Zenia Kotval

Teaching experiential learning in the Urban planning curriculum

The urban and regional planning profession demands the training of practical planners who have some experience with community development, citizen participation modules, and conflict resolution skills. Community outreach in curricula provides needed exposure to practical applications of textbook lessons and exposure to group dynamics, community clients, and complex problems. The recognised need for practical training in any planning curriculum is most often addressed through community outreach-based courses such as planning studios, practicum or in lectures interwoven into seminar courses. The basic structure of all of these classes typically supports teams of students working with a particular community on a specific planning-related activity. These outreach courses, however, pose some of the greatest teaching and learning challenges in the entire curriculum. This paper assesses the challenges and successes in teaching the practicum course and provides insights for others teaching similar courses.

Telecommunications: A realistic strategy for the revitalization of American cities

Abstract There is much speculation and debate on the impact of telecommunications on the economic and social fabric of cities and urban areas. Many scholars excitedly predict radical changes in the nature of city and urban life as telecommunication systems weave their way into the fabric of urban culture. This paper identifies major theoretical approaches to studying the relationship between the city and telecommunications, identifies the extent of integration of telecommunications with planning, assesses its impacts as a strategy for economic revitalization, evaluates its needs as an industry and assesses its impact on the revitalization of cities.

Urban Brownfields in Estonia: Scope, Consequences and Redevelopment Barriers as Perceived by Local Governments/ Urbánní brownfieldy v Estonsku: rozsah, dopady a revitalizační bariéry z pohledu městských samospráv

Abstract Awareness of brownfields is limited in Estonia. In fact, there is no specific term officially used for brownfields at present. The aim of this study is to examine concerns in the redevelopment of brownfields and to present preliminary findings regarding the scope, consequences and redevelopment barriers of Estonian urban brownfields, as perceived and assessed by local authorities. The perceived importance of the negative impacts of brownfields on urban space is more than the mere number of brownfields and their total area, as it is influenced by the presence of other negative socioeconomic phenomena, such as local unemployment or population decline. According to municipal authorities, major barriers to the redevelopment of Estonian urban brownfields, besides the economic issues, are both the lack of knowledge regarding state and local measures and tools to help the public sector deal with brownfields, and the common perception that brownfields re-development is a private sector issue. Shrnutí Povědomí o problematice brownfields je v Estonsku slabé, dodnes pro ně neexistuje žádný konkrétní oficiální termín. Cílem této práce je prozkoumat zájem městských samospráv o regeneraci brownfields a analyzovat rozsah, dopady a bariéry rozvoje urbánních brownfields v Estonsku ve vnímání a hodnocení místních samospráv. Vnímaná důležitost negativních dopadů brownfields je spíše než množstvím a rozlohou brownfields ve městech ovlivněna přítomností dalších negativních socioekonomických jevů jako lokální nezaměstnanost či úbytek populace. Podle samospráv obcí představují kromě ekonomických faktorů hlavní překážky regenerace městských brownfields v Estonsku jednak nedostatek znalostí možných nástrojů k podpoře regenerace brownfields ze strany statní správy a samosprávy a také široce rozšířený názor, že regenerace brownfields má být záležitostí soukromého sektoru.

The Closing of the Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Plant: The Impact on a New England Community

Abstract Americas nuclear power companies, for the first time, face reduced demand and a resulting decline in generating capacity that will affect not only the industry, but also the communities that have become dependent on the “nuclear economy.” Across the United States there are 111 nuclear plants; approximately twenty are expected to close by the year 2012 (Pasqualetti 1991a, Allen 1996). While many Americans applaud this trend, the fact remains that the closings will bring extensive economic hardships to the communities and regions where the plants are located. This paper is a case study of the local effects from the closing of Yankee Atomic Electric Companys nuclear power plant in Rowe, Massachusetts. The authors conclude that decisions to close nuclear power plants are highly unlikely to consider the local impacts that may occur. The paper is intended as a start toward understanding how the closings of nuclear power plants affect local and regional economies, and considers the role that the feder...

Partnerships and the Fiscal Implications of Planning and Development: A Case Study of Maynard, Massachusetts

Abstract Redevelopment of urban sites is an ongoing concern for many communities in the industrial Northeast United States. While many mill sites still languish, examples of successful revitalization can be found. Most of these efforts require more than market conditions to make them viable. Partnerships between developers and the community and state are seen to be crucial. These public–private partnerships come in many forms, not always monetary. The detail and effectiveness of these partnerships often depend on the experience and expertise of developers and community professionals. Given that many of these communities have limited staff, agreements are often made quickly with a rather short-term perspective. This often leads to either side (most often the municipal side) not fully benefiting in terms of long-term impacts. Longitudinal studies to examine impacts over time are helping understand the complexities of these agreements and offer transferable lessons. This paper, a case study of public–private investment in an old mill complex located in Maynard, Massachusetts that was vacated in 1993, is intended to help communities consider those costs and benefits. It discusses the historical significance of the mill to the town, examines the rationale for investors to purchase the mill and their intentions in revitalizing the structures, describes the public–private agreements that were undertaken, analyzes the immediate impact of the resulting agreements, and examines the impact over the years.

The Revitalization of New England's Small Town Mills: Breathing New Life into Old Places

This paper describes and analyzes the recent experience of communities in the six New England states concerning the revitalization of their 19th century mills and mill yards. It begins with an examination of the importance of these complexes to the economy of New England in the 19th and early 20th centuries and the slow decline of the mills into the present. It then identifies the factors that are now stimulating their revitalization and provides myriad examples of where success has occurred. This is followed by a section on ‘Lessons Learned’ from the experience, and a closing comment concerning future actions.

Issues and Methods for Transdisciplinary Planning of Combined Wildlife and Pedestrian Highway Crossings

Highways are increasingly understood as barriers to wildlife and pedestrian movement and as significant causes of landscape fragmentation–-especially in suburban and periurban areas. FHWAs Transportation, Community, and System Preservation (TCSP) Program encourages innovative solutions to reduce the impact of highways on the communities they link and traverse. This paper is based on research and public participation as part of an FHWA–TCSP sponsored feasibility study for a combined wildlife and pedestrian crossing to mitigate highway impacts on wildlife and recreation, and on the communities of Concord and Lincoln, Massachusetts. The interdisciplinary study team included representatives from landscape architecture, urban planning, wildlife biology, civil engineering, and landscape history. The study included diverse public participation and collaboration throughout the project. The paper defines significant planning issues likely to pertain to similar projects and offers a transdisciplinary method for conducting planning or feasibility studies for combined wildlife–pedestrian crossings. The method is innovative for its interdisciplinary integration and its inclusion of public officials, nongovernmental representatives, citizens, and other stakeholders. The study is being considered for further research and possible implementation by FHWA with support from the host communities and a private conservation organization.

The Coming Crisis in Industrial Land: A Planning Perspective

Local planners too frequently have neglected their industrial resources and are therefore endangering their economic base. Indeed, conditions have reached the point that rarely can one find in the Northeast a 100-acre contiguous industrial parcel of land, with water and sewer services, that is environmentally clean and has direct access to major highways without passing through a residential neighborhood. Furthermore, there is clearly a mismatch between land zoned for industry and that which is suitable for development. This article analyzes the key factors that are influencing industrial land use decisions and provides recommendations that may be of assistance to local officials throughout the country.

Supilinn, Tartu—The Lively Vernacular Against Urban Renewal: A Lefebvrean Critique

In today’s highly technical and rapidly changing world, the topic of people-friendly living has become increasingly acute. Therefore, great attention is paid to create new spaces (and transform unpleasant ones). In this race to create new spaces, however, vernacular sites that are already people friendly have been forgotten or they are taken for granted. This article explores a neighborhood, which has evolved into a valuable living environment after hundreds of years of development characterized by weak planning and design. Current efforts to regenerate the area may actually ruin the valuable vernacular environment. The authors have worked with this historic area for over 10 years and are familiar with the people and environments in depth. This longitudinal research allows one to observe and compare many different aspects of urban development (urban analysis, people’s values, adopted spatial plans, etc.) to provide insights to the question of what characterizes the lively city.

The harbour at Viana do Castelo in Portugal: Planning in a vacuum

Abstract Harbour communities across Europe and the US are in the midst of major changes. Shifting trade regulations, declining supplies of fish, the rise of recreational boating and new shipping technologies have all contributed to these changes. In response, communities are undertaking major planning efforts to ensure that their harbours remain functional and prosperous. One example of this effort is the Port of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. The thesis of this paper is that unless small and medium sized harbours have a strong and planned sense of direction, they will suffer an economic decline and lose their historic and cultural character.