Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Arts Administration, Education and Policy

While cultural district development as an urban redevelopment strategy has received much attention in urban neighborhoods and cities in the United States, the policy-making process for cultural district development has been less examined. To offer a detailed and deeper understanding of the policy-making process, this dissertation study examined policy design and governance for two different cultural district development practices in Cleveland, Ohio. This study employed the case study methodology with multiple-case design enabling both in-depth investigation of each case and cross-case analysis. The data was collected through document analysis, media coverage review and semi-structured interviews with people who participated in each cultural district development practice. The findings of this study show that governance matters in policy design process for cultural district development as an urban redevelopment strategy and suggest some policy implications which can be applied to supporting non-profit arts and cultural organizations and institutions who participated in cultural district development as cultural actors. As examples of the policy implications, encouraging and supporting the cultural actors to engage in governance establishment for cultural district development and employ formal governance tools may be applied to increase their capacity and opportunity that can improve their benefits from cultural district development. Also, in terms of supporting the cultural actors participating cultural district development, offering ongoing technical assistance together with project grants may be more efficient than offering project grants only.

Committee: Margaret Wyszomirski (Advisor); Wayne Lawson (Committee Member); Ed Malecki (Committee Member); Shoshanah Goldberg-Miller (Committee Member) Subjects: Arts Management; Public Administration; Public Policy

Bachelor of Sciences, Ohio University, 2024, Geography

Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO) is a city defined by divisions, none so damning as the racial and socioeconomical split produced by Troost Avenue, a former commercial district that has seen severe decline over the past 60 years due to redlining and racially restrictive housing covenants. In recent years, the city government of KCMO has made efforts to blur this divide by investing in properties directly adjacent to the avenue. Through public-private partnerships, these flagship properties have not only excelled in uplifting the economic status of Troost neighborhoods, but also rewriting the fabric of a historically marginalized community east of the avenue. Resident narratives, combined with census data, are evidence that the city has been successful in gentrifying the harsh racial divide at its heart. However, in a bid to correct the wrongs of the past, the city has created new inequalities and exacerbated the socioeconomic distress of long-time residents and small businesses along Troost Avenue. This case study delves into the urban planning history of KCMO and what narratives the city and property development firms have constructed to justify revitalization in Troost Avenue neighborhoods, and how these actions have impacted the existing community of Troost Avenue. The story is more complicated than gentrification alone, and this case study offers a more nuanced perspective on downtown revitalization as a leading cause of urban inequality.

Committee: Yeong-Hyun Kim (Advisor); Harold Perkins (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Geography; Urban Planning

Master of City and Regional Planning, The Ohio State University, 2017, City and Regional Planning

German Village is typical of many inner-city areas, in that it enjoyed growth and vitality from its genesis in the mid-nineteenth century until a period of decline in the mid-twentieth century. With high vacancy rates and low-property values, parts of the neighborhood were even suggested for demolition in urban renewal schemes. But in 1960, the German Village Society formed to advocate for the preservation of the historic structures and for the creation of a protected historic district. In 1963, the City of Columbus established the German Village Commission to regulate demolition and exterior alteration of structures within the boundaries. Since then, property values have risen and the district has transformed into a highly desirable neighborhood—a process that could be characterized as gentrification. The socio-economic impacts of gentrification have been explored by a variety of scholars (see Lee, Slater and Wiley, 2013). The case of German Village, a neighborhood that has been gentrified for over half a century, offers an interesting case study into a central question of this thesis: Is there a new phase of post-gentrification that suggests such urban neighborhoods are becoming suburban? More specifically, has German Village adopted physical and socio-cultural characteristics similar to those we attribute to the suburbs? The approach to this research advances a developing theory of suburban form and culture that looks past traditional definitions of a suburb to uncover a more nuanced understanding of both the land use, socioeconomic demographic characteristics and lifestyle of suburbanization. I find that German Village has embraced a suburban lifestyle as indicted by its shift toward homeownership and privatism as indicated by the proliferation of private fences and pools as well as a stress on the home as a commodity and symbol of social status. The physical features of the neighborhood have changed to embrace a more autocentric lifestyle, adding garages (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Bernadette Hanlon PhD (Advisor); Kyle Ezell MCRP (Committee Member) Subjects: Urban Planning

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2016, Geography

Over time, urban sprawl has caused many downtowns across the United States to lose businesses, residents, and attractions. Urban planners and designers are tasked with creating plans and policies that will help to revitalize downtowns, which have been negatively impacted by urban sprawl. The purpose of this research is to give insight and suggest recommendations on key components and concepts that are used, or can be used to help revitalize downtowns, which will contribute to restoring their prominence in urban areas. The question that arises is: what can us as regulators, producers, and users do to help promote a healthier downtown? This analysis uses interviews with planning professionals, residents, and stakeholders to identify deficiencies in previous master plans and planning efforts. Reviews of case studies show trends and best practices that could be applied to revitalization. By analyzing these findings, we can create hypotheses that will aid in combating the loss of commercial and residential entities in downtown Toledo. Planners and policy makers believe that the City of Toledo is in a position for the downtown to once again be the focal point for the region and regain some of the residents and commerce lost to the surrounding areas. This can be accomplished by utilizing proper planning practices that restore the public's interest in the downtown. The conclusion will indicate recommendations that can be used for future master plans for the downtown, which will hopefully aid in creating a sustainable downtown.

Committee: Sujata Shetty Dr. (Committee Chair); Daniel J. Hammel Dr. (Committee Member); David J. Nemeth Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Geography; Land Use Planning; Urban Planning

MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2016, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Architecture

Urban revitalization has pushed to reclaim Cincinnati's once barren urban core, condensing people, commerce and leisure into the rigid constraints of a 19th century fabric. As a consequence, remnants of the city's historic fabric have left a patchwork of underutilized and otherwise vacant space. This thesis proposes injecting new life into this forgotten territory, creating a structured network to engage the physical make up of Over the Rhine. In so doing, a new landscape is formed to challenge the implicit hierarchy of space and explicit tethers which relegate the public realm to the ground. The resulting typological study will provide a means by which the city can weave its architecture legacy with the ever changing condition of society. The resulting architectural intervention illuminates residual province of the city, reclaiming it through the creation of a public space.

Committee: Udo Greinacher M.Arch. (Committee Chair); Vincent Sansalone M.Arch. (Committee Member) Subjects: Architecture

MSARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2014, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Architecture

As cities struggle to accommodate new uses without loss of identity, discussions of historic districts and preservation have been dramatically reinvigorated by the latest UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) normative text of 2011. The “Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscapes” recognizes the value of urban settings and lays out criteria for a systemic urban approach integrating sustainable development and socio-economic aspects into urban heritage management. This research aims to provide insight into the best practices concerning the process of revitalizing historic districts and urban fabrics, exploring the city of Bordeaux, France. The city has helped established a historic new preservation paradigm and criteria, while combining old and new into the urban landscape. Bordeaux went through a renovation process of its historic district, from 1996 to 2007, which helped it shape a new approach to urban management, closely coordinated by the local government. The Urban Project of 1996 culminated in Bordeaux's inscription in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, while also contributing to more inclusive and sustainable practices. Through the analysis of the best practices of Bordeaux, between 1996 and 2012, in particular the recognition of both the economic value of architectural heritage and the promotion of diversity in the use and population, this study helps to advance the discussion on historic preservation of urban landscapes, especially in the context of mid-sized cities dealing with formerly-neglected historic districts while accommodating new infrastructure.

Committee: John Eliot Hancock M.Arch. (Committee Chair); Edson Cabalfin Ph.D. (Committee Member); Elizabeth Riorden M.Arch. (Committee Member) Subjects: Urban Planning

MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2005, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of)

The planning and growth of a community often transpires without thinking about the long-term effects it can produce from an economical, environmental, and societal standpoint. More specifically, what areas feel the consequences of these effects? Designers need to be more aware of current land patterns and where positive growth should occur. Many cities' marginal areas are underused due to issues of urban sprawl, such as unfavorable job matches, development patterns, middle-class flight, and people's way of life. This leaves behind many usable vacant spaces, taking away from the strength of downtown fabric. What results is an uneven balance of underutilized areas downtown and overburdened, congested areas in suburban communities. This thesis will investigate urban sprawl and how it has excluded areas on the margin. This analysis will lead to the design of an urban infill prototype that will integrate evaluated marginal strategies to reclaim once forgotten space, spurring the rebirth of an area. Historically, society has the attitude that if you move away from a problem, things will get better, when in reality problems are simply moved to a new location. The solution is to fix the problem from the center, instead of letting it get worse. This research will provide an effective strategy for positive urban growth, re-integrating the fabric of community.

Committee: Jeffrey Tilman (Advisor) Subjects: Architecture

MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2005, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Architecture (Master of)

Thriving downtowns are a thing of the past. Non-descript shopping districts in mega-suburban developments have supplanted the role of the traditional city center in the American culture and landscape. Downtowns used to be the primary centers of business, commerce, and entertainment. We used to live, work, and play downtown. Now, we might only still work there. With the inevitable rise and appeal of suburbia, these functions have moved further and further from the city center, thereby resulting in a dwindling population and economic base. As a result, American cities are suffering. With the exception of a few cities – Portland, New York, and Chicago – cities like Baltimore, Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are experiencing significant population decline, yet rapid, often uncontrolled, land area growth and consumption. But there are signs of change. A national trend toward urban living is on the rise. Loft apartments continue to gain widespread appeal. Downtown residents are trading two-car garages, McMansions, and a large yard for the conveniences of urban living. These commonly include the ability to walk just about anywhere, a reduced reliance on the automobile, close proximity to cultural institutions like museums, live theaters, and libraries, and aesthetically pleasing architecture – resulting in an array of living options. Nevertheless, downtowns continue to struggle with an array of issues. Some cities have met these challenges head on and are experiencing urban revitalization and a generally renewed interest. Others have continued to look the other way, hoping the problems resolve themselves. Unfortunately, inactivity often results in a never-ending slow decline. The truth is: urban renewal is hard work. It requires the dedication and support of a vast network of people. City departments play a role. Police play a role. Community action groups play a role. The individual citizen must play a role. Successful strategies for renewal are often complex, multi- (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jeffrey Tilman (Advisor) Subjects: Architecture

MARCH, University of Cincinnati, 2004, Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning: Architecture (Master of)

Over the course of our country's history, people have gradually been moving farther and farther away from the city's center. Not only residents, but also retail establishments and places of employment are abandoning the city and choosing to locate on the outer fringe of metropolitan areas. As this trend continues, the lack of people and commercial investment is causing our cities to decay. For the sake of our cities, there is now a greater need than ever to explore ways to reverse this outward pull toward the metropolitan fringe. By exploring the history behind outward migration, current examples of downtown revitalization, and forces that act as a means to attract people back to the central city, this thesis will propose a solution to the blight facing many of our nation's downtowns. Specifically, these findings will culminate in a design project located in a largely abandoned district in downtown Toledo, Ohio.

Committee: Barry Stedman (Advisor) Subjects: Architecture

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2002, Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning : Community Planning

Urban waterfront development projects have experienced a tremendous surge in popularity as a way revitalizing downtown areas over recent decades. The Banks urban waterfront development project on downtown Cincinnati's riverfront is one such effort. This project, which partners both public and private interests, is intended to revitalize both downtown Cincinnati and the urban core of the Cincinnati metropolitan region as a whole. The Banks project represents a significant effort on the part of city and county leaders to combat trends on urban decline in the region. The project's success, therefore, is critical to the future of the both the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. This research project examines the effectiveness of The Banks project in terms of its urban revitalization potential, based on other successful urban waterfront development projects, and makes recommendations to improve the project.

Committee: Dr. Andrew Jacobs (Advisor) Subjects: Urban and Regional Planning

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2012, Geography (Arts and Sciences)

No matter the geographic location, cities in America have undergone many physical and socioeconomic changes throughout the post-industrial shift. Cities have coped with the many problems of this post-industrial shift through various forms of urban renewal. While much academic work related to urban renewal has been conducted on the major industrial cities of the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, a gap in the literature is apparent for Appalachian cities. Charleston's growth regime is working to revitalize the city's downtown via sustainable urban renewal projects. This study focuses on how urban renewal is driven or dictated by eco-friendly guidelines, how Charleston's business community resists yet follows the growth logic of Business Improvement Districts, and how the parties involved define "green" in an Appalachian context. This thesis demonstrates that there is no single definition of sustainable urban renewal in Charleston. Instead sustainable redevelopment predominantly centers around the reuse of old buildings that hearken back to the extractive economies of the city's industrial past. Charleston's growth regime is thus tapping into its history to reestablish the city's image as a prominent urban Appalachian center.

Committee: Harold Perkins PhD (Advisor); Yeong Kim PhD (Committee Member); Geoff Buckley PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Geography; Sustainability

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2024, Geography

This research conducts an analysis of urban change in Toledo, Ohio. While not explicitly stated in planning, “rightsizing” strategies that are emerging in legacy cities across America's Rust Belt as a response to decline are being implemented in Toledo. Targeted investments, particularly in the form of downtown revitalization, and targeted demolition alike are rightsizing strategies being implemented in Toledo. These strategies are being carried out through various forms of intergovernmental collaboration and public-private partnerships. They are being justified in the name of urban beautification, neighborhood revitalization, productivity, and public safety.

Committee: Yeong Kim (Advisor) Subjects: Geography; Political Science; Urban Planning

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2022, Educational Leadership

This dissertation in practice examines the absence of an advocacy framework for Black placemakers in southwest Springfield neighborhoods seeking to transform vacant spaces into vibrant pocket parks, green spaces, and community gardens. This critical community-based participatory research addresses inadequate public policies, resources, and technical assistance to create and sustain neighborhood sites for endurance, belonging, and resistance. Thematic findings indicated that systemic issues, street-level organizing, and sustainability are primary barriers and opportunities. An action intervention and change process was developed to establish the Springfield Park and Green Space Ecosystem (SPGE). The action plan focuses on a community coalition of power building, a community benefits agreement, zoning revisions, and public-private partnerships with results-based accountability.

Committee: James Olive (Committee Chair); Castel Sweet (Committee Member); Pamela Cross Young (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; Agricultural Education; Area Planning and Development; Behaviorial Sciences; Climate Change; Conservation; Cultural Anthropology; Environmental Education; Environmental Health; Environmental Justice; Land Use Planning; Landscape Architecture; Landscaping; Public Administration; Public Health; Public Health Education; Public Policy; Sustainability; Urban Forestry; Urban Planning

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2021, Geography (Arts and Sciences)

Dayton is the sixth-largest city in Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. In 2019, the total population of Dayton was recorded as 140,407(US Census Bureau,2020). Like other post-industrial US cities, Dayton has struggled with the loss of population and economic decline which resulted from the loss of the city's industrial prowess. This phenomenon is what Martinez-Fernandez et al. (2012) have termed city shrinkage. Despite being a common phenomenon, findings from works of literature revealed that the causes of this shrinkage vary from place to place. Some of the determinants identified include deindustrialization, uneven investment, and suburbanization. Several US shrinking cities have adopted strategies to combat this phenomenon including Dayton. Just like several rust belt cities, Dayton adopted the immigrant-friendly revitalization approach. However, this approach has been frustrated by unfriendly immigration policies at the federal government level. This study investigates the role of immigration in urban revitalization focusing on how the policies work, how the immigrants have helped reshape the city, and the residents' attitude to this revitalization strategy. To achieve the purpose of this research, the study adopted qualitative analysis in the form of seven in-depth semi-structured interviews and analysis of relevant documents. This study then used a grounded theory approach to analyze both interviews and documents obtained. From the analysis, it was revealed that the Welcome Dayton plan relies on various partnerships to achieve its goal. Also, this plan has to a large extent helped rebuild Dayton by attracting immigrants from different ethnic backgrounds who have helped revive the declining city. However, urban issues like the gradual migration of Dayton's immigrants to other cities and uneven development were identified as some of the negative impacts of these immigrants' investment in the city. Another discourse that appeared in this study is th (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Harold Perkins (Advisor) Subjects: Area Planning and Development; Geography

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2019, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Community Planning

Gentrification, first noticed in the largest cities of the United States in the 1960s, had diffused down the urban hierarchy by the 21st century. This new use of the urban landscape ushers in concerns over how revitalization of formerly disinvested areas of the cities and the consequent in-migration of higher-income populations has affected low-income populations. Cincinnati is one medium-sized city that has been affected by gentrification and the displacement of its low-income, largely African-American population. Using Hammel and Wyly's (1996) gentrification criteria, it was determined that 26 census tracts in the City of Cincinnati experienced gentrification between 2000 and 2016. Fifteen of those tracts experienced displacement of the African-American population during this time. Logistic regression revealed that a gentrifying tract was 4.6 times more likely to experience displacement than a non-gentrifying tract between 2000 and 2016 indicating a possible cause and effect relationship. By using triangulation of three data sources: U.S. census data, Google Streetview imagery, and interviews with members of Community Development Corporations in four gentrifying neighborhoods in Cincinnati, this thesis explored possible reasons why two of these census tracts experienced displacement of African-American population and two did not. Tracts 55 (Madisonville) and 74 (Northside) were recipients of major economic investments in their business districts by public and private corporations after 2009. It is argued that substantial economic investment in these two formerly disinvested neighborhoods caused substantial increases in median housing values and median rent and led to displacement of lower-income individuals, many of whom were African-American. Google Streetview imagery examined change in the built environment in these two tracts between 2007 and 2014/16 and confirmed that these changes corresponded with gentrification. Conversely, Tract 84 (College Hill) did not (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Leah Hollstein Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Christopher Auffrey Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Urban Planning

MS, Kent State University, 2018, College of Architecture and Environmental Design

This research examines to what extent place attachment influences community involvement in historic downtown revitalization, specifically in the case of Canton, Ohio. Place attachment, defined as the bond between person and place, can be incredibly insightful as to the community desires, especially when dealing with deeply rooted historic sites. Commonly believed to be composed of three major elements - person, place, and process - this breakdown will provide three separate lenses for which to analyze place attachment. The first perspective will look at the socio-cultural influences (person), examining views presented by Sharon Zukin and Jane Jacobs. The second perspective, or lens, is the architectural or built component of the downtown (place), implementing theories of Kevin Lynch and Aldo Rossi. The final perspective is the role of political-economic impacts (process), looking at theories presented by David Harvey and Richard Florida. These perspectives are used to measure the levels of influence of place attachment and its effect on the various aspects at play. The interviews and mapping exercises focus on investigating the bond of place attachment and community involvement, are viewed in three unique ways to assess their importance and influence on historic revitalization.

Committee: Bill Willoughby (Advisor); Adil Sharag-Eldin (Committee Member); Richard Adams (Committee Member); Jennifer Mapes (Committee Member) Subjects: Architectural; Architecture; Political Science; Sociology

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2017, Theatre Arts-Arts Administration

In Youngstown, Ohio and the Mahoning Valley region, the arts community and local economic leaders of the city wanted to jumpstart innovative change that would improve the quality of life for residents, and develop solutions to attract new businesses and organizations to be a part of the community. Discussion among artists and economic leaders were made to inspire the arts and economic development sectors to work together. However, there was an equal number of doubts expressed about the possibilities of coordinated plans to improve the state of Youngstown's community by implementing art throughout the public spaces. The purpose of this research was to study perceptions about the arts in Youngstown, Ohio in order to learn more about the feasibility of public art in the community and to better understand how to implement an arts-focused plan to strengthen the economy of Youngstown, Ohio. This study was conducted to investigate arts practitioners' and consumers' perceptions about the arts community's potential economic impact on Youngstown. Also, the study considered these perceptions when analyzing the importance of incorporating public art to encourage economic growth and development.

Committee: Elisa Gargarella Dr. (Advisor); Dominic Marchionda (Committee Member); Raymond Cox, III Dr. (Other) Subjects: Arts Management; Business Administration; Business Community; Economic Theory; Entrepreneurship; Fine Arts; Public Administration; Urban Planning

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2016, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Community Planning

The main question of this thesis is how to reconnect the islands of activities that have been developed in clusters in Cincinnati, Ohio's inner urban core. Cincinnati's urban core, which this project defines as the Central Business District (CBD), The Banks, Over-the-Rhine (OTR), and the West End district, exemplifies a typical mid-sized American city with a fragmented spatial environment. Over the past few decades, there has been an attempt to revitalize and re-energize the urban core of Cincinnati by adding different activities, such as sport centers and cultural and public places. This revitalization strategy, in many cases, started with different focus points or areas, resulting in clusters of well-defined and well-designed urban spaces, while the rest of the district was largely neglected. This strategy created a fragmented urban core in which those different parts are disconnected. Movement becomes heavily auto-oriented and attractions become spatially isolated destinations. This thesis is organized in six sections. Section one of the thesis begins with a study on the forces during the last century that cause inner-city fragmentation and disconnection in the United States. In this article seven major forces are found, each changed and shaped the urban inner-core in the North American cities. Second section looks at physical characteristics and neighborhood history to understand the forces that shaped them into their current status, and caused disconnection between and within each urban core neighborhood in Cincinnati. Looking at neighborhood history provides information regarding the political and social forces that changed each community, illustrates the needs and problems each neighborhood faces, and provides information about new plans. The physical study, including land uses, distribution of un-built land and green spaces, distribution and condition of store fronts, the location of new and upcoming developments, and city attractions, shapes a pi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Danilo Palazzo Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Conrad C. Kickert Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Urban Planning

Master of Science, Miami University, 2016, Environmental Sciences

Debt-finance is a growing opportunity to fund environmental solutions. Green Bonds are being used by investors wishing to improve their Corporate Social Responsibility positions while maintaining valid returns on their investments. Based on the well-established bond-finance model, Green Bonds put money into diverse environmental projects addressing impacts from climate changes, depletion of natural resources, biodiversity loss, and pollution control. “Green” is a voluntary designation, based on a set of guidelines known as the Green Bond Principles. With varying degrees of clarity regarding their use and environmental impact and whether they are a viable solution to climate damages or merely a “greenwashed” ploy used by some issuers to appear more sustainable were questions examined as part of this research. A concise summary briefing (Appendix A), case study draft, and targeted public engagements were completed. Adaptability and responsiveness, sustainability, credibility, legitimacy, and opportunity for social transformation through the use of Green Bonds were reviewed using a case study analysis method. A unique pool of investment capital being mobilized by Green Bonds is emerging through motivated environmental investment coalitions. A review of the integrated impacts of Green Bonds as well as practical knowledge for their issuance is described here.

Committee: Steven Elliott Dr. (Advisor); Sarah Dumyahn Dr. (Committee Member); David Prytherch Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Alternative Energy; Atmospheric Sciences; Climate Change; Environmental Justice; Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Finance; Natural Resource Management; Sustainability; Urban Planning

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2015, Leadership and Change

Many authors point to expanding disparities related to wealth and social benefits brought by globalization and the creative city movement while culture and creativity emerge as growing forces in urban placemaking and economic development. The phenomenon of cultural district formation in cities around the globe presents challenges and opportunities for leaders, planners, and managers. Emerging theory related to cultural districts suggests culture can serve to build horizontal relationships that bridge people and networks from different sectors and professions as well as across ethnicities, class, and interests. Research for this dissertation examined the formation of three urban cultural districts social and their respective organizational networks in different contexts. I employed a multiple case study approach to ask: How do horizontal networks form in the process of planning, organizing and/or ongoing management of cultural districts, and what kinds of benefits do those networks generate within their communities? Field research focused on districts in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Miami. This dissertation is positioned within ongoing discourse around the tension between form and function in the production of space (Lefebvre, 1974/1991) and within the dialectic of centralization and decentralization in urban planning and governance (Friedmann, 1971) characterized by the push for broad social equity and the pull of local control. Research found that strong horizontal networks characterized by dense and active grassroots leadership were present at the same time as relative community stability and higher levels of social and economic equity. Where horizontal networks were weak, social and economic tensions were higher. The research did not examine other potential factors and thus cannot ascertain whether strong networks resulted in greater stability and equity or whether stability and more equitable conditions brought on by other factors fostered the formation of stro (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jon Wergin Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Laurien Alexandre Ph.D. (Committee Member); Mark J. Stern Ph.D. (Committee Member); Emily Talen Ph.D. (Other) Subjects: Area Planning and Development; Arts Management; Cultural Resources Management; Urban Planning