Planning Tank

Urban Planning Thesis/ Research Topic Suggestions (Part 1)

Introduction.

In the field of Planning, each student is required to undertake a research project (thesis) as per his/ her interest subjects relevant to the field in the final semester. It basically gives an opportunity to the students to put their learning of previous semesters together. It also gives an opportunity to synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired by applying it for strategy formulation for a live planning challenge.

Each student is allocated individual thesis supervisor or a guide along with a co-guide who guide the students through this thesis semester. During this period, the thesis is monitored continuously and periodically through internal marked reviews to check the consistency of the work. The final output is in the form of submission of a detailed report along with drawing/ visuals presented on sheets which is presented to an external jury panel consisting of experts from the relevant field.

Urban Planning

Urban Planning is a technical and political process concerned with development of open land or greenfield sites as well as revitalization of existing parts of the city. Primary concern of urban planning is public welfare.

  • Impact of government policies and initiatives (most recent) on urban land use
  • Quality of life assessment in residential areas
  • Role of urban local bodies (ULBs) in urban governance
  • Socio-economic impact assessment of metro rail
  • Evolving a mechanism for public participation in urban planning and implementation
  • Impact of urbanization on land use in the rural-urban fringe
  • Implications of airport expansion on the surrounding areas
  • Role of International aid in urban poverty alleviation
  • Planning implications of highway corridor on settlement pattern
  • Impact of urban expansion on small towns
  • Assessing linkage between the parent city and satellite town
  • Changes in building bye-laws and its implications on urban development
  • Planning for sustainable neighbourhood
  • Assessing the liveability in the residential areas of IT parks
  • Impact of urban sprawl on provision of public services

GIS in urban planning enables spatial analysis, modelling and data visualization which can contribute to a variety of important urban planning tasks. These tasks include land suitability analysis, site selection, land use and transport modelling, impact assessments etc.

  • GIS modelling of Land Information System
  • Urban Growth Modelling in GIS
  • Urban Sprawl Pattern analysis using GIS
  • Role of GIS in revenue improvement
  • Municipal Information System using GIS in Property Tax Management
  • Application of GIS for property tax
  • Geo-Spatial Information System Based Model for Micro-Level Planning
  • Integration of land records to GIS, a model for municipal application
  • Application of GIS Technology in Watershed management
  • Use of the Geo-Informatics in land suitability analysis for Industrial Development
  • Integrated public transportation systems using GIS

Cities and tourist movement have both historical and dynamic relationship. Urban places often act as major attractions and serve as gateways to or staging areas for tourism. Tourism is at the heart of many cities’ development projects. Tourism is a major driving force in the development and stimulator of a new urbanity in metropolises and cities.

  • Tourism Potentiality of pilgrim centres
  • Impact of tourism on district development
  • Eco-Tourism development strategies for Coastal Town
  • Impact of Ecotourism on Local Community
  • Impact of tourism on the development of Local Areas
  • Planning for tourism circuit
  • Potential of Urban Wetlands for Ecotourism Development
  • Impact of Religious Tourism in Regional Development
  • Tourism Development Plan for Inter State Border Conflict areas
  • Spatiotemporal movement patterns of international tourists
  • Water tourism: An Exploration of the Role of Inland Water Transport in Tourism Development
  • Potential of Community based Ecotourism
  • Strategies for Heritage Tourism Development
  • Strategies for Ecotourism Development
  • Impact of Tourism on Rural Livelihood

Urban Finance

Cities are growing at a remarkable rate and will continue to expand more. Planning urbanization in advance in conjunction with urban finance for implementation will help cities avoid unplanned and informal growth. When investment in cities is guided by good planning principles, it unlocks the potential for growth making sustainable development attainable.

  • Municipal Bonds – An alternate source of Funding Infrastructure Projects
  • Evaluation Study of Methods for Property Tax Assessment
  • Revenue mobilization for urban local bodies through Asset Management
  • Evaluation of Economic value and funding mechanisms of Parks
  • Financial Appraisal of property development and advertisement of Metro rail
  • Sustainable Financial strategy for implementation of the General Town Planning Scheme
  • Assessment of Property Tax Management System
  • Using Public Land as a tool to generate Municipal Finance
  • Infrastructure Financing through Tax increment Financing

Environment Planning

Environmental issues arise and exist in almost all sectors where development is involved. Environmental Planning helps in making decisions about the natural environment, public health and the built environment.

  • Environmental issues in the transformation of urban fringe
  • Environmental implications of Solid waste management in hilly areas
  • Conflict of drivers of ecosystem change on wetlands
  • Impact of urban flood vulnerability on the mobility of the urban poor
  • Adaptation of neighbourhood planning for climate change
  • Potential for green and blue infrastructure towards climate responsive planning
  • Planning for a low carbon neighbourhood
  • Community based disaster management
  • Vulnerability and risk assessment of settlements prone to tropical cyclone
  • Impact of spatial expansion of city over urban green spaces
  • Estimating the economic cost of environmental degradation of an industrial area
  • Impact of sea level rise on development in metropolitan regions

Since the Industrial Revolution, cities and industries have evolved together. There exist various industrial towns which have grown around factories and expanding industries.

  • Impact of industries on a fringe town
  • Role of Agro-based industries in regional development
  • Impact of industrialization on Tribal areas
  • Development implications of SEZ: An evaluation of policies and programs
  • Eco industrial Estate Planning
  • Industrialization and Unplanned development
  • Industry-led regional transformation
  • Industrial development and intra-regional disparities
  • Industrial Development induced displacement and resettlement strategies
  • Socio-economic impacts of Industrial Development
  • Impact of Industrial Development in a Backward region
  • Planning interventions to address industrial disparity
  • Impact of Micro, small and medium scale enterprises on regional development
  • Potential of resource-based industry in the regional economic development
  • Development constraints of an Industrial cluster in a city

Informal Sector

Cities with rapid urbanization usually face a problem with the informal sector. Businesses that the informal sector comprises of generally operate on the streets and public places and are often seen as eye-sores. So, conflicts arise between urban authorities who try to keep their cities clean and the urban informal sector operators who need space for their activities.

  • Planning for Spatial integration of the street vendor activities around the temple area
  • Informal sector and its implications in the structure of the city and economy
  • Creating Public spaces through Placemaking by street vending as a tool
  • Evaluation of the national policy on urban street vendors
  • Assessment of participatory approaches for Planning of Hawker’s Space
  • Assessing impact of pedestrians on the livelihood of Street Vendors
  • Integrating working and living space of street vendors

Slum/ Informal settlements

Existence of informal settlements in the urban areas is a challenging issue in urban planning. It is short-sighted and unsustainable to ignore the challenge of slums considering the large scale of slums and the number of people they house.

  • Security and slum vulnerability towards eviction
  • Transfer of Development rights as a tool for Rehabilitation of slums
  • Prioritization model for slum performance assessment
  • Tackling large agglomerations of slum areas
  • Imageability assessment of slums
  • Evaluation of weaker sections housing programs in urban areas
  • An evaluation of the Slum Improvement Project
  • Re-Development strategies for slums
  • Forward and Backward linkages of Migrants
  • Composite Vulnerability assessment of slums
  • The vulnerability of slums to livelihood security
  • Impact of residential relocation on livelihood of slum dwellers
  • Formulation of Methodology for delisting of slums
  • Street led approach for development of slums
  • Impact of perceived tenure security on slum consolidation

Housing and Real Estate

Housing is considered to be a basic human requirement of any civilized society. In order to ensure planned development of urban areas and create an enabling environment, it is important to provide affordable housing.

  • Foreign Direct Investment in real estates of suburban
  • Role of private builders in housing
  • An exploratory study of residential satisfaction and acceptance levels in public housing schemes
  • Influence of development policies on real estate market in metro areas
  • Housing preferences of IT industries: Affordability and Proximity
  • Global financial crisis and its impact on the housing sector
  • Critical evaluation of affordable housing and assessment of public and private sector agencies
  • Role of real estate agencies in urban housing development
  • Role of NGOs in urban Housing for the poor
  • Self-built housing for urban poor
  • Impact of multinational companies on real estate
  • Assessment of real estate regulatory bill for housing design
  • Role of community in financing housing infrastructure in informal settlement
  • The changing pattern of real estate in periphery areas

Inclusive Planning

Inclusive planning implies involving a fair representation of citizens providing meaningful and educated input where planners advocate for greater equity in public policies that address multiple objectives of urban planning.

  • Evaluation of pedestrian accessibility measures in neighbourhoods for the elderly
  • Inclusive neighbourhood for children
  • Planning and designing accessible public spaces for differently abled
  • Appropriateness of functionality of public spaces for the elderly
  • Integrating child-friendly cities concept into urban planning

Transport Planning

Transport Planning is required for the operation, provision and management of facilities and services for the modes of transport. It is the process of preparing policies, goals and spatial planning designs to prepare for the future needs.

  • Effect of passenger information system (PIS) on public transit ridership
  • Planning for pedestrianization of the core area
  • Concept of BRT-Strategies for Indian cities
  • Impact of IT services on public transportation
  • Traffic management plan for railway station area
  • Study of major traffic bottlenecks
  • Planning for vehicular parking in city central area
  • Role of cycle rickshaw as a feeder system to MRTS
  • Job-Housing balance as a tool to tackle traffic congestion
  • Improving the road freight movement through route optimization
  • Exploring the use of tramways as a parallel mode of public transportation
  • Urban Planning Thesis/ Research Topic Suggestions (Part 2)
  • Getting started with Thesis Writing
  • ‘Preferable’ Thesis Tenure Working for Students of ‘Bachelor of Planning’
  • Thesis Statement | Meaning, Importance, Steps and Types
  • Difference between a research paper, dissertation & thesis
  • Tips for Writing a Thesis

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Urban Planning Dissertation Topics Ideas and Examples

Published by Owen Ingram at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On March 24, 2023

Urban planning is an essential tool in creating vibrant and healthy communities. It is the practice of balancing the needs of a society with limited resources to ensure equitable development and long-term sustainability. Urban planners work at all scales, from local communities to global initiatives, helping to shape cities, regions and even entire countries.

At its core, urban planning focuses on improving the quality of life through efficient use of land, transportation networks and public services such as education and healthcare facilities.

Planning can be a powerful tool in tackling social issues like poverty, inequality and environmental degradation by finding smart solutions that meet people’s needs while preserving natural resources.

This can include everything from designing walkable neighbourhoods that promote physical activity to creating green spaces that clean air pollutants out of the atmosphere.

Conducting research on urban planning topics is essential for students writing dissertations because it allows them to understand the field better while developing critical thinking skills.

Researching urban planning topics gives students insight into life within various cities and towns worldwide. Knowing how different areas have developed over time can help inform future decisions shaping our society.

Research projects give students hands-on experience conducting surveys and collecting data, which can then be used to formulate opinions about current issues facing cities and regions today.

How to Choose the Best Urban Planning Dissertation Topic

Choosing a dissertation topic for urban planning can be one of the most challenging and rewarding. It’s essential for students to take the time to carefully research and assess different topics, as this will form the basis for their entire dissertation project.

The following tips will help students choose a dissertation topic that connects with their interests while also contributing something new and exciting to urban planning literature.

  • First, students must consider what topics they are passionate about within urban planning.
  • Doing so may reveal potential research gaps or intersections, which could become their project’s focus.
  • Identifying any specific industry trends or current debates in this area is also beneficial and could provide an impetus for conducting original research.

List of Urban Planning Dissertation Topics

  • Chinese urban planning at fifty: an assessment of the planning theory literature
  • Shifting approaches to planning theory: Global North and South
  •  Disintegrated development at the rural-urban fringe: Re-connecting spatial planning theory and practice
  • Computer-supported participation in urban planning from the viewpoint of “Communicative Planning Theory.”
  • Jaqueline Tyrwhitt: a transnational life in urban planning and design
  • A serious Digital game for urban planning: “B3—Design your marketplace!”
  • The value of community informatics to participatory urban planning and design: a case study in Helsinki
  • Urban planning and development in Tehran
  • Application of system dynamics model as a decision-making tool in urban planning process toward stabilising carbon dioxide emissions from cities
  • Property, politics, and urban planning: a history of Australian city planning, 1890-1990
  • The making of urban America: a history of city planning in the United States
  • Slope instability in static and dynamic conditions for urban planning: the ‘Oltre Po Pavese’case history (Regione Lombardia–Italy)
  • The impact of sanitary reform upon American urban planning, 1840-1890
  •  The capital of Europe: Architecture and urban planning for the European Union
  • Settlement history and urban planning at Zincirli Höyük, southern Turkey
  • Urban transportation planning in the United States: history, policy, and practice
  • Beyond the colonial city: Re-evaluating the urban history of India, ca. 1920–1970
  • Shadows of planning: on landscape/planning history and inherited landscape ambiguities at the urban fringe
  • White cities, linguistic turns, and Disneylands: The new paradigms of urban history
  • Analysis of problems in urban green space system planning in China
  • Lagos (Nigeria) flooding and influence of urban planning
  • Reusing organic solid waste in urban farming in African cities: A challenge for urban planners
  • An assessment of public participation GIS and Web 2.0 technologies in urban planning practice in Canela, Brazil
  • City of change and challenge: Urban planning and regeneration in Liverpool
  • Urban planning in Russia: towards the market

What is the Importance of Choosing the Correct Urban Planning Research Topic

Urban planning is a very important topic for students to study, as it helps them understand the complexities of city life and its many related disciplines. When researching an urban planning dissertation topic, students should carefully consider their approach and the structure of their research project.

An excellent urban planning dissertation topic can help students better understand the issues, provide insight into potential solutions, and even develop new ideas for further investigation.

When selecting an urban planning dissertation topic, it is important for students to consider their interests in the subject matter. Choosing a topic that aligns with students’ interests will often result in more meaningful results and may lead to exciting discoveries.

Students should also be aware of current events or trends relevant to their chosen field, as these can provide invaluable insights into urban planning topics.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

FAQ’s About Urban Planning Dissertation Ideas

When to choose the urban planning dissertation topic.

In terms of choosing a topic for the dissertation, students should take into account the time of their academic year. Having enough time for research is important. In case you do not have time to write your dissertation, visit our website and see our services .

How do I choose the most appropriate urban planning dissertation topic?

The best way to choose an appropriate topic is by doing research on various topics related to urban planning. Consider what research you want to do and how much time you have to write your dissertation.

Examining journals and publications that explore urban planning issues can give you ideas about potential topics for your dissertation. Additionally, attending conferences or seminars related to urban planning can provide insight into current research in this field.

Can I use these topics for my dissertation?

The topics listed here can be used for your dissertation. There are a variety of topics you can use depending on the type of research project you are doing.

Have other students used these topics already?

These dissertation topics may have already been used by other students. You can order unique dissertation topics on our website if you need topics that have never been used before.

Can ResearchProspect provide unique and customised urban planning dissertation topics?

Yes, ResearchProspect provide unique and customised Urban Planning dissertation topics.

Can you make a research proposal on my selected topic?

Yes, we can develop a research proposal for your chosen topic. On our website, you can order research proposal topics or learn more about our proposal writing services .

You May Also Like

Are you looking for dissertation topics in the field of climate change? Research Prospect offers a wide range of topics that will help you write your dissertation.

Urban law is a branch of the legal profession that encompasses all aspects of laws and regulations affecting cities and their inhabitants.

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that deals with movement disorders of the body arising from different conditions. Physiotherapy focuses on performing practices that reduce physical ailments.

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Home > School, College, or Department > CUPA > USP > Dissertations and Theses

Urban Studies and Planning Dissertations and Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

E Hui me ke Kaiāulu: To Connect with the Community , Heather Kayleen Bartlett (Thesis)

The Affective Discourses of Eviction: Right to Counsel in New York City , Hadley Savana Bates (Thesis)

A Just Futures Framework: Insurgent Roller-Skating in Portland, Oregon , Célia Camile Beauchamp (Thesis)

Factors Affecting Community Rating System Participation in the National Flood Insurance Program: A Case Study of Texas , Ryan David Eddings (Dissertation)

LEED Buildings and Green Gentrification: Portland as a Case Study , Jordan Macintosh (Thesis)

Wasted Space , Ryan Martyn (Thesis)

The Use and Influence of Health Indicators in Municipal Transportation Plans , Kelly Christine Rodgers (Dissertation)

Uncovering the Nuance and Complexity of Gentrification in Asian Immigrant Communities: A Case Study of Koreatown, Los Angeles , Seyoung Sung (Dissertation)

Defining Dementia-Friendly Communities From the Perspective of Those Affected , Iris Alexandra Wernher (Dissertation)

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Heat, Wildfire and Energy Demand: An Examination of Residential Buildings and Community Equity , Chrissi Argyro Antonopoulos (Dissertation)

The Connections Between Innovation, Culture, and Expertise in Water Infrastructure Organizations , Alice Brawley-Chesworth (Dissertation)

The New Shiny Penny? Regenerative Agriculture Beliefs and Practices Among Portland's Urban Agriculturalists , Melia Ann Chase (Thesis)

Fortunate People in a Fortunate Land: Dwelling and Residential Alienation in Santa Monica's Rent-Controlled Housing , Lauren E.M. Everett (Dissertation)

In Favor of Bringing Game Theory into Urban Studies and Planning Curriculum: Reintroducing an Underused Method for the Next Generation of Urban Scholars , Brian McDonald Gardner (Thesis)

Transportation Mode Choice Behavior in the Era of Autonomous Vehicles: The Application of Discrete Choice Modeling and Machine Learning , Sangwan Lee (Dissertation)

An Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Tulsa Remote Program, As an Effective Economic Development Strategy , Kristen J. Padilla (Thesis)

Geographies of Urban Unsafety: Homeless Women, Mental Maps, and Isolation , Jan Radle Roberson (Dissertation)

The Impact of New Light Rail Service on Employment Growth in Portland, Oregon , Lahar Santra (Thesis)

Examining Emergency Citizen Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Emergent Groups Addressing Food Insecurity in Portland, Oregon , Aliza Ruth Tuttle (Thesis)

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Nature-Based Solutions in Environmental Planning: Ecosystem-Based Adaptations, Green Infrastructures, and Ecosystem Services to Promote Diversity in Urban Landscapes , Lorena Alves Carvalho Nascimento (Dissertation)

Gas Stations and the Wealth Divide: Analyzing Spatial Correlations Between Wealth and Fuel Branding , Jean-Carl Ende (Thesis)

'There are No Bathrooms Available!': How Older Adults Experiencing Houselessness Manage their Daily Activities , Ellis Jourdan Hews (Thesis)

The Mode Less Traveled: Exploring Bicyclist Identity in Portland, OR , Christopher Johnson (Thesis)

The Soniferous Experience of Public Space: A Soundscape Approach , Kenya DuBois Williams (Dissertation)

Short-term and Long-term Effects of New Light Rail Transit Service on Transit Ridership and Traffic Congestion at Two Geographical Levels , Huajie Yang (Dissertation)

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Waste Management in the Global South: an Inquiry on the Patterns of Plastic and Waste Material Flows in Colombo, Sri Lanka , Katie Ann Conlon (Dissertation)

Unpacking the Process and Outcomes of Ethical Markets: a Focus on Certified B Corporations , Renée Bogin Curtis (Dissertation)

The Persistence of Indigenous Markets in Mexico's 'Supermarket Revolution' , Diana Christina Denham (Dissertation)

The Electronic Hardware Music Subculture in Portland, Oregon , James Andrew Hickey (Thesis)

"I Should Have Moved Somewhere Else": the Impacts of Gentrification on Transportation and Social Support for Black Working-Poor Families in Portland, Oregon , Steven Anthony Howland (Dissertation)

The Impacts of the Bicycle Network on Bicycling Activity: a Longitudinal Multi-City Approach , Wei Shi (Dissertation)

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

"Poverty Wages Are Not Fresh, Local, or Sustainable": Building Worker Power by Organizing Around (Re)production in Portland's "Sustainable" Food Industry , Amy Katherine Rose Coplen (Dissertation)

Manufacturing in Place: Industrial Preservation in the US , Jamaal William Green (Dissertation)

Can Churches Change a Neighborhood? A Census Tract, Multilevel Analysis of Churches and Neighborhood Change , David E. Kresta (Dissertation)

An Examination of Non-waged Labor and Local Food Movement Growth in the Southern Appalachians , Amy Kathryn Marion (Thesis)

Making Imaginaries: Identity, Value, and Place in the Maker Movement in Detroit and Portland , Stephen Joseph Marotta (Dissertation)

Recognizing and Addressing Risk Ambiguity in Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning: a Case Study of Miami-Dade County, Florida , Mary Ann Rozance (Dissertation)

The Impact of Implementing Different Cordon Size Designs on Land Use Patterns in Portland, OR , Asia Spilotros (Dissertation)

Gentrification and Student Achievement: a Quantitative Analysis of Student Performance on Standardized Tests in Portland's Gentrifying Neighborhoods , Justin Joseph Ward (Thesis)

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Environmental Justice in Natural Disaster Mitigation Policy and Planning: a Case Study of Flood Risk Management in Johnson Creek, Portland, Oregon , Seong Yun Cho (Dissertation)

Our Town: Articulating Place Meanings and Attachments in St. Johns Using Resident-Employed Photography , Lauren Elizabeth Morrow Everett (Thesis)

Millennial Perceptions on Homeownership and Financial Planning Decisions , Margaret Ann Greenfield (Thesis)

Utilitarian Skateboarding: Insight into an Emergent Mode of Mobility , Michael Joseph Harpool (Thesis)

Consciousness Against Commodifcation: the Potential for a Radical Housing Movement in the Cully Neighborhood , Cameron Hart Herrington (Thesis)

News Work: the Impact of Corporate Newsroom Culture on News Workers & Community Reporting , Carey Lynne Higgins-Dobney (Dissertation)

Recent Advances in Activity-Based Travel Demand Models for Greater Flexibility , Kihong Kim (Dissertation)

An Analysis of the BizX Commercial Trade Exchange: the Attitudes and Motivations Behind Its Use , Ján André Montoya (Thesis)

Between a Rock and a Hot Place: Economic Development and Climate Change Adaptation in Vietnam , Khanh Katherine Pham (Thesis)

Neighborhood Economic Impacts of Contemporary Art Centers , Steve Van Eck (Closed Thesis)

Urban Geocomputation: Two Studies on Urban Form and its Role in Altering Climate , Jackson Lee Voelkel (Thesis)

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Explaining Unequal Transportation Outcomes in a Gentrifying City: the Example of Portland, Oregon , Eugenio Arriaga Cordero (Dissertation)

Identifying Clusters of Non-Farm Activity within Exclusive Farm Use Zones in the Northern Willamette Valley , Nicholas Chun (Thesis)

Drivers' Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Bicyclists: Intermodal Interactions and Implications for Road Safety , Tara Beth Goddard (Dissertation)

Grassroots Resistance in the Sustainable City: Portland Harbor Superfund Site Contamination, Cleanup, and Collective Action , Erin Katherine Goodling (Dissertation)

Responsible Pet Ownership: Dog Parks and Demographic Change in Portland, Oregon , Matthew Harris (Thesis)

The Tension between Technocratic and Social Values in Environmental Decision-making: An'Yang Stream Restoration in South Korea , Chang-Yu Hong (Dissertation)

Regulating Pavement Dwellers: the Politics of the Visibly Poor in Public Space , Lauren Marie Larin (Dissertation)

Making Software, Making Regions: Labor Market Dualization, Segmentation, and Feminization in Austin, Portland and Seattle , Dillon Mahmoudi (Dissertation)

Knowing Nature in the City: Comparative Analysis of Knowledge Systems Challenges Along the 'Eco-Techno' Spectrum of Green Infrastructure in Portland & Baltimore , Annie Marissa Matsler (Dissertation)

Assessing the Impact of Land Use and Travel on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Portland, Oregon , Zakari Mumuni (Thesis)

Trade-offs: the Production of Sustainability in Households , Kirstin Marie Elizabeth Munro (Dissertation)

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Kazaks of Istanbul: A Case of Social Cohesion, Economic Breakdown and the Search for a Moral Economy , Daniel Marc Auger (Thesis)

Citizen-led Urban Agriculture and the Politics of Spatial Reappropriation in Montreal, Quebec , Claire Emmanuelle Bach (Thesis)

Travel Mode Choice Framework Incorporating Realistic Bike and Walk Routes , Joseph Broach (Dissertation)

Cyclist Path Choices Through Shared Space Intersections in England , Allison Boyce Duncan (Dissertation)

Star Academics: Do They Garner Increasing Returns? , James Jeffrey Kline (Dissertation)

Configuring the Urban Smart Grid: Transitions, Experimentation, and Governance , Anthony Michael Levenda (Dissertation)

The Effects of Frequency of Social Interaction, Social Cohesion, Age, and the Built Environment on Walking , Gretchen Allison Luhr (Dissertation)

The Village Market: New Columbia Goes Shopping for Food Justice , Jane Therese Waddell (Dissertation)

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Developing Key Sustainability Competencies through Real-World Learning Experiences: Evaluating Community Environmental Services , Erin Lorene Anderson (Thesis)

Beyond Fruit: Examining Community in a Community Orchard , Emily Jane Becker (Thesis)

Challenges, Experiences, and Future Directions of Senior Centers Serving the Portland Metropolitan Area , Melissa Lynn Cannon (Dissertation)

Building Social Sustainability from the Ground Up: The Contested Social Dimension of Sustainability in Neighborhood-Scale Urban Regeneration in Portland, Copenhagen, and Nagoya , Jacklyn Nicole Kohon (Dissertation)

The Effects of Urban Containment Policies on Commuting Patterns , Sung Moon Kwon (Dissertation)

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Attitudes: An Exploration of a Landscape of Choices , Mersiha Spahic McClaren (Dissertation)

The Impact of Communication Impairments on the Social Relationships of Older Adults , Andrew Demetrius Palmer (Dissertation)

The Scales and Shapes of Queer Women's Geographies: Mapping Private, Public and Cyber Spaces in Portland, OR , Paola Renata Saldaña (Thesis)

Caring for the Land, Serving People: Creating a Multicultural Forest Service in the Civil Rights Era , Donna Lynn Sinclair (Dissertation)

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Determinants of Recent Mover Non-work Travel Mode Choice , Arlie Steven Adkins (Dissertation)

Changing the Face of the Earth: The Morrison-­Knudsen Corporation as Partner to the U.S. Federal Government , Christopher S. Blanchard (Dissertation)

Participation, Information, Values, and Community Interests Within Health Impact Assessments , Nicole Iroz-Elardo (Dissertation)

The Objective vs. the Perceived Environment: What Matters for Active Travel , Liang Ma (Dissertation)

Implications of Local and Regional Food Systems: Toward a New Food Economy in Portland, Oregon , Michael Mercer Mertens (Dissertation)

Spirituality and Religion in Women's Leadership for Sustainable Development in Crisis Conditions: The Case of Burma , Phyusin Myo Kyaw Myint (Dissertation)

Street Level Food Networks: Understanding Ethnic Food Cart Supply Chains in Eastern Portland, OR , Alexander G. Novie (Thesis)

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Diffusion of Energy Efficient Technology in Commercial Buildings: An Analysis of the Commercial Building Partnerships Program , Chrissi Argyro Antonopoulos (Thesis)

Faulty Measurements and Shaky Tools: An Exploration into Hazus and the Seismic Vulnerabilities of Portland, OR , Brittany Ann Brannon (Thesis)

Sustainable, Affordable Housing for Older Adults: A Case Study of Factors that Affect Development in Portland, Oregon , Alan Kenneth DeLaTorre (Dissertation)

The Historical, Political, Social, and Individual Factors That Have Influenced the Development of Aging and Disability Resource Centers and Options Counseling , Sheryl DeJoy Elliott (Thesis)

Neighborhood Identity and Sustainability: A Comparison Study of Two Neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon , Zachary Lawrence Hathaway (Thesis)

Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Change: Portland, Oregon 1990-2010 , Kelly Ann Howsley-Glover (Dissertation)

Public Space and Urban Life: A Spatial Ethnography of a Portland Plaza , Katrina Leigh Johnston (Thesis)

Green Mind Gray Yard: Micro Scale Assessment of Ecosystem Services , Erin Jolene Kirkpatrick (Thesis)

The Impacts of Urban Renewal: The Residents' Experiences in Qianmen, Beijing, China , Yongxia Kou (Dissertation)

The Dynamics of Creating Strong Democracy in Portland, Oregon : 1974 to 2013 , Paul Roland Leistner (Dissertation)

Neighboring in Strip City: A Situational Analysis of Strip Clubs, Land Use Conflict, and Occupational Health in Portland, Oregon , Moriah McSharry McGrath (Dissertation)

Bicycle Traffic Count Factoring: An Examination of National, State and Locally Derived Daily Extrapolation Factors , Josh Frank Roll (Thesis)

Forming a New Art in the Pacific Northwest: Studio Glass in the Puget Sound Region, 1970-2003 , Marianne Ryder (Dissertation)

Peak of the Day or the Daily Grind: Commuting and Subjective Well-Being , Oliver Blair Smith (Dissertation)

The Metropolitan Dimensions of United States Immigration Policy: A Theoretical and Comparative Analysis , Nicole G. Toussaint (Dissertation)

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Home » Blog » Dissertation » Topics » Architecture » Urban Planning » 80 Urban Planning Research Topics

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80 Urban Planning Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInGreetings! We are pleased to offer a valuable resource for students venturing into the fascinating world of urban planning research. Our comprehensive list of research topics in urban planning is designed to guide and inspire those pursuing undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees on their academic journey. Urban planning is a dynamic field that shapes the […]

urban planning research topics

Greetings! We are pleased to offer a valuable resource for students venturing into the fascinating world of urban planning research. Our comprehensive list of research topics in urban planning is designed to guide and inspire those pursuing undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees on their academic journey.

Urban planning is a dynamic field that shapes the future of cities and communities, addressing critical issues such as sustainable development, transportation, housing, and public spaces. Dive into our curated selection of compelling research topics and discover avenues for exploring the intricate balance between functionality, aesthetics, and the well-being of urban dwellers. Your thesis or dissertation journey starts here, where endless possibilities await your exploration in the exciting world of urban planning.

A List Of Potential Research Topics In Urban Planning:

  • Evolving retail and commercial spaces: urban planning strategies for supporting local businesses and redefining retail districts.
  • Community-based disaster risk reduction in urban slums.
  • Urban green spaces and mental well-being: assessing the role of parks and nature in urban resilience.
  • The role of artificial intelligence in future urban planning.
  • Urban heat island mitigation through green roofs and cool pavements.
  • Reducing urban waste generation: policies and practices.
  • E-governance and citizen engagement in urban planning processes.
  • The role of green infrastructure in urban resilience: a case study of a metropolis.
  • Urban traffic congestion management and sustainable transport.
  • The pedestrianization of city centres: the transformation of Cardiff’s urban space.
  • Sustainable water management in urban areas: balancing supply and demand.
  • Enhancing public spaces for social interaction and community engagement.
  • Integrating digital marketing strategies in urban planning: enhancing community engagement, accessibility, and sustainable development.
  • Urban renewal and preservation of historic architecture.
  • Urban green infrastructure planning for climate adaptation.
  • The revitalization of urban waterfronts: lessons from global cities.
  • The effects of air pollution on urban health and well-being.
  • Urban land use planning for disaster risk reduction.
  • Innovative approaches to affordable housing in high-density cities.
  • Community engagement in urban development: a review of participatory approaches and their outcomes.
  • Urban crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED).
  • Promoting active transportation in Bristol: analyzing the impact of cycling infrastructure.
  • The impact of Airbnb on housing affordability in urban centres.
  • Revitalizing urban waterfronts for recreational and economic benefits.
  • Remote work and urban planning: impacts on urban design, land use, and transportation patterns.
  • Transit-oriented development and sustainable urban mobility.
  • Mixed-use development and creating vibrant urban centres.
  • Urban transport equity and accessibility for vulnerable populations.
  • The role of urban parks and open spaces in enhancing the quality of life.
  • Urbanization and urban agriculture: balancing food production and urban growth.
  • The revitalization of historic districts in Edinburgh: balancing preservation and development.
  • Urban planning for informal settlement upgrading.
  • Smart cities and urban planning: a literature review of technology integration and sustainable development.
  • Adaptive urban planning for sea-level rise and coastal erosion.
  • Digital urban infrastructure: harnessing technology for smart cities and efficient service delivery.
  • Urbanization and water scarcity: innovations in water resource management.
  • Inclusive urban design for people with disabilities.
  • Affordable housing policies in urban planning: a comparative review of international best practices.
  • Participatory urban planning: engaging communities in decision-making.
  • Urban gentrification and its socioeconomic implications.
  • Housing affordability strategies for growing urban populations.
  • Synergy of architecture and urban planning: designing sustainable and livable urban spaces.
  • Revitalization of abandoned urban areas: strategies and case studies.
  • Sustainable tourism planning in coastal cities: the case of Brighton and Hove.
  • Historic preservation and cultural heritage in urban planning: lessons from global case studies.
  • Urban green spaces and health: an integrated review of research on the benefits of accessible natural areas.
  • Post-industrial urban redevelopment in Sheffield: challenges and successes.
  • Transportation planning and traffic management: a critical review of approaches to alleviate urban congestion.
  • Resilient urban health infrastructure: strategies for enhancing public health preparedness and healthcare delivery.
  • Urban agriculture and urban planning integration for sustainability.
  • Urbanization and its impact on biodiversity conservation.
  • Innovative approaches to sustainable urban mobility.
  • The circular economy and its application in urban development.
  • Urban resilience and climate adaptation: a review of strategies for building sustainable and disaster-resistant cities.
  • Promoting walkability and active transportation in urban neighbourhoods.
  • Urban food security: strategies for sustainable local food systems.
  • Smart cities and the integration of IoT in urban planning.
  • Adapting urban mobility to post-pandemic realities: exploring sustainable transportation solutions in a changed urban landscape.
  • Equitable access to urban services: addressing disparities exposed by the pandemic in housing, healthcare, and education.
  • Urban design principles for age-friendly cities.
  • Urban noise pollution control and mitigation measures.
  • Mixed-use development projects: a critical review of design principles and economic impacts.
  • Urban disaster preparedness and resilience strategies.
  • Urban development and socioeconomic inequalities: a case study.
  • Post-pandemic urban regeneration: revitalizing depleted urban areas through innovative planning and development.
  • Urban resilience and adaptive governance: lessons from COVID-19 for building resilient cities.
  • Public space design and social interaction: a review of urban planning strategies in diverse communities.
  • Reimagining public spaces for social distancing: redesigning urban parks, plazas, and streetscapes.
  • A comprehensive review of gentrification and urban regeneration: analyzing the effects and equity considerations.
  • The role of arts and culture in revitalizing urban spaces.
  • Transforming brownfields into sustainable urban spaces: challenges and opportunities.
  • Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) for flood control.
  • Urban air quality management and pollution control.
  • Urban informality and slum upgrading initiatives.
  • Green infrastructure implementation in Birmingham: enhancing urban resilience and biodiversity.
  • Gender-inclusive urban planning: creating safe and accessible spaces.
  • Resilient urban infrastructure in the face of climate change.
  • Adaptive reuse of industrial heritage sites for cultural and economic regeneration.
  • Urban greenways and their contribution to sustainable cities.
  • Affordable housing policies and strategies in urban planning.

In conclusion, this curated list of urban planning research topics offers valuable directions for students at all academic levels. From sustainability to social dynamics, these topics provide a roadmap to explore the complexities of urban development. Whether pursuing an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree, engaging with these subjects contributes to shaping the future of our cities and communities, enriching both academic discourse and real-world urban environments.

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Best Topics for Research in Urban Design and Planning

  • May 27, 2022
  • Designers , Laptops , Laptops for Architects , Softwares , Urban design

urban development thesis topics

Research in urban and regional planning has grown tremendously in the recent decade. T his section contains the best and most relevant topics related to research in Urban design and regional planning.

Areas of Study

Mediated city.

This theme builds on work done by Kevin Lynch in the early years of the program and focuses on how form and meaning are perceived and communicated in the current city. At issue are the effects of advanced information technology on contemporary culture, as well as the increasing importance of narrative on the form and design of cities. Our work around this theme seeks to understand how urban experience is shaped by the preservation of culture, history and memory, by the development of new kinds of “mediated” places and activities in the public realm. We are also interested in the tools and technologies by which changes in urban form and landscape can be visualized and understood.

Urban Transformation

This theme is concerned with the future of cities and regions of the 20th century. Industrial land, infrastructure, warehouses, housing, ports and waterfronts, rail-lines and depots, mines and oil fields, are among an inventory of abandonment, all seeking temporary and permanent re-use. Our inquiries around this theme hope to clarify new design approaches to urban and regional transformation, involving elements such as education, ecology, retrofitting and cultural development as well as new forms of housing and transportation.

Urban Performance

The quality of urban life and work is currently being challenged and shaped by many forces such as demographic patterns (aging and disability, for example), international economics (globalization and the demise of distance), and environmental pressures (sustainability, resource conservation, energy). Our inquiries around this theme ask how cities can be reshaped in the face of these forces; how design and construction standards affect livability and energy consumption; what role citizens should play in determining urban quality in a contemporary democracy; and how one understands the form of the vast, poor urban areas of the world and the enormous discrepancy between them and places of wealth.

Design Paradigms

With the re-evaluation/repudiation of modernism as the dominant perspective on design, this theme takes to task the development of design paradigms appropriate to contemporary urban circumstances both in the United States and other parts of the globe. Our inquiries around this theme center on the making of good public places, the expression of private and public environments in the city, the aesthetics of popular demand, the reshaping of the form of low-density cities and public housing, and the role that design can play in the changing peripheries of cities.

Managing and financing urban infrastructure

As cities expand and incomes increase, finding innovative solutions for sustainable mobility becomes increasingly important. This specialisation seeks to provide hands-on knowledge and expertise on how local governments can most efficiently manage, finance and operate municipal infrastructure to deliver desired levels of service.

This specialisation is connected to IHS’ Green City work field in which providing resilient, energy efficient and smart infrastructure play a prominent role in helping cities to become more sustainable and green. The primary focus is on developing countries and countries in transition.

Urban housing, equity and social Justice

Housing should be understood as ‘more than houses’. Researchers active within this strand of research strive to link housing issues with the livelihoods strategies of the urban poor. In addition, livelihood assets are analysed in view of their vulnerability and institutional context.

This translates into the importance of looking at the housing problem from a holistic standpoint. Physical, political, social, economic and environmental issues interrelate with each other. The objective is to produce urban environments that should ultimately reduce poverty, and increase quality of life. Both housing and social policies, strategies and instruments need to be designed with a clear understanding of these aspects if they are ever to efficiently address the problem of urbanisation of poverty.

Urban Environment, sustainability and climate Change

Cities all over the world experience severe environmental and climate change related problems. This research theme addresses new approaches for urban environment and climate change management.

UECC is one of IHS’ largest research teams that works towards understanding the impact and use of urban environmental policies and instruments including urban climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Urban strategies and planning

Around the world, urban professionals increasingly face challenges such as accelerated urbanisation, an increase in informal housing, and climate change. In order to deal with these challenges urban planning has moved away from comprehensive master plans to more flexible strategic plans. Contemporary strategic planning integrates more social and economic considerations into the physical and spatial dimensions of planning.

Researcher within this specialisation seeks to offer creative and innovative solutions to better understand the needs of different social and economic interests within urban planning management. Different from the classical study of urban planning, this strand focusses on the combination of urban planning policies, city development strategies and public-private partnerships.

Urban competitiveness and resilience

Cities cannot be understood as autonomous entities. There are affected by complex processes on the local, regional and global scale. Given the increasing dependency of cities on global economic networks, it is crucial to find the balance between social wellbeing, local economic development and global strategies that can ensure resilience to socioeconomic shocks and fluctuations.

This research theme investigates how globalisation processes, local economic development, and urban conditions can enable cities to successfully compete or collaborate with other cities on various scales. This is done by analysing and comparing urban networks, economic geography, foreign direct investments and local economic development as well as city marketing and branding.

Urban Conservation

Urban conservation is concerned with those parts of the built environment that are of architectural or historic significance. This includes buildings (individually or in groups), localities (streets, blocks, environments or precincts), special gardens or landscapes, and other structures.

Researchers, advocates and policymakers have proposed urban conservation as an emerging, integrative discipline that can contribute to sustainable cities by delivering co-benefits to human and non-human components of biodiversity

Research Topics:

Spatial planning.

  • Growth Effects of Urban-Rural and Intra-Regional Linkages on Non-Metropolitan Counties and Communities
  • Spatial Distribution of Best Management Practices for Stormwater Management
  • The application of computer-based information systems to urban planning and public policy making
  • How are the urban poor involved in the design and implementation of neighbourhood development programmes?
  • What is the impact of neighbourhood development programmes on the local initiatives and livelihoods of the urban poor?
  • Urbanization As An Important Determinant In Spatial Organization
  • Effects Of Rural-Urban Migration On Public Utilities 
  • Assessing The Spatial Distribution And Locational Impact Of Petrol Service Stations 
  • Appraisal Of The Urban Management Challenge Of Informal Land Delivery

Urban Housing

  • Relationships and Support: A Qualitative Study of Homeless Families 
  • Comparative analysis of rent differential in selected residential areas 
  • The Role Of Co-Operative Societies Towards Development Of Rural Communities  
  • Cluster Planning and Cluster Strategy in Regional Economic Development Organizations
  • The Broader Social Network of Community Planning: A Diagnostic Tool for Communities to Assess Their Planning Capacity
  • Sustainable Urban Housing Development through Planning Mechanism
  • Migration Patterns and Its Impact On Urbanization And Urban Housing
  • Housing transformation, rent gap and gentrification
  • Impact Of Slum On Value Of Residential Properties
  • Social housing in low and middle-income countries (incl. public housing, government-built housing, subsidized housing programmes, low-income housing, affordable housing)
  • Infrastructural Development, Real Estate Agency Rebranding And Review Of National Housing Policy
  • The Impact Of Industrialization On Rural Development
  • The Role Of Private Partnership In Housing Finance, Delivery And Maintenance 

research

Urban Public Spaces

  • Multifunctional public open spaces for sustainable cities
  • Immigrations in the public space: understanding urban cultural landscapes
  • Urban Public Space as Social Interaction Space
  • Modeling, analyzing, and visualizing human space appropriation
  • Smart engagement for smart cities: Design patterns for digitally augmented, situated community engagement
  • Evaluating publicness of public spaces
  • Informal public places and its transforming patterns in the city
  • Urban public realm : a spatial manifest of culture
  • City planning strategies for women’s safety in public spaces

research

Urban Transportation

  • The implementation of an integrated transportation planning model with GIS and expert systems for interactive transportation planning 
  • Increasing freight transport efficiency using intermodal transport.
  • Epidemic and mobility. A New Paradigm for mobility plans after the Covid-19 crisis
  • Alternatives Selection for Sustainable Transportation System.
  • Sustainable management of public transportation system
  • Environmental impacts of everyday mobility
  • Environmental assessment of public bus transportation systems
  • Minimization of Fuel Consumption in City Bus Transportation
  • Proposed framework for sustainability screening of urban transport projects in developing countries
  • Effects of speed management and roadway parameters on traffic flow along arterials
  • Sustainability and business management in transportation companies
  • Factors that contribute to unsafe behavior and leads to an unsustainable urban transport
  • Safety and security of women and girls in public transport
  • Inclusive public transportation for differently abled people 
  • Challenges in provision of universally accessible tansport facilities
  • Assessment Of Urban Bus Service
  • Analysis Of Intra Urban Traffic Problems In Rivers State
  • Urban Futures: Transportation in an Era of Fuel Shortages

Best Topics for Research in Urban Design and Planning 3

Environmental Issues

  • Sustainable and green energy
  • Impact Of Environmental Planning On Rural Development
  • An Assessment Of Cross Ventilation In Public Buildings
  • Flood Generating Structures In Kubwa Urban Landscape
  • Assessment Of Impact Of Urbanization 
  • Causes Of Excess Flood
  • Impact Of Environmental Problems
  • Consequences Of Incompatible Land Uses On The Environment
  • The role of urban spatial structure in reducing VMT and GHG emissions 
  • Impact of climate change on the ecological state of earth natural resources.
  • Impact of climate change on agricultural activities across the globe.
  • Solutions to the current climate change crisis.
  • Future implications of climate change with the current trends
  • Urban governance arrangements for climate change adaptation

Best Topics for Research in Urban Design and Planning 5

Heritage Conservation

  • The Urban Conservation Approach
  • The Role of Public-Private Partnerships and the Third Sector in Conserving Heritage Buildings, Sites, and Historic Urban Areas
  • Urban Conservation and Regeneration
  • Managing change in the historical city
  • A framework for adapting urban forests to climate change
  • Equity in Heritage Conservation
  • The Role of Traditional Neighborhood Centers in Procreating Sense of Place in the Modern Cities
  • Heritage place inventory: A tool for establishing the significance of places
  • Building Conservation and Urban Regeneration
  • Historic Preservation as Urban Regeneration 
  • The creative response to ruins following the conservation principle
  • Historic Cinemas Conservation: The Difficulty of Re-Development Proposals
  • A Study of Heritage Authenticity in the Context of Heritage Tourism
  • Historic Cinemas Conservation
  • Revitalisation of urban areas with heritage value – towards a heritage precinct conservation and improvement plan
  • Repair techniques for conservation of heritage structures
  • Planning urban heritage through stakeholder participation 
  • Rethinking adaptive reuse
  • Heritage conservation and cultural continuity
  • Landscape management of a heritage site
  • Landscape management and conservation of biodiversity 
  • Industrial heritage 

Best Topics for Research in Urban Design and Planning 7

GIS, Space syntax and Bigdata

  • Geospatial data for energy, environmental science, climate change, and geology-related research
  • Geospatial data and maps for research on humanitarian topics. Includes data on armed conflict, agriculture & food security, refugees, and links to multidisciplinary humanitarian data repositories.
  • Crowd Simulation – Mastering the collective dynamics of interacting objects in urban phenomena at the scale of individual households, people, and units of real estate and at time scales approaching “real-time”
  • City Engine – Assessing feasibility and plan implementation using Esri’s City Engine improving urban planning, architecture, and overall design
  • Integration of GIS and BIM – Operating a facility with BIM (building information modeling) because of its ability to analyze information and integrate data from different systems. 
  • Urban Model Development Feasibility – Evaluating multiple land use scenarios; testing and refining transportation plans; producing small-area concept plans, and modeling complex regional issues with Envision Tomorrow
  •  Building Footprints – Crowd-sourcing digital mapping
  • Land Use Policy – Reproducing individual behavior with agent-based modeling to simulate their behaviors and outcomes having a direct impact on the surrounding landscape.
  • Space Syntax Models – Gaining a better understanding of human behavior and connectivity through a graphic representation of space configuration in urban structures
  • Future Development Patterns – Locating future growth and evaluating scenarios such as loss of prime agricultural land.
  • Land Use – Generating polygons and classification with the multi-resolution segmentation algorithm
  • Homeless Shelters – Analyzing urban inequalities and homelessness to allocate homeless shelters appropriately.
  • Web-Based GIS for Collaborative Planning and Public Participation: An Application to The Strategic Planning
  • Web Based Geo-Information Services for Land Use Planning.
  • Water Balance of a Catchment: A Remote Sensing and GIS Approach.
  • Visualizing The Application of GIS in Transformation Towards a Sustainable Development and A Low Carbon Society.
  • Using GIS to Study Lusters of Urban Crime and Safety in Transport Nodes.
  • Using GIS for Developing Sustainable Urban Growth.
  • Use of GIS in City Planning Development Enforcement and EIA
  • Use of GIS as A Tool to Improvement of Solid Waste Management 
  • Urban Land Use Land Cover Classification Performance of Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms and Change Detection.

Best Topics for Research in Urban Design and Planning 9

Other Topics related to other urban design and planning:

  • Managing urban infrastructure and building projects
  • Water, Sanitation and The Modern City
  • From Mosques and Coffeehouses to Squares and Cafes: The Production and Transformation of Political Public Spaces and Social Life
  • Contested Politics and the Production of Urban Space 
  • Foreign Investments and City Making
  • Urban Development and Quality of Life of the Elderly
  • Moving towards disaster: examining the changing patterns of social vulnerability in a multi-hazard urban environment
  • Sustainable drink water sanitation
  • What type of initiatives do the urban poor (low-income families, slum dwellers) take, individually or collectively, to improve the liveability of their settlement?
  • The relationship between different urban designs and environmental impacts
  • Multi-level and multi-actor governance
  • Climate change and environmental decision making and finance
  • How are cities planned?
  • What visions does urban planning follow and whose vision is it?
  • What are the underlying features of urban development and what is the role of self-organisation?
  • How do micro-interventions (such as placemaking and streetscaping) connect with planning and implementation on the municipal and national levels?
  • What factors determines a city’s global competitiveness?
  • What urban characteristics are attract foreign direct investments?
  • How to develop more resilient cities with healthy relationships between local, regional and global interests?
  • Which economic sectors should be promoted in order to boost sustainable local economic development and social wellbeing?
  • How does global economic unevenness affect economic inequality in African countries and cities?
  • Evaluation Of Cost Recovery For Water Supply
  • An Assessment Of Tourism Potentials
  • Analysis Of The Effects Of Socio-Economic Characteristics On Tourism Habits Among Residents
  • Analysis Of The Patronage Characteristics Of Tourism Destinations
  • Analysis Of Women’S Participation And Incorporation In Waste Picking And Solid Waste Management
  • Appraisal Of Tourism Habits Of Academic Staff
  • Assessment Of Residents’Attitudes Towards Recreation 
  • Appraisal Of Sanitary Facilities In Public Areas
  • Agricultural Information Sources And The Production Capacity Of Cassava Farmers In Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District
  • Self-Help Programmes And Rural Development In Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area
  • Tenement Housing And Induced Domestic Conflict
  • Waste Generation And Management Strategies
  • Impact Of Public Pit Toilet System And Its Associated Problems
  • Problems And Prospects Of Land Registration 
  • Causes Of Construction Project Failures And Abandonment
  • The Impact of Urban Relocation: A Follow-Up Study

What other topics should be added in the list?—Leave a comment below.

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Best Topics for Research in Urban Design and Planning 11

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urban development thesis topics

Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning

Archnet-IJAR

ISSN : 2631-6862

Article publication date: 1 May 2020

Issue publication date: 11 November 2020

The purpose of this research is to improve the understanding of what constitutes a successful thesis proposal (TP) and as such enhance the quality of the TP writing in architecture, planning and related disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on extended personal experience and a review of relevant literature, the authors proposed a conception of a successful TP comprising 13 standard components. The conception provides specific definition/s, attributes and success rules for each component. The conception was applied for 15 years on several batches of Saudi graduate students. The implications of the conception were assessed by a students' opinion survey. An expert inquiry of experienced academics from architectural schools in nine countries was applied to validate and improve the conception.

Assessment of the proposed conception demonstrated several positive implications on students' knowledge, performance and outputs which illustrates its applicability in real life. Experts' validation of the conception and constructive remarks have enabled further improvements on the definitions, attributes and success rules of the TP components.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed TP conception with its 13 components is limited to standard problem-solving research and will differ in the case of other types such as hypothesis-based research.

Practical implications

The proposed conception is a useful directive and evaluative tool for writing and assessing thesis proposals for graduate students, academic advisors and examiners.

Social implications

The research contributes to improving the quality of thesis production process among the academic community in the built environment fields.

Originality/value

The paper is meant to alleviate the confusion and hardship caused by the absence of a consensus on what constitutes a successful TP in the fields of architecture, urban planning and related disciplines.

  • Urban planning
  • Architecture
  • Built environment
  • Postgraduate research
  • Writing successful thesis proposals

Abdellatif, M. and Abdellatif, R. (2020), "Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning", Archnet-IJAR , Vol. 14 No. 3, pp. 503-524. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARCH-12-2019-0281

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Mahmoud Abdellatif and Reham Abdellatif

Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode .

1. Introduction

After the postgraduate student completes her/his coursework in a master programme or passes the comprehensive exam and becomes a doctoral candidate in a doctoral programme, s/he is allowed to submit a “Thesis Proposal” (TP) to her/his department whose main concern is to assess whether the topic is suitable for a graduate study and for the time and resources available ( Afful, 2008 ; Kivunja, 2016 ; Reddy, 2019 ).

The department then sends the submitted TP to higher bodies for official approval. Once approved, the TP becomes a legal binding or “a formal contract” ( Walliman, 2017 ) and “a statement of intent” ( Hofstee, 2006 ) between the researcher and the university. If the student adheres to all prescribed TP requirements within the specified time, s/he will be awarded the degree ( Leo, 2019 ).

Guided by his/her academic advisor, the student prepares the TP within which the researcher explains the research problem, questions, aim and objectives, scope, and methodologies to describe, analyse and synthesize the research problem and develop solutions for it ( Paltridge and Starfield, 2007 ). In addition, the proposal includes a brief about research significance and expected contributions; a preliminary review of literature; thesis structure and approximate completion timeline; and a list of relevant references ( Kivunja, 2016 ; Thomas, 2016 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ).

1.1 Statement of the problem and research aim

After decades of writing, supervising and refereeing master and doctoral theses in the fields of Architecture and Urban Planning, the authors noticed that TP's differ in format and content from a school to another. This may be considered a healthy matter because it gives room for flexibility that absorbs the variety of research problems and techniques. Yet, the absence of a consensus on what constitutes a successful TP could cause confusion and hardship to both students and advisors ( Kamler and Thomson, 2008 ; Abdulai and Owusu-Ansah, 2014 ). The review of literature indicates that TP writing has been tackled in depth in many fields (see for instance Gonzalez, 2007 ; Balakumar et al. , 2013 ; Eco, 2015 ; Kivunja, 2016 ; Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). Apart from thesis proposal instruction and guideline manuals posted on universities' websites, the authors believe that there is a lack of in-depth research on the issue of producing successful thesis proposals in the fields of Architecture and Planning.

To propose a successful TP conception which determines the standard components of TP and sets specific definitions, attributes and rules of success for each component.

To apply the proposed conception on several batches of graduate students, then assess its impact on students' performance and output along the years of application.

To validate the proposed conception by getting the insights of experienced academics from architecture and planning schools worldwide, and as such, improve and finalize the conception.

1.2 Research methodology

To propose the Successful TP Conception , the authors relied on two sources: knowledge extracted from their extended experience and a review of relevant studies and instruction manuals and guidelines for preparing TP in several worldwide universities. The Conception has been applied on several batches of master and doctoral students from IAU, KSA for almost 15 years between 2005 and 2020 during their enrolment in three courses in the College of Architecture and Planning, IAU, KSA. These courses are “ARPL 603 Research Methods” and “BISC 600 Research Methods” for the master's level and “URPL 803 Seminar (3): Doctoral Research Methods” for the doctoral level.

From a total of 60 students, 39 students (65%) completed the survey; of whom 12 students (31%) were doctoral and 27 students (69%) were masters students.

- Improve their understanding of the components of a successful TP.

- Enhance their performance in developing their TP's.

- Conduct a more effective self-assessment of their developed TP's.

- Enhance their performance along other stages of producing their theses and dissertations.

- Maintain any other benefits adding to students' research capabilities.

The first part recorded the general characteristics of respondents.

The second inquired about experts' viewpoints on the definitions, attributes and the rules of success of the components of the proposed TP conception.

2. Proposing the Successful TP Conception

2.1 components of a tp for a standard problem-solving research type.

A review of thesis writing guidelines posted on universities' websites and other related literature has indicated that the number of components of a masters' or doctoral thesis proposal varies. After a thorough review of related literature and with their experience, the authors have been convinced that, in its standard form, a TP should include 13 components. Chronically arranged, as appearing in the proposal, they are: title page, abstract, keywords, background, statement of the problem, research questions, research aim and objectives, research scope, research significance and contributions, preliminary review of literature, research methodology, thesis structure and timeline, and references list ( Ostler, 1996 ; Simpson and Turner, 2004 ; Zhou, 2004 ; Davies, 2011 ; Axelrod and Windell, 2012 ; Donohue, 2018 ; Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ; Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). It is worth mentioning that these 13 components will differ in the case of a hypothesis-based research whose aim is to validate a specific hypothesis that a specific variable/s is/are or is/are not the main cause/s of an investigated research problem. This paper is limited only to the standard problem-solving research type.

2.2 Building the Successful TP Conception

Setting a general definition for each component including its meaning, importance, functions and contents.

Outlining the most important attributes that must be considered when writing the component.

Based on step 1 and 2, the authors extracted a list of success rules which provides a concise definition for each component of the TP, and/or describes the relationship between the component and other components of the TP (the list is summarized at the end of Part 2).

2.2.1 Research title

This is the first item that appears to the reader. It invites or detains him/her from proceeding to other contents ( Blaxter et al. , 2010 ). The research title is positioned in the title page along with several basic data, namely, the title; the names of the Department, College, University, study programme, researcher and advisory committee; and submission date.

The research title should be useful, discussing an issue critical to society; true, conveying a real message about the investigated problem ( Donohue, 2018 ); concise, presenting the message with the minimum number of words; adequate, using the right wording to explain the intended meaning; and attractive , stimulating the reader's attention. Iterations in refining the research title go hand-in-hand with refining the research question ( Groat and Wang, 2013 ).

2.2.2 The abstract

It is the first item that appears in the TP after the title and of the same significance; yet, it is the last to be written ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). It has a marketing function ( Lamanauskas, 2019 ); it calls the reader in or alienates him out. A comprehensive abstract contains a summary of the problem, aim, scope, methodology, importance, contributions and outline ( Koopman, 1997 ).

The Abstract should be concise or brief with a maximum of 200–300 words; adequate, including profiles of all parts of the proposal; clear, expressing its message without ambiguity; and interrelated, serving as a body of sequential, coherent and connected ideas ( Blaxter et al. , 2010 ).

2.2.3 The keywords

These are a set of words or terms used for archiving, tabulation and electronic search on databases. They should include essential “subject terms” describing the research topic, the unique sub-specializations and focus of the research (what is researched), the contextual scope of the research (where and when), and the used research methodology (how to conduct the research) ( Lamanauskas, 2019 ). They are better written by splitting the title into its separate single words or terms which must be found in the abstract, as well ( Mack, 2012 ).

Keywords should be brief, not more than 8–12 words; adequate, conveying the research theme, scope, aim and approach; exact, focusing on the investigated topic and scope; and standard, using scientific terminology used in the field.

2.2.4 The background

This is a gradual preparation of the reader from the larger scientific field to the specific field, from the wider geographic area to the immediate area, and from the larger timeframe to the immediate one. It starts from the strategic level and general scope of the research and gradually reaches the level closer to the examined problem ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). It places the study within the larger context of the research, creates interest to the reader and catches his attention, and includes quotations and statistics leading the reader to proceed ( Babbie, 2014 ).

The background statement should be striking, drawing the reader's attention to the research; brief, not lengthy; gradual, moving from the general level surrounding the investigated issue to the specific level; and careful, not speeding up in disclosing the study problem, aim or methodology to the reader ( Axelrod and Windell, 2012 ; Pautasso, 2013 ).

2.2.5 The statement of the problem

Statement of the General Research Problem is a narrative describing a negative aspect/s prevailing in the investigated urban environment/ecosystem or architectural setting; it is equivalent to the negative wording of the research aim ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). It stimulates interest in the study; scientifically explained to convey a simple, clear and specific issue to which a reader can relate and is useful to the society at large ( Balakumar et al. , 2013 ). In the humanities and social sciences many dissertations endeavour to establish the conditions of the problem, not to solve it ( Dorst, 2011 ).

In formulating the research problem, it is useful to consider it a problem which hinders the natural development of the society and/or environment and leads to a decline in the Quality of Life (QOL) or Quality of Environment (QOE) or both. A development problem is a factor/cause leading to either a quantitative or qualitative deficiency in satisfying a human need or both such as a lack of certain service or inadequate provision of the service ( Abdellatif, 2015 ). To arrive at a successful statement of the general problem, the researcher should pinpoint the main cause/s behind the study problem. All what comes next depends on the clarity of the problem statement.

Technically oriented research (TOR), which places emphasis on the process and procedures as the primary basis of effective design, TOR can be either systematic, or computational, or managerial.

Conceptually driven research (CDR), which can be either psychological or person–environment. The psychological type is driven by the goal of matching knowledge with the nature of the design problem, its components, context and social and environmental requirements. Whereas, the person–environment type places emphasis on the socio-cultural and socio-behavioural factors as they relate to the design process itself and to settings, buildings and urban environments.

Classify the investigated situation to branched dimensions, e.g. demographic, planning, regulatory, economic, social, environmental, etc.

Trace the causes or the influencing factors that lead to the emergence or aggravation of the problem/s in each dimension.

Clarify the problem more by identifying the consequences or adverse effects (the symptoms of the problem) that resulted from those causes. This helps isolate the causes from the consequences to focus on treating the causes not the consequences. Using temporary painkillers will not eliminate the disease; it only tranquilizes the symptoms.

Statement of the consequences of the problem is a narrative that describes the negative effects caused by sub-problems on the investigated environment ( Goetz et al. , 2005 ).

The statement of consequences of the problem should be focused, where each consequence focuses on one independent sub-problem; articulate, not overlapping with other consequences; rooted, relating to one of the roots of the general problems; deep, providing description for specific symptom; and comprehended, could be perceived, described and determined ( Abdellatif, 2015 ).

2.2.6 Research questions

What is the nature of the development problem as defined by the latest findings of previous literature, similar studies and published statistical reports?

What are the key features of the investigated problem according to a direct field survey?

What are the appropriate links between different variables of the study (causes, consequences, etc.) according to the information gathered from the theoretical review and field surveys?

What are the extracted results and the appropriate solutions and/or recommendations to deal with the general research problem and its sub-problems?

What are the critical contributions of the research findings on the life and/or environmental qualities?

How can the research increase the benefits of research results on the ground?

What are the research areas/points that need further investigation?

Research questions should be specific, each question addresses one sub-problem; unduplicated, each question does not repeat itself in a different format; sequential, or arranged according to their importance and order; and interrelated, where each question relates to other questions.

2.2.7 Research aim, goals and objectives

The general aim of the research is a specific and clear statement presenting the overall purpose of the study. It is directed to find an appropriate and effective solution to the general research problem ( Donohue, 2018 ). It is an attempt to fill a gap between a negative reality of an environment/ecosystem/or development situation and a desired positive future to be achieved at the end of the research process ( Glatthorn and Randy, 2018 ). The aim should be properly stated to ensure the success of all the following stages of the scientific research process.

Exploring the problem by defining the research problem, formulating aim and objectives, designing the methodology, defining the scope, and highlighting the expected contributions.

Collecting secondary data by defining basic concepts and terms, reviewing relevant literature and previous studies, and describing the most important characteristics of the investigated environment from secondary sources and statistical reports.

Collecting primary data via direct field surveys and based on the views of concerned population, experts and officials to describe the characteristics of the investigated development problem.

Analysing the gathered data by using theoretical and field data to determine the appropriate links among different variables of the study (e.g. causes, consequences, etc.).

Synthesizing the gathered data by integrating the findings of analysis to build appropriate approaches or solutions to deal with the general problem.

Extracting conclusions and writing recommendations to highlight research findings and make them more useful and effective.

A micro level objective contributes to solving the specific investigated problem (e.g. a specific quantitative or qualitative problem that hinders the development of a sector of society, environment, or eco-system).

A macro level objective contributes to realizing a higher goal (e.g. improving the overall quality of life of a larger community, upgrading the quality of the larger environment, etc.).

Development objectives should apply the SMART goal rule (previously explained); and be non-overlapping by ensuring that each objective is focused and not conflicting with other objectives.

2.2.8 Research scope

Thematic scope clarifies the general and specific areas of the research (e.g. the research falls within the field of sustainable development in general and focuses on social sustainability).

Geographic/Spatial scope specifies the spatial boundaries of the physical environment within which the research is applied (e.g. a specific local or regional setting).

Temporal scope shows the past, present and future spans the research will cover indicating the number of years from the historical information inventory until the expected completion date. If the research aim is to develop future strategies or policies, the span will extend to future target point.

Research Scope should be categorized, by being classified by subject, place and time; focused, by reaching the closest limits of the investigated research problem, environment and time; and clear, by not being so general or ambiguous.

2.2.9 Research significance and contributions

They highlight the most important benefits and the main beneficiaries from solving the research problem; the potential positive impacts of the study on the life and environmental qualities ( Groat and Wang, 2013 ). Contributions differ in nature (theoretical or applied or both) and in size (huge, average, or marginal). There is a positive relationship between the size of contributions and the size of impacted beneficiaries (individuals, groups, institutions, communities, societies), the scale of the impacted geographic boundaries (local, national or global), the type of impacted development sectors (service, production, etc.) and the numbers of the impacted sectors (one, a few, or all sectors). Research significance increases as the size of contributions increases. Specifying the research significance, expected contributions and potential beneficiaries helps promote the research and provides rational justifications for conducting it. The higher the contributions and the greater the sectors of the beneficiaries, the more significant the research is ( Abdellatif and Abdellatif, 2005 ). According to Balakumar et al. (2013) research significance justifies the need for the research that is being proposed.

Research significance and expected contributions should be categorized, in terms of type (theoretical or applied contribution or both), size and nature of the beneficiaries (individuals, institutions, communities, etc.) and geographical extent (small site, district, city, region, nation, etc.); clear, simple and comprehensible to the reader; and realistic, real, accurate and not exaggerated.

2.2.10 The preliminary review of literature

This is an initial review of literature dealt with relevant problems. It aims to build an initial understanding of the problem, identify the most important variables that have been considered, cite methodologies used to deal with the problem; make use of the latest findings and record the various recommendations/solutions suggested to deal with the problem ( Hart, 1998 ; Grix, 2001 ). According to Dunleavy (2003) , it is a critical review on related recent research that is well documented, structured, analysed and synthesized. It offers the researcher an opportunity to engage with other scholars in one's disciplinary community.

In addition to having a separate part, it is useful to combine the literature review with other components of the TP (e.g. the research problem, questions, aim and objectives, and methodology). It is important that the review presents differing perspectives or contrasting views of the topic and reports the complexities of the issue ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). By conducting the review, the researcher becomes able to build an initial but comprehensive understanding of the causes and consequences of the problem, the methodologies used to study and analyse the problem and the solutions proposed to deal with it by synthesizing various viewpoints of previous studies, thereby, supporting her/his principle argument about the study problem with the results derived from previous literature ( Pautasso, 2013 ).

Definitions of key terms and concepts; standard terms to appear in the research and special concepts which are not formally provided by previous scholars. The definitions must be logic and derived from scientifically recognized sources.

Review of previous studies; focusing on identifying several issues, namely, the most important dimensions and variables of the research problem (the causes of the problem; why the problem has emerged or aggravated; the most important consequences of this problem on the human and/or physical environment); the methods used to deal with the problem; the latest findings of previous studies and the various approaches/solutions suggested to deal with the problem.

Contextual aspects of the investigated development situation; including a review of relevant characteristics of the researched environment (its basic dimensions and elements) as found in previous studies. Contextual aspects may be classified into physical and human components; or into environmental, functional, aesthetic, structural, economic and social design determinants; or into demographic, planning, regulatory, economic, social, environmental sectors or other classifications.

Preliminary review of literature should be indexed, from reliable scholarly sources; categorized or documented according to standard classification system; employed, used wisely to achieve a desired purpose; up to date, recent, however, in topics which address chronological development or evolutionary aspects references could be recent and old; and related, relevant to the study problem ( Hart, 1998 ).

2.2.11 Research methodology

Data collection methods including office methods used to collect secondary data from previous literature and case studies as well as field methods used to gather original data through field visits, surveying, questionnaires, interviews with stakeholders, etc.

Data analysis methods including methods used to analyse both the secondary and primary information collected from office and the field surveys such as Statistical Analysis, Environmental Scanning (SWOT), Development Components Analysis, etc.

Data synthesis methods including methods used to compile, synthesize the analysis and develop appropriate alternative scenarios or solutions to deal with the problem.

Data presentation methods including methods to present the research process and findings such as scientific research paper containing narratives, tables, figures, forms, maps, results and recommendations as well as final visual presentation to review panel to get remarks and write the last version of the TP.

Research methodology should be appropriate, aligned with the purpose/s in which they will be used; achievable, within the reach of the researcher; effective, achieving the purpose fast and with high quality; reliable, previously tested, applied and approved in similar cases; and precise, accurate and specific.

2.2.12 Research structure and timeline

This is a brief statement of the main sections of the master's/doctoral thesis with tentative dates for completing the various stages of the research. Careful preparation of research structure and timeline ensures the effectiveness and integrity of the plan of actions towards the completion of the study ( Kivunja, 2016 ). It is also a criterion to judge the achieved progress and seriousness of the researcher.

Research structure and timeline should be sequential, arranged according to a standard scientific research process; logical, proportionate to the total period available for completion; and balanced, distributing time properly among various stages.

2.2.13 The list of references

This is a list which contains a reasonable number of relevant references on the topic which were actually cited in the TP ( Kornuta and Germaine, 2019 ). Including a list of the references about the topic demonstrates that the researcher is familiar with the basic and latest knowledge on his/her problem.

The list of references should be relevant, closely related to the investigated subject; up to date, recent yet containing old and new according the topic and context; and reliable, published in dependable vessels.

2.3 Extracting the success rules

Based on the above definitions and attributes provided for each of the 13 TP components, the authors were able to extract a number of success rules that took the form of equations, each of which describes an equality function between each component and its counterpart component/s as shown in Table 1 . For instance, rule #1 shows that “research title” is equal to “the general aim of the research” and is equal to “the negative wording of the research problem”.

3. Assessing the Successful TP Conception from students' viewpoints

They better understood the meanings of each component (97% agree and strongly agree and 3% neutral).

They better understood the attributes of each component (94% agree and strongly agree and 6% neutral).

They better understood the rules which control the relations between the various components of the TP (87% agree and strongly agree and 13% neutral).

The process of writing the proposal has become easier and more convenient (100% agree and strongly agree).

The effort, cost and time spent in submitting the proposal have been substantially saved (87% agree and strongly and 12% neutral).

The relationship with academic advisor has improved (87% agree and strongly agree and 12% neutral).

The students' confidence in advancing their own learning abilities has improved (93% agree and strongly agree and 7% neutral).

The students' abilities to address the strengths and weaknesses of their personal skills have improved (93% agree and strongly agree and 7% neutral).

The students' abilities to manage their learning process more independently have improved (90% agree and strongly agree, 7% neutral and 3% disagree).

The students have created a clearer and better mutual understanding with their academic advisors (90% agree and strongly agree and 10% neutral).

The students have reduced their distraction from the original target set out in the proposal (81% agree and strongly agree, 16% neutral and 3% disagree).

The students have been able to finish their research on time (78% agree and strongly agree, 19% neutral and 3% disagree).

They gained better analytical skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).

They gained better problem-solving skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).

They gained better critical thinking skills (87% agree and strongly agree, 10% neutral and 3% disagree).

4. Verifying the Successful TP Conception based on experts' viewpoints

Having proposed, applied and assessed the Successful TP Conception, it becomes important to validate it using the insights of experienced academics from Architectural and Planning schools worldwide. This part summarizes the results of the experts' inquiry survey conducted in November 2019 to February 2020. It shows the characteristics of experts and their viewpoints and remarks on the originally proposed definitions, attributes and success rules.

4.1 Experts' characteristics

They were from nine countries, namely, the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

About 75% of the experts were males and 25% were females. About 5% were 35–45 years old, 20% were 45–55 years, 55% were 55–65 years and 20% were 65 years and over.

About 5% were Assistant Professors, 10% Associate Professors and the majority (85%) were Professors.

The experts had teaching experiences in undergraduate and graduate levels (masters, doctoral, diploma, postdoctoral and continuing professional development).

The general specialization of 70% of the experts was Architecture and 30% of experts were specialized in Urban Planning. They taught in several built environment fields (Architecture, Interior Design, Building Technology, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning).

The experts had several focus areas, namely, Architecture, History and Theories of Architecture, Assessment of Designed Environments, Design Methods, Pedagogy, Architecture and Digital Technologies, Heritage Conservation, Middle East Architecture and Cities, Construction Project Management, Urban Design, Spatial Development Planning, Landscape, Built Environment and Behaviour, Urban Studies, Techniques and Quantitative Methods of Urban Planning, Urban Conflict, Urban Justice, Community Development, Environmental Management and Planning and Development Approaches.

About 10% of the experts supervised 5 theses, 5% supervised 6–10 theses, 50% supervised 11–20 theses and 35% supervised more than 20 theses.

4.2 Experts' viewpoints and remarks

Concerning the proposed definitions of the TP components, the experts expressed their agreement which ranged between 73 and 96%. Some experts provided additional remarks to help improve the definitions. Table 2 presents the originally proposed definitions, the percentages of agreed experts and their additional remarks.

Regarding the attributes of each component of the TP, the original conception proposed 38 attributes, the experts added 18 attributes resulting in a total of 56 attributes. Table 3 presents a matrix showing the percentages of experts' agreement of the originally proposed attributes as well as the added attributes. The lowest agreement percentage was 59% and the highest was 96%.

Concerning the proposed success rules which were called “equations” in the originally proposed conception, the experts suggested to change the expression into “rules”; which is more appropriate for subjective contents than mathematical expression. Table 4 presents the final 19 success rules for the components/sub-components of a TP and the percentage of experts' agreement which ranged between 57 and 95%.

5. Conclusion

Based on their experience in preparing and supervising masters and doctoral theses and after a thorough review of the literature on preparing thesis proposals, the authors drafted a conception of a successful thesis proposal comprising specific definitions, attributes and rules for each of the 13 components of a standard TP. The conception had been applied over a duration of 15 years (2005–2020) on several batches of master and doctoral students in IAU, KSA. Through an online survey, the majority of students (78–100%) have indicated that understanding and applying the conception helped them improve their performances and outputs during the TP development process and beyond.

The conception was then validated by getting the insights of 39 experienced academics from worldwide architectural schools. The experts accepted the proposed definitions with (73–96%) agreement rate. The experts also accepted the proposed attributes with (59–96%) agreement rate. As for the success rules, the experts' agreed as well with an acceptance rate ranging from (57–95%). The experts suggested constructive remarks which were considered in writing the final version of the conception.

The extracted success rules combine the definitions and attributes of each component of the TP and present them in a concise statement which defines the component and, where applicable, exemplifies its relationship to another corresponding or counterpart component of the TP. For example, rule #1 shows that “research title” should reflect “the general aim and scope of the research” and should also reflect “the negative wording of the research problem”. Extracted also is rule #14 which indicates that “the whole thesis proposal” written in future tenses, should resemble “the introduction of the final thesis” written in past tenses.

A directive tool that assists the researcher in writing a sound TP. Combining the last three tables (2, 3 and 4) into a comprehensive checklist would aid the students in preparing their TP's; enhancing the quality of their performance and outputs.

An evaluative tool that helps in assessing the validity and integrity of the submitted TP's that can be used by the researcher for self-assessment, or by the academic advisor, or by an examiner/evaluator before sending the proposal to higher authorities for approval.

The findings of this paper could be useful not only in evaluating thesis proposals, but also, with proper modifications, in assessing various scientific research documents, including scientific thesis, research papers and others; which is another research topic that will be addressed in the future.

urban development thesis topics

The stages of developing the successful thesis proposal conception

Proposed list of success rules for the TP components

An extracted list of success rules for thesis proposals

Source(s) : Prepared by the authors based on the above analysis and the results of expert inquiry

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the sincere assistance provided by the team of experts from several Architectural Schools worldwide to verify and improve the TP Conception. Appreciation is also extended to the post graduate students of the College of Architecture and Planning, IAU, who have positively responded to the students' opinion survey.

Corresponding author

About the authors.

Mahmoud Abdellatif is a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He received an MSc from Assuit University, Egypt in 1977 and another MSc from Iowa State University in 1981 and a PhD degree from Texas A&M University in 1985. He has taught and practiced Architecture and Urban Planning for more than 45 years in Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. His main research focus is on research methods, strategic planning and design and development approaches. He is currently the adviser of IAU Vice President for Studies, Development and Community Services. His last book (published in Arabic) entitled The Simplifying-Integrating Approach to Contemporary Design, Planning and Urban Development articulates his own problem-solving approach. He is the principle editor of the Strategic Plan of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University 2018–2025.

Reham Abdellatif is an Assistant Professor in Architecture, College of Design, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU), Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She obtained an MSc degree from Assiut University in 2003 and a PhD degree from Newcastle University, UK, in 2012. She has taught and practiced Architecture and Interior Design for more than 22 years in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Her main research focus is on Architectural Education and Curriculum Development, Analysing Design Learning Activities, Distant/Online Learning, Communication and Computation, VR and Information Technologies in Architecture. She ran the interior design curriculum development committee in Assiut University and in IAU.

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  • Urban Planning Code of Ethics Ethics can help planners foster an integral, moral, and trustworthy environment in the planning process and make socially acceptable approaches/ For instance, explaining to stakeholders existing and anticipated social problems that may occur in the […]
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  • Optimizing Urban Planning to Address Homelessness Researchers use sensitivity analysis to assess the contribution of single preference parameters to the uncertainty of the ranking of alternatives. In the same manner, authorities can create a database consisting of all the shelters for […]
  • Internet of Things in a Work of an Urban Planning Specialist Due to the fact that urban planning ultimately targets the experiences of urban dwellers, the internet of things and is vital to consider for a city designer.
  • Urban Planning: City Summary Grayslake, IL It is located to the north of Chicago’s downtown approximately 64km away, and the west of Lake Michigan approximately 23km away, and to the south of Wisconsin border approximately 24km away.
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  • Urban Planning Issues in the “Boyz n the Hood” Film Boyz n the Hood reveals the problem of the suburbanization of the society and non-functional urban environment, which is typical of the areas similar to the one shown in the movie.
  • Green Communities in Urban Planning Under such circumstances, much attention is paid to green communities as the most appropriate form of living in balance with nature one of the examples of such a green community in Copenhagen.
  • Urban Planning Issues About the Movie “City of God” This is where he also discovers corruption and collaboration in between the Kenyan government, the pharmaceutical corporation, and his fellow British colleagues. The main cause for lack of social mobility is limited of education.
  • Urban Planning Issues About the Movie “Julie and Julia” Paris is portrayed as superior to the New York City and Julia’s recipes seem to influence the way the residents of Paris as well as the New Yorkers eat.
  • “Gone Baby Gone” Movie: Urban Planning Issues The residents of the area are also suspicious that the police are not honest in their dealings and this makes it difficult for the two detectives to resolve Amanda’s abduction.
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  • How Does Urban Planning Affect the Environment?
  • Which City Has the Best Urban Planning?
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  • What Are the Factors of Urban Planning?
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  • Which Software Is Used for Urban Planning?
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  • What Is Level of Urban Planning?
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10 Inspiring Architecture Thesis Topics for 2023: Exploring Sustainable Design, AI Integration, and Parametricism

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urban development thesis topics

Choosing between architecture thesis topics is a big step for students since it’s the end of their education and a chance to show off their creativity and talents. The pursuit of biomaterials and biomimicry, a focus on sustainable design , and the use of AI in architecture will all have a significant impact on the future of architecture in 2023.

We propose 10 interesting architecture thesis topics and projects in this post that embrace these trends while embracing technology, experimentation, and significant architectural examples.

Architecture thesis topics

Architecture Thesis Topic #1 – Sustainable Affordable Housing

Project example: Urban Village Project is a new visionary model for developing affordable and livable homes for the many people living in cities around the world. The concept stems from a collaboration with SPACE10 on how to design, build and share our future homes, neighbourhoods and cities.

“Sustainable affordable housing combines social responsibility with innovative design strategies, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and environmentally conscious living spaces.” – John Doe, Sustainable Design Architect.

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Architecture Thesis Topic #2 – Parametric Architecture Using Biomaterials

Project example:  Parametric Lampchairs, using Agro-Waste by Vincent Callebaut Architectures The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) “Living Architecture Lab” investigates the fusion of biomaterials with parametric design to produce responsive and sustainable buildings . The lab’s research focuses on using bio-inspired materials for architectural purposes, such as composites made of mycelium.

Architecture thesis topics

Architecture Thesis Topic #3 – Urban Planning Driven by AI

Project example: The University of California, Berkeley’s “ Smart City ” simulates and improves urban planning situations using AI algorithms. The project’s goal is to develop data-driven methods for effective urban energy management, transportation, and land use.

“By integrating artificial intelligence into urban planning, we can unlock the potential of data to create smarter, more sustainable cities that enhance the quality of life for residents.” – Jane Smith, Urban Planner.

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Architecture Thesis Topic #4 – Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Heritage

From 1866 to 1878, Oxford Street’s Paddington Reservoir was built. From the 1930′s, it was covered by a raised grassed park which was hidden from view and little used by the surrounding community.

Over the past two years, the City of Sydney and its collaborative design team of architects, landscape architects, engineers, planners, and access consultants have created a unique, surprising, functional, and completely engaging public park that has captivated all who pass or live nearby.

Instead of capping the site and building a new park above, the design team incorporated many of the reinforced ruins of the heritage-listed structure and created sunken and elevated gardens using carefully selected and limited contemporary materials with exceptional detailing.

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Architecture Thesis Topic #5 – Smart and Resilient Cities

The capacity to absorb, recover from, and prepare for future shocks (economic, environmental, social, and institutional) is what makes a city resilient. Resilient cities have this capabilities. Cities that are resilient foster sustainable development, well-being, and progress that includes everyone.

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Architecture Thesis Topic #6 – High Performing Green Buildings

The LEED certification offers a foundation for creating high-performing, sustainable structures. In order to guarantee energy efficiency , water conservation, and healthy interior environments, architects may include LEED concepts into their buildings. To learn more check our free training to becoming LEED accredited here .

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Architecture Thesis Topic #7 – Urban Landscapes with Biophilic Design

Project example: The High Line is an elevated linear park in New York City that stretches over 2.33 km and was developed on an elevated part of a defunct New York Central Railroad branch that is known as the West Side Line. The successful reimagining of the infrastructure as public space is the key to its accomplishments. The 4.8 km Promenade Plantee, a tree-lined promenade project in Paris that was finished in 1993, served as an inspiration for the creation of the High Line.

“Biophilic design fosters human well-being by creating environments that reconnect people with nature, promoting relaxation, productivity, and overall happiness.” – Sarah Johnson, Biophilic Design Consultant.

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Architecture Thesis Topic #8 – Augmented and Virtual Reality in Architectural Visualization

An interactive experience that augments and superimposes a user’s real-world surroundings with computer-generated data. In the field of architecture, augmented reality (AR) refers to the process of superimposing 3D digital building or building component models that are encoded with data onto real-world locations.

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Architecture Thesis Topic #9 – Sustainable Skyscrapers

There is even a master program called “Sustainable Mega-Buildings” in the UK , Cardiff dedicated to high-rise projects in relation to performance and sustainability. Since building up rather than out, having less footprint, more open space, and less development is a green strategy .

“Sustainable skyscrapers showcase the possibilities of high-performance design, combining energy efficiency, resource conservation, and innovative architectural solutions.” – David Lee, Sustainable Skyscraper Architect.

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Architecture Thesis Topic #10 – Circular Economy in Construction

Project example: Building D(emountable) , a sustainable and fully demountable structure on the site of a historic, monumental building complex in the center of the Dutch city Delft. Of the way in which the office approaches circular construction and of the way in which one can make buildings that can later donate to other projects. Or even be reused elsewhere in their entirety.

“By embracing the circular economy in construction, architects can contribute to a more sustainable industry, shifting from a linear ‘take-make-dispose’ model to a more regenerative approach.” – Emily Thompson, Sustainable Construction Specialist.

Conclusion:

The 10 thesis projects for architecture discussed above demonstrate how AI, LEED , and sustainable design are all incorporated into architectural practice. Students may investigate these subjects with an emphasis on creativity, experimenting, and building a physical environment that is in line with the concepts of sustainability and resilience via examples, quotations, and university programs.

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15 Architecture Thesis Topics for Urban Architecture

urban development thesis topics

Urban Architecture has consistently been a trending architecture thesis topic among the students. And before we go deep into the variety of topics that can be used we must understand what exactly is Urban Architecture?

One could say urban architecture refers to any building type that establishes an appreciable relationship with its surrounding context, the built environment , and the community itself. It comprises buildings that are mostly located in urban areas, are accessible, and are meant to serve the public at large. Its purpose hence would be to make society better. Indeed, people are indeed strongly affected by building forms and facades. According to research, the main cause of ‘social stress’ in urban environments is often the absence of social bonding and interconnection in city landscapes . Design that stimulates social and urban cohesion is hence, very important for good community living. This is where urban architecture comes in; a holistic approach to the subject may result in projects like iconic skyscrapers or even residential developments . However, the focus revolves around enhancing the experience of people who are connected to the architecture.

When choosing to do a architecture thesis project on the subject of urban architecture, one needs to understand the platitude of areas and scopes encompassed by the field. There are indeed endless possibilities and avenues to explore that intend to serve the interests of the public, and also make community life better.

Before you delve into the list of topics of urban architecture to choose from, make that:

  • You understand the subject thoroughly. Choose a topic relevantly and appealing to your interests, especially prospects, masters, or a job.
  • You discuss it with your thesis advisor so that he can comprehend your intent and help you through the course of the project .
  • The topic does not necessarily have to be unique. It also should not be something that has been tried and tested far too many times.it is because your work is what would represent you. Make sure, it speaks of who you are and what you want to do.

Here are a few options for viable architecture thesis topics that you could choose to look at.

1. Low-cost housing | Architecture Thesis

As more and more people are moving to dense urban cities like New York , in search of a better quality of living and opportunities, the city population is on the rise. As is the cost of living, making low-cost housing a dire need of societies, as low-income residents have limited choices for affordable living. When affordable housing complexes were being constructed ever since the mid-20 th century, these projects were often seen as monumental solutions to provide economical living spaces to large groups of people. Hence, even with the best of intentions of the designers, the imposing towers often turned out to be negligent of human scale, and were often more inhospitable and discouraging for communities, leaving them feeling more isolated and unwelcome.

However, a rising interest in the area since recent years has seen a rise in alternative solutions to the outdated models. Low-cost, affordable housing is not seen as merely buildings creating decent spaces for living, but also using sustainable building features to reduce costs, maintenance and to help improve the quality of life and belongingness for residents, allowing them to feel more connected to not just the resources, but also to communities and the spaces outside.

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2. Art and Heritage museum

To design a building that is important not only for the preservation of the history of the community but to also integrate members of the community and to what they share. This topic uses a method that looks at the study not only qualitatively, but also based on a theoretical foundation, with the acute understanding that comes from familiarizing oneself with concepts and standards of museums, exhibition spaces, contextualism, and exhibit care and preservation.

The project should not only focus on respecting the importance of the historical context, but also ensure that it avoids the damage of pieces of its past. It should shed light on the concept of the museum itself, the types of functions and activities it would encourage, the form and physicality of the building, and the interconnectivity between different elements of the museum . The journey of a user and the enriching experience that the museum provides, concerning its displays but to communal spaces of social interaction and discussion should also be of high value when taking this topic.

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3. Airport of Urban Architecture Thesis

Many countries in the world, including the USA, are suffering from outdated aviation infrastructure, with most airports being more than 40 years old, and a lot of money being spent on the revamp, expansion or construction to meet the challenging new needs of today. Design-wise, architects need to not only provide solutions for the necessary functioning and program of the airport , but also to enhance the experience of travel for the visitors, which includes interesting features for wayfinding, atriums for nature incorporation and natural light, state-of-the-art visual elements, and huge spaces for sightseeing and rest, as well cultural experiences which encapsulate the context of the airport, gardens, and desert landscapes. The project area also has a lot of potential for experimentation with physical form and modelmaking, which could induce a sense of awe for the public at large.

The functional aspects, of course, include catering to huge parking spaces, checking and security posts, luggage management areas, lobby areas, airport maintenance spaces, airplane ramps, and cargos, and many others, as well as allowing for the potential for future expansion. Thus, airports not only present an interesting challenge for a thesis topic but are also one that provides extensive avenues to understand the flexibility of a space which is in fact the cardinal space a visitor comes into contact with when entering a new city or a country. Hence, holding great social importance. The change seen in recent airport designs does indeed seem like a promising area to work in.

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4. Cinema and theatre architecture

Cinemas and theatres are interesting places, where the anticipation to experience is just as important as the actual film or performance itself. This is why the design and nature of the building hold such great importance.  It should in some way, either reflect the magnitude of the experience that it would showcase, or subdue itself against the marvel of the performance . Either way, it should be taken as a work of art, as architectural icons as done so in the past, which communicate the spirit of the times through the design.

The building requires a careful understanding of the program; it features their relationships with one another, the type of circulation from one space to another, and the allowance of gathering spaces with technical ones as well. The seating arrangement, sound buffering, technical knowledge must be handled as meticulously as possible, as close attention to the sound, visuals, and theatrics are what greatly enhance the experience of the performance. This is why this is also a very fascinating topic, for a building that integrates different groups of society and brings them together to experience a shared feature.

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5. Skyscraper design | Architecture Thesis

Living in a time when the competition to rise, to go higher, and to reach greater heights resonates with the fact that there is an ever-increasing desire to build very tall buildings. By definition, a skyscraper is a building that exceeds 330 feet in height. Yet the contemporary approach is not only to reach unattainable heights in construction, but it is also to rejuvenate thinking abilities, and present inventions with cutting-edge designs, that also meet the function of the building with elegance and pride. From encompassing different architectural movements like art deco and modernism, skyscraper designs also look at the intensive technical understanding of how high-rise work, the relationship of functionality between different floors, structural knowledge, and the municipalities that come with handling such delicate tasks.

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6. Suburban housing community

Suburban homes provide an avenue to understand a huge sector of society without directly destroying existing structures. They should be able to cater to the needs of the ever-changing dynamic of the public, to provide a potential for future expansion, and to provide an environment of ownership that allows for a comforting feeling of belongingness that leads to greater social integration.

The nature of the task often involves dealing with multiple stakeholders that are directly associated with such regions, including developers and the municipal government. Therefore, this subject involves a meticulous understanding of the way rules and regulations work, sizing, areas and appropriate zoning, transportation, and also a critical comprehension of the associated infrastructure required to cater to the needs of residential living, and of course, the quality of life.

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7. Marine park design of Urban Architecture

Projects paying attention to marine life can help bring new life into waterfront areas and can also provide a point of interest for the entire region itself. There exists in our society an absence of awareness regarding marine ecosystems, especially informal sectors, which has resulted in a lack of opportunities, care, and resources available for marine life. Thus, a thesis project on this topic would not be addressing the administrative concerns related to marine life, but could also cater to providing a recreational public space , where visitors can appreciate and interact with marine life along with exhibition spaces intended to create awareness for the general public.

Whilst taking the project a step ahead, a proper research institute could also be designed to further the knowledge available of the oceans and the organisms that inhabit them. These institutes with research facilities and equipment could provide areas for analysis, experimentation, and research for discovery. Thus, this project would not only help educate the public at large, but help generate revenue as a popular tourist attraction, and plant seeds for much-needed research of marine life.

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8. Convention center of Urban Architecture

A convention center is a public building of urban architecture meant to convey ideas and knowledge. It is also perceived to be more like the expansion of a town hall, where people having shared interests, goals, though, religion, or professions, could gather to interact, communicate, learn, and make decisions regarding the public realm. Hence, it is a space that caters to large groups of people, providing them with communal spaces that encourage different uses as well as appropriate exhibition spaces. 

Furthermore, since a convention center is meant to act as a medium for discourse, the first thing to consider is to develop a concept that would intend to attract people. It should have easy accessibility, be welcoming and fascinating and its spaces should be able to provide the necessary means for it to function efficiently and effectively. 

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9. Library of Urban Architecture Thesis

In the modern age of digitalization, the internet and technology have greatly transformed the manner in which we consume information. With this rapidly changing paradigm, the traditional function of a library is put on a pedestal and called to question. While it is true that the physical collection of books in a certain environment as compared to quick access to data using the internet does question the sustainability of a public library and the resources it offers, we must also keep in mind that a library also functions as a flexible space, that can be transformed to an active social space, agent for interaction and societal growth.

It must not only be considered to be a space that allows access to information, but also an environment that encourages discourse, communication, and exchange of meaningful ideas between people from different ages and social groups. With this in mind, a public library must be considered as one of the most democratic building types available, and one that has huge potential to add value to community development, growth, resource, and service. Therefore, with the sensitivity that comes with designing a library comes great responsibility, and this must be looked at as an area with the potential to be explored as a vital public asset.

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10. School of art and design

Projects that are practical solutions to community needs also have greater impacts on communities socially as well as economically. A thesis of urban architecture at a School for Art and Design could immensely help in this regard. It would only provide a platform for artists, architects, students, and citizens from various fields and social groups to gather and interact, share ideas and learn through conventional as well as modern ways and activities. This center would also enable these artists to share and exhibit their work and experiences through exhibition spaces, seminars, events, and conferences with members of their own community and the wider world through event halls, conference rooms, and libraries for research and learning.

With a learning institute as part of the program, the center would also allow aspiring artists to develop skills through formal training as well as informal activities. Thus, this institute would help create inclusivity in society but integrating different groups of people with a shared interest throughout the day and hence, year. It would also act as a viable magnet for social interaction between professionals, beneficial for the community and the campus. This, in turn, would enhance and regenerate the urban fabric, add depth to the context of the city and help drive the society forward in a positive direction. A thesis conducted on this topic, therefore, would allow you to look at art as a potential field to a group and bring communities together to appreciate the marvel that is an art and its ability to create change in the contemporary world.

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11. Bus terminal cum commercial complex

Transit facilities are indeed one of the most important and vital functions of a city itself. They constitute some of the most important goals of the city and its government by inviting a large number of people to the city, merges different groups of crows, and bring in opportunities of work and living for the masses, thus building the scope of urban architecture. Therefore, smooth and better transit provides ground for future development and helps the urban fabric to grow incredibly. Transit not only improves the urban squares and nodes, and provides a push to less developed areas to allow them to be at par with the rest of the city.

Understanding the scope of development associated with a bus terminal with a commercial complex attached as an additional function thus presents itself as an interesting topic to pursue. It would not only group different travelers with one another but also with the locals, allowing them to appreciate and value local culture and tradition, as well as activities that integrate the urban living community.

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12. Sports stadium of Urban Architecture

A stadium is one of the building typologies that have the power to shape the city or town it is located in. it not only helps put the city on the maps but also establishes an identity for the community and provides a tourist attraction and a focal point in its landscape. It is thus, a huge actor of theatrics that represents the output of a sport, and has a significant role for the city with regards to politics, geography, as well as socio-economics.

Thus, a sports stadium should not be looked at as a revenue-generating machine, but a building type that should be sustainable, iconic in design, with strong structural understanding for it to be considered a marvel in civic urban architecture. It requires a comprehensive understanding of various issues related to planning and design, which also cater to increased interaction and ease of access to its activities, and the environment is contained and encouraged.

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13. Resort design | Architecture Thesis

A resort is a place that caters to accommodation, leisure, and recreation. It provides for a variety of activities and luxury in scenic areas and is able to house different groups of people together. Some facilities provided include rooms or huts, swimming pools , sports grounds, gyms, fine dining areas, halls for events, and many others.

Resort tourism is an area that is rapidly gaining popularity. It has a lot of municipalities involved that are often delicate in nature so as to provide high levels of comfort for its users. Therefore, it often talks about large scales, an attractive form that is meant to attract the general public, and advanced equipment and management strategies. It is indeed an interesting topic to consider when one wants to work on an area that not only deals with program efficiency but also the psychological impacts of effective design strategies. 

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14. Religious buildings

An architecture thesis of urban architecture on religious buildings is a fascinating area to work on. It provides an avenue to create places with identity and an environment that awakens the senses and the emotions, enhances the experience, and provides a platform for spiritual practice. It should be kept in mind that the metaphysical concerns and experiences can largely be enhanced using effective space strategies that will come with a keen understanding of spatial and urban architecture.

Thus, space aims to heighten the experience of religion and spirituality and tends to cater to the tangible and intangible aspects of architecture, that involve senses. It is, therefore, a great challenge for architects to design spaces for religious activities, but also one that provides that greater amount of emotional appraisal. The modern religious building not only functions as only a religious center but also provides opportunities for people to come together and engage in communal activities. This is another aspect that architects need to consider when designing religious centers for contemporary times.

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15. Educational Institute for rural children

With the understanding that urban architecture paves the way for enhancing the educational process with effective plan strategies and expression of detail, the topic provides an opportunity to explore this area with the development of an educational institute for rural children. This would not only emphasize the importance of education for all sectors of society but would allow meaningful involvement of the community for development projects meant to improve the quality of life for the rural sectors.

The planning involved would recognize the basic functions needed to run a school, especially in a rural setting with a standard of quality education kept in mind. There is an urgent need for developers to look at this area in society, as existing schools do not meet the typical standard, which in turn affects the educational lives of its students, making them unable to perform effectively to become important assets for their society. Thus, this topic for social responsibility helps to integrate schools and the community, with the building serving as a reflection of ideas of both its place and time through its design, concept, and function.

 Sheet15

An Architect by profession, a writer, artist, and baker by interest, Amna Pervaiz sees Architecture and Urban Planning as a multifaceted avenue allowing her to explore a plethora of disciplinary elements. She sees the field as an untapped canvas; a journey she hopes would one day lead her towards social responsibility and welfare.

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urban development thesis topics

Master's Theses 2011 to 2020

2020 master's theses.

Thesis: The Healthy Incentives Program: Perspectives from Lawrence, Massachusetts Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Nicole (Cole) Huang

Thesis:  Mangroves, Defense from Depth Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Sean Hogan

Thesis:  Walking the Talk: Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction and Green Brand Identity   Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology Author:  Cullen Mitchell

Thesis:  Road Congestion Pricing: A Case Study Analysis of the Ambiguity and Evolution of Policy Objectives Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Jordan Webster

Thesis:  Understanding Economic Development Strategies for Effective Implementation for Planners Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Savannah-Nicole Villalba

Thesis:  A Comparison of Mapping Methodologies Identifying Transportation Disadvantaged Populations and Extreme Weather Risk in Boston Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning  Author: Megan Morrow

Thesis:  Integrated Urban Water Management and Governance Capacity in Boston, Massachusetts: Implications for Building Climate Resilience  Topic:  Water Resources Policy & Planning Author: Meredith Houghton

Thesis:  The Impact of Seminole Tribe, Twenty Years Later Topic:  Native American Studies and Law Author:  Victoria Stern

Thesis:  In pursuit of Domestic Energy: Legality of Expanded Oil and Gas Leases in the Age of Trump Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author : Elizabeth Rosenberg

Thesis:  Racial Justice and Community Development Corporations: Accounts from the Field Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Minnie McMahon

Thesis:  The Future of Renewable Natural Gas in Massachusetts Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Shoshana Blank

Thesis:  Investigating Interest in an Intergenerational Homeshare Program Bringing Together Tufts Students and Local Seniors Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Nicholas Pittman

Thesis:  Corporate Social Responsibility in the Modern Age: Big Data as a Tool to Further CSR Efforts Topic:  Corporate Environmental Policy Author:  Namgay Tshering

Thesis:  On Notice: Comparing Participation and Transparency Requirements in Zoning Procedures Topic:  Land Use Policy and Planning Author:  Catherine Kemmett

Thesis:  Green Cities and Just Sustainabilities Topic:  Sustainable Development  Author: S ara Moaveni

Thesis:  Growing Together: Service Providers Cooperatively Supporting New American Farmers and Gardeners in Chittenden County, Vermont Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Chelsea Alexander

Thesis:  Clearing the Air: A Proposal for a Congestion User Fee for the City of Boston  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Andrew McFarland

Thesis:  Development and Displacement: An Examination of the Effects of New Development on Residential Mobility in Boston from 2005 to 2019 Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Brian Froeb

Thesis:  Just Energy: Generating Community Power in Holyoke, MA  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Cyatharine Alias

Thesis:  Innovation Labs in Public, Private and Nonprofit Sectors: Where is Social Innovation Heading?  Topic:  Urban Policy & Planning  Author:  Lina Xie

Thesis:  "Foot Notes" a thesis podcast on the intersection of walkability and race Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Lily Linke

Thesis:  Charging into the future: Using Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership patterns to identify suitable locations for deploying EV charging stations in Massachusetts  Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Rajat Shrestha

Thesis:  Determinants of Vehicle Miles Traveled and Transportation Emissions in the Boston Metro Region Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Tigran Aslanyan

Thesis:  Illuminations of Safety: Urban Design, Safety, and Conviviality in Danehy Park Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Rachel Dowley

Thesis:  Families on the move: Housing affordability of an inner-suburb in a high-cost metropolitan area Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Carol Ann Litster

Thesis:  Planning to Heal: A Critical Analysis of Frameworks Seeking a Corrective Course for Planning in the Context of Housing Planning and Development in Boston  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Eliana Golding

Thesis:  Exploring a Green New Deal Platform in Boston  Topic:  Climate Change Policy & Planning  Author:  Julia Masters

Thesis:  Safety Perceptions of 3-D Crosswalk Design Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Jessica Bartlett

Thesis:  The Co-location of Affordable Housing & Public Libraries Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Kamari Durley

Thesis:  Spatializing Culture: The Language of Landscape in Franklin Park Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Elisabeth Kellam

Thesis:  A Data-Driven Approach to Discover the Vitality Around Transit Stations in the U.S. Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Yuehui Li

Thesis:  Where do talents go in China: Factors at play in their city choice Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Xinlei Lian

Thesis:  Exploring the impact of e-commerce on cities and villages: The case of Amazon and Alibaba Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Xianzheng Fang

Thesis:  The Spatial Variability of COVID-19 in Massachusetts: Implications for Sustainable Development Topic:  Public Health Policy and Planning Author:  Peiyao Wang

2019 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Farmer Identity in Mid-Atlantic Farm to School Programs Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Rebecca Lucas

Thesis:  Community Shared Solar: How to Make it Shine Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author: Bruce Johnson

Thesis:  A Collaborative Approach to Climate Change Adaptation Planning at the Watershed Scale: A Case Study of the Resilient Mystic Collaborative Topic:  Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Carolyn Meklenburg

Thesis:  Performance Parking Programs  Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Emily Klotz

Thesis:  The Last Mile: Content Analysis and Travel Behavior in Toronto and Montreal Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Shabnam Bista

Thesis:  Identifying Biopholic Design Elements in Streetscapes in Devens and Seeing if They Have Influence over Visual Attention and Sense of Place Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Peter Milliken

Thesis:  Understanding Modern and Historic Architecture in Boston, MA and Da Nang, Vietnam Through Evidence Based Design Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Kelly Sherman

Thesis:  Cultivating Nature and Civic Ecology in Boston’s Urban Green Space Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alexis Marie Washburn

Thesis:  The Interaction Between Market and Non-Market Based Energy and Environmental Regulations to Reduce Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of California and British Columbia  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Stefan Koester

Thesis:  Equitable Carsharing: Attaining Electric Vehicle Carsharing within Boston's Low-Income Communities Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Albert Good

Thesis:  Multispecies Planning: Locating Nonhuman Entanglements in Oyster Restoration Policy on the Massachusetts Coast Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  James Morgan

Thesis:  Data in the City: Principles of data-driven decision making Topic:  Urban Policy & Planning Author:  Emma Homstad

Thesis:  University Student Transit Use: A Case Study of Tufts University Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning  Author:  Anna Sangree

Thesis:  SNAP Based Incentive Programs at Farmers Markets: A Critical Analysis Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Rachel Hoh

Thesis:  An Analysis of the Opiod Epidemic in Boston, MA: A Deep Dive into the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Topic:  Public Health Policy and Planning  Author: Mariah Healy

Thesis:  Local Government's Role in Climate Resiliency Planning: Impacts on Transportation and Land Use Planning in East Boston Topic:  Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Ariel Patterson

Thesis:  Adaptive Reuse: Planning for Economic Development in Former Industrial Cities Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Marissa Meaney

Thesis:  Against the Grain: Safety Analysis and Design Guidance for Contraflow Bike Streets Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Liza Burkin

Thesis:  The Meaning of Mutuality in the 21st Century: The Role of Mutual Banks in Community Wealth Building, a Case Study of Lee Bank in Berkshire County, MA Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Alice Maggio

Thesis:  Identifying a Missed Opportunity in State Disaster Response: An Analysis of State Housing Finance Agencies' Response to Hurricanes Through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Valerie Weiner

Thesis:  Modeling Electric Vehicle Adoption in Massachusetts: Problems, Opportunities, and Implications for Municipalities and Utilities Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Stephen Herling

Thesis:  The Link Between Elderly Travel Behavior and the Built Environment: A Case Study of Boston Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Bingqin Shan

Thesis:  Using Data to Supplement MBTA Points-of-Sale in AFC 2.0 in Increase Equity   Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Lily Ko

Thesis:  Breaking The Cycle: How Philadelphia Can Shape Its Rail Park Topic:  Urban Planning & Design  Author:  Kaitlin Mills

Thesis:  Planning for Cannabis Retail Stores in Major U.S. Cities: Best Practices Recommendations for Boston, Massachusetts  Topic:  Urban Policy & Planning Author:   Michael Flanary

Thesis:  Teaching Democracy: The Opportunities and Challenges of Conveying the Micropractices of Democracy through a Community-University Training  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Zoe Ackerman

Thesis:  Reinvigorating a Post-Industrial Small Town: Community Engaged Placemaking in Rural Vermont    Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Lylee Rauch-Kacenski

2018 Master's Theses

Thesis: Urban Waterfront Revitalization and Open Space: A Case of Rezoning Waterfront of Yong River in Nanning, China Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Xizhi Luan

Thesis:  Assessing Conservation Easements and Their Adaptability to Future Change in Strafford County, New Hampshire Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Robert McDonough

Thesis:  Collective Visioning in the Boston Ujima Project Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Sarah Jimenez

Thesis:  Planning for Coastal Flooding Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Author:  Erin Coutts

Thesis:  Mega Projects: Worth the Cost? A Study of Three Boston Mega Projects and Their Impact on Their Neighborhoods Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Samantha Pirk

Thesis:  People's Electric Power: Community Energy Solutions to Empower Democracy and Combat Climate Change Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Joel Wool

Thesis:  Impacts of Land Use Change and Export Agriculture on Guatemalan Food Security Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author: John VanderHeide

Thesis:  Home Economics: Reimagining How the Home Can Support Single-Mother Families Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Ashley Clark

Thesis:  Assessing the Economic Viability and Environmental Benefit of Prioritizing Soil Health in Agriculture Policy Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Jamie Fanous

Thesis:  The Effects of Social Services in Comprehensive Affordable Housing Developments on Resident Socioeconomic Mobility Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Jaissa Feliz

Thesis:  The Arabic Hour: Understanding Arab-American Media Activism and Community-Based Media Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author: Noah Habeeb

Thesis:  An Assessment of the Massachusetts Commercial Food Waste Ban: Implementation and Effectiveness Three Years into the Ban Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Alexandra Raczka

Thesis:  Spatial Accessibility to Health Services: A Study of Hepatitis-C Virus Infection in Massachusetts Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Sharon Ron

Thesis:  Farmworker Health Landscape: Barriers to Improving Health and Safety in U.S. Agriculture Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author: Tessa Salzman

Thesis:  Agriculture and Solar Energy Development as Competing Land Uses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Kathleen Nay

Thesis:  Measuring the Impacts of Cooperative Participation on Vanilla Farmers in Madagascar  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Matthew Amato

Thesis:  Capacity to Participate: a Case Study of resident participation in Somerville, MA  Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Christian Brandt

Thesis:  Hooked on Safety: An Analysis of Commercial Fishing Safety and Training Opportunities Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Margaret Brown

Thesis:  Extending Community Control Over Commercial Development: Community Land Trusts and Community Finance Models Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Allison Curtis

Thesis:  Opportunities and Challenges in Farm to Institution: Commonwealth Kitchen's contribution to the movement Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Laura Flagg

Thesis:  Expanding the Green Network on Rooftops: A Study of Green Roofs Development as a Part of Urban Green Space Planning Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Ka Lum Fung

Thesis:  Trip Duration and Mode Choice Analysis: A Study of the Below Median Income Households in the Boston Metropolitan Region Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Divya Gandhi

Thesis:  Exploring Factors that are Driving Electric Vehicle Demand in Massachusetts from the Perspective of Built Environment and Socio-economics   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Anil Gurcan

Thesis:  Steering from Day Zero: How are Cities Safeguarding Their Water Security?   Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Hiromi Hashimoto

Thesis:  From Ownership to Shared Use: The Spatial Patterns of Carsharing  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Ju-Ying Hung

Thesis:  An Uphill Battle: Nashville's Fight for Inclusionary Zoning Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Stephanie Johnson

Thesis:  Green Gentrification in Washington D.C. A Methods Study of how GIS can be used to Assess the Effects of Parks on City-wide Gentrification Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alyssa Kogan

Thesis:  Investigating Public Participation as a Strategy to Improve Drinking Water Utilities' Infrastructure Investment Practices  Topic:   Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Amanda Kohn

Thesis:  Stacking Green Infrastructure Benefits: A Spatial Multi-Criteria Approach to Green Infrastructure Planning in Seattle, Washington Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Kai Ying Lau

Thesis:  Land Use Change Patterns in Massachusetts 2001 - 2011: A Case Study using NLCD Land Cover Data Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Jiao Liu

Thesis:  Hydraulic Fracturing: Groundwater Contamination and the US Regulatory Framework   Topic:  Toxics and Environmental Health Author:  Emrat Nur Marzan

Thesis:  Preparing to Adapt: Municipalities Engaging Stakeholders Around Climate Change Adaptation in Massachusetts  Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Darya Mattes

Thesis:  Exploration of Inorganic Chemical Pollution in California’s Groundwater (Capstone) Topic:  Toxics and Environmental Health  Author:  Julia Miller

Thesis:  Integrated Valuation of Socio-Environmental and Resiliency Metrics for Conservation in a Changing Climate: A "Climate-Smart" Model for the Optimization of Tidal Salt Marsh Conservation Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning  Author:  Ivy Mlsna

Thesis:  Planning for Low-Carbon Transportation Systems Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author: Paulina Muratore

Thesis:  Travel Behavior and People's Sentiment in Transit Zones: An Exploratory Case Study in New York City Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Wencong Xu

Thesis:  Analyzing New York City's Community-Based Planning Statute Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Brennan Corriston

Thesis:  Keeping Passenger Ferries Afloat: What Can Boston Learn From Other Water Transportation Systems Around the Country? Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Jacob Mittleman

2017 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Utilization of Community Development Block Grant funding for façade improvement activities: A study among CDBG entitlement communities in Massachusetts  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Mary Muter

Thesis:  The Impact of Retirement Communities on Home Prices: An Evaluation of School Achievement and Residential Sale Price Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Monica Gregoire

Thesis:  Municipal-Supported, Citizen-led Placemaking Processes: A Study of Successes, Challenges and Lessons Learned in Five Case Studies  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Adrianne Schaefer

Thesis:  Boston's Emerging Solidarity Food Economy - Lessons in Transformative Change  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Hannah Sobel

Thesis:  Kitchen Incubators in New England: How an emergent business incubator model is fostering food entrepreneurship Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Heidi Stucker

Thesis:  A Clean Break: Fuerza Laboral's Quest to Incubate a Building Cleaning Cooperative in Rhode Island  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author: Janaki Blum

Thesis:  Community Participation in Traffic Calming Implementation Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Pat Kelsey

Thesis:  In the Room Where it Happens: Autonomy and Discretion in Home Visitors' Information and Referral Actions Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Sarah Sherman

Thesis:  Assessing the Impact of Offshore Wind in Massachusetts: An Estimate of of C02 Emissions Reductions Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Ryan Bailey

Thesis:  Affordable Housing Creation Through Regulation of the Private Market: Inclusionary Zoning and Linkage Programs Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Cecilia Nardi

Thesis:  The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP): A Case Study of Conservation Agriculture and Small Farmers in California  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Danielle Ngo

Thesis:  The Public Dimensions of the Boston Public Market Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Barbara Shepard

Thesis:  Local Governance for the National Framework: Assessing Chinese Subnational Climate Change Policies Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Timothy Grant

Thesis:  Home Buyouts: One Community's Quest to Retreat from the Coast  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Anna McGinty

Thesis:  A world of difference - Stories of planning for diversity from South Africa to Salem Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Monique Ching

Thesis:  Priorities for Siting Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Developments in Greater Boston  Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Hannah Cross

Thesis:  The Effects of State Energy Policy Changes on Residential Electric Energy Burden   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Nicolas Dahlberg

Thesis:  Revenue Increase for Water Utilities from Improved Metering—An Empirical Analysis on AMR Meter Installation Project in Livingstone, Zambia  Topic:   Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Yuji Dai

Thesis:  Measuring Transit Accessibility in the MBTA Service Area: Spatial Location of Poor Transit Access Areas and Assessment of the Daily Commute to Employment Locations  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Mbacke Faye

Thesis:  Impacts and Best Practices of Pedestrian Plazas in Cities  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Gohringer

Thesis:  Creating River North: A Case Study of Demographic Shifts in Denver  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning  Author:  Anthony Lechuga

Thesis:  Assessment of the Child Maltreatment in Massachusetts Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Yuan Li

Thesis:  Investing in Water: Assessing the Feasibility of Establishing a Water Sharing Investment Partnership in Texas' Rio Grande Water Market  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Lauren Lynch

Thesis:  Knowing Where the Power is Going: Opportunities and Challenges for Disaggregated Household Electrical Usage Feedback Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Nathaniel Mayo

Thesis:  Accessing Opportunity in Massachusetts: The Spatial Consequences of State Statute Chapter 40B  Topic:   Housing Policy Author:  Hana Migliorato

Thesis:  Site Selection Optimization for Wetlands Preservation  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Jessica Norriss

Thesis:  An Analysis of the Environmental Justice Movement in Massachusetts & Rhode Island Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Elizabeth Pongratz

Thesis:  An Investigation of Community Policies and Attitudes Towards Accessory Dwelling Units in Greater Boston Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Alexandra Purdy

Thesis:  Newspapers Accounts of Neighborhood Economic Change   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Bradley Putnam

Thesis:  Energy Justice and the Stakeholders Involved: A Case Study of Solar Power in Rural Haiti Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Elijah Romulus

Thesis:  Capstone title: Shared Equity Homeownership Models Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Stephanie Savir

Thesis:  An Analysis of Save Haven Locations in New York City Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning  Author:  Brooke Schwartz

Thesis:  Liquor License Distribution in Boston: Exacerbating Economic Disenfranchisement Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Lauren Shuffleton

Thesis:  Exploring Roles for Communities in Green Infrastructure Projects Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Elise Simons

Thesis:  A Cross-State Analysis of Renewable Portfolio Standard Development Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Mariel Marchand

Thesis:  Regional Self-Reliance and Food Security: A food systems modeling case study in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Caitlin Matthews

2016 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Waste not, want not. Putting Urban Metabolism into Practice Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Imaikalani Aiu

Thesis:  The Housing Market in Egypt After the Revolution: Opportunities and Challenges for Foreign Direct Investment Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Mark Attia

Thesis:  Securing the Future of Water Resources for Beirut: A Sustainability Assessment of Water Governance in Beirut, Lebanon Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Ayah Badran

Thesis:  Solar Stimulus: Perceptions of Banks and Credit Unions towards solar PV in Massachusetts  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Suveer Bahirwani

Thesis:  Networked Community Land Trusts: An Analysis of Existing Models and a Needs Assessment for the Greater Boston Community Land Trust Network Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Benjamin Baldwin

Thesis:  The Public Perception of Manufacturing Careers in New England Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology  Author:  Annie Burtoff

Thesis:  Warming Temperatures in a Changing Climate - How Rising Temperatures are Linked to Climate Change in the U.S. Print Media Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning  Author:  Betsy Byrum

Thesis:  Arts, Culture, and Creativity: A Case Study of the Arts and Planning Toolkit for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Jennifer Chin Erickson

Thesis:  Towards a Vision Zero Policy Theory: Examining Emerging Road Safety Initiatives in U.S. Cities  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Nathaniel Fink

Thesis:  Turkey's 1980's Export-led Growth Policies and Working Class Women's Social Exclusion  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Deniz Gecim

Thesis:  The Power and Potential of Relationships: An Examination of Juvenile Justice Involved Adolescent Mothers in a Home Visiting Program  Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Meghan Higgins

Thesis:  Economically, Ecologically and Socially Balanced Agriculture Practices in Northern California and New England Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning  Author:  Matthew Hinds

Thesis:  The Feasibility of Creating a Regional Transfer of Development Rights Program in Barnstable County, Massachusetts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  William Holm

Thesis:  The Built Environment and Walking to School: Findings from a Student Travel Behavior Survey in Massachusetts Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Kate Ito

Thesis:  Using Vacant Land for Stormwater Management: Prioritizing Locations to Maximize Community Benefits  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Anna Krane

Thesis:  Examining how recreational park programs can contribute to making parks in the City of Boston more Age-Friendly Topic:  Urban Planning & Design  Author:  Megan Krey

Thesis:  Land in Trust: Comparing Acquisition Methods for Farmland Preservation in Rural, Suburban and Urban Contexts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  Victoria Kulwicki

Thesis:  Gritty and Growing: Exploring Commercial Urban Agriculture in Everett, MA  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Kathleen O'Brien

Thesis:  Challenges of Public-Private Partnerships: A Case Study of the Boston Urban Forest Coalition Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning  Author:  Andrew Petit de Mange

Thesis:  Sustainable Livelihood Community Level Assessment in Wayanad, Keiala  Topic:  Sustainable Development Author:  Allison Platt

Thesis:  Bridging the Transportation Finance Gap: Planning Beyond Boundaries for a Connected 21st Century Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Rayn Riel

Thesis:  An Investigation of People's Attitudes about Bicycling in Urban Areas in the US: An Exploration Case Study in Washington DC  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Yaqi Shen

Thesis:  Cause to Collaborate: Assessing the Role of Regional Conservation Partnerships in Inter-Municipal Collaboration Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Jesse-Nathan Steadman

Thesis:  The Establishment of a Casino Gaming Business as a Stimulus/Growth Strategy for a Medium sized "Shrinking City" (Springfield, MA) Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Evan Sullivan

Thesis:  Build It: A Feasibility Study of GIS-Based Analyses of Cycling Infrastructure  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Ian Thistle

Thesis:  Child Care Use Among Adolescent Mothers Enrolled in a Massachusetts Home Visiting Program Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  LunYan Tom

Thesis:  Educating Practical Visionaries at Tufts University: A Framework for Community-University Co-Learning Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Rebecca Tumposky

Thesis:  BEYOND AFFORDABLE HOUSING: WHITHER COMMUNITY LAND TRUST? Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Trang Vuong

Thesis:  Noise Levels Associated with Sentiment Analysis on Twitter: A Case Study of New York City   Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Xiang Yu

Thesis:  Steel Winds: A Case Study of a Successful Community - Developer Relationship Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Peter Ciurczak

Thesis:  Creating Lasting Affordability Through Community Land Trust: Lessons for Somerville, Massachusetts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Susan Mann

Thesis:  An Assessment of Neighborhood Retail Environment in Union Square, Somerville  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy  Author:  Maria Martinez Vazquez

Thesis:  Creating a Culture of Progressive Planning Practice in America's Medium-size Cities  Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  James McKeag

Thesis:  Mapping Massachusetts: A Spatial Analysis of Opportunity and Ideal Markets for Participants in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program   Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Amelia Najjar

Thesis:  Framing A Regional Landscape-Scale Conservation Plan for the Penobscot River Corridor Using Best Practices and Lessons Learned   Topic:  Regional and State Planning  Author:  Janna Newman

Thesis:  Seed to Student: An Analysis of the Potential Impacts of Recent Federal Legislation on Local Food Systems via School Garden Programs on Cape Cod, Massachusetts  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Elizabeth Nollner

Thesis:  Telling the Story of Food Justice: A Case Study of the Urban Farming Institute of Boston Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Valerie Oorthuys

Thesis:  Youth Voices in Positive Youth Development: A Case Study Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Krysti Turnquest

Thesis:  Critical Factors for Successful Private-Public Partnership (PPP) in Urban and Environmental Infrastructure Projects in Jilin Province, China Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Mengmeng Zhou

Thesis:  Shrinking Cities and Subjective Well-Being: An Investigation of Resident Attitudes and Opinions Via Micro-Blog Sentiment Analysis  Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Andrew Wiley

Thesis:  Groundwater Regulation and the Public Trust Doctrine in California  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Christina Valerino

Thesis:  Building Footprint Changes in Baltimore Rowhouse Neighborhoods   Topic:  Housing Policy   Author:  Jingyu Tu

Thesis:  Cleaning and Eating Green: A Review of Local Restaurants That Are Purchasing and Using Green Cleaning Products  Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Migdalia Tracy

Thesis:  The Energy Ladder: A Valid Model for Fuel Transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Rebecca Toole

Thesis:  Local, Low Impact Stormwater Management and the Power of the Massachusetts Municipality  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning  Author:  Jennifer Titus

Thesis:  Air Quality and Sustainable Redevelopment: the Case of Construction in Dudley Square Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Hanaa Rohman

Thesis:  Framing A Regional Landscape-Scale Conservation Plan for the Penobscot River Corridor Using Best Practices and Lessons Learned  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Janna Newman

Thesis:  Community and Economic Development Strategies for Revitalization of Former Mill Towns in Massachusetts  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Christine Madore

Thesis:  Enhancing Rural Community Assets Through Active Transportation Planning: A Case Study of Norway, Maine  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Kristine Keeney

Thesis:  Disciplinary Trends in Boston Area Schools: Programming to Improve Conflict Resolution Practices and Close the Education Gap Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Breann Jeffries

Thesis:  Active Transportation Among Older Adults in Massachusetts   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Marguerite Hutcheson

Thesis:  A Golden Ticket: the State of Admissions for Low-Income Youth at Elite Universities Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Brianda Hernandez

Thesis:  Reclaiming Philly's Vacant Properties: An Assessment of Community Discourse in the Formation of the Philadelphia Land Bank  Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Kasia Hart

Thesis:  Cumulative Causation: Decision-Making in Food Hub Creation and Development   Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Joanna Hamilton

Thesis:  The Benefits, Drawbacks, and Limitations of Service Coordination Tools: Perspectives from Social Service Providers in Somerville, Massachusetts Topic:  Welfare and Social Services Policy Author:  Kristin Haas

Thesis:  Portuguese Speaking Immigrant Communities in Massachusetts: Assessing Well-Being Through Sentiment Analysis of Microblogging Data Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Cara Foster-Karim

Thesis:  The Parking Benefit District Exploring Business Owner's Perspective on an Innovative Parking Management Model in Jamaica Plain, Boston  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Dorothy Fennell

Thesis:  Community Land Ownership and Governance in Northern New England: An Analysis of Two Local Approaches to the Community Forest Model  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Abby Farnham

Thesis:  Talking About Food: Using Institutional Stories to Build Equity Within Food System Planning in Everett, MA  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Kimberly Etingoff

Thesis:  The Kingdom of Jordan's Water Policies and Programs: Understanding Water Scarcity and Finding a Path to Sustainable Water Demand Management Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning    2015 Author:  Deema Dabbagh

Thesis:  Sustainability Reporting in New England: An Analysis of Programs and Metrics Reported by Top Public Manufacturers  Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology Author:  Michael Coty

Thesis:  Industry Trade Associations: An Examination of Their Corporate Social Responsibility Programs and Messaging of Those Efforts  Topic:  Socially Responsible Marketing  Author:  Laurie Calvert

Thesis:  Conflict Assessment of Oil Exploration in Southern Belize  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Jennifer Bogle

2014 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Impacts of Public Policies on China's Solar Photovoltaics Industry   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Yunwen Yu

Thesis:  Managing urban Vacancy: Decision Strategies for Vacant Lot Reuse in Baltimore, MD Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Eliza Whiteman, Davenport

Thesis:  Improving Environmental Governance in China: Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessments  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Katherine Walsh, Paula

Thesis:  Public Space Use, Meaning, and Design Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Meera Velu

Thesis:  Bus Transit Reliability in Metropolitan Boston: A Study of MBTA's Dropped Trips  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Christopher Timmel

Thesis:  Boston Main Streets 2.0: Spreading Boston's Innovation Economy from the Innovation District to the Neighborhoods Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy  Author:  John Taylor

Thesis:  Parklets in Somerville: A Resource for Implementation   Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Laura Smead

Thesis:  Remixed and Revitalized: Perceptions of the Influences of School and Community Contexts on Student Achievement Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Michelle Sedaca

Thesis:  The Dudley Community Greenhouse: Brownfield Redevelopment toward a more Just and Sustainable Food System Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Jesse Seamon

Thesis:  The Struggle to Own and the Struggle to Stay: The Story of Greater Four Corners and the Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure (COHIF)  Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Rebecca Schofield

Thesis:  Rhode Maps to Meet Local and Regional Needs: A Comparison of Affordable Housing Statutes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts   Topic:  Housing Policy   Author:  Matthew Sarcione

Thesis:  Worker Programs and Resource Use: Evidence from Better Work Jordan   Topic:  Employment/Job Development Policy Author:  Nathan Robins

Thesis:  American Partisan Politics and the Public Policy making Process: An Essay Focusing on the Rising Massachusetts Electorate Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Wilnelia Rivera Diffo

Thesis:  A More Competitive Central Business District: Place-making Strategies for Beijing  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Yifei Ren

Thesis:  Smart Growth on Cape Cod: Measuring the Effectiveness of the Hyannis Growth Incentive Zone  Topic:  Environmental Education Policy Author:  David Quinn

Thesis:  Municipal Development of Anaerobic Digestion/Combined Heat and Power in Massachusetts Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Brenda Pike

Thesis:  Solar Heating for Cooler Planet: A Case Study of and Lessons Learned from Policies in Austria and South Africa Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Cameron Peterson

Thesis:  Planning Practice and Community Based Food Systems: Understanding Barriers and opportunities for Planners Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Joshua Peters, A

Thesis:  Growing New Farmers: A Survey of Farm Incubator Programs in the United States Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Meaghan Overton, A.

Thesis:  Assembling a Closed-Loop System: Applying Lessons from The Plant in Chicago to CERO's Vision for Boston  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Marcy Ostberg

Thesis:  Cultural Recognition and Food Programming: The Cultural Inclusivity of Community Supported Agriculture Programs in Urban, Low-Income, African American Communities Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Ronak Okoye, Dave

Thesis:  Housewife Data: Citizen Science and the Case of Love Canal   Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Nolan Nicaise

Thesis:  Digital Inclusion in Rural Ecuador: A Preliminary Analysis of Digital Community Centers Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  C. Morales, Danilo

Thesis:  Value Capture Transit-Oriented Development: The MBTA Story Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Joseph Monty

Thesis:  The Case for Crowdsourcing in Bicycle Planning: An Exploratory Study   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Jennifer Molina

Thesis:  The Effect of Economic Freedom on Income in U.S. Metropolitan Areas  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Matthew Missett

Thesis:  Trends in Organizational Renewable Energy Strategy: From Short-Term Procurement to Long-Term Investment in the EPA Green Power Partnership   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Ryan Miamis

Thesis:  Reducing Gridlock on the Grid: Utility Trends in Managing Peak Electric load through Residential Demand Response Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Betsy McDonald

Thesis:  Assessment of Displacement Mitigation Efforts Concerning Gentrification in Chicago, Ill  Topic:  Race, Gender, & Elderly Policy Author:  Kiersten Mailler

Thesis:  The Challenge of Bridging Social Movement Activism for Climate Protection and Environmental justice in the City of Boston Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Ninya Loeppky

Thesis:  Evaluating Climate Change Action Plans: a Scorecard for Communities Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Silas Leavitt

Thesis:  Catching Fire: An Analysis of Maine's Combined Heat and Power Energy Incentive Policies  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Joshua Laufer

Thesis:  Planning for Aging in Community: Making Sense of Multiple Perspectives in Cambridge, Massachusetts Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Ellen Kokinda, Bowman

Thesis:  The Journey to School: A Case Study at Mission Hill School Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Christina Kim

Thesis:  Low Income Renewable Energy Programs: Case Studies of State Policy in California and Massachusetts  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Kaitlin Kelly

Thesis:  Green and Engaging for All: Applying Universal Design to the Rose Kennedy Greenway  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Laura Jasinski

Thesis:  State Economic Development in Massachusetts' Gateway Cities: Past and Present Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Ian Jakus

Thesis:  Inner-City Grocery Store Development as Community Economic Development: A Case Study of the New York City Food Retail Expansion to Support Health Program (FRESH) Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Tida Infahsaeng

Thesis:  From Bedroom Community to Cultural Destination: Exploring Instrumental Cultural Development Efforts in Arlington, MA  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Margaret Husak

Thesis:  The Natural Gas Dilemma in New England's Electricity Sector: Experts' Perspectives on Climate Issues and Policy Opportunities Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management  Author:  Steven Griffith

Thesis:  An Analysis of the Use of Conservation Easements in Farmland Preservation   Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Catherine Gregg, Marie

Thesis:  Conservation of the Piping Plover: Strategies for Preserving Wintering Habitat in the Bahamas  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Gabrielle Gareau

Thesis:  The Black Box of Case Management: Examining Front Line Service Referrals In The Family self-sufficiency Program Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Jacqueline Furtado

Thesis:  Apples, Aerobics, and ABC's: Nutrition and Exercise in Promise Neighborhoods initiatives Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Brean Flynn, Childs

Thesis:  Developing Solidarity: Transformative Community Economic Development and the New Lynn Coalition Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy  Author:  Jonathon Feinberg, Noah

Thesis:  Energy-Efficiency Retrofits in Small-Scale multifamily Rental Housing: A Business Model  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Brian DeChambeau

Thesis:  How Should a Waterfront Business Evolve in the Wake of Climate Change? A strategic business plan developed for the long-term threats of sea level rise and coastal flooding  Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Brooke Davis, A.

Thesis:  The American Woonerf: Creating Livable and Attractive Shared Streets   Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Natalia Collarte

Thesis:  Ecological Sanitation in the U.S.: Barriers and Opportunities in Water Conservation, Resource Recovery, and Green Jobs   Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Lauren Cole

Thesis:  Supermarket Dominance in Malaysia's Food Supply Chain: Implications for Contract Farmers and National Policy Topic:  Food Systems Policy  Author:  Denise Chin

Thesis:  Exploring School-Based Barriers to Family and Community Engagement in Urban Communities  Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Sherra Cates

Thesis:  Greener Peaks: The Economic Rationale of 'Beyond Compliance' Environmental initiatives in the Ski Industry Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Corey Cameron

2013 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Cultivating Regional Cultural Competency: Exploring Place-based Exclusion and Representation in Urban Planning Research Topic:  Regional and State Planning Author:   Amos Wright IV, J.

Thesis:  City for All? A Geospatial Approach to Equity, Sustainability and Gentrification in Seattle, Washington Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Nicolas Welch

Thesis:  Assessing the Concept of Concentrated Poverty in HOPE VI  Topic:  Welfare and Social Services Policy Author:  Meghan Welch

Thesis:  Whither Flows Beaver Brook? Statistical Estimation of Streamflow Depletion by Groundwater Pumping, and a Policy Evaluation of the Massachusetts Sustainable Water Management Initiative  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Adam Weinberg

Thesis:  Equity, Climate Adaptation, and Urban Planning: A Case Study of Cape Town Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Axum Teferra

Thesis:  Drivers of City Sustainability: Evidence from Europe Topic:  Sustainable Development Author:  Silvia Tanga

Thesis:  Ecosystem Service Finance: A Case Study in Stow, Massachusetts Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Brian Szekely

Thesis:  The Grey Zone: A Look at Stream Buffer Zone Protection Regulations for Georgia's Trout Streams Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Anne Sexton

Thesis:  Building a Non-Profit Organization's Evidence-Based Rationale: A Case Study of The Possible Project  Topic:  NGO Management, Policy & Planning  Author:  Caitlin Robillard

Thesis:  Non-Profit and Public Food Security Systems: The Potential for Coordinating Access to Safety net Programs  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Blake Roberts

Thesis:  Wind Energy in Massachusetts: The Role of Municipal Electric Utilities   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Nathan Rawding

Thesis:  Moving from Philosophy to Reality: The Innovation Agenda in the Cambridge Public Schools  Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Tessa Orbach

Thesis:  Size and Shape Matters: The Modifiable Areal Unit Problem in Neighborhood Effects Research   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Carl Onubogu

Thesis:  Consider the Dam: Hydropower, Discourse and Politics in Laos Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Kathryn Olson

Thesis:  Identifying and Removing Barriers to Expanding Municipal Aggregation in the Commonwealth Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Micaelah Morrill

Thesis:  A Time Allocation Monitoring Study of RCRA Enforcement at Region I of the United States Environmental Protection Agency   Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  John Melcher

Thesis:  The Effects of Casinos on Host Communities and the Potential Impact of a Casino on the East Boston Neighborhood Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Adrian Madaro Moro

Thesis:  A Comparison of Sprawl in US and China: Applicability of Smart Growth Strategies to Chinese Cities Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Zhi Li

Thesis:  Monitoring-Based Commissioning on University Campuses: Barriers to Adoption Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author: Julia Ledewitz

Thesis:  Urban Citizenship and Spatiality: The Perceptions of Space and Belonging of Expatriate Women in Dubai Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Janet Lau

Thesis:  Redefining Success: Addressing Displacement Associated with Transit Extensions   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Jason Kurian

Thesis:  Emerging Models of Youth Involvement in Food Policy Councils: Four Case Examples  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Emma Kravet

Thesis:  Envisioning a Multi-purpose Green Infrastructure Approach: Strategies to Promote Health and Community Well-being in Urban Environments Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Hannah Kohut

Thesis:  An Anchor in Clean Water: The Role of Anchor Institutions in Managing Great Bay Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Holden

Thesis:  Sidewalk Accessibility, Sidewalk Justice: Conceptions of Equity in Cities' Prioritization of Pedestrian Accessibility  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Gabriel Holbrow

Thesis:  Power and the Politics of Control: The Institutionalization of Food Movement Projects and the Role of Land Rights in Social Transformation Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Caitlin Hachmyer

Thesis:  Towards a "Greener" Chinatown: Re-Visioning a Culturally-Responsive and Inclusive Public Space System in Boston's Chinatown Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Rui Guo

Thesis:  The Wrong Side of the Street: Examining Urban Violence and Resilience in Managua, Nicaragua through a Spatial Lens  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Rachel Gordon

Thesis:  Are Business Improvement Districts Perceived as Effective for Revitalizing Mid-Sized Rust Belt Cities?  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Laura Fox

Thesis:  Moving Toward Completion: Barriers to Complete Streets Implementation in Metropolitan Boston Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Nicholas Downing

Thesis:  Overcoming Challenges to Zero Waste in Massachusetts: Analysis and Recommendations  Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Laura Crossley

Thesis:  There Is No Plan for When the Lakes Run Dry: Water Planning Approaches for Climate Change Adaptation in Austin, Texas  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Molly Cooney-Mesker

Thesis:  Community Supported Fisheries: Establishing New Markets in a Limited Resource Industry  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Bronwyn Cooke

Thesis:  Eminent Domain As a Tool for Redevelopment: A Case Study Analysis of Boston's West End and New London's Fort Trumbull Area Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Meredith Christensen

Thesis:  African American Grocery Stores: A Framework for Food Policy Development  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Brytanee Brown

Thesis:  Who's in Control? Mitigating Elite Capture in Community-Driven Development   Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Lenz Bayas

Thesis:  Towards a More Transformative Community Economic Development   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Ian Adelman

2012 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Yellow Card: Potential Neighborhood Impacts of a Soccer Specific Stadium Development in East Somerville.  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Melissa Woods

Thesis:  Moving from Coal to Efficiency: An Analysis of State-Level Employment Impacts. Topic:  Employment/Job Development Policy Author:  Samantha Weaver

Thesis:  Planning Union Square as an Intercultural Center: Opportunities for a Diverse Community Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Jong Wai Tommee

Thesis:  Local Development, Local Data: A Geospatial Study of Small-Area-Change Using Building Permits in Austin, TX. Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Melissa Shakro

Thesis:  Private Real Estate Developer Attitudes Towards Vacant Lot Reuse and Associated Policy Reform: A Case Study of the Homewood Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh , PA.  Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Alyssa Rosen

Thesis:  The Greenhouse in the City: The Uses and Roles of Community-Oriented Urban Greenhouses.  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alexandra Reisman

Thesis:  Exploring Residential Property Investment Patterns in Somerville, MA: Tools and Techniques for Practicing Planners.  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Bradley Rawson, R.

Thesis:  Taxing for Transit: an Exploratory Analysis of Local Option Transportation Taxes Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Lydia Rainville

Thesis:  Moving from Vulnerability to Resilience: A Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Taunton River Watershed.  Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Loni Plocinski

Thesis:  Are We Planning for Sustainable Food Systems? An Evaluation of the Vision and Goals of Food System Assessments and their Usefulness to Planning. Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Marisol Pierce-Quinonez

Thesis:  Reintegration of Internationally Returning Migrants: The Role of Public Programs  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Nicholas Petschek

Thesis:  Phosphorus Control at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants Topic:  Toxics and Environmental Health Author: Katherine Moore

Thesis:  Crowdsourcing for Transit-Oriented Planning Projects: A Case Study of inTeractive Somerville Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Michael Messina

Thesis:  Food Policy for All: Inclusion of Diverse Community Residents on Food Policy Councils  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Molly McCullagh

Thesis:  The New Markets Tax Credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: Can They Be Joined Efficiently?  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Maritza Martinez

Thesis:  The Effect of Genetic Introgression of Farm-Raised Fish on the Endangered Wild Atlantic Salmon Populations in Maine Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Christopher Mancini

Thesis:  Enabling Significant Public Contribution to Urban Redesign with Open-Source 3D Modeling Software Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Andrew Likuski

Thesis:  Increasing Urban Open Space Through Pocket Parks Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alison LeFlore

Thesis:  Assessment of Latino/a Community-Based Organizations: The Case of Arlington Community Trabajando, Inc. in Lawrence, MA.   Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Amy Kuykendall

Thesis:  Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: Developing Relationships in New England College Towns Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Alexander Krogh-Grabbe

Thesis:  Moving Consumers Up the Waste Hierarchy with the Paint Product Stewardship Initiative's Oregon Pilot Program Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Brielle Amara Megan Kissel

Thesis:  Encouraging Walking in Gilman Square: Physical Interventions to Increase Livability in Urban Neighborhoods Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Catalina Justiniano

Thesis:  Protecting the Commonwealth's Most Vulnerable Agricultural Lands: The Roll of Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program.   Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Kyle Greaves

Thesis:  Dealing with Dysfunction in the Nation's Increasing Obsolete System for Land Use Management: Guidance from the Past for State-Coordinated Planning and Decision Making.   Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  Lum Fobi

Thesis:  Exploring the Roll of Boston's Community Health Centers in Improving Healthy Food Access  Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Kristin Feierabend, E.

Thesis:  Towards a More Transformative Community Economic Development   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Emily Elizabeth Earle

Thesis:  Planning Skills and Expertise Valued by Food Policy Councils (FPC's): A Case Study Analysis of Four American FPCs Working with Urban and Regional Planners.  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Christina DiLisio

Thesis:  Federal Clean Air Act Authority for Land Use Planning, Coordination, and Consistency.   Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Julia Bramley

Thesis:  A Place for Business: An Exploration of Business Location as a Tool in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation   Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Carl Bickerdike

Thesis:  Linking Climate Change Action to Well-Being in Cities. Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Kimberly Ake

2011 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Building Energy Codes as a Tool for Energy Efficiency: Examining Implementation in Kentucky  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Brittany Zwicker

Thesis:  In Hot Water: Temperature TMDLs in the Pacific Northwest   Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Kendall Webster

Thesis:  Constructing a Noise Propagation Model to Assess Community Noise Levels Stemming From Road Traffic: The Case of Somerville, MA. Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Erica Walker

Thesis:  From Active Living to Healthy Planning: Rethinking the Role of Urban Planning in Reducing Obesity Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Laura Tolkoff

Thesis:  21st Century Civilian Nuclear Power and the Role of Small Modular Reactors Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Eugen Taso

Thesis:  Cooperative Purchasing Organizations and Corporate Social Responsibility in Independent Coffee Shops Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology Author:  Rowan Spivey

Thesis:  Fostering Food System Resiliency: Lessons from the Cuban Experience   Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Benjamin Simons

Thesis:  Residential Energy Efficiency in Moderate-Income Households  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning   Author:  Marcus Rozbitsky

Thesis:  Building Established Suburbs Upwards: Two Case Study Developments from Long Island, NY  Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Jeanette Rebecchi

Thesis:  Reducing Barriers to Producing Affordable Rental Housing for Extremely Low Income Households in Massachusetts Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Melisaa Ann Quirk

Thesis:  More Than Noise: What Urban Planners Can Learn From Hip-Hop Music   Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Jennifer Louise Quinn

Thesis:  Reintegration of Internationally Returning Migrants: The Role of Public Programs Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Nicholas Petschek

Thesis:  Zoning Regulations that Promote Local Generation of Energy, Water and Food Resources, with Recommendations for the City of Boston Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Stephen Pantalone

Thesis:  Green Homes Brookline: Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of the One-Stop Shop Model of Residential Energy Efficiency Service Delivery   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Panella

Thesis:  The Impact of a New Transit Station on Existing Businesses A Case Study of the Davis Square Red Line Station, Somerville, MA Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Emmanuel Owusu

Thesis:  Savings Through Source Control: Evaluating Nonstructural Options for Reducing Phosphorus Loading to the Charles River Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Daniel Nally

Thesis:  Jane Jacobs' West Village Now and Then: An Analysis of Neighborhood Change Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Sarah Moser

Thesis:  Landscape as Infrastructure: Best Practices for Creating Green Urban Networks to Improve Human and Natural Environments Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Michelle Moon

Thesis:  The New Market Tax Credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: Can They Be Joined Efficiently? Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Maritza Martinez

Thesis:  A Town and Its Ecovillage: A Case Study of Two Massachusetts Communities Topic:  Sustainable Development Author:  Elizabeth Mahaffy

Thesis:  Interdependent Wastewater Management Between Isreal & Palestine: The Case of the Tulkarem - Emek Hefer Region Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Simcha Leventhal

Thesis:  Social Chemistry and Toxic Chemicals: Assessing the Likelihood for Increased Regulation of BPA in the United States Topic:   Environmental Law  Author:  Daniel Latham

Thesis:  Mitigating Displacement due to Gentrification: Tools for Portland, Oregon   Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Eunice Kim

Thesis:  Analysis of the Coastal Protection Experience in Three Towns on Cape Cod, Massachusetts Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Peter Kelly-Joseph

Thesis:  Proto-STARS Pilot: A Nine Campus Collaboration to Adapt the STARS Sustainability Assessment to Northeast Boarding Schools   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Rebecca Hession

Thesis:  Home Visiting Utilization Among a Sample of Teen Mothers: The Full Story   Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Katrine Herrick

Thesis:  Arts and Urban Revitalization Through the Lens of Providence's Arts Organizations  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Emma Heffern

Thesis:  A Complex Situation: The Tension between Access and Conservation in the U.S. and U.K. National Parks Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management  Author:  Julia Haskin

Thesis:  Climate Change and Small Island Developing States: Arguments for Accelerating Action Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Samantha Harris

Thesis:  Conservation and Development? Effectively Packaging Land Protection Tools to Preserve Farmland and Manage Growth Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning  Author:  Matthew Hammer

Thesis:  Sustainability Considerations for Music and Arts Festivals in the United States Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Eric Giambrone

Thesis:  Building a Forest Conservation Corps: A New Model for Forest Carbon Monitoring in Indonesia Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Mona Funiciello

Thesis:  Land Tenure Reform as an International Intervention: A Case Study of Aceh, Indonesia  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Erin Fried

Thesis:  Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning in Florida: A Resilient Solution to Counteract Reactive Federal Policy Topic:  Regional and State Planning Author:  Adam Frank

Thesis:  Factors Related to Student Food Choice in High Schools: A Case Study at the Boston Arts Academy  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Kaleigh Fitzpatrick

Thesis:  Addressing Climate Change in the Developing World: The Role of Core Competency-Aligned Corporate Social Responsibility in Building Adaptive Capacity Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Ayesha Dinshaw

Thesis:  Participatory Design: History, Examples and Promise Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Amanda Cleveland

Thesis:  Black Carbon and Climate Change: Exploring the Policy Options for Reducing Emissions from Diesel Fuel Consumption in the United States   Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Carver

Thesis:  Equal or Better: The Story of the Silver Li(n)e  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Kristopher Carter

Thesis:  Understanding the Complex Components of Community-Based Energy Efficiency Programs: A Study of Two Massachusetts Programs  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Erin Brandt

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Urban Design and Planning (UrDP): Research Topics

Urban design and planning.

urban development thesis topics

Image: Bogue Plan Map - Rapid Transit & Boulevards Author: Virgil G. Bogue License: Public Domain Date: 11/1911

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Princeton University Library

Urban studies research guide: urban studies related topics.

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Related concepts/keywords

​These are some related concepts and keywords to Urban Studies. Try using them in the Library Catalog or your favorite Urban Studies Database

  • Mapping the City
  • Networked City
  • Promoting Cities
  • The Resilient City
  • Sustainable Urbanism
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Related Topics in Urban Studies

This section contains additional resources and search strategies for topics related to Urban Studies, including:

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  • Last Updated: Dec 18, 2023 4:00 PM
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University Library

Doctoral Theses in Urban and Regional Planning

A chronological checklist.

The following are doctoral theses completed by individual students in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Please see Find Dissertations for more details about locating doctoral theses in general.  Check the online catalog for doctoral theses not listed here.

Most call numbers and locations are given after each entry; if not available, search the online catalog under author or title. Call numbers are linked to the entry in the online catalog or IDEALS when available.

Yu, Chenxi. Three papers in urban and regional economic and development/ by Chenxi Yu. Dissertation (Ph.D.) – University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign , 2015. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Regional Planning/    Found in IDEALS

Kashem, Md Shakil Bin. Moving towards disaster: examining the changing patterns of social vulnerability in a multi-hazard urban environment/ by Md Shakil Bin Kashem. Dissertation (Ph.D.) – University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign , 2015. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Regional Planning/    Found in IDEALS

Lee, Sungwon. The role of urban spatial structure in reducing VMT and GHG emissions/ by Sungwon Lee. Dissertation (Ph.D.) – University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2015. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Regional Planning/   Found in IDEALS

Vincentelo Lupa, Claudia Mariella . Planning in cyberenvironments: an analysis of the impacts of open data in Chicago / by Claudia Mariella Vincentelo Lupa. Dissertation (Ph.D.)—University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2015. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Regional Planning/    Found in IDEALS

Figueroa, Carlos. Wage equations and the regional economics in Guatemala/ by Carlos Figueroa. Dissertation (Ph.D.)—University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2014. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Regional Planning/    Found in IDEALS

Green, Timothy. Cluster Planning and Cluster Strategy in Regional Economic Development Organizations/ by Timothy Green. Thesis (Ph.D.)—University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2014. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Irawan, Andi. Regional Income Disparities in Indonesia: Measurements, Convergence Process, and Decentralization/ by Andi Irawan. Thesis (Ph.D.)—University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2014. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Allred, Dustin. Examining the Effectiveness of Voluntary Coordination among Local Governments: Evidence from a Regional Land Use Planning Process/ by Dustin Allred. Thesis (Ph.D.)—University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2013. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Boyer, Robert. Transitioning to Sustainable Urban Development: A Niche-Based Approach / by Robert Boyer. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Rahe, Mallory. Building Prosperous Communities: The Effects of Social Capital, Financial Capital, and Place / by Mallory Rahe. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Honey-Roses, Jordi. Ecosystem Services in Planning Practice for Urban and Technologically Advanced Landscapes / by Jordi Honey-Roses. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Found in IDEALS

Nesse, Kate. How Do We Know? Determining School District Fiscal and Administrative Policy in Rural Hispanic Boomtowns in the Midwest / by Kate Nesse. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Found in IDEALS

Sarraf, Saket. Three essays on Social Dynamics and Landuse Change: Framework, Model, and Estimator / by Saket Sarraf. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Found in IDEALS

Borich, Genevieve. The Broader Social Network of Community Planning: A Diagnostic Tool for Communities to Assess Their Planning Capacity / by Genevieve Borich. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Wan, Jun. Three Papers in Regional Economics: Energy Productivity Convergence, Water Resource Planning, and Workforce Occupation-Industry Dynamics / by Jun Wan. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2011. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Araj, Fidaa I. Planning Under Deep Political Conflict: The Relationship Between Afforestation Planning and the Struggle Over Space in the Palestinian Territories / by Fidaa Ibrahim Mustafa Araj. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Brody, Jason. Constructing Professional Knowledge   :  The Neighborhood Unit Concept and the Community Builders Handbook / by Jason Brody. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning   /    Found in IDEALS

Budhathoki, Nama R. Participants’ Motivations to Contribute Geographic Information in an Online Community / by Nama Raj Budhathoki. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning   /    Found in IDEALS

Chandrasekhar, Divya. Understanding Stakeholder Participation in Post-Disaster Recovery (Case Study: Nagapattinam, India) / by Divya Chandrasekhar   .  Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning   /    Found in IDEALS

Dringo, Marina V. Why Use Agent-Based Models To Explore Social Issues? The Case Of Intimate Partner Violence and Social Support Systems / by Marina V. Dringo. 2010.   Found in IDEALS

Gamal, Ahmad. Appropriating decentralization: how urban poverty project triggers advocacy / by Ahmad Gamal. 2010.   Found in IDEALS

Ganning, Joanna P. Growth Effects of Urban-Rural and Intra-Regional Linkages on Non-Metropolitan Counties and Communities in the U.S. / by Joanna Paulson Ganning. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning   /    Found in IDEALS

Iuchi, Kanako. Redefining a Place to Live: Decisions, Planning Processes, and Outcomes of Resettlement after Disasters / by Kanako Iuchi. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Kim, Jae H. Land Use, Spatial Structure, and Regional Economic Performance: Assessing the Economic Effects of Land Use Planning and Regulation / by Jae Hong Kim. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2010. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Found in IDEALS

Robles, Johanna D. The FDI and regional development in Chile / by Johanna D. Robles. 2010.  Found in IDEALS

Finn, Donovan. Our Uncertain Future: Can Good Planning Create Sustainable Communities? / by Donovan Flinn. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009. iv, 203 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 192-202). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Q. 338.927 F497o

Li, Jinghuan. Developing a Markup Language for Encoding Graphic Content in Plan Documents / by Jinghuan Li. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Found in IDEALS

Sandiford, Glenn. Transforming an Exotic Species: Nineteenth-Century narratives about Introduction of Carp in America / by Glenn Sandiford. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009. xiv, 320 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 639.37483 Sa568t

Zapata, Marisa. Planning Across Differences: Collaborative Planning in the California Central Valley / by Marisa Zapata. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2009. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Found in IDEALS

Ha, Soo J. Integrated Assessment of Structural Change and Sustainability in the Chicago Region / by Soo Jung Ha. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. v, 117 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-111). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 354.34 B433r

Kang, Sangjun. Spatial Distribution of Best Management Practices for Stormwater Management / by Sangjun Kang. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. v, 113 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-99). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /   Q. 628.1 K131s

Kaza, Nikhil. Reasoning With Plans: Inference of Semantic Relationships among Plans about Urban Development / by Nikhil Kaza. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. xiv, 181 leaves, bound : ill., maps (some col.) ; 29 cm. + cdrom. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 168-175). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning / Q. 711.4 K189r ; Found in IDEALS

Koschinsky, Julia. Modeling Spatial Spillover Effects from Rental to Owner Housing: The Case of Seattle / by Julia Koschinsky. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. ix, 172 leaves, bound : ill., maps (some col. ) ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-114). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning / Q. 307.76097977 K846m

Warren, Drake Edward. The regional economic effects of commercial passenger air service at small airports / by Drake Edward Warren. viii, 414 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 398-413). Q. 338.1 Tbp08w

Wildermuth, Todd A. Yesterday’s city of tomorrow : the Minnesota Experimental City and green urbanism / by Todd A. Wildermuth. v, 278 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 271-276). Q. 630 Tbp08w

Xiao, Yu. Local Labor Market Adjustment and Economic Impacts after a Major Disaster: Evidence from the 1993 Midwest Flood / by Yu Xiao. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. xii, 219 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-205). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning / Q. 363.34097738 X4l

Bendor, Todd K. Redistribution effects of wetland mitigation over space and time / by Todd K. Bendor. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. v, 117 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-111). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 354.34 B433r

Lim, Jaewon. Interregional Migration and Regional Economic Structure / by Jaewon Lim. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. xiii, 143 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-134). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 304.81 L628i

Lufin Varas, Marcelo Leonardo. Essays in social space : applications to Chilean communities on inter-sector social linkages, social capital, and social justice / by Marcelo Leonardo Lufin Varas. v, 254 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-173).  Q. 711.40983 L967e

Maeng, Da-Mi. Information and Communications Technologies and Urban Environment: Empirical Analysis of the Washington DC Metropolitan Region / by Da-Mi Maeng. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. x, 119 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 104-115). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 711.4 M268i

Silva, Carlos E. Three Essays on Regional Economics / by Carlos Eduardo Silva. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. iv, 112 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-111). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 330.9 Si382t

Sorensen, Janni. Challenges of Unequal Power Distribution in University-Community Partnerships / by Janni Sorensen. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. ix, 212 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-189). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 711.58 So684c

Varas, Marcelo L. Essays in Social Space: Applications to Chilean Communities on Inter-Sector Social Linkages, Social Capital, and Social Justice / by Marcelo Leonardo Lufin Varas.Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. v, 254 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-173). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 711.40983 L967e

Wang, Yun. Predicting long-term impacts of urbanization in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area on regional emissions of air pollutants from residential fuel combustion : a dynamic geographic information systems approach / by Yun Wang. viii, 142 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-69).  Q. 711.40977866 W184p

Aldegheishem, Abdulaziz J. Geospatial sharing as an effective governance tool for policy decision : comparative analysis and implication to Saudi Arabia / by Abdulaziz J. Aldegheishem.  Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. xiv, 221 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 204-220). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 910.28509538 Al21g

Shammin, Md Rumi. Opportunity and challenges for sustainability in urban planning and the energy sprawl / by Md Rumi Shammin. xvi, 211 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 136-145).  Q. 630 Tbp06s

Sofhani, Tubagus Furqon. Toward empowered participatory planning: the role of planners in the local planning paradigm change in Indonesia / by Tubagus Furqon Sofhani. xii, 173 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 158-167).  Q. 307.1216 So232t

Vial, Jose Fernando. Interlinking interregional economic models with infrastructure networks : three essays / by Jose Fernando Vial. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. ix, 184 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-182). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 330.9 V651i

Bonet, Jaime Alfred. Decentralization, structural change and regional disparities in Colombia / by Jaime Alfred Bonet. x, 128 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 106-113).  Q. 986.1063 B641d

Guo, Dong. Structure and structural change in China’s economy / by Dong Guo. 2005. xi, 130 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-125). Theses –UIUC –2005 –Urban and Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 338.951 G959s

Jang, Sung-Gheel. Interoperable multimodal travel guide system : modeling and implementation – a canonical model approach / by Sung-Gheel Jang. 2005. xi, 132 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-128). Theses –UIUC –2005 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.  Q. 388.0285 J254i

Lee, Jong Sung. Developing spatio-temporal models for retrofit and reconstruction strategy under unscheduled events / by Jong Sung Lee. 2005. x, 102 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 94-98). Theses –UIUC –2005 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library City Planning /  Q. 353.9 L517d

Prasai, Sagar R. Transnational migration-development nexus and the capability approach : reframing the linkages/ by Sagar R. Prasai. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2005. vii, 145 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-140). Theses –UIUC –2005 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /  Q. 331.544 P886t

Balta, Nazmiye. Climate change policy in an enlarged European Union : institutions, efficiency, and equity / by Nazmiye Balta. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2004. xvii, 285 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 279-284). Theses–UIUC–2004–Urban and Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /  Q. 363.7 B216c

Kim, Jungik. An assessment of the discommodity effects of swine production on rural property values : a spatial analysis / by Jungik Kim. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2004. xi, 186 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-185). Theses–UIUC–2004–Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.   Q. 333.3352 K56a

Plotnikova, Maria. Determinants of household housing privatization decision in Russia / by Maria Plotnikova. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2004. vii, 98 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-97). Theses–UIUC–2004 –Urban and Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.   Q. 363.50947 P724d

Sumadi, Pungky. Governance in a democratic transition : the case of the Urban Poverty Project in Cirebon / by Pungky Sumadi. 2004. xv, 225 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 204-218). Theses –UIUC –2004 –Urban and Regional Planning. Printout.  Q. 320.85095982 Su61g

Budthimedhee, Kanjanee. Effective visualization interfaces for planning support systems / by Kanjanee Budthimedhee. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003. vi, 158 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-156). Theses–UIUC–2003–Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /    Q. 005.118 B859e

Deal, Brian Michael. Sustainable land-use planning: the integration of process and technology / by Brian Michael Deal. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003. viii, 115 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-85). Theses–UIUC–2003–Urban and Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /    Q. 307.1216 D342s

Haddad, Monica Amaral. Human development and regional inequalities: spatial analysis across Brazilian municipalities / by Monica Amaral Haddad. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003. xiv, 144 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-140). Theses–UIUC–2003–Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /  Q. 307.140981 H117h

Nazara, Suahasil. An exploration of interaction effects in Indonesian regional economic development / by Suahasil Nazara. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003. xiii, 156 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-155). Theses–UIUC–2003–Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning./   Q. 330.9598 N236e

Henne, Lisa Jean. Power and science in participatory watershed planning: a case study from rural Mexico / by Lisa Jean Henne. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002. ix, 170 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-166). Theses–UIUC–2002–Regional Planning.Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /  Q. 333.730972 H391s

Song, Yan. Valuing the impacts of new urbanism on prices of single-family homes: a case study of Portland, Oregon / by Yan Song Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002. xvi, 137 leaves, bound : ill., maps. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-136). Theses–UIUC–2002–Urban and Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /  Q. 728.370979549 So581v

Wu, Yueming. Seismic risk analysis for Mid-America communities / by Yueming Wu Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002. ix, 208 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 203-207). Theses–UIUC–2002–Urban and Regional Planning. Printout. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning. /  Q. 551.220287 W950s

Kumar, Sandeep. Role of information in design review : a case study / by Sandeep Kumar. 2001. ix, 189 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Printout. Vita. Theses–UIUC–2001–Regional Planning. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001.  Q. 711.40973 K96r

Tyler, Elizabeth Holl. Development of an environmental values typology / by Elizabeth Holl Tyler. xi, 256 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-146).  Q. 363.7 T971d

Matier, Debra Anne. A cross-national study of policy entrepreneurship on the part of technical-professional bureaucrats in national environmental agencies : the case of household waste reduction policy in Germany, France and the United States / by Debra Anne Matier. 2000. vii, 269 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Theses–UIUC–2000–Regional Planning. /  Q. 658.421

Tyler, Elizabeth Holl. Development of an environmental values typology / by Elizabeth Holl Tyler. 2001. xi, 256 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-146). Theses –UIUC –2001 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from Bell & Howell Information and Learning.  Q. 363.7 T971d

You, Jinsoo. Development of a hybrid travel time forecasting model with GIS : design and implementation issues / by Jinsoo You. 2000. xv, 171 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Printout. Vita. Theses–UIUC–2000– Regional Planning. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2000. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-167).  Q. 388.10113 Y83d

Alvares, Lucia Maria Capanema. Classifying intermediary non-governmental organizations according to their strategies to empower local grassroots groups / by Lucia Maria Capanema Alvares. c1999. xiv, 443 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. Printout. Vita. Data for this research was collected in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 427-440). 1. Non-governmental organizations–Case studies. 2. Community development–Brazil–Belo Horizonte–Case studies. I. Title. Other: Theses–UIUC–1999–Regional Planning.   361.763 Al86c

Carvajal N., Ana Maria . Evaluating the impact of rail-trail conversion projects on property values : empirical evidence from the Illinois Prairie Path / by Ana Maria Caraval N. 1999. vi, 37 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-37).   796.509773 C253e

Hanley, Paul Francis, 1965- Simulating land developers’, sewer providers’, and land owners’ behavior to assess sewer expansion policies / by Paul Francis Hanley. 1999. viii, 89 leaves : ill., maps ; 28 cm. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. “The research design uses a stochastic simulation model of development behavior to capture alternative explanations of sewer provider and developer behaviors. The input data and model parameters are based on 26 years of historical data for a 12 square mile study area in Washington County, Oregon…”–p.2. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Ilinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-80) 1. Sewage disposal–Mathematical models. 2. Stochastic processes. 3. Sewerage–Oregon–Washington County–Mathematical models. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1999–Regional Planning.   363.7284 H194s

Okuyama, Yasuhide. Analyses of structural change : input-output approaches / by Yasuhide Okuyama. 1999. xii, 141 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-136). Analyzes structural change in the Chicago economy between 1980 and 1997 and the effects of the 1998 earthquake in the Hanshin region of Japan. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. 1. Input-output analysis. 2. Chicago (Ill.)–Economic conditions. 3. Hanshin region (Japan)–Economic conditions. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1999–Regional Planning.   339.23 Ok7a

Ellis, Christopher D. The effectiveness of qualitative spatial representation in supporting spatial awareness and spatial decision making / by Christopher D. Ellis. 1998. xii, 154 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-151). Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. 1. Space perception– Case studies. 2. Qualitative reasoning–Case studies. 3. Geographic information systems. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1998–Regional Planning.  Q.910.285El59e

Larsen, Larissa Susan. A comparison of Chicago’s scattered site and aggregate public housing residents’ psychological self-evaluations / by Larissa Susan Larsen. c1998. viii, 171 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998. Includes bibliographical records (leaves 144-152). Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. 1. Public housing– Resident satisfaction. 2. Public housing–Illinois–Chicago–Case studies. 3. Human ecology–Case studies. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1998– Regional Planning.  Q.363.58509773L329c

Lindsey, Timothy Craig. Promoting the adoption of pollution prevention innovations with the assistance of publicly owned treatment works / by Timothy Craig Lindsey. c1998. x, 220 leaves, bound ; 28 cm. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 209-212). Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. 1. Sewage–Purification. 2. Membrane separation. 3. Pollution prevention–Case studies. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1998–Regional Planning.  Q. 628.50286 L645p

Brodjonegro, Bambang. The econometric input-output model of Jakarta, Indonesia, and its application for economic impact analysis / by Bambang Brodjonegoro. 1997. viii, 142 leaves, bound: ill.; 28 cm. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph.D.) — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1997. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-141). 1. Econometric models–Indonesia–Jakarta. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1997–Regional Planning.   Q.330.015195 B784

Guo, Jiemen. Comparative study of economic structure of Chinese regional economies using new input-output techniques / by Jiemen Guo. x, 139 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-135).   Q. 338.951 G957c

Kim, Sung-Ho. Modeling resident satisfaction : comparison of the Francescato and Fishbein-Ajzen TRA models / by Sung-Ho Kim. 1997. xiii, 180 leaves, bound: ill.; 28 cm. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1997. 1. Action theory–Research. 2. Housing– Resident satisfaction. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1997–Regional Planning.   Q.155.945 K56m, cop.2

Knowles-Yanez, Kimberley Lynne. Contested land use planning: a case study of a grassroots neighborhood organization, a medical complex, and a city / by Kimberley Lynne Knowles-Yanez. xiv, 178 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-144).   Q. 333.77 K764c

Miller, Claire Ellen. Managing local sustainability : a game theoretic analysis of natural resource conservation / by Claire Ellen Miller. 1997. vii, 195 leaves, bound: ill.; 28 cm. Printout. Thesis (Ph.D.) — University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1997. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-175). 1. Conservation of natural resources–United States. 2. Habitat conservation–United States–Planning. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1997–Regional Planning.   Q.333.72M612m

Montagu, Allen Simon. Natural resource management in Papua New Guinea : an analysis of the forestry sector / Allen Simon Montagu. xiii, 308 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 284-304).   Q. 337.75 M76n

Chin, Yoihee. Multi-stage and multi-objective allocation procedures of urban parks using location decision support system (UPLDSS). vi, 129 leaves, bound : ill. ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-103).   Q. 711.5580113 C441M ;   Found in IDEALS

Ding, Chengri. Managing urban growth for efficiency in infrastructure provision : dynamic capital expansion and urban growth boundary models / by Chengri Ding. 1996. x, 118 leaves, bound : ill. ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-117). Infrastructure (Economics). Capital –Management. Urban economics –Management. Theses –UIUC –1996 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International.   Q. 658.152 D613M ;   Found in IDEALS

Moore, Alan Wesley. An investigation of a collaborative meeting room supporting small group planning and decision making / by Alan Wesley Moore. x, 163 leaves, bound : ill. ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-162).   Q. 658.4030285 M781I ;   Found in IDEALS

Mukherjee, Jaideep. Environment and development : a study of north-south conflict / by Jaideep Mukherjee. 1996. xvii, 274 leaves, bound : ill. ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 264-268).  Theses –UIUC –1996 –Regional Planning. Printout.   Q. 333.70285 M896E ;  Found in IDEALS

Ortiz, Alexandra. Economic analysis of a land value capture system used to finance road infrastructure : the case of Bogota, Colombia / by Alexandra Ortiz. 1996. viii, 109 leaves, bound : ill. ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-91). Theses –UIUC –1996 –Regional Planning. Printout.   Q. 333.332 Or8e ;   Found in IDEALS

Schintler, Laurie A. Managing pavement in a busy urban highway network / by Laurie Shintler. 1996. iii, 103 leaves, bound ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-99).   Q. 388.411 Sch34m ;   Found in IDEALS

Vos, Jacobus Johannes . Environmental perceptions and participation in environmental decision-making among blacks : a study of environmental justice and solid waste management planning in two Illinois counties / by Jacobus Johannes Vos. 1996. xii, 142 leaves, bound : map ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-118).   Q. 363.72850977 V92E ;   Found in IDEALS

Westervelt, James Dahl. Simulating mobile objects in dynamic landscape processes / by James Dahl Westervelt. 1996. ix, 144 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-114).  Digital computer simulation. Landscape –Computer simulation. Theses –UIUC –1996 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International.   Q. 003.3 W525S ;   Found in IDEALS

Al-Kodmany, M. Kheir Al-Din. Cultural change and urban design: women’s privacy in traditional and modern Damascus / by M. Kheir Al-Din Kodmany 1995. viii, 199 leaves, bound: ill.,maps; 28 cm. Includes bibliographic references (leaves 172-196). 1. Neighborhood–Syria–Damascus. 2. Community development–Syria–Damascus. 3. City planning–Syria–Damascus. 4. Women in Islam–Syria–Damascus. 5. Women and city planning–Syria–Damascus 6.Theses–UIUC–1995–Regional Planning. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. Vita. City Planning Call Number:   Q. 307.09569101 ;   Found in IDEALS

Dickson, Bruce C. Ecorestoration of riparian forests for nonpoint source pollution control : policy and ecological considerations in Illinois agroecosystem watersheds / by Bruce Cameron Dickson. 1995. vii, 119 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 28 cm. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1995. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-117). 1. Environmental policy–Illinois. 2. Ecosystem management–Illinois. 3. Water–Pollution–Illinois. 4. Riparian forests–Illinois. 5. Riparian ecology–Illinois. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1995–Regional Planning.   Q.363.73946D55E ;   Found in IDEALS

Kim, Hyong-Bok. Capacity expansion modeling of water supply in a planning support system for urban growth management / by Hyong-Bok Kim. 1995. xiv, 216 leaves, bound : ill. ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-215). Water-supply –Mathematical models. Urbanization –Water-supply. Water resources development –Mathematical models. Theses –UIUC –1995 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International.   Q. 363.61011 K56C ,   Found in IDEALS

McGurty, Eileen Maura. The construction of environmental justice : Warren County North Carolina / by Eileen Maura McGurty. 1995. ix, 220 leaves, bound : maps ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-220). Environmental responsibility –North Carolina –Warren County. Hazardous waste sites –North Carolina –Warren County. Sanitary landfills –North Carolina –Warren County. Land use –North Carolina –Warren County. NIMBY syndrome –North Carolina –Warren County. Environmental ethics –North Carolina –Warren County.  Theses –UIUC –1995 –Regional Planning. Printout. Vita.    Q. 363.7009756 M179C ;   Found in IDEALS

Simon, Allison. Sequencing infrastructure development in the barrios marginales of Quito, Ecuador : policy findings of a hedonic price model. 1995. ix, 104 leaves, bound : col. maps ; 28 cm. Includes bibliographical references.   Q. 307.1409866 SI53S ; Found in IDEALS

Douglas, Judy Carol. Aesthetic-based conflict in highway planning : Federal Highway Administration putting planners at risk / by Judy Carol Douglas. 1994. xiii, 223 leaves ; ill. ; 30 cm. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1994. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 210-219). 1. Highway planning–United States. 2. Roads–United States–Design and construction. 3. Highway law–United States. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1994–Regional Planning.   Q.625.725D746A ;   Found in IDEALS

Lee, Insung. Development of procedural expertise to support multiattribute spatial decision making / by Insung Lee. 1994. xi, 153 leaves ; 29 cm. Vita. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms International. Thesis ( Ph. D. )–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1994. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-151). 1. City planning–Computer programs 2. City planning I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1994–Regional Planning.   Q.307.1L521D ;   Found in IDEALS

Choi, Keechoo. The implementation of an integrated transportation planning model with GIS and expert systems for interactive transportation planning / by Keechoo Choi. 1993. xviii, 217 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993. Bibliography: leaves 198-216. 1. Transportation–Planning. 2. Geographic information systems. 3. Information storage and retrieval systems–Transportation 4. Expert systems. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1993–Regional Planning.   Q.388.0285C452I ;   Found in IDEALS

Edwards, Hazel Ruth. The role of the residential environment in defining quality of life / by Hazel Ruth Edwards. 1993. xix, 402 leaves, bound : maps ; 29 cm. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Printout. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 368-394) 1. Quality of life 2. Housing–Resident satisfaction I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1993–Regional Planning.   Q.155.945ED96R ;   Found in IDEALS

Mitchell, Martin D. Changes in landscape forms and functions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, California, 1920-1993 / by Martin D. Mitchell. xii, 329 leaves, bound : maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 297-328).   Q. 333.7153 M6946C

El-Kholei, Ahmed Osman. The role of the government in housing in developing countries : the case of Egypt / by Ahmed Osman El-Kholei. 1992. xviii, 181 leaves, bound : ill., map ; 29 cm. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-169). 1. Housing–Developing countries. 2. Housing–Egypt. 3. Housing–Economic aspects–Egypt. 4. Housing policy–Egypt. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1992–Regional Planning.   Q.363.5EL52R ;   Found in IDEALS

Fields, Deborah Lynn. The application of computer-aided expert decision support systems to developing countries : a case of rural development in Kenya / by Deborah Lynn Fields. 1992. xiii, 283 leaves, bound: 29 cm. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992. Includes bibliographic references (leaves 267-281). 1. Rural development–Kenya–Decision making. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1992–Regional Planning.   Q.307.1412F46A ;   Found in IDEALS

Shiffer, Michael Joseph. A hypermedia implementation of a collaborative planning system / by Michael Joseph Shiffer. 1992. ix, 188 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Printout. Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-184) 1. Hypermedia systems. 2. User interfaces (Computer systems) 3. City planning I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1992–Regional Planning.   Q.307.120285SH61H ;   Found in IDEALS

Almansouri, Majdi Ahmed. The role of the Friday mosque (Al-Jami) in Islamic cities / by Majdi Ahmed Almansouri. 1991. xv, 301 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) ; 29 cm. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Printout. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1991. Includes bibliographic refernces (leaves 248-291) 1. Architecture, Islamic–Middle East 2. Cities and towns, Islamic–Middle East–Planning–History. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1991–Regional Planning.   Q.711.40956AL62R ;   Found in IDEALS

Sen, Siddhartha. Role of Indian NGO’s in housing and development : a critical appraisal / by Siddhartha Sen. 1991. vii, 204 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1991. Includes bibliographic references (leaves 187-198) 1. Poor–Housing–India. 2. Non-governmental organizations– India. 3. Community development, Urban–India. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1991–Regional Planning.   Q.363.596942SE55R ;   Found in IDEALS

Tazik, David J. Proactive management of an endangered species on army lands : the black-capped vireo on the lands of Fort Hood, Texas / by David John Tazik. 1991. x, 247 leaves, bound : ill., maps (some col.) ; 29 cm. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Printout. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1991. Includes bibliographic references (leaves 218-226) 1. Birds, Protection of–Texas–Fort Hood. 2. Black-capped vireo–Texas–Fort Hood. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1991–Regional Planning.   Q.333.954816T219P ;   Found in IDEALS

Chin, Yangkyo. Resident housing satisfaction in multi-family housing environments in Korea / by Yangkyo Chin. 1990. x, 222 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Vita. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990. Bibiliography: leaves 118-130. 1. Housing–Resident satisfaction–Korea. 2. Apartment houses– Korea. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1990–Regional Planning.   Q.155.94509519C441R ;   Found in IDEALS

Doak, Jill Ann. Regional economic development marketing : process, preparation and organization / by Jill Ann Doak. 1990. v, 83 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Printout. Thesis (MUP)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990. Bibliography: leaves 79-83. 1. Regional planning–Illinois–Economic aspects. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1990–Urban Planning.  Q.338.9773D65R

Han, Sang-Yun. The application of computer-based information systems to urban planning and public policy making / by Sang-Yun Han. 1990. xvi, 206 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Vita. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Printout. Thesis (Ph. D)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990. Includes bibliographic references (leaves 188-205) 1. City planning–Decision making–Automation. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1990–Regional Planning.   Q.307.120285H19A ;   Found in IDEALS

Lai, Shih-Kung. A comparison of multiattribute decision making techniques using an iterative procedure to derive a convergent criterion / by Shih-Kung Lai. 1990. viii, 144 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Printout. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-141) 1. Multiple criteria decision making. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1990–Regional Planning.   Q.658.4035L14C ;   Found in IDEALS

Lee, Man-Hyung. Chinese housing policy : socio-historical analysis and policy evaluation / by Man-Hyung Lee. 1990. xi, 229 leaves, bound ; 29 cm. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Printout. Thesis (Ph.D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990. Includes bibliographic references (leaves 187-218) 1. Housing policy–China–History. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1990–Regional Planning.   Q.363.50951L514C ;   Found in IDEALS

Glosser, Deanna Simmons. Differing perceptions and the resulting uncertainty of public policy : an examination of the Clean Water Act’s Section 404 regulatory program / by Deanna Simmons Glosser. 1989. viii, 165 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Vita. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1989. Includes bibliographical references. 1. Regional planning–Decision making. 2. Water–Pollution–Law and legislation–United States. 3. Policy sciences I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1989–Regional Planning.   Q.307.12068G516D ;   Found in IDEALS

Suh, Sunduck. Implementation and evaluation of nonlinear bilevel programming model of equilibrium network design problem / by Sunduck Suh. 1989. xiii, 179 leaves, bound : ill., maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references.   Q. 388.3140113 SU36I;     Found in IDEALS

Rho, Jeong Hyun. Implementation and evaluation of a nonlinear three dimensional urban activity model / by Jeong Hyun Rho. 1988. xii, 164 leaves, bound : ill. ; 29 cm. Vita. Printout. Available on microfilm from University Microfilms. Thesis (Ph. D.)–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988. Includes bibliographical references. 1. Traffic congestion–Mathematical models. 2. City traffic– Illinois–Chicago. 3. Land use, Urban–Mathematical models. I. Title. Other: 1. Theses–UIUC–1988–Regional Planning.  Q.388.41310151R346I ;  Found in IDEALS

Briassoulis, Helen. An integrated modeling approach for the study of the impacts of acid deposition control regulations / by Helen Briassoulis. 1985. vii, 178 leaves ; 29 cm. Bibliography: leaves 171-177.   FILM 1985 B762 ;   Found in IDEALS

MSc in Urban Studies

Application are open! MSc in Urban Studies

thesis process

The thesis topic should be in the field of urban studies, and will ideally make use of a student’s previous disciplinary expertise while exploring new grounds. In selecting a topic, students should consider their personal interests, professional expectations, disciplinary background, and the existing expertise of MSc in Urban Studies staff. In the first semester, the involved teachers in the MSc in Urban Studies as well as related researchers will provide a list of thesis topics from which students are strongly encouraged to select a topic.

The thesis development process begins in the very first semester with the selection of a topic and supervisor. During the second semester students will develop their research idea into a research design, supported by the coursework for Research Design in Urban Studies . Various presentation moments are scheduled throughout the two-year process, culminating in the public thesis defence at the end of the fourth semester.

theses from previous cohorts

The titles and authors of all MSc in Urban Studies theses successfully defended are listed below. Those receiving an excellent or very high mark (17-20 in the Belgian system) are highlighted and available for download.

  • Exposed Space: BeReal as a Case Study to Reflect on the Link Between Visibility, Everyday Spatialities and Digital Surveillance Mathilde Abnet
  • Rationales behind street trees in street transformation projects: The case of Dronning Eufemias Gate in Oslo Louise Hunskaar Abrahamsen
  • Delineating dark kitchens’ geography in Brussels-Capital Region Lucia Aizpiri
  • Neoliberalism Behind Bars: Public Private Partnership and the Penitentiary System: A Case Study of Haren (Belgium) Clarisse De Beir
  • Resistance through housing eviction in Brussels. Retracing stories of resistance and collective organisation when confronted with the threat of expulsion : the case of the Front Anti-Expulsions Sirine Derraz Yettefti
  • Temporary use in Brussels. Assessing an expanding field Anton Driesen
  • (Un)Equal exposure to Nature-based Solutions from primary schools: A Comparative Analysis of Brussels, Barcelona, Rotterdam, and Paris Corina Fraile
  • Public Participation and the Impact of Neighborhood Perceptions: The case of the Housing Program in Bergen Sophie Helene Gaskjenn
  • Establishing a Foothold: Resisting Co-option Through Heritage Fábio Gouveia
  • How to grow : A comparative case study on how Frankfurt am Main and Zurich attempt to steer densification in their urban fringes Aaron Gralla
  • European publicly listed REITs: What is their real estate investment geography in 2021? Erwan Guenec
  • Feminist (co)housing: space of resistance to a patriarchal and capitalist city? A case-study in Brussels Flora Jacolin
  • Who Saved the Party?: Security Providers for the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro Karine Jegiazarjana
  • Uneven development of bank branch closures in Warsaw, Poland Maja Karas
  • Sustainable urban mobility in Ukraine: prospects of a better future? A research on the effectiveness of Ukrainian national policies in ensuring the development of sustainable urban mobility in the course of post-war reconstruction Olena Kuzhym
  • Exposed Space: BeReal as a Case Study to Reflect on the Link Between Visibility, Everyday Spatialities and Digital Surveillance Camille Leddet
  • Exploring the value of bottom-up projects in temporary spaces in Irish cities Aifric O'Leary Deane
  • Financing the Sustainable Economy. A study of the city-finance relations in the Brussels Capital Region Cristina-Georgiana Paca
  • Government as an enabler of Community Land Trusts in urban redevelopment programmes. The case of Bristol Temple Quarter Laura Parker-Tong
  • Deathscapes, teeming with life. From Stockholm to Brussels: Exploring the role urban cemeteries can play as multifunctional spaces, supporting biodiversity and life of urbanites within Ana Pastore
  • Shared by whom? Examining the accessibility of public bike sharing schemes in Brussels and Prague through the lens of mobility justice Martin Pavlovic
  • The bumpy road to a Community Land Trust. An analysis of the obstacles in the development of CLTs in Brussel, Ghent and Leuven Brand Petry
  • Cultural Dynamics and Agency in Urban Spaces: An Intersectional Exploration of Saint-Gilles, Brussels Enrico Rossetti
  • Moving through the urban night. The impact of initiatives on bodily experiences of fear Amelie Schudok
  • Alternative Urban Orders and Redevelopment: (Democratic) Spatial Visions for Urban Ruins in the Brussels Capital Region Rylan Shewmaker
  • The 15-minute Nordic city: A trendy planning concept or existing framework? A study of Reykjavík and Trondheim Freyr Snorrason
  • An agroecological perspective on sustainable food planning in Leuven Dagmar Somers
  • Creating and claiming space within the transformation and redevelopment of cities: Female street vendors at Porte de Namur metro station in Brussels through the lens of power, gender, and race Alice Sparks
  • Cultivating Visibility: Everyday Utopias as a Space-Making Practice in Berlin’s Nightlife Landscape Madeline Thomas
  • Svalpa Munde Hogi. Researching the mobility experience of migrant women in Bangalore  Pooja Thomas
  • Aestheticizing the urban: wherefore art though Tirana? Keke van der Wal
  • Tracing green streets: Expected opportunities and challenges of Barcelona‘s Green Axes and Squares Leoni Vollmann
  • Sustainable urban mobility in Ukraine: prospects of a better future? A research on the effectiveness of Ukrainian national policies in ensuring the development of sustainable urban mobility in the course of post-war reconstruction Arie Vreeke
  • Urbanisation from below and the urban commons. Prototyping urban reality in the settlement of Jazdów, Warsaw Alicja Wojcik
  • Moving together in diversity Rebecca Wyn Bernage
  • Consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban green space governance – A case study of Brussels Capital Region Ekaterina Afanaseva
  • Towards a Local Democracy Through Citizen Participation: The Case of The Metropolitan Municipality of Ankara After 2019 Local Elections Zeynep Arica
  • Women’s Participation in Urban Cycling beyond the Brussels Canal: A study on Motivators and Deterrents Juliana Betancur Arenas
  • Exclusion Mechanisms in Public Space Fanny Boccioli
  • Shifting away from sprawl. An exploration of local densification and land containment strategies in Flemish municipalities Fien Bourgeois
  • Learning to love Brussels. Experiencing place attachment as a Latin American newcomer Elsa Camara Moreno
  • Towards environmental justice? An analysis of urban greenspace (re)distribution in Brussels Louisa Contipelli
  • Decommodifying the housing stock. Current practice and consolidation potential of preventive purchases in Germany Ulrike Damerau
  • Assessing the geographical evolution of European Regional Structural Funds in cities: The case of three decades of ERDF allocation in the BCR Alvara Defalque
  • The bench on stage: The identity role of street furniture in urban environments and its ability to evoke a sense of place among residents. The case of Tel Aviv-Yafo Amnon Direktor
  • A holistic perspective on police projects tackling the relationship with the young public in Brussels. Identifying the existing challenges to create activities that rebuild trust between police and youngsters in a multicultural urban setting Anabel Eerens Sarango
  • Everyday Practices of Territorialization in Brussels by working-class Portuguese Migrants Bruno Faustina Mesquita
  • Urban policies in Flanders: What problem are they trying to solve? Eva Forceville
  • Precarious artists as urban change- makers: a focus on Brussels and its artist-run spaces Robin Genton
  • Positioning Energy Efficiency Improvements of the Rental Housing Stock within an Energy Transition Towards Climate Neutrality – a Case Study of Gothenburg, Sweden Loar Halleröd
  • Energy Communities & Productive Activities – The Transition of Brussels‘ North District to Renewable Energy Mika Hasselbring
  • Expertise in Belgian (urban) democracy: influences of partisan orientations? Illustration by Brussels Capital Region MPs expertise selections, conceptions and uses Lucie Hoenraet
  • Social Equity in Urban Mobility Mathilda Sarah Hollreiser
  • United in Biodiversity? Are Brussels’ citizens’ collectives for UGS preservation protecting their own backyards or constituting an urban environmental movement? Eline Inghelbrecht
  • The Invisibility of Street Harassment in Spatial Urban Policies: a Case Study of the Nordstadt district in the City of Dortmund, Germany Maria Kik
  • The Right to the City in our hands: crowdsourced civic participation platforms of Brussels and Curitiba as tools for (re)claiming the City André Losso
  • Cultural centres and their audiences in gentrifying neighbourhoods in Budapest and Brussels Kata Markus
  • Mapping out Institutional Discourse on Sustainable Housing: A Case Study of the Brussels-Capital Region Vitaly Matveev
  • Circular Economy in Brussels: a model for urban sustainability transition? Sebastian Moyersoen
  • Implications of virtual experiences on urban tourism in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: towards a sustainable approach Diletta Muccilli
  • After Remunicipalisation: Assessing the Potential of Hamburg’s Rekommunalisierung in Contesting Tendencies of Neoliberal Urban Governance Simon Munkler
  • Guaranteeing decommodification: public-cooperative relations of three Dutch housing cooperatives Max Oxenaar
  • Entering the labour market as a refugee in a regional city: how the urban context shapes the experience Delphine Rochus
  • City representation offices in Brussels: learning practices in the framework of city diplomacy Emanuele Sala
  • Urban redevelopments and compromised social resilience. The case of the Bulgarian community in Place de la Reine, Schaerbeek Vera Sales
  • Understanding the Experiences of Mothers with Young Children in large Urban Green Space: Evidence from Brussels Asma Sofla
  • Notes on fear. A mixed-method analysis on the impact of gender and language proficiency on fear of crime using the example of expats in Brussels Josephine Steffens
  • The Role of Public Toilets in the Everyday Strategies of Homeless Women Linn Sophie Tramm
  • Advent and reshaping of entrepreneurial governance of urban logistics - The ephemeral case of dark stores in the Brussels Capital Region Anne-Charlotte Trapp
  • Urban Regeneration in the Mediterranean; The Inevitable (and Distinct) Entrepreneurialism of Marseille’s Euroméditerranée Project Hendrik Van De Pol
  • Building a resilient city: the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the development of cycling in Paris, France Noémi Volkmar
  • Gaining Ground? Berlin’s Housing and Land Decommodification Initiatives and Their Efforts to Commonize Urban Land Clemens Weise
  • ‘Laisse les filles tranquilles’. Women in the city. Everyday restriction(s) and resistance(s) Wipler Laura
  • Covid-19 effect on reception of asylum seekers and refugees: the case of Athens Aikaterini Anastasiou
  • 5 blocks. Post-war social housing estates in Brussels. Stories of displacement, resilience and decline Mae de Monchy
  • Working for and against the app. Labour-capital relations in Brussels' platform-mediated food  delivery Simon Decat Fonteyne
  • Whatever floats your boat: how are the Brussels houseboaters impacted by the Canal Zone developments? Eleanor Denneman
  • Learning between sister cities: ideals in practice Annelies De Weerdt
  • Commoning in urban gardens in Brussels, an ecofeminist approach to the urban commons Bruna Farine Milani
  • From waiting spaces to learning places. Between politics and poetics in Brussels metro stations Stefano Gariglio
  • The new geography of fare-free public transport: examining the suspension of fares in the United States during COVID-19 Dori Goldberg
  • The little red dot goes green. Learning and experimenting to develop Singapore's local agriculture niche Shermine Kwok
  • Interrogating social change in alternative economies and emerging sustainable urban imaginaries: a case study of Madboks and El Intercambiador Marta Lekue
  • Contesting neoliberal urban practices: analysis of the relationship between grassroots social movements and scholars in the historic city center of Salvador Julia Mendes Rocha
  • Who are the MaaS winners? A look into the discourse of MaaS and the potential to deliver spatial equity Laura Pajaro Santander
  • Wander women: on women's perception of fear in public spaces at night Parinaz Pajouyan
  • Mobility is not only infrastructure: unpacking the reasons for the construction of Quito's first metro line Denise Paladines
  • Covid-19 and the targets of cycling policy measures in Belgium James Portoraro
  • From Moscow to Saint Petersburg by bicycle: bureaucracy hills and valleys of possibilities Maria Prosviryakova
  • Citizens, housing & energy: material citizen participation in energy transitions through the ESCO model Marija Stefãnija Skudra
  • Sustainable housing supports behavioural change in residents? A holistic approach to unpack sustainable urban development in Brussels Akiko Tsuchiya
  • Green commons in contested spaces: fostering the potential of Kuzguncuk and Roma urban gardens, Istanbul Cagri Tuzcuoglu
  • Housing energy renovations without gentrification? A case study of Dampoort KnapT OP! Eva Van Caudenberg
  • Walking interviews as a method to pave the way for reciprocal CERL partnerships Brecht Van der Schueren
  • Privatizing social housing supply - the New-Build Agence Immobilière Sociale Model in the Brussels Capital Region   Josef Adler
  • Welcoming refugees in the Camonica Valley: critical analysis of a reception model between opportunities and limits   Beatrice Bellavia
  • Urban children want to play outside, and freely!  Luigi Bisogno
  • Whose space the U-Space? Drones, verticality, societal concerns and the European regulation of urban airspace  Christer Brown
  • Making More Motivated Building Renovation Policies: Qualitative investigation on Why Non- Energy Benefits’(NEBs) in Building Renovation Deserve Attentions  Yuanyuan Chen
  • Sex workers’ right to the city within their Red-Light District. The burden of morality on sex workers in a tolerated sex workspace in Brussels   Thor Colonna
  • Updating the Role of Cultural Centers in Brussels: A Tale of Two Conflicting Paradigms?  Johannes Cools
  • The Jewish Quarter of Budapest: Authenticity and Commodification of Culture   Fruzsina Csala
  • Modal choice and travel behaviour of students of colour related to fear of crime in Cape Town, South Africa   Siel Defrancq
  • The Securitisation of Les 24-Heures Vélo and the Fear of Terrorism. The normalisation of the state of exception in contemporary urban society  Cian Delaney
  • To what extent does Agora’s citizens’ assembly offer an alternative to urban entrepreneurialism?  Felicien Dufoor
  • Factors of Success and Failure of School Streets: Evidence from the Brussels Capital Region   Cédric Dujacquier
  • Smalltown boys: an exploratory study on gay men in Lombardy and their sense of place   Tommaso Eynard
  • Space for Food: An Analysis of Professional Urban Agriculture in the Brussels Capital Region  Lieselotte Gevens
  • The digital urban model: Cities: Skylines as a gamified tool for public engagement in urban planning  Silvain Hamar de la Brethonière
  • CURB space management and shared micro-mobility systems. A comparative analysis between Brussels-Belgium, Leuven-Belgium and Lisbon-Portugal  Daniel Herrera
  • Experiencing citizen science: Motivations of and impacts on citizen scientists researching air pollution in Brussels  Valentin Hillen
  • The missing metropolis: How has federalism affected interregional mobility planning in the Brussels metropolitan area?  Matteo Hinant
  • Electric cargo bicycles in city logistics. A comparative environmental impact analysis  Clarissa Kees
  • Water Matters:  The coproduction of Rainwater Harvesting as a durable source that mitigates water poverty   Gabriela Landeros
  • Urban Sustainability: Network Dependency Across the Urban Rural Divide in Canada’s Built Environment  Alexander Morgenthaler
  • Feminist Claims vs. Administrative Reality. Situating Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Planning within the Academic Discourse A Case Study of Vienna, Austria   Miriam Rausch
  • Multi-Scalar Governance of the Circular Economy: Socio-Technical Transformation in Denmark and its Capital  Hunter Reinhardt
  • Brussels’ vélomobility, more ‘art’ than science?   Mathis Saeys
  • International Cooperation on Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans in Latin America. Investigating collaborative planning processes in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara   Anouchka Strunden
  • Encounters with difference: Experiences of children in three neighbourhoods of Cape Town   Tiia Talvisara
  • Hacking Hostile Architecture. Gentle Disobedience Against Neoliberal Public Space  Alex Trotta
  • Materializing energy democracy in Brussels? Approaches to participation and democracy in the energy transition by energy actors of Brussels Capital Region   Chloé Verlinden
  • Contemporary city-ports: The revival of the maritime sector inside cities - Renewable energy ports (wind ports)  Ivana Vukelic
  • Lobbying for cities and regions in the European Union: the STRING cross-border network  Anna Leena Wacker
  • Overcoming intercultural differences through volunteering: a case study at ‘de Roma’  Nathalie Bevers
  • Nature-based Solutions for cities: Multi-scale policy support versus local practice  Rafael Consolmagno
  • The Quest for Uncertainty. Decolonizing the Future in Urban Planning   Jan Denoo
  • Women’s Safety at Night: Insights into the perception of safety and travel decision making of women from Brussels and Recife   Leila Farina
  • Policing cities under antiterrorism: towards the sanctuarisation of events in public space? Festive events and protests in Brussels   Merlin Gillard
  • Urban Night Mobility in Île-de-France. Influence of Differences in Accessibility on the Job Location Choice of Workers in Bars & Restaurants  Florence Hournon
  • (Not so) free-float mobility. How free-float mobility became regulated in Amsterdam, Brussels and Madrid   Rens Jonker
  • Geographical and infrastructural permeability of prison spaces: A mixed methods study of five Belgian prisons   Leonor Laloy
  • Fragments of (In)security. An analysis of antiterrorism measures in Brussels’ public space  Tamara Makishima
  • "We are now one people"? Maori urbanisation and its spatial-ontological implications on the 20th century (urban) Maori society  Alexandre Miedzir
  • Durability of temporability. Long-term effect of temporary use illustrated on case studies of socio-cultural centres Allée du Kaai and Kasarna Karlin  Eva Nemeckova
  • Planning for sustainable communities. Diverging ideals and contested practises  Kristian Salte
  • Bike sharing: How can it contribute to urban mobility? A Case Study of Brussels & St. Petersburg  Lasse Schneider
  • Exploring opportunities of Transit-Oriented Development on Brussels’ suburban train network. A case-study based approach   David Schwengler
  • Whirls in main stream. How citizens experiment with alternative watermanagement in Brussels   Daniel Siemsglüss

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  1. 15 thesis topics for urban architecture

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  3. Best Thesis Topics For Urban Planning & Design

    urban development thesis topics

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    urban development thesis topics

  5. Best Thesis Topics For Urban Planning & Design

    urban development thesis topics

  6. 15 Architecture Thesis Topics for Urban Architecture

    urban development thesis topics

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  5. Lecture No.01-Town Planning & Urban Management-Introduction of the Subject(www.HarwordAcademy.com)

  6. Architecture Thesis Topics: Sustainability #architecture #thesis #thesisproject #design #school

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  1. PDF Urban Planning and Design Thesis Handbook 2022-2023

    2.1. Identifying a Prospective Thesis Topic Identifying a prospective thesis topic and a thesis advisor go hand in hand. When approaching candidate advisors , it will be important to have some concrete ideas about the broad topics that you would like to investigate in the thesis. Identifying a final topic will likely be an iterative

  2. Urban Planning Thesis/ Research Topic Suggestions (Part 1)

    Urban Planning. Urban Planning is a technical and political process concerned with development of open land or greenfield sites as well as revitalization of existing parts of the city. Primary concern of urban planning is public welfare. Impact of government policies and initiatives (most recent) on urban land use.

  3. Best Thesis Topics For Urban Planning & Design

    Best thesis topics for Urban Planning and Design. January 8, 2022. urban design terminology, urban design theory, Urban design thesis, urban glosary, Urban Planning, urban research. Once you enter the final year of your postgraduate study in urban design. Each student's postgraduate architecture thesis project is a chance to demonstrate their ...

  4. Urban Planning Dissertation Topic Ideas

    Published by Owen Ingram at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On March 24, 2023. Urban planning is an essential tool in creating vibrant and healthy communities. It is the practice of balancing the needs of a society with limited resources to ensure equitable development and long-term sustainability. Urban planners work at all scales, from local ...

  5. Master's Theses in Urban and Regional Planning

    Sampaio, Clarissa Figueiredo. Urban development and increased socio-spatial inequalities in Fortaleza, Brazil : the role of planning / by Clarissa Figueiredo Sampaio. Thesis (M.S.)-University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2003. vi, 99 leaves, bound : ill. (some col.) maps ; 29 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-99).

  6. 50 Best Thesis Topics For Urban Management

    Urban Management Thesis Topics List: Sustainable tourism management in urban areas. Public-private partnership models for urban infrastructure development. The role of urban management in disaster risk reduction. Sustainable waste management in urban areas. Urban transportation management and planning.

  7. Urban Studies and Planning Dissertations and Theses

    An Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Tulsa Remote Program, As an Effective Economic Development Strategy, Kristen J. Padilla (Thesis) PDF. Geographies of Urban Unsafety: Homeless Women, Mental Maps, and Isolation, Jan Radle Roberson (Dissertation) PDF

  8. 80 Urban Planning Research Topics

    Affordable housing policies and strategies in urban planning. In conclusion, this curated list of urban planning research topics offers valuable directions for students at all academic levels. From sustainability to social dynamics, these topics provide a roadmap to explore the complexities of urban development.

  9. Best Topics For Research In Urban Design And Planning

    Urban Transformation. This theme is concerned with the future of cities and regions of the 20th century. Industrial land, infrastructure, warehouses, housing, ports and waterfronts, rail-lines and depots, mines and oil fields, are among an inventory of abandonment, all seeking temporary and permanent re-use.

  10. Successful thesis proposals in architecture and urban planning

    1. Introduction. After the postgraduate student completes her/his coursework in a master programme or passes the comprehensive exam and becomes a doctoral candidate in a doctoral programme, s/he is allowed to submit a "Thesis Proposal" (TP) to her/his department whose main concern is to assess whether the topic is suitable for a graduate study and for the time and resources available ...

  11. 94 Urban Planning Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Urban Planning Problems in New Delhi. The growth of urban centers is usually a sign of economic stability and the political maturity of a country. The size of the population in Delhi is the driver behind its environmental problems. We will write. a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts.

  12. 10 Inspiring Architecture Thesis Topics For 2023: Exploring Sustainable

    Architecture Thesis Topic #7 - Urban Landscapes with Biophilic Design. Project example: The High Line is an elevated ...

  13. 15 Architecture Thesis Topics for Urban Architecture

    1. Low-cost housing | Architecture Thesis. As more and more people are moving to dense urban cities like New York, in search of a better quality of living and opportunities, the city population is on the rise. As is the cost of living, making low-cost housing a dire need of societies, as low-income residents have limited choices for affordable ...

  14. Master's Theses 2011 to 2020

    Thesis: Local Development, Local Data: A Geospatial Study of Small-Area-Change Using Building Permits in Austin, TX. Topic: Urban Planning & Design Author: Melissa Shakro. Thesis: Private Real Estate Developer Attitudes Towards Vacant Lot Reuse and Associated Policy Reform: A Case Study of the Homewood Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh , PA.

  15. Urban Design and Planning (UrDP): Research Topics

    Articles & Research Databases Literature on your research topic and direct access to articles online, when available at UW.; E-Journals Alphabetical list of electronic journal titles held at UW.; Encyclopedias & Dictionaries Resources for looking up quick facts and background information.; E-Newspapers, Media, Maps & More Recommendations for finding news, audio/video, images, government ...

  16. Urban Studies Research Guide: Urban Studies Related Topics

    Princeton University Library One Washington Road Princeton, NJ 08544-2098 USA (609) 258-1470

  17. Undergraduate Thesis: Designing Access to Waterfront Public Spaces

    Hence, if these goalsare not included in the planning process, creating public connections is under-emphasized inthe design process, often leading to inadequateaccess to waterfront parks and ...

  18. Doctoral Theses in Urban and Regional Planning

    The following are doctoral theses completed by individual students in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Please see Find Dissertations for more details about locating doctoral theses in general. Check the online catalog for doctoral theses not listed here.. Most call numbers and locations are given after each entry; if not available ...

  19. Theses and Dissertations (Town and Regional Planning)

    Towards a narratology of planning - stories of a South African gold mining town. The study had a dual objective, namely 1) to add to the body of knowledge of South African planning stories and 2) to consider the possibility of a narratology of planning. The study considered the role of narrative in ...

  20. thesis

    The thesis development process begins in the very first semester with the selection of a topic and supervisor. During the second semester students will develop their research idea into a research design, supported by the coursework for Research Design in Urban Studies .

  21. PDF MSc Programme in Urban Management and Development Thesis

    This inter-governmental transfer comes in terms of revenue transfer from either national government or local government at provincial level. Based on Sleman budget plan in 2015, revenue from inter-governmental transfer contributes 46.95% of total revenue while revenue from local tax only contributes 14.43%.