainwater were measured according to these typologies. Second, to promote public’s awareness, each LID facility was suggested to be integrated with an innovative hierarchical way-finding system which illustrates the ratio of infiltrated water to total rainfall. Expanded social space and number of signage were correspondingly assessed to measure social benefits of LID. Finally, the vegetation palette effectiveness was evaluated based on drought tolerance and water treatment capacity relative to site conditions. In a comparison among the three projects, the hypothetical results showed that the LID facilities examined reduced runoff volume by up to 45% and could annually save about $10,000 by planting xeriscape vegetation with less water demand and reusing harvested rainwater for irrigation. This result emphasizes the significance of the integrated LID design framework and efficacy-evaluating model. The proposed framework would be an effective tool in the decision making process for holistic LID design and planning with more objective design strategies using quantitative measurements.
Research Interests:
Rapid land conversion of peripheral areas helped facilitate both relocation of populations and land use from many historic areas, leaving numerous historic districts replete with nonfunctional and unmaintained structures. Many once-vital... more
Rapid land conversion of peripheral areas helped facilitate both relocation of populations and land
use from many historic areas, leaving numerous historic districts replete with nonfunctional and unmaintained
structures. Many once-vital structures were removed while others were abandoned, left to decay—a process known
as demolition by neglect. While new historic preservation policies attempt to salvage these structures, such policies
tend to be based primarily on local ordinances Corollary, and precise statistics on the amount of historic structures
undergoing neglect are not readily available. In response to growing concerns about the climbing rate of neglected
historic structures, this article investigates connections between peripheral growth and historic preservation, examining
indicators to measure both historic integrity and viability to generate a new model with which to measure rate of
neglected structures in historic districts. The model is applied to Quakertown, Pennsylvania’s historic district to test
its effectiveness. Results suggest the model serves as a strong foundation for monitoring neglect rates, and might help
to measure impacts of both local and regional growths on historic districts in the future.
use from many historic areas, leaving numerous historic districts replete with nonfunctional and unmaintained
structures. Many once-vital structures were removed while others were abandoned, left to decay—a process known
as demolition by neglect. While new historic preservation policies attempt to salvage these structures, such policies
tend to be based primarily on local ordinances Corollary, and precise statistics on the amount of historic structures
undergoing neglect are not readily available. In response to growing concerns about the climbing rate of neglected
historic structures, this article investigates connections between peripheral growth and historic preservation, examining
indicators to measure both historic integrity and viability to generate a new model with which to measure rate of
neglected structures in historic districts. The model is applied to Quakertown, Pennsylvania’s historic district to test
its effectiveness. Results suggest the model serves as a strong foundation for monitoring neglect rates, and might help
to measure impacts of both local and regional growths on historic districts in the future.
Research Interests:
Texas, USA is undergoing critical water challenges due to immense groundwater deficiencies. Alternative methods to integrating design with Low Impact Development need to be explored to stymie this condition. This project applies an... more
Texas, USA is undergoing critical water challenges due to immense groundwater deficiencies. Alternative methods to integrating design with Low Impact Development need to be explored to stymie this condition. This project applies an approach to design whose concept/program is reinforced by projected environmental and economic performance measures of proposed stormwater infrastructure. The focus is to maximize the relationship between cultural and hydrological systems.
Research Interests:
Population and land-use relocation in the United States contributes to the generation of many functionless, unmaintained historic structures. Many once-vital buildings have been removed, while others have simply been abandoned and left... more
Population and land-use relocation in the United States contributes to the
generation of many functionless, unmaintained historic structures. Many once-vital
buildings have been removed, while others have simply been abandoned and left to decay or
‘demolished through neglect’. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2008
suggests that more than 500 communities are experiencing significant numbers of
teardowns, but there is a lack of research on both the exact number of heritage structures
that have fallen into neglect and the provisions necessary to prevent neglect. In response to
growing concerns about the climbing rate of these structures, this paper assesses both the rationale behind the neglect of historic structures and current preventative techniques and policies. The purpose is to distil the requirements necessary for prevention of demolition by neglect into imperatives to guide future preservation policy.
generation of many functionless, unmaintained historic structures. Many once-vital
buildings have been removed, while others have simply been abandoned and left to decay or
‘demolished through neglect’. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2008
suggests that more than 500 communities are experiencing significant numbers of
teardowns, but there is a lack of research on both the exact number of heritage structures
that have fallen into neglect and the provisions necessary to prevent neglect. In response to
growing concerns about the climbing rate of these structures, this paper assesses both the rationale behind the neglect of historic structures and current preventative techniques and policies. The purpose is to distil the requirements necessary for prevention of demolition by neglect into imperatives to guide future preservation policy.
Research Interests:
Historic preservation efforts need to move beyond saving single objects of historical or aesthetic significance to the broader context of rural and urban planning. Rapidly expanding, decentralized growth is spreading a homogenous form... more
Historic preservation efforts need to move beyond saving single objects of historical or aesthetic significance to the broader context of rural and urban planning. Rapidly expanding, decentralized growth is spreading a homogenous form across the landscape and destroying multiple layers of cultural history in its wake. Many once-vital structures have been removed while others have been abandoned and left to decay—a process known as demolition by neglect. While historic preservation efforts have enacted policies to salvage these structures, these efforts have initially focused on the preservation of each building individually, based on its historical value and architectural merit, not taking into account its role in a constantly changing contextual landscape. Contemporary policies enacted by preservationists only micro manage this epidemic internally through the utility of floating zones such as historic districts. New methods need to be explored to avoid the rigidity of applying locality size zones in an effort to retain historic structures. In response to growing concerns about the climbing rate of neglected historic structures, utilizing a historical-interpretive method, this research traces the epistemological evolution of cultural landscape theory employed by both historic preservationists and cultural geographers (two disciplines which stemmed from identical origins), critically explores the fallacies involved with preservation theory and preservation policy, and suggests a new paradigm, a systems approach, which will expand the scale in which historic preservation policy should be applied.
Research Interests:
Neighborhood decline due to abandonment and vacancies is not only a problem in depopulating legacy cities in the United States, it is also an important issue facing many growing urban areas experiencing amplification of sprawl toward the... more
Neighborhood decline due to abandonment and vacancies is not only a problem in depopulating legacy cities in
the United States, it is also an important issue facing many growing urban areas experiencing amplification of
sprawl toward the urban fringe. Expanding cities which show population increases tend to report higher ratios of
vacant land than legacy cities (Pagano and Bowman, 2004). Fort Worth, TX, is a representative growing urban
area with elastic boundaries and increased population. Spatial analyses examining vacant land patterns in Fort
Worth from 1990-2010 showed that the distribution of vacant parcels has shifted from being scattered along the
periphery to being concentrated in the urban core. Once vacant parcels which were converted to non-vacant
uses were located on the periphery while the opposite was occurring closer to the Central Business District (CBD.
In addition, the average vacant parcel size tended to significantly decreasing over time. While civic expansion can
result vacant land area increases, in the case of Fort Worth, population out-migrations and rapid peripheral
development converted these vacant lands to active uses. The overall amount of vacant parcels increased in the
city while the actual acreage of vacant land decreased. This process has led to difficulties in regeneration of the
urban core located vacant parcels based on their irregular shape, minute size, and disconnected nature.
Based on these findings, this research focuses on the evaluating the factors which contribute to the conversion of
a non-vacant parcel to vacant. Two sets of data were analyzed: 1) parcels converting from residential to vacant
(set1) and 2) parcels converting from vacant to residential (set2). The conversion of each parcel’s land use status
was assessed using variables related to physical characteristics (e.g. size of parcel, age of parcel, structure
counts), spatial characteristics (e.g. distance from CBD) and economic characteristics (e.g. appraised value).
Using the occurrence of vacant and abandoned properties as a measurable indicator, this research hypothesizes
that the conversion of a parcel from vacant to non-vacant 1) will have a significant relationship with larger parcel
size; 2) will be located at a further proximity/distance from the CBD; 3) will have a significant relationship with
the younger age of parcels and number of structures; and 4) will have significant relationship with high appraised
parcel value.
The data for this research includes all residential parcels within the study area. Longitudinal data over a twentyyear
span was collected and assessed in ten-year periods on a parcel level from 1990 to 2010. This research used
a multinomial logit model due to the outcome of this research had eight different categorization of land use conversion patterns depending on the length of vacancy or activation. Results of set 1, examining parcels which
converted from non-vacant to vacant, show that a statistically significant relationship with an increased number
of new constructions built and distance from CBD. Results of set 2 show that a statistically significant relationship
with a decreased number of constructions, a younger age of parcels, and larger size of parcel. Overall, this
research shows that the parcels that become vacant tend to be new constructions with higher appraised values.
Size of parcel did not prove to be significant when converting from non-vacant to vacant but had a significant
relationship when converting from vacant to non-vacant.
the United States, it is also an important issue facing many growing urban areas experiencing amplification of
sprawl toward the urban fringe. Expanding cities which show population increases tend to report higher ratios of
vacant land than legacy cities (Pagano and Bowman, 2004). Fort Worth, TX, is a representative growing urban
area with elastic boundaries and increased population. Spatial analyses examining vacant land patterns in Fort
Worth from 1990-2010 showed that the distribution of vacant parcels has shifted from being scattered along the
periphery to being concentrated in the urban core. Once vacant parcels which were converted to non-vacant
uses were located on the periphery while the opposite was occurring closer to the Central Business District (CBD.
In addition, the average vacant parcel size tended to significantly decreasing over time. While civic expansion can
result vacant land area increases, in the case of Fort Worth, population out-migrations and rapid peripheral
development converted these vacant lands to active uses. The overall amount of vacant parcels increased in the
city while the actual acreage of vacant land decreased. This process has led to difficulties in regeneration of the
urban core located vacant parcels based on their irregular shape, minute size, and disconnected nature.
Based on these findings, this research focuses on the evaluating the factors which contribute to the conversion of
a non-vacant parcel to vacant. Two sets of data were analyzed: 1) parcels converting from residential to vacant
(set1) and 2) parcels converting from vacant to residential (set2). The conversion of each parcel’s land use status
was assessed using variables related to physical characteristics (e.g. size of parcel, age of parcel, structure
counts), spatial characteristics (e.g. distance from CBD) and economic characteristics (e.g. appraised value).
Using the occurrence of vacant and abandoned properties as a measurable indicator, this research hypothesizes
that the conversion of a parcel from vacant to non-vacant 1) will have a significant relationship with larger parcel
size; 2) will be located at a further proximity/distance from the CBD; 3) will have a significant relationship with
the younger age of parcels and number of structures; and 4) will have significant relationship with high appraised
parcel value.
The data for this research includes all residential parcels within the study area. Longitudinal data over a twentyyear
span was collected and assessed in ten-year periods on a parcel level from 1990 to 2010. This research used
a multinomial logit model due to the outcome of this research had eight different categorization of land use conversion patterns depending on the length of vacancy or activation. Results of set 1, examining parcels which
converted from non-vacant to vacant, show that a statistically significant relationship with an increased number
of new constructions built and distance from CBD. Results of set 2 show that a statistically significant relationship
with a decreased number of constructions, a younger age of parcels, and larger size of parcel. Overall, this
research shows that the parcels that become vacant tend to be new constructions with higher appraised values.
Size of parcel did not prove to be significant when converting from non-vacant to vacant but had a significant
relationship when converting from vacant to non-vacant.
Research Interests:
In the 21th Century, vacant land has become a global indicator, both in urban and suburban areas, of depopulation and deindustrialization. U.S. Census statistics confirm that population densities decreased by 6% between 2000 and 2010 in... more
In the 21th Century, vacant land has become a global indicator, both in urban and suburban areas, of depopulation and deindustrialization. U.S. Census statistics confirm that population densities decreased by 6% between 2000 and 2010 in American cities, resulting in losses of housing units and increases in abandoned properties. Housing rates in inner cities (2.1%) are now higher than vacancy rates of suburban environments (1.7%). Abandonment and vacancies have increased in many urban areas, resulting in many negative effects such as decreases in neighborhood quality, amplification of crime rates as a public safety concern intensify, and reductions in properties values of properties tangential to vacant parcels.
Urban areas undergoing large population losses over several years are experiencing rapid shrinkage and are experiencing economic transformations (Hollander, Pallagst, Schwarz, & Popper, 2009). The general distribution of vacant land changes significantly as cities undergo various incremental population changes. Vacant land can also be an important asset and an opportunity for encouraging attractive city and economic growth. Well-maintained and protected vacant lands can actually increase neighborhood quality, a method of land regulation known as “smart decline (Hollander, 2011; Popper & Popper, 2002).” Vacant land is a ubiquitous occurrence, but its accumulation, characteristics, and spatial distribution, are consistently changing, based on multiple interrelated factors.
Much of the research on vacant land has concentrated on the measurement of vacant land amounts, but the effect of annexation on vacant land distribution has not yet been efficiently studied. This study focuses on evaluating the spatial impact of civic expansion on vacant land distribution using Fort Worth, TX, as a case site using a combination of longitudinal pattern analyses and GIS directional distribution analysis in an effort to answer the following research questions:
1. How have vacant land patterns changed been distributed within the urban context?
2. What is the relation between vacant land and annexation, despite overall population increase?
Fort Worth is used as a representative case (of expanding cities) which typically have higher ratios of vacant land than non-expanding cities. The city has annexed over 40,000 acres from 1983 to 2012, due to large population migrations to the periphery. In the early 1990’s and mid-2000’s, substantial annexation occurred in the city, producing large amounts of vacant land in the urban area. While vacant land amount actually decreased overall from 1990 to 2012, the amount of vacant parcels significantly increased.
GIS directional distribution was then used to compare the distribution of vacant land from 1990 to 2005 in five year increments. From 1990 to 2000, the distribution of vacant land shifted toward Dallas continuously, primarily to the east. However, in 2005, the distribution of vacant land direction began to shift westwardly. Comparing the land use between 1990 and 2005, most land uses changed from vacant land to residential and industrial land uses, especially in the northern portion of the city. Outside of Fort Worth, especially in the northeast area, large amounts of vacant land converted to residential land use. These results indicate that civic expansion can generate large amounts of vacant land, however, increasing population and rapid peripheral development converts these vacant lands to active uses, despite the fact that the amount of vacant parcels increased while the actual acreage of vacant land decreased continuously. As a result, many hinterland vacant parcels relocate as small fragments within the central business district, making them difficult to develop and connect to the existing urban fabric.
Urban areas undergoing large population losses over several years are experiencing rapid shrinkage and are experiencing economic transformations (Hollander, Pallagst, Schwarz, & Popper, 2009). The general distribution of vacant land changes significantly as cities undergo various incremental population changes. Vacant land can also be an important asset and an opportunity for encouraging attractive city and economic growth. Well-maintained and protected vacant lands can actually increase neighborhood quality, a method of land regulation known as “smart decline (Hollander, 2011; Popper & Popper, 2002).” Vacant land is a ubiquitous occurrence, but its accumulation, characteristics, and spatial distribution, are consistently changing, based on multiple interrelated factors.
Much of the research on vacant land has concentrated on the measurement of vacant land amounts, but the effect of annexation on vacant land distribution has not yet been efficiently studied. This study focuses on evaluating the spatial impact of civic expansion on vacant land distribution using Fort Worth, TX, as a case site using a combination of longitudinal pattern analyses and GIS directional distribution analysis in an effort to answer the following research questions:
1. How have vacant land patterns changed been distributed within the urban context?
2. What is the relation between vacant land and annexation, despite overall population increase?
Fort Worth is used as a representative case (of expanding cities) which typically have higher ratios of vacant land than non-expanding cities. The city has annexed over 40,000 acres from 1983 to 2012, due to large population migrations to the periphery. In the early 1990’s and mid-2000’s, substantial annexation occurred in the city, producing large amounts of vacant land in the urban area. While vacant land amount actually decreased overall from 1990 to 2012, the amount of vacant parcels significantly increased.
GIS directional distribution was then used to compare the distribution of vacant land from 1990 to 2005 in five year increments. From 1990 to 2000, the distribution of vacant land shifted toward Dallas continuously, primarily to the east. However, in 2005, the distribution of vacant land direction began to shift westwardly. Comparing the land use between 1990 and 2005, most land uses changed from vacant land to residential and industrial land uses, especially in the northern portion of the city. Outside of Fort Worth, especially in the northeast area, large amounts of vacant land converted to residential land use. These results indicate that civic expansion can generate large amounts of vacant land, however, increasing population and rapid peripheral development converts these vacant lands to active uses, despite the fact that the amount of vacant parcels increased while the actual acreage of vacant land decreased continuously. As a result, many hinterland vacant parcels relocate as small fragments within the central business district, making them difficult to develop and connect to the existing urban fabric.