▼ This paper examines the history of Northerly Island, the former site of Meigs Field airstrip, in downtown Chicago, Illinois and Burke Lakefront Airport in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The origins of the airports are discussed with respect to each city’s historical use of the lakefront. The paper will show why Meigs Field is no longer a functioning airport, while Burke Lakefront Airport is still in use. While the two sites had a similar history during the mid-twentieth century, their history diverged in 2003 when Meigs Field was closed. This paper will demonstrate that the closing of Meigs Field was justified, since it returned the land to its original purpose. Advisors/Committee Members: Rubenstein, James M.

▼ “Participation” is a term that is widely used in discourse on community development. Community-driven participatory initiatives are likely to produce greater and more long-lasting positive effects than those implemented without citizen participation. One example of a community building strategy that emerged in recent decades is participatory public art, whereby residents work together to design and create a piece of public artwork that visually conveys their thoughts and opinions. This study evaluates the creation of a community mural project in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati as a participatory project. I conducted personal interviews with those who were involved in the project (student assistants, gardeners, and grandkids) about their breadth and depth of participation in the project, and considered how they perceived the impact of the mural upon themselves and/or the surrounding neighborhood. I then turn to other public art programs across the country and look at if (and how) they structure participation and what this means for the long-term effectiveness of their work. I show how participation in public art projects, depending on how it is structured, can contribute to community improvement. My research, based on my experiences and the experiences of other organizations, contributes to my own search for how to best organize a participatory arts program. Advisors/Committee Members: Medley, Kim E.