Exemplary Thesis Library

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What do we do When Public Transit Needs a Break? A Review of Rapid Transit Disruption and Alternative Service Planning Processes in Three Cities.

AUTHOR: Gina Pryciak. 2025.

Advisor: Rebecca Shakespeare

I found Gina’s literature review particularly well-reasoned, both as a review of existing knowledge and practices in diversion planning (when a subway line closes for planned repair) and as a compelling argument for her thesis intervention. Her intervention was also particularly thorough – owing to her professional network development in UEP – and profiled and analyzed diversion planning practices in three major transportation networks. Finally, this is a very practical visionary thesis, with takeaways organized around the opportunity of diversion planning to address other transportation infrastructure improvements and behavior change to support a more resilient multimodal transportation network.

ABSTRACT

In Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., planned rapid transit service disruptions are a necessary maintenance step towards continued safety and efficiency of aging rail systems. These disruptions are viewed negatively by the public due to disruption of routines. Disruptions are also challenging for transit agencies, as they are costly and may lead to sustained ridership loss. Past research on service disruptions largely focuses on modeling travel behavior during disruptions and establishing bus-bridging as the leading form of alternative service during disruptions. This study aims to fill gaps in the literature around organizational processes during disruptions, using a qualitative approach to investigate primary players and decisions made during service planning. Semi-structured interviews with transportation planners in Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., identify leading challenges and opportunities for growth in this field, including a need for more streamlined collaboration and clear processes. Through greater role definition, timeline overlapping, and process clarification, planners may be able to apply a ‘window of opportunity’ theory to disruptions, allowing the negative script around service disruptions to be partially flipped. This study suggests that positive change during disruptions may be possible if periods of disruption and associated planning processes incorporate intentional change around transportation habits, infrastructure improvements, and transit efficiency.

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Tigers, Chimps, and Orcas, Oh My! Examining Animal Welfare within the Private Ownership Industry in the United States

Author: Dahlia Edwards. 2025.

Advisor: Kate Davies

Reader: Jon Witten

This thesis examines the private ownership industry of charismatic megafauna in the United States and analyzes relevant United States legislation to determine the industry’s impact on animal welfare. Through the analysis of three case studies – tigers, chimpanzees, and orcas – chosen based on the species’ relevancy and environmental differences, the thesis provides real-world insights into how interactions between privately owned entities and legal frameworks can influence the quality of life these animals experience. Using a systematic literature review, three detailed case studies, and content analysis of various forms of selected media, the thesis unflinchingly exposes the damaging captivity practices, inexcusable living conditions, and associated welfare conditions experienced by many privately owned animals. The author adroitly traces these injustices back to a litany of legislative gaps, inconsistent regulatory oversights, and the double-edged sword of media and public perception. The discussion concludes with five recommendations for how policymakers and planners might more effectively address cases of animal cruelty and prioritize animal welfare. I won’t lie – this thesis is a tough read for anyone with a heart, and the findings will stay with you long after you have put the document down. I believe this is a very special thesis that deserves to be recognized for the valuable contribution that it makes towards advancing animal rights and welfare in the US.

ABSTRACT

This thesis examines the private ownership industry of charismatic megafauna in the United States and analyzes relevant United States legislation to determine the industry’s impact on animal welfare. Through the analysis of three case studies – tigers, chimpanzees, and orcas – chosen based on the specie’s relevancy and environmental differences, it provides real-world insights on how interactions between privately owned entities and legal frameworks can influence the quality of life these animals experience. Research methods included utilizing a systematic literature review, three detailed case studies, and content analysis of various forms of selected media. Key findings highlighted consistent concerns regarding inadequate captivity practices or conditions and the associated welfare implications, legislative gaps and inconsistent regulatory oversight, and the role of media on the public perception of charismatic megafauna. The discussion concludes with five recommendations for how policymakers and planners might more effectively address cases of animal cruelty and prioritize animal welfare.

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Dengue outbreaks on the rise: A statistical and spatial analysis approach to dengue incidence, climate and environmental patterns, drivers and implications in Piura, Peru.

Author: Ana Paola de la Vega. 2025: WINNER OUTSTANDING THESIS AWARD AY24-25

Advisor: Peilei Fan

Reader: Mary Davis

Ana Paola’s thesis represents a sophisticated analysis of the spatial and temporal patterns of dengue fever disease burden in Peru.  Her findings underscore the critical importance of reliable water infrastructure and sound water management practices in dengue mitigation strategies, particularly in the context of a changing climate. Understanding the spatial dynamics of disease outbreaks, particularly in under resourced parts of the globe threatened by climate change, is critical to the design of effective policies to mitigate these health risks.  As Ana Paola notes in her thesis, these public health challenges require ‘integrated urban and environmental planning approaches.’  In addition to the significance of the question Ana Paola seeks to answer, her thesis stands out for its level of sophistication in applying statistical and geospatial tools to test hypotheses related to the spatial pattern of disease against the backdrop of a changing environment and climate.  The application of both advanced GIS and statistics allow Ana Paola to critically test her hypotheses and leverage data visualization and graphics to highlight the important findings.

ABSTRACT

Dengue epidemics are an escalating public health and climate policy concern, particularly as the disease expands into areas previously considered climatically unsuitable. In Peru, the dry and arid northwestern coastal region of Piura has experienced unprecedented increases in dengue incidence over the past two decades. This re-emergence challenges the traditional assumption of dengue as a disease of tropical, humid cities and highlights the need for integrated urban and environmental planning approaches. Effective early warning systems must consider local exposure to both climate and urban infrastructure vulnerabilities, especially in the context of intensifying climate change. This thesis analyzes district-level dengue incidence in Piura from 2003 to 2023 and its relationship with climate and urban features using spatial statistics (EHSA, LOA), econometric modeling (OLS, Fixed Effects) and ArcGIS, Geographically WeightedRegression (GWR). Results show that dengue outbreaks in Piura are temporally and spatially heterogeneous, with the region acting as a sporadic but intense hotspot. Temperature exhibited a non-linear and delayed relationship with dengue incidence, becoming a strong and spatially consistent predictor during ENSO years. Precipitation showed a small but significant effect, with the relationship turning negative during ENSO events. Humidity was not found as a strong predictor of dengue incidence. Overall, the three climate variables demonstrated context-dependent and localized effects. Notably, access to piped water showed paradoxical results -acting as both a mitigating and risk-enhancing factor depending on the district and year. These findings underscore the critical importance of reliable water infrastructure and sound water management practices in dengue mitigation strategies, particularly in the context of a changing climate.

Read the entire thesis work here

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Advancing the Circular Economy: The Role of Policy, Innovation, and Sustainable Finance in Mitigating Textile Microplastic Pollution.

Author: Sindhuri Polavaram. 2025

Advisor: Jeff Rosen

This thesis spans policy, technology adaptation, finance and broad circular economy principles using a variety of methods.  I appreciate the singular focus on microplastics generated by the fashion industry.  I thought Sindhu did a good job drilling down into the specific area from both a science and a policy lens, given her dual degree.  I appreciated the way she cascaded from big picture to small solution, examined policies on an international basis and then examined the way these polices might be spurring private investment.  In the end, I appreciated the practical application and the way this thesis could connect policy and private market activity to spur needed innovation.

ABSTRACT

The textile industry is a major contributor to global microplastic pollution, primarily through the release of synthetic microfibers into aquatic environments during production, use, and disposal. Microplastic fiber pollution poses ecological and human health risks while remaining largely unaddressed in existing waste management systems. Policy, innovation, and sustainable finance are explored as important drivers in mitigating microplastic fiber pollution. Extended Producer Responsibility schemes that consider circular economy frameworks, targeted technological innovation, and impact investments are critical to systemic change. The research highlights the need for integrated strategies across governance, industry, and capital flows to achieve a sustainable and equitable textile sector while minimizing impacts on water quality.

Read the full thesis here.

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Ryan Kadet: 2025. Daylighting Parks: Sunlight Protection Policies for Urban Green Space and their Application to Boston, MA

Advisor: Christine Cousineau

This thesis vividly illustrates the complexity of regulating urban development for a social good. It examines sunlight protection policies that cities have implemented to protect parks from the shade cast by new buildings, particularly high-rises. Boston has a shadow policy for the Common and Public Garden, but not for Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, which is being threatened by development in the Longwood Medical Area. The case studies of New York City and San Francisco reveal two different and effective policy models and shadow calculation methods. Learning from these methods, Ryan provides recommendations for developing a sunlight protection policy for Boston’s parks. The thesis is well-written, well-documented, and the analysis is particularly thorough.

Abstract Urban parks provide essential environmental and social benefits. These benefits are especially valuable in growing cities but are increasingly threatened by shadows cast by new developments. While shade from vegetation supports ecological health and thermal comfort, building shadows block sunlight entirely, which impacts ecological health and limits park enjoyment. Although Boston, MA, contains historic parks including the Boston Common, Public Garden, and the Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace, the city lacks a standardized and citywide policy protecting these parks from building shadows. This thesis examines policies to protect sunlight in parks by regulating urban development to inform policymaking in Boston. Case studies of New York City and San Francisco reveal two different and effective policy models. New York uses the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) process to disclose shadow impacts along with other environmental reviews, while San Francisco’s Sunlight Ordinance requires shadow analyses for certain projects. To create a sunlight protection policy for Boston’s parks, this thesis recommends conducting a city-wide study of parks to understand land cover and uses, including consideration of non-vegetative sunlight-reliant resources such as historic landmarks, and setting park-specific shadow limits. Boston should include measures for shadow analysis and review within a comprehensive environmental review process and formally involve Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department (BPRD) in planning and land use decisions. This will allow the city to better regulate growth and preserve sunlight access in its historic parks.  

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Tim Dowling: 2025. Beyond Alewife: Revisiting Transportation Expansion in Arlington, MA. 

Advisor: Christine Cousineau

This thesis is a great example of mixed method research documenting a historical case study in transportation planning and analyzing its lessons for today. A comprehensive historical research from archival sources documents the 1970s failed Red Line extension from Cambridge to Arlington. The analysis covers the political and economic factors at play then, and the changed demographics and political climate today – 50 years later – that points to not only a favorable view but also a demand for such an expansion. Interviews corroborate and amplify the literature review and analysis. To bring the case to its feasibility today, a GIS spatial analysis evaluates the contemporary suitability for rapid transit in Arlington and surrounding towns, and provides service area boundaries and ridership estimates.

Abstract Following decades of disinvestment and increasing congestion driven by auto-centric transportation policy, public transit is recapturing interest across the country. This national story exemplified by Arlington, Massachusetts. In the 1970’s, the MBTA proposed to extend the Red Line through this Boston suburb, but was ultimately halted by powerful local coalition. Despite an abundance of primary documentation, the story of the Red Line extension in Arlington has seldom been told comprehensively. This thesis synthesizes these historical sources and identifies culminating factors which led to the extension being opposed among residents. To provide contemporary relevance, this thesis explores the prospect of a contemporary extension by evaluating generational attitudinal change and analyzing rapid transit suitability. Principal methods include a literature review, interviews, a case study, and a spatial analysis. This research culminates with a synthesis of past and present conclusions which describe the future feasibility of rapid transportation in Arlington.

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Claire Loe. 2025. Federal Offshore Wind Permitting: Identifying Barriers to Timely Approval.

Penn Loh

Claire did a great job delving into 2 cases of federally regulated offshore wind projects in Massachusetts to understand how these complex processes work and where there may be delays in the timeline. She did a painstaking job of looking at the regulatory records, media reports, and interviews. Her analysis resulted in easy-to-understand visual timelines. Her conclusions are well supported by the evidence she assembled. 

Abstract As a nascent industry in America, there are many challenges to the timely deployment of offshore wind projects. Among these is the complexity of permitting a project to undergo during its development, including the federal approvals all projects in the Outer Continental Shelf must obtain before they can construct and operate. Though the permitting schedules published by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management state that the review and approval of a project’s Construction and Operations plan nominally takes two years, in practice this permitting phase lasts nearly twice as long. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the bottlenecks that offshore wind projects face during the Construction and Operations Plan phase of federal permitting. This research uses two case study projects, Vineyard Wind and New England Wind, to examine the factors involved in the permitting delays experienced during this federal permitting phase. To provide additional insights into these occurrences, members of the private and public sector who worked on these projects were interviewed.

https://dl.tufts.edu/concern/pdfs/qr46rf67b

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Laurel A. Mire: UEP Thesis Award Winner, 2024

What’s a Neighborhood Without Any Neighbors? Perceptions of Community Resilience in the New Orleans Short-Term Rental Debate

Advisor Rebecca Shakespeare

Laurel’s thesis is a novel analysis of the ways that different stakeholder groups deploy community resilience language when talking about short-term rentals in public comment meetings in New Orleans. Laurel created a meaningful conceptual framework for identifying ways that “community resilience” is described and used in practice. She then used this as an interpretative framework for a well-designed, thorough, and thoughtful method of analyzing public comment statements to discern the broader narrative of the relationship between community resilience and the presence, absence, or conditional presence of short-term rentals. Laurel’s carefully considered conclusions around a pressing social concern in a city with a history and future of environmental and community resilience engaged with the role of public comment in shaping planning practice.

Abstract

Community resilience, or the collective ability of a neighborhood to deal with stressors and efficiently resume daily life following shocks, has become the de facto framework for communities, planners, and policymakers to prepare for climate change-induced extreme weather events. One possible stressor to community resilience is the short-term rental, whose community-level impacts are the subject of extensive literature and public grievance. Regulators across the world are attempting to curb the community-level harm of STRs while allowing locals to reap the benefits, and the disaster-prone and tourism-dependent city of New Orleans has been creating and modifying regulations on STRs since 2016. For policymakers to incorporate public preferences into regulations, residents must convey their experiences with short-term rentals to regulators, most often through public commentary periods. Thus, a discourse analysis of public commentary during policymaking proceedings is useful to understand how residents in New Orleans perceive a relationship between community resilience and STRs and try to influence regulations. In the New Orleans STR debate, speakers and interest groups coalesce around certain problem framings and push forward regulations to address their perceived impact to community resilience from STRs. However, the relationship between community resilience and STRs is not wholly positive or negative but rather complex and dependent on the way STR owners act and municipalities choose to regulate. Consequently, regulators and residents can position STRs to bolster community resilience rather than diminish it. Viewing policy issues from the perspective of potential impacts to community resilience may be useful for disaster-prone cities like New Orleans to tackle stressors together, streamline regulations, and shift power to neighborhoods.

Read the full thesis here

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Amber Kraus Siegel: UEP Thesis Award Honorable Mention, 2024

The Art of Science Communication: A Framework for Assessing the Efficacy of Learning Outcomes Conveyed via PangeaSeed’s Public Murals in Boston, MA

Advisor Kate Davies

This thesis is an exceptional example of an interdisciplinary, co-designed masters research project. The project, conducted in partnership with PangeaSeed (PS), an arts-science communication organization, utilizes a series of qualitative methods (literature review, analysis of existing evaluation frameworks, and iterative co-design sessions), to develop a novel framework to assess the learning outcomes associated with art-based science communication projects focused on climate change. The work addresses a persistent gap in theory and practice; while art-science communication is often touted as a promising tool for educating, inspiring and motivating audiences, there is a lack of evidence in terms of cognitive, affective and behavioral impacts. The Art-SE Framework developed in this thesis addresses this gap, providing robust user-facing evaluation materials, along with survey materials for data collection. While the materials were developed with the project partner in mind, they could easily be adapted to support other art-science evaluation needs. The application of these tools could bolster a greater understanding of how art-science communication contributes to pro-environmental behaviors, and equip practitioners with more dynamic and accessible ways to address climate issues.

Abstract

Art-based science communication provides a promising tool for educating, inspiring and motivating audiences regarding climate change and its associated risks. As research has found, current science-communication approaches have been largely ineffective, with information failing to translate from science practitioners to the general public. This is largely attributed to the inherent complexity of scientific data, the inaccessibility of the materials, and the fact that individuals learn differently. In the interest of broadening the reach of scientific information, communication methodologies must be innovated. Art-science communication provides a promising medium through which scientific data can be visually narrated in an accessible manner. Research has shown that climate imagery is particularly effective, due to its ability to connect to viewers on both affective and cognitive levels, inspiring environmental, political and social action. While this creative communication methodology is promising, there is a lack of measured evidence in terms of cognitive, affective and behavioral impacts. To address this, and in partnership with PangeaSeed (PS), an arts-science communication organization, a new assessment framework, the Art-SE (Art-Science Evaluation) Framework, was co-developed to assess the learning outcomes disseminated by PS’s public murals. The Art-SE Framework includes user-facing materials for evaluation development and execution, along with survey materials for data collection. While the Art-SE Framework was created with PS in mind, it was developed in a manner that makes it adaptable, supporting use by other art-science practitioners. Ideally, the Art-SE framework will contribute to a more measured understanding of the ways in which art-science communication contributes to proenvironmental behaviors, on both an individual & civic level, equipping practitioners with more dynamic and accessible communication tools for addressing climate issues.

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Nathan Newman: UEP Thesis Award Nominee, 2024

Fashioning Circularity: A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis of Disclosure and Targeted Legislation: Comparing Their Influence on Environmental Outcomes and the Circular Economy

Advisor Jeffrey Rosen

In general, the strength of his thesis lies in its practical application.  Nate looked to the policy pressures sustainability advocates have recently applied to the fashion industry to help analyze relative effectiveness of these initiatives.  He used a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method which I found to be a good fit for the level of detail and the hybrid analysis between quantitative and qualitative outcomes he analyzed.  I also liked his focus on the big picture elements of the Circular Economy, and the way he put this together as an implementation component for those broad objectives.  Nate’s literature review was thorough, and he used it to contextualize his methodology.  Despite some of the broad context, he focused specifically on several policy initiatives and compared those to corporate sustainable reporting for relative cost-effectiveness, from an outcome basis.  I’m always impressed by work that starts with a broad aspirational framework (such as a circular economy) and offers practical guidance on how to direct resources to support a transition. 

Abstract

The apparel and footwear industry is one of the most environmentally impactful sectors globally, spurring closer examination of current sustainability practices. Despite voluntary disclosure’s benefits, it fails to adequately address the industry’s negative environmental externalities. Legislators around the world have subsequently proposed legislation targeting different segments of the industry’s value chain, attempting to advance circular business practices. This thesis examines best-in-class sustainability reports along with five pieces of legislation from the United States and European Union and compares their cost-effectiveness and estimated impact on eight material circularity indicators with a focus on environmental outcomes. The results show that voluntary disclosure generates the least amount of impact, and the five policies vary in impact and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, four of the five policies analyzed fail to address the linear consumption system that underlies the industry’s environmental impact. The results reinforce the need for policy and regulation to advance circular systems.

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Morgan Florsheim: UEP Thesis Award Nominee, 2024

Deconstruction Ahead: Examining the History and Potential of Highway Removal in Milwaukee

Advisor Penn Loh

Her thesis on highway removal projects in Milwaukee is a wonderfully written, rich description of 3 cases (1 past highway removal and 2 proposed). Using a journalistic approach, she conducted 21 interviews with key actors in these cases. The stories of these cases emerged from her interviews and analysis of media and literature. Her robust analysis and findings yielded numerous insights into the opportunities and challenges for highway removal projects to repair past harms and build more resilient and just communities. Her recommendations are relevant for the growing instances of highway removal projects/proposals across the country.

Abstract

This thesis examines the potential for highway removal to advance equity, sustainability, and climate resilience goals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Through an analysis of three case studies—the completed removal of the Park East Freeway and proposed removals of portions of I-794 and WI-175—it explores the complex dynamics surrounding urban highway removal projects. Drawing on 21 interviews, an extensive literature review, and an exploration of government documents, the findings highlight both opportunities and challenges in leveraging highway removal for community benefit without displacing the longtime residents along the freeway corridors. The research culminates in six recommendations for policymakers and planners looking to prioritize social and environmental justice and address climate risk and pervasive inequities through highway removal projects. Centering community voice, planning proactively and intentionally with regard to key issues, and collaborating across silos emerged as essential strategies.

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Kayden Kelley: UEP Thesis Award Nominee, 2024

Beyond the Stereotype: “White People Shit” A Comprehensive Analysis Exploring the Barriers to Black Participation in Outdoor Recreation in Massachusetts.

Advisor Christine Cousineau

Kayden explores why there are so few Black Americans in outdoor recreation, such as hiking, trail running, mountain climbing, visiting national parks, canoeing/kayaking, skying, and other activities in nature. Beyond economic barriers, he delves into a long history of generational fear of "the woods" from forced labor to lynching, persistent feelings of not being welcome, corroborated by racial incidents that continue to this day, and a stereotype among many in the Black community that outdoor activities are "white people shit".  The thesis concludes with policy recommendations for park managers, youth educators, and the outdoor retail industry, as well as the need to support the growing number of BIPOC groups engaged in the outdoors that are increasingly challenging the stereotype. 

As a Black outdoor enthusiast, Kayden has witnessed first hand the lack of others like him engaged in the outdoors. He relies on this experience and his identity to gather insightful interviews from people who may not have been as candid with white researchers.

Abstract

This thesis explores the pronounced disparities in outdoor recreation participation between Black and White Americans in Massachusetts. Drawing insights from an extensive literature review and two sets of qualitative interviews, it examines the complex interplay of historical, sociocultural, and economic factors that have shaped the relationship between Black Americans and outdoor spaces. The literature review traces the historical exclusion of Black Americans from nature, the benefits of outdoor recreation, current participation trends, leisure constraints, and cultural perceptions. Intercept interviews with Black residents surface stereotypes, barriers, community influences, personal experiences, and calls for inclusivity in outdoor engagement. Semi-structured interviews with outdoor industry stakeholders highlight systemic issues like lack of representation, cultural and safety concerns, and challenges in funding community-driven initiatives. Key themes that emerge include the need to challenge stereotypes of outdoor enthusiasts, address economic barriers and lack of exposure, foster cultural relevance and belonging, and promote diverse leadership in the outdoor sector. The study proposes targeted recommendations such as representation in marketing, affordability initiatives, community partnerships, and investment in Black-led outdoor organizations. It underscores the transformative potential of inclusive outdoor recreation in promoting individual well-being, environmental stewardship, and social equity. By amplifying Black voices and experiences, this thesis contributes to the growing discourse on diversity, accessibility, and cultural relevance in outdoor spaces.

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Yeojin Kim: UEP Thesis Award Winner, 2023

Socio-Economic and Built Environment Analysis of NYC Citi Bike Electric Bike Share Origin and Destinations

This outstanding thesis uses quantitative and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis to investigate travel behavior on the station based electric bike share system (E-BSS) in New York City, explore the impacts of socioeconomic and built environment characteristics and pricing on E-BSS trip durations, and analyze the effects of E-BSS on the accessibility of origin and destination areas. The thesis is contextualized in a comprehensive review of the literature, clearly structured, and presented in a thorough way with convincing evidence to support the findings. The data and method used for this research is appropriate and described in good detail. This thesis revealed interesting findings -- that E-BSS was used for slightly longer distances and duration than classic bikes and that four built environment characteristics had statistically significant impact on trip duration -- which were effectively presented through well-done maps and figures. Furthermore, while race and income were not statistically significant for trip duration, the thesis found that socioeconomic segregation and disparity of E-BSS use are linked with the lack of E-BSS accessibility for low-income Black groups. These findings have policy implications for how to improve the deployment of non-motorized transportation modes in cities. 

Abstract

Station based electric bike share systems (E-BSS) require less physical exertion to bikes and allow for faster and longer distance travel, which has the potential to replace shorter car trips and fill the gaps of transit deserts. Despite the benefits of E-BSS, research shows that bike share systems are disproportionately used by white middle income populations. This thesis uses Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis to understand the travel patterns of E-BSS, the impact of race, income, built environment, and pricing characteristics on trip duration, and origin and destination (OD) patterns. The results show that E-BSS was used for slightly longer distances and duration than classic bikes. Moreover, the four built environment characteristics had statistically significant impact on trip duration. While race and income were not statistically significant to trip duration, spatial segregation of socioeconomics and disparity of E-BSS use point to the lack of E-BSS accessibility for low-income Black groups.

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Josh McLinden: UEP Thesis Award Winner, 2023

Building Power: Tenant Organizing, Community Land Trusts, and the Right to the City: A Study of Housing Justice in Boston

This thesis examines how residents facing eviction in a Boston neighborhood organized into a tenant association to not only win the right to stay in their homes but also move the property into permanently affordable community control. This thesis makes an excellent contribution to the field of housing justice. The qualitative methods used in the thesis (stakeholder interviews and participant observation) are well-suited to the research objectives and help demonstrate how housing justice can be achieved through an institutionalized Community Land Trust, an activist “right to the city” organization, and tenants associations. The writing is extremely engaging, weaving in the compelling stories and experiences of directly impacted residents. Josh shows how tenant organizing and affordable housing development can work together to challenge the neoliberal system of housing and create alternative models of community control and democratic participation. This thesis is a great example of a student combining their passion and experience with skillsets developed as part of their UEP degree program, offering valuable lessons for practical visionaries who are interested in housing justice and other avenues of affecting change. 

Abstract

In the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, a group of residents facing eviction from 6 Humphreys Place organized into a tenant association with the support of local organizers and successfully fought back against their neglectful landlord. They won not only the right to stay in their home but also forced the sale of the property to a nonprofit that moved it off the market and into permanently affordable community control. This thesis examines the organizations and individuals involved in this struggle, painting a case study of 6 Humphreys Place but also crafting a broader view of the housing justice movement in Boston through interviews and observations of the staff and resident leaders of City Life/Vida Urbana, the Boston Neighborhood Community Land Trust, and the 6 Humphreys tenant association. I find that both tenant organizing and affordable housing development are key in pursuing housing justice through a model of development without displacement.

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Brenna Trollinger: UEP Thesis Award Winner, 2023

Parking Lot Cities: Examining the Impact of Parking Policy Reform on Autocentric Development Patterns in Hartford, CT and Buffalo, NY

This thesis is an excellent example of effective mixed-method and well-motivated, policy-relevant research. The thesis explores the effects of lifting minimum parking requirements in the cities of Hartford, CT and Buffalo, NY in 2017- the first cities in the United States to eliminate such minimums as part of a broader effort to undo years of car-centric urban design that have privileged automobiles over other modes of transportation and parking lots over other spatial uses.  Through a before-and-after analysis of real estate development patterns in these cities (i.e. changes in amount of parking provided and the type of development projects submitted for approval), coupled with interviews with developers and city officials to understand how they perceived the policies and understood them to be shaping (or not shaping) their behavior, the author makes a compelling case for the effects of these policies and provides suggestions for how to expand these kinds of initiatives moving forward. The author's conclusions are thoughtful and pragmatic, exemplifying a practical visionary ethic for moving actually existing cities toward less autocentric futures.

Abstract

Minimum Parking Requirements (MPR) are standards set in municipal zoning codes that require developers to supply a certain number of on-site parking spaces per type and size of building use. The requirements are dictated by varying units of measurement from gallons of water in a swimming pool to the number of pews in a church. Such policies aim to ensure that the maximum demand for parking at a given location is met to avoid the traffic congestion created by cars circling an area looking for parking. In practice, requiring a minimum amount of parking based on assumptions about maximum demand results in spatial patterns that are dictated by cars, produce large parking lots or expensive parking garages, increase the cost of urban development, and primarily benefit driving at the expense of other transit modes.

In 2017, both Buffalo, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut eliminated MPRs, becoming the first cities larger than 120,000 people to do this. Both cities serve as examples of how parking minimums can be eliminated and what changes they bring to urban spaces. In the five years following 2017, more than 300 cities and towns, and at least two states in the United States have begun to reduce or remove their parking requirements.

This thesis examines the removal of Minimum Parking Requirements in Hartford, Connecticut, and Buffalo, New York, to increase our understanding of best practices for parking policy reform, real estate development changes after policy implementation, and the qualitative perceptions of these policy changes from developers and city officials.

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Casey Auch: UEP Thesis Award Nominee, 2023

Planning for Gender Parity: Built Environment Barriers to Bikeshare Demand

This thesis is an exploration of the gender gap in bicycling which uses Blue bike data from the Boston area. The author's use of spatial, statistical as well as qualitative methods to understand how the built environment can affect the choice to bike is a much needed addition to transportation research.

Abstract

There is a staggering gender gap in bicycling with nearly twice as many men biking to work than women in most American cities. In its nascency, bikeshare was posited as the solution to the bicycling gender gap by removing barriers associated with bicycle ownership such as maintenance, repair, and storage, but the gender disparity persists. Urban design philosophy and related research suggest the built environment can strongly influence personal mode choice. Considerations such as land use diversity; household and employment density; and the street network design at a trip’s origin and destination may have substantial impact on a person’s decision to use bikeshare or another mode of transportation. This study employs greater Boston as a case study to investigate the relationships between characteristics of the built environment and gender parity, as well as ridership by gender, at bikeshare stations. It also serves as an example of how to incorporate gender mainstreaming into local transportation planning and emphasizes the value of gender disaggregated data. Results show residential density, transit frequency, and job access by transit are likely to incite greater bikeshare demand by female riders. Using these results, planners can design safer streets for multimodal transportation and site bikeshare stations near transit to advance equity and promote bikeshare use by women.

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Gideon Emmanuel: UEP Thesis Award Nominee, 2023

A Form of Government Capable of Accomplishing the Agenda of the Hour: The policy paradigms and organizational dynamics of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

This thesis builds on an extensive review of the literature around public support of economic innovation. The author creates their own framework for assessing how a public agency can pursue this mission, and then applies it to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Through extensive interviews, the author establishes a history of the origins and evolution of MassCEC that is a contribution to the field.

Abstract

Can the state attempt to steer the economy towards democratically determined goals, and how might progressive policy makers build a government capable of enacting such a program? To explore these questions, this research project applies a novel framework for exploring the complexity of a microeconomic policy agency to a case study of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, an agency founded in 2008 to help develop Massachusetts's clean energy economy. The primary goal of the research was to describe a microeconomic policy agency's articulation and delivery of an economic agenda. The secondary goal was to see if conceptual typologies from the literature could reveal opportunities for the agency. The analysis revealed significant opportunities for the agency to increase its impact, better deliver its core tasks, and more clearly tell its story by clarifying its purposes and reorganizing itself.