Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2018, Geography

Recent advances in GIS and remote sensing technologies have contributed to the revolutionary improvements in the spatial planning and decision making policy. These advances can be employed for the enhancement of engineering infrastructure planning. This work investigates how GIS and remote sensing capabilities can be applied for the sustainable corridor planning for the linear objects in remote areas such as permafrost zone. That is done on the example of the Polar region of the European part of Russia, where several big infrastructure development projects have been recently accomplished. Spatial decision support system (SDSS) is presented and is based on uncertainty mapping, multicriteria evaluation, and least cost path finding. The SDSS appeared to be more robust and efficient than the traditional approach of corridor planning.

Committee: Peter S. Lindquist (Committee Chair); Patrick L. Lawrence (Committee Member); Kevin Czajkowski (Committee Member) Subjects: Geographic Information Science; Geography; Sustainability

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2011, Geography

This thesis documents the design and development of a web-based data distribution system for brownfield site redevelopment in Toledo-Lucas County, Ohio. The system is designed to advance smart growth initiatives for economic redevelopment and the sustainable utilization of brownfield sites in the region. As with many Midwestern cities, industrial decline has lead to an abundance of brownfield sites in the area. A lack of data resources is one major barrier to redevelopment of these sites. The system developed here seeks to reduce that barrier by providing a user interface and information delivery system to support the identification and reuse of brownfield sites; in addition it can be replicated for use in other regions. Detailed here is the development and implementation of an interactive web-based geographic information system (GIS) designed as a user-centered decision support tool to augment policymakers' and stakeholders' site selection and infrastructure capital investment decisions to support brownfield redevelopment. This system thus provides not only a comprehensive data delivery tool and decision support system but also serves as a template for application in other urban regions.

Committee: Peter Lindquist PhD (Advisor); Daniel Hammel PhD (Committee Member); Sujata Shetty PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Geographic Information Science