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• 1. [Article] The International City Hypothesis: An Approach to the Recent History of U.S. Cities

  Differentiates between the concepts of world cities and international cities, asserting that study of international cities offers greater opportunities for research and analysis of major urban regions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The International City Hypothesis: An Approach to the Recent History of U.S. Cities Author: Abbott, Carl Year: 1997 Differentiates between the concepts of world cities and international cities, asserting that study of international cities offers greater opportunities for research and analysis of major urban regions of the latter 20th century. The world city model emphasizes hierarchy and status based on influence and power. The international city model emphasizes numerous indicators that demonstrate a broader range of international connections, including foreign tourists, new immigration, sister-city affiliations, and multinational corporation offices. They may function as production centers, gateway cities, or transactional cities. At present, statistical data are thin, and the topic invites research by urban historians. Title: The International City Hypothesis: An Approach to the Recent History of U.S. Cities Author: Abbott, Carl Year: 1997 Differentiates between the concepts of world cities and international cities, asserting that study of international cities offers greater opportunities for research and analysis of major urban regions of the latter 20th century. The world city model emphasizes hierarchy and status based on influence and power. The international city model emphasizes numerous indicators that demonstrate a broader range of international connections, including foreign tourists, new immigration, sister-city affiliations, and multinational corporation offices. They may function as production centers, gateway cities, or transactional cities. At present, statistical data are thin, and the topic invites research by urban historians. Close

• 2. [Article] Land Use Innovation: Experiences in the Adoption of Land Use Policies to Promote Active Living

  Obesity continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. As of 2007, 28.8% of adolescents were either overweight or obese. The rise in obesity may, in part, be attributable to declines ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Land Use Innovation: Experiences in the Adoption of Land Use Policies to Promote Active Living Author: Dill, Jennifer, Howe, Deborah A. Year: 2010 Obesity continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. As of 2007, 28.8% of adolescents were either overweight or obese. The rise in obesity may, in part, be attributable to declines in physical activity (PA) levels. In 2007, only 34.7% of adolescents met the national PA guidelines. Since PA levels decrease between childhood and adolescence, the middle school transition is a particularly vulnerable period that warrants special attention. In 2003, Somerville, Massachusetts organized an Active Living by Design (ALbD) partnership to promote community- wide active living through promotion activities (maps), policy changes, programs to engage immigrant communities, and physical changes to the environment (bike lines), and data gathering to evaluate these activities (student height, weight and fitness measurements). The partnership collaborated with other community initiatives to maximize the collective impact for health promotion. This study evaluates PA among a diverse population of middle school students (6th-8th grades) in Somerville and a neighboring comparison community concurrent with Somerville?s ALbD promotion efforts. Specifically, we will 1) document Somerville PA trends over time; 2) examine between-city differences in meeting PA recommendations; 3) explore the relationship(s) of utilization of recreational space and social support on PA; and 4) discuss the policy implications of our findings. Title: Land Use Innovation: Experiences in the Adoption of Land Use Policies to Promote Active Living Author: Dill, Jennifer, Howe, Deborah A. Year: 2010 Obesity continues to be a major public health problem in the United States. As of 2007, 28.8% of adolescents were either overweight or obese. The rise in obesity may, in part, be attributable to declines in physical activity (PA) levels. In 2007, only 34.7% of adolescents met the national PA guidelines. Since PA levels decrease between childhood and adolescence, the middle school transition is a particularly vulnerable period that warrants special attention. In 2003, Somerville, Massachusetts organized an Active Living by Design (ALbD) partnership to promote community- wide active living through promotion activities (maps), policy changes, programs to engage immigrant communities, and physical changes to the environment (bike lines), and data gathering to evaluate these activities (student height, weight and fitness measurements). The partnership collaborated with other community initiatives to maximize the collective impact for health promotion. This study evaluates PA among a diverse population of middle school students (6th-8th grades) in Somerville and a neighboring comparison community concurrent with Somerville?s ALbD promotion efforts. Specifically, we will 1) document Somerville PA trends over time; 2) examine between-city differences in meeting PA recommendations; 3) explore the relationship(s) of utilization of recreational space and social support on PA; and 4) discuss the policy implications of our findings. Close

• 3. [Article] Community Building Sourcebook: Land Use and Transportation Initiatives in Portland, Oregon

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Community Building Sourcebook: Land Use and Transportation Initiatives in Portland, Oregon Author: Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon Year: 1999 Title: Community Building Sourcebook: Land Use and Transportation Initiatives in Portland, Oregon Author: Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon Year: 1999 Close

• 4. [Article] Metropolitan Centers: Evaluating Local Implementation of Regional Plans and Policies

  The Denver and Salt Lake City Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have embarked upon regional visioning strategies that promote development around higher density, mixed use centers with current ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Metropolitan Centers: Evaluating Local Implementation of Regional Plans and Policies Author: Margerum, Richard D., Bartholomew, Keith, Lewis, Rebecca, Parker, Robert, Dobrinich, Stephen Year: 2017 The Denver and Salt Lake City Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have embarked upon regional visioning strategies that promote development around higher density, mixed use centers with current or future access to transit. This study examines the programs and policies in the Salt Lake City and Denver regions to examine regional vision influence on local planning and the opportunities and constraints facing centers. The research team analyzed local plans over the past several decades, interviewed planners, and examined demographic, land use and transportation characteristics in select centers across the region. We found that the regional vision had a moderate influence on local planning, due to vague definitions and criteria. However, light rail investment and market forces have had a more substantial influence—resulting in cities developing supportive transit oriented development policies. While over 100 centers have been designated, many face significant challenges to support regional goals, particularly because many light rail lines were located along rail and freeway alignments. A limited number of “tipping point centers” already contain the necessary elements to be successful with city and private investment. Many “greenfield centers” offer significant future opportunity for development, but their suburban location and infrastructure needs present significant costs and challenges. Many other “redevelopment centers” are dominated by industrial, commercial or office development, and the land use and transportation patterns within these centers present substantial hurdles that may limit their potential to achieve regional goals. Title: Metropolitan Centers: Evaluating Local Implementation of Regional Plans and Policies Author: Margerum, Richard D., Bartholomew, Keith, Lewis, Rebecca, Parker, Robert, Dobrinich, Stephen Year: 2017 The Denver and Salt Lake City Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have embarked upon regional visioning strategies that promote development around higher density, mixed use centers with current or future access to transit. This study examines the programs and policies in the Salt Lake City and Denver regions to examine regional vision influence on local planning and the opportunities and constraints facing centers. The research team analyzed local plans over the past several decades, interviewed planners, and examined demographic, land use and transportation characteristics in select centers across the region. We found that the regional vision had a moderate influence on local planning, due to vague definitions and criteria. However, light rail investment and market forces have had a more substantial influence—resulting in cities developing supportive transit oriented development policies. While over 100 centers have been designated, many face significant challenges to support regional goals, particularly because many light rail lines were located along rail and freeway alignments. A limited number of “tipping point centers” already contain the necessary elements to be successful with city and private investment. Many “greenfield centers” offer significant future opportunity for development, but their suburban location and infrastructure needs present significant costs and challenges. Many other “redevelopment centers” are dominated by industrial, commercial or office development, and the land use and transportation patterns within these centers present substantial hurdles that may limit their potential to achieve regional goals. Close

• 5. [Article] Parking Infrastructure: A Constraint on or Opportunity for Urban Redevelopment?

  Many cities have adopted minimum parking requirements, but we have relatively poor information about how parking infrastructure has grown. In this research, using building and roadway growth models, we ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Parking Infrastructure: A Constraint on or Opportunity for Urban Redevelopment? Author: Chester, Mikhail Year: 2016 Many cities have adopted minimum parking requirements, but we have relatively poor information about how parking infrastructure has grown. In this research, using building and roadway growth models, we estimate how parking has grown in Los Angeles County from 1900 to 2010, and how parking infrastructure evolves, affects urban form, and relates to changes in automobile travel. We find that since 1975, the ratio of residential offstreet parking spaces to automobiles in Los Angeles County is close to 1.0 and the greatest density of parking spaces is in the urban core. Most new growth in parking occurs outside of the core. 14% of incorporated land in Los Angeles County is committed to parking. Uncertainty in our space inventory is attributed to our building growth model, onstreet space length, and the assumption that parking spaces were created as per the requirements. The continued use of minimum parking requirements is likely to encourage automobile use at a time when metropolitan areas are actively seeking to manage congestion and increase transit use, biking, and walking. Widely discussed ways to reform parking policies may be less than effective if planners do not consider the remaining incentives to auto use created by the existing parking infrastructure. Planners should encourage the conversion of existing parking facilities to alternative uses. Title: Parking Infrastructure: A Constraint on or Opportunity for Urban Redevelopment? Author: Chester, Mikhail Year: 2016 Many cities have adopted minimum parking requirements, but we have relatively poor information about how parking infrastructure has grown. In this research, using building and roadway growth models, we estimate how parking has grown in Los Angeles County from 1900 to 2010, and how parking infrastructure evolves, affects urban form, and relates to changes in automobile travel. We find that since 1975, the ratio of residential offstreet parking spaces to automobiles in Los Angeles County is close to 1.0 and the greatest density of parking spaces is in the urban core. Most new growth in parking occurs outside of the core. 14% of incorporated land in Los Angeles County is committed to parking. Uncertainty in our space inventory is attributed to our building growth model, onstreet space length, and the assumption that parking spaces were created as per the requirements. The continued use of minimum parking requirements is likely to encourage automobile use at a time when metropolitan areas are actively seeking to manage congestion and increase transit use, biking, and walking. Widely discussed ways to reform parking policies may be less than effective if planners do not consider the remaining incentives to auto use created by the existing parking infrastructure. Planners should encourage the conversion of existing parking facilities to alternative uses. Close

• 6. [Article] Metropolitan Centers Mean Smart Growth

  In this study, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Oregon and the University of Utah examined regional metropolitan center programs and policies in the Salt Lake City and Denver regions. The ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Metropolitan Centers Mean Smart Growth Author: Margerum, Richard D., Lewis, Rebecca, Bartholomew, Keith Year: 2017 In this study, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Oregon and the University of Utah examined regional metropolitan center programs and policies in the Salt Lake City and Denver regions. The goal of the study was to examine this topic on two levels. First, to learn how and why local governments have adopted the concepts of metropolitan centers over time and the related supporting and constraining factors. Second, to understand how demographics, land use, and transportation choices have changed over time in the designated centers. Title: Metropolitan Centers Mean Smart Growth Author: Margerum, Richard D., Lewis, Rebecca, Bartholomew, Keith Year: 2017 In this study, a multidisciplinary team from the University of Oregon and the University of Utah examined regional metropolitan center programs and policies in the Salt Lake City and Denver regions. The goal of the study was to examine this topic on two levels. First, to learn how and why local governments have adopted the concepts of metropolitan centers over time and the related supporting and constraining factors. Second, to understand how demographics, land use, and transportation choices have changed over time in the designated centers. Close

• 7. [Article] Agent-Based Model Simulating Pedestrian Behavioral Response to Environmental Structural Changes

  Our research focused on understanding the travel behavior of individuals in complex urban environments. Specifically, we investigated how land use patterns and infrastructure influence how individuals ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Agent-Based Model Simulating Pedestrian Behavioral Response to Environmental Structural Changes Author: Lobben, Amy, Bone, Christopher Year: 2016 Our research focused on understanding the travel behavior of individuals in complex urban environments. Specifically, we investigated how land use patterns and infrastructure influence how individuals across a broad range of travel abilities navigate through urban landscapes. Our overall project goal was to develop a transportation planning tool that allows users to simulate pedestrian travel behavior. The tool was built on a computation model that was developed through rigorous measures and observations of pedestrian travel behavior. Our definition of pedestrian includes a broad perspective as one of our aspirations through this project was to expand the definition of what constitutes livability for all citizens. Through the help of project collaborators, we recruited and included people with disabilities in our measurement and modeling research. This research was conducted through a four-stage research plan. Stages one and two included testing with and observation of research participants. In stage one, we asked participants to complete a sit-down test that measures demographics and cognitive travel decision-making. In stage two, we asked the same group of participants to conduct travel activities in an urban landscape. Stage three included using the measures and observations gathered through stages one and two to generate a computational model of pedestrian travel behavior. The final stage, four, focused on developing an easy-to-use interface that will allow transportation planners to directly interact with the pedestrian model developed in stage three. Title: Agent-Based Model Simulating Pedestrian Behavioral Response to Environmental Structural Changes Author: Lobben, Amy, Bone, Christopher Year: 2016 Our research focused on understanding the travel behavior of individuals in complex urban environments. Specifically, we investigated how land use patterns and infrastructure influence how individuals across a broad range of travel abilities navigate through urban landscapes. Our overall project goal was to develop a transportation planning tool that allows users to simulate pedestrian travel behavior. The tool was built on a computation model that was developed through rigorous measures and observations of pedestrian travel behavior. Our definition of pedestrian includes a broad perspective as one of our aspirations through this project was to expand the definition of what constitutes livability for all citizens. Through the help of project collaborators, we recruited and included people with disabilities in our measurement and modeling research. This research was conducted through a four-stage research plan. Stages one and two included testing with and observation of research participants. In stage one, we asked participants to complete a sit-down test that measures demographics and cognitive travel decision-making. In stage two, we asked the same group of participants to conduct travel activities in an urban landscape. Stage three included using the measures and observations gathered through stages one and two to generate a computational model of pedestrian travel behavior. The final stage, four, focused on developing an easy-to-use interface that will allow transportation planners to directly interact with the pedestrian model developed in stage three. Close

• 8. [Article] Urbanism Next: How Technology is Changing Our City

  Advances in technology such as the advent of autonomous vehicles (AV’s), the rise of E-commerce, and the proliferation of the sharing economy are having profound effects not only on how we live, move, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Urbanism Next: How Technology is Changing Our City Author: Larco, Nico Year: 2017 Advances in technology such as the advent of autonomous vehicles (AV’s), the rise of E-commerce, and the proliferation of the sharing economy are having profound effects not only on how we live, move, and spend our time in cities, but also increasingly on urban form and development itself. These new technologies are changing the ease of transport, the role of transit, and the places we spend our time. These changes will have profound effects on cities including large shifts in land use, changes in street design, a potential reduction on the need for parking, a shift on where we choose to live, and challenges for urban density, the extent of sprawl, and the vitality of urban areas. While there has been a focused effort of research on the technological aspects of autonomous vehicles and systems themselves, there has been a shortage of systematic exploration on their secondary effects on city development, form, and design, with implications for sustainability, resiliency, equity, cost, and general livability. SCI’s Urbanism Next initiative focuses on the ramifications of changes in technology on the design and planning of our cities. This presentation will provide an overview to the initiative, research that has been done, and future objectives. Title: Urbanism Next: How Technology is Changing Our City Author: Larco, Nico Year: 2017 Advances in technology such as the advent of autonomous vehicles (AV’s), the rise of E-commerce, and the proliferation of the sharing economy are having profound effects not only on how we live, move, and spend our time in cities, but also increasingly on urban form and development itself. These new technologies are changing the ease of transport, the role of transit, and the places we spend our time. These changes will have profound effects on cities including large shifts in land use, changes in street design, a potential reduction on the need for parking, a shift on where we choose to live, and challenges for urban density, the extent of sprawl, and the vitality of urban areas. While there has been a focused effort of research on the technological aspects of autonomous vehicles and systems themselves, there has been a shortage of systematic exploration on their secondary effects on city development, form, and design, with implications for sustainability, resiliency, equity, cost, and general livability. SCI’s Urbanism Next initiative focuses on the ramifications of changes in technology on the design and planning of our cities. This presentation will provide an overview to the initiative, research that has been done, and future objectives. Close

• 9. [Article] Mandating Density: The Blunt Instrument of Smart Growth

  This essay expresses concern that urban growth management places too heavy a reliance on densification, particularly upzoning with minimum density requirements in suburban infill situations. Increasing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Mandating Density: The Blunt Instrument of Smart Growth Author: Dueker, Kenneth Year: 2002 This essay expresses concern that urban growth management places too heavy a reliance on densification, particularly upzoning with minimum density requirements in suburban infill situations. Increasing densities may be appropriate when other aspects of urban development can be controlled through urban design. However, evidence provided here indicates that mandating density reduces land consumption, but does not achieve other objectives of growth management, particularly street connectivity, greater use of alternative modes of transportation, and more housing choices. This analysis finds that upzoning and requiring minimum-densities, when used to regulate suburban residential infill developments, is not effective in producing quality compact development. Instead it is resulting in small-lot single-family developments that can only be accessed by cul-de-sac designs augmented by shared driveways. Incentive based approaches to increase density may be preferable. This analysis raises concern about placing too much emphasis on densification as a policy tool for “smart growth.” Too much attention and effort is expended on increasing density of development and there is little evidence of benefits of doing so. The positive aspects of density results from favorable market forces, rather than regulatory forces. Title: Mandating Density: The Blunt Instrument of Smart Growth Author: Dueker, Kenneth Year: 2002 This essay expresses concern that urban growth management places too heavy a reliance on densification, particularly upzoning with minimum density requirements in suburban infill situations. Increasing densities may be appropriate when other aspects of urban development can be controlled through urban design. However, evidence provided here indicates that mandating density reduces land consumption, but does not achieve other objectives of growth management, particularly street connectivity, greater use of alternative modes of transportation, and more housing choices. This analysis finds that upzoning and requiring minimum-densities, when used to regulate suburban residential infill developments, is not effective in producing quality compact development. Instead it is resulting in small-lot single-family developments that can only be accessed by cul-de-sac designs augmented by shared driveways. Incentive based approaches to increase density may be preferable. This analysis raises concern about placing too much emphasis on densification as a policy tool for “smart growth.” Too much attention and effort is expended on increasing density of development and there is little evidence of benefits of doing so. The positive aspects of density results from favorable market forces, rather than regulatory forces. Close