Person:
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.

Full item page

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 47

Measuring the Effectiveness of Downtown Revitalization Strategies
(2003-06-01) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia
Downtowns, the traditional business centers of our communities, have survived many changes throughout the last century. Once thriving retail and civic centers, they were adversely affected by changes in mobility, retail patterns and shopping habits. Since the 1960's downtowns have seen serious competition from suburban shopping centers, malls, strip commercial areas, major discount centers and on-line and catalogue sales. Despite these changes, downtowns still play a central role in our cities today. They are the centers of our urbanized areas and still reflect the economic core and image of our cities. A healthy downtown is often synonymous with a healthy community.
Contemporary Music and the Manufacturing Region: Reflections on Reality
(1997-10-01) Mullin, John; Hines, Tracie Seder
Despite long odds, some distressed, high unemployment regions in the United States survive, revitalize, and prosper. While there are many reasons for their success, we hypothesize that a strong sense of community helps make bearable the anger, frustration, despair, and irrationality that accompany high job losses in a region.
Cosmic Advice For the Young Planner
(1998-03-01) Mullin, John; Mitchell, Robert
Last fall, two of New England's oldest planners were sitting on the top of Mount Monadnock when they were approached by a group of graduate students. After a brief spell of friendly conversation, several students asked the wise ones for sage advice on the pitfalls of local planning. With a glint in their eyes and a sense of puckish humor they started to outline forty ways in which a newly minted planner could short circuit his/her career. And so, in what they hope will be taken with a great grain of salt, they listed the following.
The Economic Impact of Housing in Massachusetts
(1998) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia
Home building generates substantial local economic activity, including income, jobs, and revenue for state and local governments. These far exceed the school costs-to-property-tax ratios. Furthermore, balanced growth, the availability of homes that match the character of the jobs, plays a significant role in attracting sustainable economic development.
Development of the Assabet Mills in 19th Century Maynard
(1992) Mullin, John R.
Historians who focus on the development of nineteenth century New England textile mills generally place them in either of two categories. The first, referred to as the Rhode Island system, tended to be small, water-power dependent, family-owned, and located in villages and towns. The mills located in communities along the Quinebaug River in Massachusetts and Connecticut and the Blackstone River in Massachusetts and Rhode Island exemplify this system. The second category is most often called the Waltham or Lowell system. Large-scale, steam-powered, corporately-owned and located in larger cities, these mills could be found in Waltham, Lowell, Lawrence, Chicopee, and Holyoke, among other places.
A Top Down Perspective of the Pioneer Valley: The Future of our Industrial Base
(1994) Mullin, John; Kotval, Zenia
Over the past five years the Center for Economic Development has been actively involved in industrial planning activities in virtually every community in the Valley. At times our work has been as local as developing a zoning amendment for an industrial park or preparing an overall economic development program. At other times it has been focused on broad policy aspects such as Governor Weld's recent initiative on improving our economic posture, or participating in the recovery of the WestMass Development Corporation. Throughout our work on approximately 40 different projects, plans and studies, we have been consistently amazed at the degree of change that is occurring. The Valley certainly is not a stagnant place! At times it looks its age and well it should: it is one of the oldest industrial centers in the nation. At other times it is robust and innovative as the Millitechs, Eco Sciences, and National Evaluation Systems are nurtured and move into production. We are regularly asked what this change will mean to the Valley as we move toward the 21st century. It is a difficult question to answer. However, there are some indicators that we believe provide an accurate depiction of where the Valley is going.
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.
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.