Mullin, John

Job Title

Emeritus Professor of Regional Planning

Last Name

Mullin

First Name

John

Discipline

Architecture
Economics

Introduction

Dr. John R. Mullin is a Professor of Urban Planning in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning and Associate Director of the Center for Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts (UMass). Between September 2001 and August 2012 he served as Vice Chancellor/Vice Provost for Outreach and Dean of the Graduate School. His research interests focus upon industrial revitalization, port development and downtown revitalization. Dr. Mullin has written or edited over 100 book chapters, book reviews, technical reports, journal articles and conference proceedings. He is a Fulbright Scholar, charter member of the Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the recipient of the Chancellor's Medal, the highest honor bestowed to faculty at UMass Amherst. He is a retired, federally recognized, Brigadier General from the Army National Guard.

Show all metadata

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 47

Mature Industrial Communities: The Realities of Reindustrialization
(1987) Mullin, John R.; Armstrong, Jeanne H.
This article analyzes the reindustrialization problems facing mature-industry communities in Massachusetts. The findings are based upon our planning consulting work and research projects involving forty cities and towns. The range of these communities includes those which have recovered, are on their way to recovery, and are stable; those which are declining; and those whose status is indeterminate. A variety of factors are reviewed, including unionization; work-force characteristics; the relationship between small and large plants; the characteristics of local companies; location; financing; the availability of land; and the role of local planning. Finally, we present recommendations concerning local action and possible state-policy initiatives.
Book review of The United States in the Global Economy: Challenges and Policy Choices
(1993-10-01) Mullin, John
Academics who teach either economic development or industrial policy courses struggle to find a core text to support their courses. Typically they borrow material from business, economics, political science, or public policy and blend articles into a reader that is rearely comprehensive and often lacks continuity. For this reason alone, these academics will be quite pleased to learn of John Accordino's new text, The United States in the Global Economy: Challenges and Policy Choices.
Bondi's Island: Its Everybody's Problem
(1994-06-01) Mullin, John
Bondi's Island is so pungently smelly that it is a negative influence on where we live, work, play and invest. If we do not correct the problem quickly, the image of our region as a special place will erode dramatically. Further, this problem does not belong to Springfield alone. It is one that requires strong regional and state participation.
Boxborough Economic Development Study: Phase 2, Technical Memo
(2020-01-01) Renski, Henry; Mullin, John; Barchers, Camille
The Town of Boxborough’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) contracted with the Center for Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to produce an economic development study. Phase II began in January of 2020 and provides a deeper evaluation of the development scenarios proposed at the completion of Phase I, involving four key components: 1. Summarize the results from a survey of citizen preferences on the Phase I scenarios. 2. Produce a series of "vignettes" to explain the key elements of the different scenarios to the public. 3. Assess the potential market demand for specific office, retail, and other commercial activities discussed in the Phase I scenarios. 4. Convene two ‘virtual’ community discussion sessions to identify town-wide development priorities and possible short-term actions.
Prospective Tenants for Business Incubators
(1987-04-01) Mullin, John R.; Armstrong, Jeanne H.
When planning the development of an incubator, a fundamental question is "Who will be the tenant?" The answer, at least in part, comes from LandUse, Inc. of Hadley, Mass., which has conducted more than 200 in-depth interviews with owners and/or chief executive officers of young manufacturing firms that could be located within the client communities.
European Contributions to American City and Regional Planning: A Snapshot of the Flow of Concepts and Ideas Across the Atlantic
(2020-01-01) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia
It has long been noted that America has adopted and adapted many of its city planning principles based on the experiences of European nations. This paper identifies and concisely explains ten of the most significant European planning elements that have influenced American planning since Puritan times (1630-1680) to the present. These examples were selected as a result of our scholarly research, field work and consulting experiences both in Europe and the United States. The intent of the paper is to contribute to the dialogue on the transference of planning visions, concepts and approaches from European nations to the New World.
Towards a Vision for the Future: The Need for Growth Management Strategies
(1992-04-01) Mullin, John
A look at Pennsylvania from a national perspective indeed illustrates that it is the Keystone State. Parts of it are eastern and tied into megalopolis. Indeed, the Lehigh Valley is now part of the Regional Plan of New York. Parts of it are upper-south in character, parts are thrust into the Midwest, and parts are now in the economic sphere of Baltimore and Washington. (I think the fact that most surprised me while I researched this paper was that Gettysburg will be less than thirty minutes away from the new Washington Metro connection in Frederick). What all this points to is that the Commonwealth, tied as it is to different regions of the nation, is likely to be undergoing significant change in the years to come.
The New Economy: Thriving Amidst Change
(2007-01-01) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia
Communities increasingly see their economic development goal as one of attracting job-generating industrial development and face the need to develop a plan that will achieve this goal. Communities need to know a great deal to succeed at what has become a formidable task, and many have few resources to hire experienced planners to assist them. This chapter is intended to provide information to communities and others that may be embarking on just such planning. The consulting we have undertaken around the country has shown us firsthand the rapid changes that are taking place in the economy and how communities will need to be resourceful and creative if they are going to succeed at self-preservation while at the same time attracting new jobs.
The Changing Character of Economic Development
(2002-07-01) Mullin, John R
This article lays out several key trends concerning industrial development that I have noted over the past ten years in my consulting practice and academic research. They are not exhaustive nor will they be reflected in all parts of the country. They do, however, point out that we need to continually adapt to the market place; we need to become more pro-active in controlling how and where we stimulate development; we need to insure that we provide the opportunity for industry to succeed; and, finally, we must be reflective of world events and the speed of change.
William Wood, The American Woolen Company and the Creation of a Model Mill Village in Shawsheen, Massachusetts
(2022-01-01) Mullin, John R.; Kotval, Zenia
Shawsheen, a model mill village planned and built in Andover, Massachusetts, between 1906 and 1924, was based on the vision of William Wood, then president of the American Woolen Company. It was arguably the most unique textile mill village ever built in New England. The article begins with a discussion of the motivation for the project. It then shifts to a summary of the critical features of Wood’s vision and identifies the historic institutional paths that informed him. This is followed by an analysis of how the plan was successfully implemented and an explanation of what happened to Shawsheen over time. The article ends with an interpretation of the significance of the Shawsheen experience in the context of the history of New England mill towns.