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.

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Now showing 1 - 10 of 47

From Mill Town to Mill Town: The Transition of a New England Town from a Textile to a High-Technology Economy
(1986) Mullin, John; Armstrong, Jeanne; Kavanagh, Jean
This article describes and analyzes the economic transformation of Maynard, Massachusetts. Located twenty-six miles west of Boston, Maynard was the home of the world's largest woolen mill. In 1950 the mill closed and 1,200 jobs were lost. During the next ten years, the town gradually recovered as the mill became the home of several innovative companies. Ultimately, the mill became the headquarters for the world's largest manufacturer of minicomputers. The circle is now complete: the mill is full and houses a company that claims a "world's largest" designation. The article analyses the rise and fall of the American Woolen Company; examines the steps taken to stimulate recovery, and their results; identifies and examines the important elements that led to the economic transformation; and offers potential lessons for planners in towns undergoing similar changes.
Boxborough Economic Development Study: Phase 2, Technical Memo
(2020-01) 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.
Book review of The United States in the Global Economy: Challenges and Policy Choices
(1993-10) 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.
The Greenfield versus Brownfield Debate: A Balanced Approach to Industrial Planning
(1993-07) Mullin, John R.; Kotval, Zenia; Moriarty, Maureen
Across the United States, mill towns and industrial communities, the "brownfields", have been experiencing rapid disinvestment as manufacturing and service firms increasingly move to suburban industrial parks, the "greenfields". This locational trend has been intensified over the years by our policies and regulations for industrial development. Is this shifting balance a desired result of our policies? The authors believe this trend has had negative effects on both the center cities left behind, as well as on the communities which are being developed. Analysis of the "Greenfield-Brownfield" debate can assist economic development planners in promoting balanced industrial growth. This article analyzes the present difficulties of inner city development, investigates the reasons for increasing greenfield locations of industrial and office parks and explores strategies to create a balanced approach to industrial planning.
Benchmarking: Measurable Indicators of Economic Success
(2002-04) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia; Murray, Edward
All our communities are striving for economic success. Political platforms are built on promises of economic prosperity. However, we rarely thoroughly measure this success. Across the country people are increasingly interested in ensuring that government expenditures are well spent. We can note this interest at all levels of government ranging from local to national scales. As well, accountability, in all of its manifestations, is a critical element of the "quality movement" that is becoming acculturated in both the private and public sectors. This article focuses on how local economic development officials can measure and evaluate their professional activities in a pragmatic manner.
When the Mall Comes to a Small Town: How to Shape Development with Carrots and Sticks
(1992-10) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia
Across the United States there is a continuous expansion of population away from our traditional urban center cities. As people have occupied housing in these former open spaces, industrial parks and commercial centers have soon followed. While local planning boards have been able, in most cases, to handle residential and industrial growth, they are rarely able to handle extensive retail growth. Indeed, when a mall developer - complete with a multitalented staff and reams of plans - comes before a small town planning board, there is inevitable shock and a great deal of fear. In our experience, few small towns are ever prepared for the changes that follow.
Book Review of Growth and Transformation of the Modern City
(1979-06) Mullin, John
The book consists of a group of papers developed for one of a series of symposia to celebrate the centennial birthday of the University of Stockholm. It was organized by the University's Departments of History, History of Art and Human Geography. Invitees included scholars from Sweden, Britain, Finland, Denmark and the United States.
The reconstruction of Lisbon following the earthquake of 1755: a study in despotic planning
(1992) Mullin, John R.
This paper is a description and analysis of the plan for the rebuilding of Lisbon following the earthquake of 1755. This tremor was so devastating that the entire city centre, the Baixa, ceased to exist. From this chaos emerged the Marques de Pombal who, with the approval of the King, immediately brought order and began to develop efforts to create the new Lisbon. The effort first focused upon the development of four options that included rebuilding the city as it was, reconstructing the city with minimal improvements to the street pattern, undertaking a total rebuilding effort or starting fresh on a new site. After considerable analysis, Pombal selected the option to build under the 'clean slate' option. After selection of this option, the planners created six detailed plans. After considerable review, the dos Santos concept was selected. These six plans, designed largely by military engineers, were created with the intent of furthering Pombal's goal of creating a city that reflected new values. The city was to reflect a society in which the citizen, the merchant and the bureaucrat took precedence over the crown, church and nobility. The results were indeed a new Lisbon.
The Value of Home-Grown Companies
(1993-02) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia
Over the past decade we have been involved in more than fifty economic development projects in cities and towns across the Pioneer Valley. These have ranged from the revitalization of older industrial areas in Springfield, the development of incubator facilities in Chicopee, the reuse of the Waverly Mill in Adams to the siting of a new industrial park in Deerfield. In each case we are almost always questioned about how a community could encourage the next Pratt and Whitney Digital or BMW plant to come to our region. Upon hearing the question, we point out that there are only 1200 major plant location decisions made in a typical year and that there are 20,000 industrial development commissions chasing these companies. We also point out, that all things considered, home-grown, home-owned businesses bring a comprehensive set of assets to a community that are most often of greater value than, for example, a branch plant of a multinational company. We base our perspective on the following six points:
Manufacturing in Puritan rural towns in New England 1630-60: 'A Miller Never Goes to Heaven'
(2021-01) Mullin, John R.; Kotval, Zenia
This article is an analysis of the influence of blacksmiths, and saw and grain millers on the development of Puritan communities in the Massachusetts Bay Colony between 1630 and 1660. During this period these artisans played a significant role in defining the physical form of the rural Puritan town and its economic development, without intent and in a social and cultural climate where they were often disliked and distrusted. This article focuses on the impacts of these manufacturers on the formation and physical character of Puritan communities in New England.