Introduction
Beginning in 2013, the Department of Public Policy, in conjunction with the Urban Initiative, has organized a spring lecture series highlighting graduate student research in the Department. For this inaugural series the theme topic is sustainable cities and is sponsored by the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, the Sustainability Initiative on Campus, and the Center for Policy Analysis. Each of the lectures are provided below; simply click on the title or poster to go directly to the dedicated webpage for the lecture to view a video recording of the lecture, pictures of the event, and associated materials.
The People's Pinwheels - February 2013
Robert Golder, MPP Candidate 2014
This presentation focuses on the dynamics of community acceptance vs. community resistance to the siting and operation of land-based, municipally-owned wind turbines. A theory of total social acceptance of renewable energies is discussed, and concepts of hazard and outrage as applied to community assessments of risk with regard to turbines is highlighted.
From Vacant to Vibrant - March 2013
Jason Hill, MPP Candidate 2013
This presentation focuses on the role of city planning in helping to identify and remediate open space urban areas left. Several techniques, including the reutilization of open spaces as urban parks, greenscapes, community gardens, are identified and discussed. Policy barriers to implementation of such remedies to urban blight are also identified and discussed.
Measuring Sustainabiity: South Coast Indicators - April 2013
Colleen Dawicki, MPP Graduate 2012 and Urban Initiative Coordinator
This presentation introduces the public to the South Coast Indicators Project (SCUIP) developed by the Urban Initiative at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. SCUIP presents data and background on quality of life issues in the cities of Fall River and New Bedford. Because SCUIP is still under development, the Urban Initiative team asked audience members to share their reactions to and ideas regarding the site and the ways in which it can be used to measure sustainability in the two cities.
