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Enabling Healthy Urban Planning in Northern Kentucky: The Case of School Siting

Schuchter, Joseph

Abstract Details

2010, MCP, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Community Planning.
This research is designed to explore how and why decisions about school siting are made. It uses healthy urban planning - which in simplest terms calls for planning for people - to frame the discussion and asks how the siting process can be improved to yield more walkable neighborhood schools. School siting is particularly challenging because of the historical separation of school districts from planning purview, and the separation of public health scrutiny from the siting process altogether. This is despite the clear impacts of school locations on community development and health. Previous research has shown that while many factors influence the school siting process, collaboration is necessary for a better outcome. Using a multiple-methods, multiple-case study approach, I examine the process of school siting in the three largest school districts in Northern Kentucky. The key data for this research comes from interviews with seven informants including school superintendents, planning officials, a school board member, administrator and consultant. The findings suggest that collaboration is indeed the key, but alone is not sufficient. The best outcomes occur when there is interaction of school officials, planners, developers, elected officials, public health officials and citizens. This may help to overcome some of the challenges related to community values and jurisdictions which were identified. However, new financial models may also be needed. Though it is beyond the scope of this research to suppose what those are, a key next step is to understand how education reform currently underway will affect school financing and choice. These macro-level issues will continue to set the constraints for school siting decision-making. Still, at the local level, proactive school districts which volunteer to collaborate should be able to get ahead of the growth curve and connect their schools to their communities.
Christopher Auffrey, PhD (Committee Chair)
Marisa Zapata, PhD (Committee Member)
Lisa Simpson, MB, BCh, MPH, FAAP (Committee Member)
118 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schuchter, J. (2010). Enabling Healthy Urban Planning in Northern Kentucky: The Case of School Siting [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1276978380

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schuchter, Joseph. Enabling Healthy Urban Planning in Northern Kentucky: The Case of School Siting. 2010. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1276978380.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schuchter, Joseph. "Enabling Healthy Urban Planning in Northern Kentucky: The Case of School Siting." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1276978380

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)