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Publication Fairmount Greenway - A Community Initative(2010-12-01) Bamberger, Leah H; Carvajal, Liliana; Dehais, Mary F; Gong, Yuanfang; Hulsey, John E; Kells, Eric C; Klosterman, Kimberley; Landi, Pamela Jo; Monroy, Adam G; Morrow, Seth A; O'Bara, Bryan; Su, Jie; Thompson, Arianna; White, Owen MThis studio was based on the Fairmount Greenway that was developed through a series of public meetings with the neighborhood community and with consultants from the firm Crosby, Schlessinger and Smallridge (CSS). The Fairmount Greenway, while drawing its identity from the traditional greenway model is in fact a reinterpretation of an urban greenway. The greenway path follows along both primary and secondary city streets because of the lack of space along the rail right-of-way. The Fairmount Greenway begins at what will be a new station stop at New Market South Bay near Upham’s Corner in northern Dorchester. The greenway follows adjacent to the Indigo transit line, the commuter rail that connects South Boston communities with South Station situated in proximity to Boston’s central business and tourist districts. The greenway corridor, like the transit line, stretches along a strong central north-south axis but does not follow a straight line. Instead the greenway veers east and west through Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park crossing the Indigo line at Ceylon Park, Geneva Avenue, Washington Street, under the historic Woodrow Avenue Bridge, Morton Street and River Street near the Neponset River Greenway. The greenway terminates at the Readville Station in Hyde Park. Secondary auxiliary loops extend from the central corridor connecting various recreational, cultural and economic sites with the greenway. These extensions also connect with the greater regional green space network, which will be described more in detail in the assessment to come. The defining third component of the Fairmount Greenway is the periodic greenspaces that fall along the greenway corridor. Some of these public spaces currently exist as parklands and community gardens; others are primarily publicly owned vacant lots that are planned for future development.Publication From fail-safe to safe-to-fail: sustainability and resilience in the new urban world(2011-04-01) Ahern, Jack FAbstract: The extent to which the 21st Century world will be "sustainable" depends in large part on the sustainability of cities. Early ideas on implementing sustainability focused on concepts of achieving stability, practicing effective management and the control of change and growth-- a "fail-safe" mentality. More recent thinking about change, disturbance, uncertainty, and adaptability is fundamental to the emerging science of resilience, the capacity of systems to reorganize and recover from change and disturbance without changing to other states-- in other words, systems that are "safe to fail." While the concept of resilience is intellectually intriguing, it remains largely unpracticed in contemporary urban planning and design. This essay discusses the theory of resilience as it applies to urban conditions, and offers a suite of strategies intended to build urban resilience capacity: multifunctionality, redundancy and modularization, (bio and social) diversity, multi-scale networks and connectivity, and adaptive planning and design. The strategies are discussed in the context of resilience theory and sustainability science, and are …Publication GREEN, EQUITABLE AND LIVABLE TRANSFORMING THE CORE OF MASON SQUARE IN SPRINGFIELD, MA(2023-04-01) Amato, Michael; Berlin, Jacqueline; Chancellor, Michael; Delorenzo, Zachary; Doke, Chaitrali; Jairaj, Pavana; Palika, Chandana; Riccio, Michael; Slater, Julie; Taylor, JeffreyGREEN, EQUITABLE AND LIVABLE - TRANSFORMING THE CORE OF MASON SQUARE takes a focused look at the Mason Square Planning District in Springfield, Ma and provides strategies for urban design and landscape architecture to support a community’s vision for the future. The students engaged through various community meetings for the larger Mason Square district in the spring of 2023 and enthusiastically supported the ideas and thoughts that were expressed. brownfield at Wilbraham Avenue. The larger goal is to shape a district for everybody to create safe and beautiful streets, provide better connectivity to public urban green, enhance arts, culture and dining, and catalyze equitable housing and business opportunities. Core Recommendations: Ben Swan Way is a space that should be used more for temporary community events. More usable for people as a small-scale neighborhood hub for curbside dining, cultural events, markets, performances. Measures range from complete closing down for regular traffic to modest alteration of parking layout and introduction of pedestrian-friendly surfaces to slow down traffic. Reduction of traffic speed along State Street and Wilbraham Road through reduction of lane widths and/or number of lanes, elevated pedestrian crossings, planting of big street trees, establishment of bike lanes and on-street parking. Implementation through phasing and testing. Safe ways to walk back and forth from residential areas to the Rebecca Johnson and the DeBerry Swan School. Primary street corridors need more pedestrian-scale lighting, benches, and covered bus stops. Former MCDI area should be developed with a diverse strategy that encompasses opportunities for small businesses and manufacturing including work/live/art, adult education, mix of affordable and market rate housing, hospitality industry and community services as a hub for the Mason Square community. Food is an topic in the district that needs to be addressed at multiple scales and levels. Offering spaces for community gardens on vacant or underutilized lots can be a great opportunity to educate about food and create community. Local markets should cater to diverse income levels to provide food security. Food should be part of the local economy and display the ethnic diversity. The neighborhood needs more and various restaurants and places to eat. Inclusion of art and activities that acknowledge black culture and the diversity of today. Embrace the racial history of the project area through expansion of community-building art events such as Fresh Paint, and commemoration of Nelson Stevens and AfriCOBRA (the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists). Stronger pedestrian and bicycle connections from east to west. Underutilized land along the former railroad corridor should be used as a green spine for the community. The proposed trail “McKnight Rail Trail” should be implemented in phases to regain traction and credibility of the more than 30-year old planning proposals The area of Springfield Water and Sewer Commission should be repurposed for recreation and housing to glue the neighborhoods together. Illumination, color scheme, friendly appearance of storefronts is necessary that people feel safe 24/7. Plantings with big trees can minimize heat island effects in the core area of Mason Square. Green roofs for new buildings, green facades and stormwater swales are recommended. Editor: Chandana Palika Copy Editor: Frank SleegersPublication ARTS - CULTURE - LOCAL DINING - BACK TO THE RIVER: TRANSFORMING THE HEART OFINDIAN ORCHARD IN SPRINGFIELD, MA SENIOR URBAN DESIGN STUDIO FALL 2022(2023-04-01) Averill, Lio; Burns, Skyler; Chen, Zixin; Dargan, Anamika; Duffy, Ted; Farnham, MaryKate; Foley, Andrew; Hancock, Molly; Kushida, Haruka; LeDoux, Matthew; Liu, Shangyi; Metivier, Luc-Danel; McLean, Luviana; Mills, Taylor; Novo, Camilla; Peña, Lucia; Reilly, Andrew; Sleegers, FrankInstructor Frank Sleegers Abstract ARTS - CULTURE - LOCAL DINING - BACK TO THE RIVER takes a focused look at the neighborhood of Indian Orchard in their historic mill district and provides strategies for urban design and landscape architecture to support residents’ visions for the future. With the Studio’s partnership between the Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council, Grow IO (Wellspring Harvest), and the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, the overarching goal for each design team was to create a transformative dining and arts district in the historic core of Indian Orchard. The Senior Urban Design Studio 2022 created six unique team proposals that explore and showcase different alternatives. Core recommendations are: • Engaging the Chicopee River in the neighborhood through pathways, boardwalks and overlooks for walking, fishing, kayaking and fitness and strongly search for funding opportunities such as the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and the MassTrails Grant. • Providing guidance for the Fresh Paint community-building mural events in 2023-2024 through discovering and proposing sites. • Activate Front Street as an entrance to the mills, a greenway and a place for new artist-related education, commerce such as boat rental or dining and entertainment. • Activate vacant or underused lots through community gardening and outdoor dining. • Improved connections between the Indian Orchard Mills and Main Street that includes new programming and stacking of activities for the parking lot. • Activate the back of the Indian Orchard Mills through tying it into the proposed greenway, foster hospitality activities in/outside. the Mills and explore work-live opportunities in the Mills to bring new residents into the district. • Sidewalk improvements for better walkability and safety at night, street improvements that enhance the safety of bicycling. • Inclusion of art and activities that acknowledge the indigenous history of the place and the diversity of today. • Reduce the impact of impervious surfaces through tree planting and green stormwater infrastructure. The Senior Urban Design Studio 2022 is hopeful that the residents and leaders in the community will find the visions that are displayed in this report are inspirational and supportive to guide the heart of Indian Orchard into a great future. Editors: Andrew Reilly Luc-Danel Metivier Copy Editor: Frank Sleegers Keywords: Urban Design – Greenway – Indian Orchard – Chicopee River – Tactical Urbanism – Community Service LearningPublication Historic Millyard Revitalization Project: Ware, MA(2021-10-01) Carrano, Andrew; Chen, Limin; Collins, Wyatt; Eissa, Omar; Folger, Andrew; Herlihy, Kevin; Holmes, Kerran; Huntress, Samuel; Lundi, Tharanah; Menard, Emily; Murray, Aidan; O'Brien, Meaghan; Riendeau, Harrington; Rossetti, Corrina; Scofield, Amelia; Wan, Yichen; Yan, JinningThis project’s mission is to provide an all- encompassing destination for the needs of current and future employees, residents, and visitors of the Ware Millyard Historic District and the community of Ware, MA. The project aims to facilitate the revitalization and redevelopment of the Millyard and develop a communal campus which provides employment, housing, goods, services, as well as recreational and social opportunities for the region. The vision of this project is to facilitate the revitalization and redevelopment of the Ware Millyard Historic District by establishing an emerging industry within the site. Incorporating the cannabis industry and all of its major types of establishments throughout the site will provide the cornerstone component while offering new opportunities as a catalyst for other industries.Publication From Quadrangle to Square: Connecting Culture, Art and Public Spaces in Downtown Springfield(2021-04-01) Azuela, Lauren; Burns, Patrick; Carpen, Bo; Henry, Winfield; Langois, JosephFrom Quadrangle to Square: Connecting Culture, Art and Public Spaces in Downtown Springfield provides strategies to revitalize Springfield’s Metro Center through landscape architecture and public art initiatives, and to acknowledge the role that race has played in Springfield’s development from the City’s incorporation in the early 1600s through present day. With the Studio’s partnership between the Springfield Cultural Partnership, Armory Quadrangle Civic Association, Springfield Museums, Fresh Paint Springfield, and Art for the Soul Gallery, an overarching goal for each student was to create a cultural corridor along Bruce Landon Way from Springfield’s Museum Quadrangle to Court Square.Publication Valley OnBoard Project Website(2021-01-01) Barchers, CamilleMassachusetts’ largest regional transit authority (RTA), has partnered with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass) on a two-year project. The goal of this project will be to analyze and redesign the current transit network and service offerings to enhance equity and economic vitality throughout its service area in Hampshire and Hampden counties. The UMass project, dubbed Valley On Board (VOB), is part of a larger Pioneer Valley Transit Review and Improvement Planning Study (PV-TRIPS) that also included an update to the comprehensive regional transit plan. Funded by a Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the US Department of Transportation, Valley On Board advances the goal of the Federal HOPE Program, which is to improve public transit in areas of persistent poverty in the U.S. The Fall 2021 UMass Regional Planning Studio’s portion of the two-year project proposes a set of route alternatives to improve transit outcomes over the next 20 years for riders throughout the Pioneer Valley, with a specific focus on those living in areas that meet the State’s criteria for Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs).Publication Main Streets and Green Spaces: Creating a Community Vision in Indian Orchard(2022-04-01) Bagdigian-Boone, Rebecca; Hsu, Li-Ting; Pointes, Remington; Handa, Muskaan; Derrick, Abby; Harlow, Jake; Warner, SuzanneMain Street and Green Spaces takes a focused look at the neighborhood of Indian Orchard and provides strategies for urban design and landscape architecture to support residents’ visions for the future. With the Studio’s partnership between the Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council, Grow IO (Wellspring Harvest), and the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, the overarching goal for each design team was to create a cohesive, phased plan for redeveloping Main Street around the Oak and Main intersection and Parker and the Ludlow Bridge. Special attention was requested for exploring traffic calming measures and ways to support the local businesses present.Publication Transforming Downtown Springfield: The Green and Equitable City of Tomorrow(2020-10-01) Sleegers, Frank; Brown, Abriana; Cormier, Ella; Devos, Benjamin; Gomes, Matheus; Hailey, Justin; Han, Stuart; Huang, Ming; Jiang, Nan; Lemieux, Joshua; Newman, Rachel; Numan, Zachary; Palzkill, Makenna; Roy, Carter; Welsh, HannahTransforming Downtown Springfield, MA: The Green and Equitable City of Tomorrow This urban design studio is a community service project that developed visions for the downtown in Springfield, MA, as a revitalized mixed-use walkable neighborhood. The project emphasizes neighborhood connectivity through walking and biking and creating a green mosaic of places to sit and gather outdoors. We understand cities as active, vibrant, and inclusive places that are accessible and inviting to all. The project covers 7 team projects from Dwight Street down to the Connecticut River. Main Project Goal: Create visions for a green downtown district and ways to foster the creation of an equitable neighborhood that reflects Springfield's diversity. Main Design Objectives: Provide better walkability and bike-able streets Design a diversity of places to eat, play, and relax outside Create a downtown that promotes public health and community well-being Include local residents and underrepresented youth and teens Provide places that welcome people of color and traditionally underrepresented communities Develop opportunities for small entrepreneurs to create a more equitable economy Apply strategies that limit impervious surfaces/storm water Create places of diverse arts that express diversity. Process and Outcomes: A thorough community engagement process included online discussion and collaboration with the downtown neighborhood council AQCA (Amoury Quadrangle Civic Association) and personal and online engagement with the Arts for the Soul Gallery. Students learned about the exciting art from local and international artists of the Black and Latinx community and the necessity of amplifying their voices.Publication Valley OnBoard: Toward a 20-year Vision for an Accessible, Equitable, Efficient Network for PVTA(2021-12-01) Barchers, Camille; Butler, Jake; Camp, Stephanie; Carpen, Bo; Nicolas, Dostal; Georgescu, Anamaria; Geraghty, Brendan; Gonzalez, Marcos; Griffis, Ryan; Healey, Victoria Desclos; Herchenreder, Alexander; James, Olivia; Lloyd, Saige; Lovejoy, Benjamin; McCue, Michelle; Mooring, Jessica; Mulvey, Henry; Quagliano, Elizabeth; Zimmerman, CalebMassachusetts’ largest regional transit authority (RTA) partnered with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass) on a two-year project. The goal of this project was to analyze and redesign the current transit network and service offerings to enhance equity and economic vitality throughout its service area in Hampshire and Hampden counties. The UMass project, dubbed Valley On Board (VOB), is part of a larger Pioneer Valley Transit Review and Improvement Planning Study (PV-TRIPS) that also included an update to the comprehensive regional transit plan. Funded by a Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the US Department of Transportation, Valley On Board advances the goal of the Federal HOPE Program, which is to improve public transit in areas of persistent poverty in the U.S. The Fall 2021 UMass Regional Planning Studio’s portion of the two-year project proposes a set of route alternatives to improve transit outcomes over the next 20 years for riders throughout the Pioneer Valley, with a specific focus on those living in areas that meet the State’s criteria for Environmental Justice Communities (EJCs).Publication Gloucester Marine Station: Future Development Feasibility Study(2010-10-01) Ahern, Jack F; Webb, Ben EliThe study commenced in July 2009 with historical research about the site and its context, site analysis, including the existing conditions and development regulations. This analysis included: topography, soils, vegetation, structures, utilities, easements, property deed, and city, state, and federal regulations. From this analysis an assessment of future development potentials was made based on the existing data/documents from UMass files, public records, Mass GIS data, site visits, and interviews with Gloucester, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and other officials and stakeholders. From the assessment we identified potential future uses, building locations, and feasible alternative layouts of the site. These alternatives were summarily analyzed to support continuing discussions among committed and potential partners regarding shared space and facilities, development costs and timing of future needs.Publication Restorative Streetscapes: Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes through Urban Landscape Design in Winooski, Vermont(2022-05-15) Fitzsimmons, Sean R.The global health burden of mental health disorders is immense. The World Health Organization ranks depression as the single largest contributor to global disability; anxiety disorders alone rank sixth. One in four people will have a diagnosable mental illness in their lifetime and mental health conditions are increasing worldwide, rising 13% in the last decade. The economic implications are also immense, costing the global economy US $1 trillion each year. Mental health is more than the absence of disorders or disabilities, however. It is defined by the WHO as “a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Determinants of mental health include social, cultural, psychological, biological, economic, political, and environmental factors. Despite the complex interaction of contributing factors that determine an individual’s mental health condition, a growing body of research has found the built environment to be an important determinant (Evans 2003; Firdaus 2017; Satcher, Okafor, and Dill 2012). Streets are, in turn, the most prominent element of the urban public realm, and they represent an important opportunity to implement landscape-based features that may improve a community’s mental health and well-being. This project will generate a landscape design plan for streetscapes in Winooski, VT that strives to promote improved well-being and mental health for local residents. The city of Winooski was selected because it is the most ethnically diverse and one of the poorest towns in the state of Vermont (of towns with more than 2,000 people) according to the American Community Survey. Even though community mental health data is hard to access, low socio-economic status and ethnic minority neighborhoods are risk factors for poor mental health.Publication Springfield's Legacy: A Vision for A Transformative Transit-Oriented Union Station District(2020-04-01) Benoit, Keith; Cummings, Nigel; Davis, Caitlan; Desai, Kinjal; Gonzalez, Marcos; Guo, Jiaqi; Kellerman, Anna; Ashjian James, Olivia; Lloyd-Hahn, Bryce; McCusker, Stephen; Ramage, Chris; Schottanes, JessicaThis urban design studio developed concepts around equitable transportation Union Station in Springfield, Massachusetts. The work creates a vision for the Union Station District, a revitalized mixed-use walkable neighborhood adjacent to the restored transportation center. It emphasizes reusing the city’s historic street grid in new, forward thinking ways that enhance neighborhood connectivity. The plan creates physical and social networks that bring together diverse groups of residents and visitors. The Union Station District will be a place that offers a range of non-automobile transportation options to residents and visitors and will help transforming an area characterized by vacant lots and empty buildings into a vibrant, well-connected TOD neighborhood. The Union Station District is envisioned as an active, vibrant place that is accessible and inviting to all. KEY GOAL AND MISSION OF THE PROJECT: • Creating a vibrant, connected, equitable neighborhood that reflects Springfield’s diversity KEY DESIGN AND PLANNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES: Creating places that welcome people of color and traditionally underrepresented communities Promoting public health and community well-being Encouraging bicycling, walking, public transportation and micro-mobility options for all ages including the youth Fostering arts/culture and innovation economy for placemaking/economic development Creating connectivity and mobility for persons with disabilities Provide better connectivity, reusing the existing street grid, and historic infrastructure Include strategies that limit impervious surfaces/stormwater to improve local climatePublication Healthy Placemaking - Revitalizing Springfield's Medical District(2020-04-01) Fairweather, Allyson; Gagnon, Michael; Guan, Tianyi; Mealey, James; Stoll, Gwendolyn; Wackernagel, PeterHealthy Placemaking - Revitalizing Springfield’s Medical District Healthy Placemaking for the North End Medical District was a community engagement urban design studio for Springfield, MA to propose a new vision for the Medical District as an exemplary model of healthy place-making. WHAT IS HEALTHY PLACE-MAKING? Healthy place-making is a creative process that generates an interconnected mixture of amenities that activate the public realm, creating a livelihood that builds upon sense of place. Urban design strategies consider the ecological relationship between people and the environment in order to provide design interventions that improve the mental, physical, social, and economic wellbeing of inhabitants. Contextually rooted in the history of the area, new and adapted development illustrates environmentally responsible initiatives. EXISTING CONDITIONS 1. No Sense of Place 2. Weak Connections 3. No Mix of Uses and Amenities 4. Unhealthy Environment STUDIO PROCESS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Meetings with diverse stakeholders – residents, community leaders, employees in the medical industry- led to a better understanding of assets, challenges and goals from different perspectives. Listening to their ideas was influential for developing the design program. DESIGN STRATEGIES AND OBJECTIVES 1. Enhance the Sense of Place The designs create a sense of place through Landscape Architecture for playing and gathering and the enjoyment of the beauty and healing of plants. 2. Increase Connections The designs create new green connections to work, school and nature in the city. 3. Provide a Balance of Amenities A variety of amenities are introduced into the urban fabric to activate the street life while also stimulating the local economy. 4. Green Infrastructure as a Framework for Public Health Green infrastructure and public health are intrinsically linked: stormwater management, tree canopy, pervious surface cover, and public open space. PLACE-ORIENTED DESIGN PROPOSALS The work explores design proposals for three different places: DESTINATION WASON RIVERSIDE creates two new destinations on the edge of the Connecticut River that engage people and plants, BRIGHTWOOD’S MEDICAL EDGE designs a livable neighborhood with a mix of amenities, gathering places, infill for housing and a remodeled industrial edge to mitigate the impact for residents and to improve the services, and HEALTHY SPACES FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE designs a walkable, green Medical Campus with the framework of the healing landscape.Publication Knitting Together Communities - Designing the Heart of Six Corners and Old Hill(2020-04-01) Bowman, Samantha; Choudhary, Ankur; Connell, Alexandria; Davey, Megan; Decoulos, Katina; Duhamel, Richard; Feng, Brooklyn; Finn, Ian; Guan, Doreen; Liquori, Sophia; Moloney, Connor; Namaroff, Claudia; Noonan, Emily; Proulx, Hunter; Rezendes, Stephen; Robitaille, Maura; Shu, Vincent; Skriletz, Jaques; Sleegers, FrankKnitting together Communities -Designing the Heart of Six Corners and Old Hill Knitting Together Communities – Designing the Heart of Six Corners and Old Hill provides a framework to knit together assets and opportunities for creating a strong identity and sense of coherence for a transformative urban district in Springfield, MA. The Senior Urban Design Studio 2019 created six proposals that were searching for design opportunities that enhance the aesthetic quality of the neighborhood and increase services for the wellbeing of the residents. The two neighborhoods are characterized by strong neighborhood leadership through committed residents, community centers and active religious organizations, and a lively culture of urban agriculture (GTC) that keeps growing and fosters a positive spirit in the community. The studio analyzed the assets of the district, engaged with residents through site visits, personal interviews with community leaders and groups, and a neighborhood engagement workshop. Design Objectives The design program was developed through the engagement with stakeholders, area observations and classical analysis of the area: • More entrances, accessibility and programming for active and passive recreation for the centrally located Ruth Elizabeth Park • Gerrish Park near roundabout needs to be more usable for markets and events • Historic Mill River and Watershops Pond should be connected to the larger green network; Harriet Tubman Park needs to be connected to the water’s edge. • Public art on exterior walls through education at schools and local artists • Synergies between Springfield College neighborhood to create new student housing and provide amenities that integrate this population for mutual benefits • Complete streets through extensive street tree plantings, widening of sidewalks and bicycle lanes • Stormwater management strategies: bioswales along streets, green roofs, infiltration areas in new parks, porous pavement. • Multiple housing opportunities: vacant small lots for infill, mix housing with retail and commercial on upper floors of new buildings, adaptive reuse of historic buildings as live-work spaces • Neighborhood amenities like a grocery store and pharmacy • Spaces for a cultural and commercial hub including all-year activities outsidePublication Imagine Community, Imagine Home (Chicopee, MA)(2018-10-01) Appia, Christian; Cigliano, Francesca; Davis, Jenna; LaBombard, Greg; Whitmore, Kristen; Zhang, SimengThe goal of the Master of Regional Planning Studio is to develop a student’s techniques for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing spatial and non-spatial data and then presenting that collective data in a manner (i.e., report, video, presentation, and charettes) that is understandable to academics, professionals, and the public. Planning Studio allows students to integrate knowledge from coursework and research, and apply such knowledge to resolving representative planning problems. At UMASS Amherst, these problems are found in neighborhood, rural, urban, and/or regional settings. For the fall 2018 Planning Studio, Chicopee tasked the Masters of Regional Planning Studio to prepare a Housing Plan that details a comprehensive approach for housing development within the West End neighborhood over the next fifteen (15) years. The housing plan will include the following components: Analysis of historic housing development patterns; Analysis of currently proposed/advancing housing projects in the neighborhood; Analysis of future housing needs/demands; Review of market conditions in support of market rate, workforce, and low-income housing projects; Analysis of funding mechanisms for housing projects; Development of neighborhood and site specific recommendations to support desired housing projects including suggestions to improve zoning ordinances, density parameters, urban improvements needed to support such housing development, opportunities for mixed-use projects, and site specific development pro-forma.Publication The Deerfield Street Initiative (Greenfield, MA)(2018-10-01) Crowley, Sarah; McCab, Grace; Swistak, Toriellen; Wade, Alec; Williams-Eynon, AugustThe goal of the Master of Regional Planning Studio is to develop a student’s techniques for collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing spatial and non-spatial data and then presenting that collective data in a manner (i.e., report, video, presentation, and charettes) that is understandable to academics, professionals, and the public. Planning Studio allows students to integrate knowledge from coursework and research, and apply such knowledge to resolving representative planning problems. At UMASS Amherst, these problems are found in neighborhood, rural, urban, and/or regional settings. For the fall 2018 Planning Studio, the Town of Greenfieldtasked the Masters of Regional Planning Studio to prepare a vision plan that focuses on improving Greenfield’sRoute 5 Southern/Deerfield Street Corridor. Greenfield’s Deerfield Street neighborhood serves as the southern gateway to the Downtown. This area has been in transition for several years as the City has invested in housing and infrastructure along this stretch. The key projects have been upgrade of sidewalks, creation of a small riverside park, renovation of distressed housing. Recently, the neighborhood has seen investment in new housing. The Arbors (constructed in 2007) is an upscale assisted housing residence thatalso has low-income housing units. The Green River Commons (2018) consists of eight newhigh performance (energy) modest-sized condominiums with units as fourlow-income housing. In addition, there are several multifamily homes have been or are scheduledfor rehabilitation under the City's Housing Rehab Program.Publication The Industrial Park: A Landscape-Based Vision for the Turners Falls Canal District(2019-04-01) Simpson, JosiahThis design study examines the history and economic context that defines Turners Falls as a de-industrialized mill town. It reviews the social, economic, locational, physical, and historical obstacles the town has faced redeveloping the mill buildings within its Canal District and proposes a landscape-based approach for addressing redevelopment. Landscape redevelopment is offered as an alternative to traditional redevelopment of buildings for non-affluent mill towns, like Turners Falls, because the costs associated with landscape upgrades are much lower and can provide multifunctional and multi-purpose spaces for many types of people. Additionally, it is a pathway for inviting community involvement that allows for different groups to take ownership of various aspects of the programming that happens there. Landscape-based redevelopment does not replace redevelopment of mill buildings, it ought to be conducted in tandem with a variety of redevelopment efforts. The project focuses on a strategic area of the Canal District that proceeding planning studies have identified as good locations for open space and recreational uses. The design proposal integrates passive, active, and commercial recreation, historic and ecological education, cultural spaces for non-profit and community groups, and creative venues for supporting the budding creative economy in town, such as artists, performers, and musicians. It uses the industrial ruins and landscape as opportunities to create a unique place that improves quality of life in Turners Falls, which this study argues is important for improving the real estate market for redeveloping the wider Canal District over time.Publication ARC OF RECREATION 2.0 Connecting the McKnight Rail Trail From Mason Square to Union Station, Springfield MA(2019-04-01) Atkinson, Kevin; Boschetto, Benjamin; Cui, Sicheng; Fiedler, Lauren; Franzman, Micah; Guo, Jiaqi; Herman, Joseph; Kerr, Ross; Leary, Thomas; Li, Xueqi (Lucia); Taylor, William; Wynne, JosephARC OF RECREATION 2.0 Connecting the McKnight Rail Trail From Mason Square to Union Station, Springfield MA ARC OF RECREATION 2.0 is a Senior Urban Design Studio that created design concepts to envision the McKnight Rail Trail on an abandoned railroad corridor as a place to walk, bike, recreate, and congregate and to connect Mason Square to Union Station. Arc of Recreation was a name that was coined over 10 years ago through a different project at UMass. Finally realization is within reach. The City published a feasibility study in 2014 and has freed a construction budget of $430,000 for the first phases.The McKnight neighborhood hosts a diverse demographic that would benefit to an implemented rail trail in their community. With health complications including obesity and diabetes, the trail can provide a free means of transportation to the metro center that encourages an active lifestyle and increased employment in the neighborhood. Children will be able to utilize a safe passage to school, such as the nearby Rebecca M. Johnson Middle School, as well as young adults working part time jobs in the neighborhood and surrounding areas. The trail will connect from Union Station in downtown to Mason Square in the east. Access along the trail route will enable more community members to enter the trail and use it. Therefore it creates a more equitable transportation network that can be shared by all residents. The Studio created design concepts including first phase tactical interventions that make the street and public space experience enticing to visitors and engaging for the local residents, workers, and their families. The designs reflect the feedback of local community members through community meetings and a design charrette. In conclusion, the envisioned trail will foster community engagement and interaction to steer the future development of the neighborhood. The following measures are crucial for a successful rail trail: • Improvement of major street crossings to enable safe use of the trail during all day and nighttime hours. • Integration of on street bike lanes and the trail to create a bicycle loop around the neighborhood. Expand the downtown bike-share stations for entry points to the trail. • Create accessibility to public parks in the City through a network of safe streets with extensive tree plantings. Envision a trail that allows for access to the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway. • Embrace the industrial and underused architecture through public art. • Protect existing wetlands on the trail through bypasses and boardwalks. • Raise awareness for the rich ecology on the trail through signage and education. • Create diverse opportunities to play for all ages and demographics. • Create areas for urban gardening to connect trail and community. • Creation of spaces on the trail where the community comes together and hold events and meetings. • Design for activities throughout the year including the winter season. • Rezone the trail to Open Space to guide its future development as a functioning rail trail.Publication Western Woburn Greenway Study(2010-05-01) Masters, Jennifer H; Aldeghi, Bryan C; Kells, Eric C; Pollock, Maureen C; Decourcey, Rebekah Lynne; Waag, Carol; Kwon, Youjin; Ostermier, Kathryn E; McGeough, Patrick T; Ball, Ryan PatrickIn spring 2010, the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts Amherst was asked to complete a landscape planning study, the “Western Woburn Greenway Study” for the City of Woburn, MA. The study was undertaken by a team of graduate students, supervised by Professor Jack Ahern. The goals of that study are as follows. The City of Woburn currently has two large parcel groups of undeveloped land, Whispering Hill (the north focus area) and Winning/Shannon Farms (the south focus area) that are, or may become, available for acquisition (see “Scope of Project” below). The first goal of the study was to analyze these focus areas and conduct suitability assessments for potential land uses that meet the needs of the residents of Woburn, as well as meet the goals specified by the town’s 2004 Open Space and Recreation Plan. The analysis and land use recommendations could be used by the city in current and future land acquisition decisions. The second goal of the study was to evaluate strategies and actions for connecting these focus areas with linkages to each other, to other existing open spaces in Woburn, and to other green spaces in neighboring towns. These linkages could be obtained with Green Streets and