Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List

Full text of this paper is not available in the ETD Center. Copies may be available for inter-library loan from University of Cincinnati or may be available for purchase from Proquest/UMI

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

AN EVALUATION OF THE MAIN STREET APPROACH AS A STRATEGY FOR CONVENTIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

RUCKER, DELLA GOTT
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin990619555

Abstract Details

2001, MCP, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning.
The Main Street Approach is increasingly used to meet conventional economic development goals, as urban neighborhoods in several cities have gained Main Street programs. Bringing Main Street and conventional economic development programs in closer contact makes it necessary to evaluate the fundamental relationships between the two approaches. A new model, a Main Street program operating as a part of an urban Community Development Corporation (CDC), may serve as an object lesson. A program theory evaluation, which is a necessary first stage in a comprehensive evaluation, is an examination of the beliefs and expectations of a program and their logical relationship to the program's methods. Without a program theory assessment, it is impossible to determine conclusively whether any impacts noted result from the methods' meeting the objectives of the program theory or from other circumstances. In this thesis, the program theories of the Main Street Approach and conventional economic development are assessed and compared, as are the Main Street Approach and urban CDCs. These comparisons illuminate internal tensions within an individual program theory. They also demonstrates areas of synergy, where the two approaches can benefit each other, as well as points of potential tension, where the two approaches may find themselves in conflict. Based on the program theory evaluation, Main Street and conventional economic development programs, particularly CDCs, are likely to find several opportunities to complement each other, as well as some issues on which they will need to negotiate deep differences. Each program has the potential to benefit the other on points that range from administrative duties to offsetting internal tensions in their program theories, but program proponents will also find that their respective understanding of the problem and purpose differ significantly. This thesis recommends that proponents of both approaches improve their understanding of the others' program theories, and that the Main Street Approach make some adjustments to the Economic Restructuring point. The development of new organizational models for CDC-based Main Street programs is also recommended, as is the addition of a socio-economic component to the program theory of the Main Street Approach.
Johanna Looye (Advisor)
1 p.
Urban and Regional Planning
Main Street; economic development; community development; CDC; program theory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • RUCKER, D. G. (2001). AN EVALUATION OF THE MAIN STREET APPROACH AS A STRATEGY FOR CONVENTIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin990619555

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • RUCKER, DELLA. AN EVALUATION OF THE MAIN STREET APPROACH AS A STRATEGY FOR CONVENTIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 2001. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin990619555.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • RUCKER, DELLA. "AN EVALUATION OF THE MAIN STREET APPROACH AS A STRATEGY FOR CONVENTIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2001. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin990619555

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin990619555
© 2001, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12