Robert E. Coughlin

Does It Work

Abstract Although less-than-fee acquisition (the purchase of development rights) has been used in several large-scale public programs to preserve open space in rural areas, its use by government in urban fringe areas under stronger development pressure has been limited. Based on an analysis of the few ongoing programs, the cost and management questions are examined here in light of alternative methods of preserving land for purposes of conservation, scenery, agriculture and other compatible open uses. Nothing is found inherently wrong with the concept of less-than-fee acquisition: under the proper conditions it can be a viable method for preserving open space in urbanizing areas.

The Effect of a Large Urban Park on Real Estate Value

Abstract Analysis of property sales in the vicinity of 1,294-acre Pennypack Park in Philadelphia indicates a statistically significant rise in land value with closeness to park, when allowance is made for effect of type of house, year of sale, and special characteristics such as location on corner of block. Location rent due to the park ranges from approximately

Formulating and Evaluating Agricultural Zoning Programs

11,500 per acre 40 feet from the park to

Attainment along Goal Dimensions in 101 Metroplitan Areas

1,000 at 2,500 feet. It accounts for 33 percent of land value at 40 feet, 9 percent at 1,000 feet, and 4.2 percent at 2,500 feet. Each acre of parkland may be said to generate a value of

The Capital Programming Process

2,600 in location rent.

The Capital Programming Problem

Abstract Agricultural zoning, the most common method of preventing the development of agricultural land, is the method that holds the most promise for protecting a major portion of the nations farmland. This article reports on data and analyses necessary to formulate effective, politically acceptable, and legally sound agricultural zoning programs. Because agricultural zoning is intended to protect a resource (unlike more typical zoning that is intended to give order to development), it is first necessary to demonstrate that the land constitutes a valuable natural resource whose protection is in the public interest. The ordinance must be strong enough to make possible the continuation of agriculture and yet must permit enough development that the program will be accepted politically and can withstand legal challenges. The effectiveness of agricultural zoning can be evaluated by examining changes in ownership and sales patterns following adoption of agricultural zoning.

Municipal costs and revenues : resulting from community growth

Abstract Sixty goals grouped into seventeen general categories are defined. Data on attainment are analyzed for 101 Metropolitan Areas in 1960. Between goals within a general category, intercorrelations are relatively high; but fewer significant correlations are found between goals from different categories. Income indicators are the best single measure of overall goal attainment, but are unrelated to a number of other goal attainment indicators, especially indicators of physical goals. Few negative associations are found, implying that attainment along one goal is rarely associated with decreased attainment along another goal.

Distribution of Federally Assisted Rental Housing

Abstract The Charter of 1952 made possible an unusually strong role for capital programming. But the capital programming process did not emerge full-blown. It can be understood only as the complex result of reactions to the Charter and to each other by the departments, the administration, the Planning Commission, City Council, and citizen groups.

Municipal Costs and Revenues Resulting From Community Growth: II. Industrial-Residential Communities

Abstract Capital programming is done everywhere, but virtually nowhere is theory to be found on how to do it. Here an analytic framework is set forth for formulating a capital program, given a comprehensive plan. A set of consistent decisions at different levels of project generality and for different time periods leads to the determination of the program in detail.