Planning, Public Policy and Management Theses and Dissertations

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Open Access
Bike Sharing: A Randomized Study Evaluating the University of Oregon Bike Loan Program
(University of Oregon, 2010-06) Armstrong, E. Price, 1985-
Around the world, active transportation is looked at as one solution to problems presented by climate change, epidemic obesity, rising fuel prices, and crippling traffic congestion. In 2008, the University of Oregon launched the Bike Loan Program as an effort to address these issues. Because those interested in participating in the Bike Loan Program were randomly selected based on bicycle size availability, those who were not chosen acted as a perfect control group. This study evaluates the impacts of the Bike Loan Program on participants vis-a.-vis non-participants, and seeks to determine if those participating do ride bikes more often than non-participants. This study will also show what modes of transportation are being replaced by bike trips when a person participates in the Bike Loan Program. Finally, this study also shows if there are changes in attitudes or perceptions about transportation resulting from participation in the program.
Open Access
Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Cultural and Natural Resource Resilience: a Look at Planning for Climate Change in Two Native Nations in the Pacific Northwest U.S.
(University of Oregon, 2009-09) MacKendrick, Katharine
The literature indicates that for indigenous peoples the environmental impacts of climate change and some proposed solutions threaten lifeways, subsistence, economic ventures, future growth, cultural survivability, rights, land ownership, and access to resources. However, limited understanding and awareness of the vulnerability and capacity of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and of climate change impacts at the local level affect climate policymaking, planning, and equity. Case studies with the Coquille and Hoopa Valley Indian tribes in the Pacific Northwest U.S. explore the key considerations in planning for climate change adaptation, particularly for cultural and natural resource resilience. Document analysis and semi-structured interviews offer insight on the risks the tribes face and the role of traditional and local knowledge and experience in planning for climate change adaptation. Conclusions offer information useful in planning for climate impacts, local-level climate adaptation research, and climate policy development at the local to global levels.
Open Access
Common Characteristics of Women Leaders in Higher Education Administration
(University of Oregon, 2009-09) Steward, Jessi Mica, 1977-
Although women continue to make significant advancements in the workforce, there is still progress to be made to overcome biases and systems of exclusion. Since women play an increasing and influential role in the administration and leadership of higher education institutions, understanding their unique contributions is critical. In this study, qualitative methods were used to gather data on common characteristics of women leaders in higher education administration. Data were gathered from interviews with twenty women working in a cross section of professional positions at four comprehensive public universities in the Pacific Northwest. Results showed that the participants used collaboration, communication, and information sharing and addressed conflict to build relationships, establish trust, and inspire a shared vision. Most of the participants in this study indicated that they were rewarded, recognized, and supported in their positions; however, some indicated that discrimination still occurs based upon gender.
Open Access
A Comparative Analysis of State-Level Watershed Management Frameworks in the Pacific Northwest
(University of Oregon, 2011-09) Erickson, Adam Michael, 1979-
Over the past two decades, contemporary state-level watershed management burgeoned in the Pacific Northwest. This research offers a comparative analysis of contemporary state-level watershed management frameworks in the Pacific Northwest. The four case study areas consist of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Northern California. This study begins with a historical analysis of the greater watershed movement in natural resource management. Next, document analysis and key informant interviews are utilized to detail the watershed management framework of each state. Finally, this study explores a comparative analysis of each state framework. Results indicate that while the case study areas share many characteristics endemic to the bioregion, the watershed management framework of each state differs substantially. Key informant interviews indicate that these differences often reflect the unique sociopolitical climate of each state. Results additionally indicate the vital importance of stable state-derived funding for the establishment and resilience of watershed management organizations.
Open Access
Creative Measures: Access to Arts Education in Oregon Public Schools
(University of Oregon, 2011-06) Collins, Sarah K.
A growing body of research documents the benefits of learning in and through the arts, from academic achievement to personal efficacy. Federal law recognizes the arts as a core subject area for K-12 public schools, and Oregon content standards articulate sequential expectations of what all students should know and be able to do in the disciplines of music, theater, dance, and visual arts. Despite these statutory commitments, little is known about the actual condition of arts education in Oregon public schools. This study mines existing data from the Oregon Department of Education to: 1) establish baseline measures of access to arts education during the 2009-2010 academic year; and 2) identify relationships between access and other school characteristics such as geographic location, school type, and Title I designation. This study's findings hold significant implications for state policy, and its unique methodology can inform the wider field of arts education policy research.
Open Access
Economic Impact of Undocumented Workers in Oregon Counties with Concentrated Hispanic Populations
(University of Oregon, 2009-09) Fleury, Nicholas James, 1978-
Continued federal and state policies aimed at reducing the livelihood of undocumented workers may force these populations to move to other locations. With the loss of undocumented workers and their families, Oregon can expect to see losses in population, employment, industrial production and state and local revenue. As undocumented populations are unevenly distributed across the state similarly to Hispanic populations, this study expects six counties, Hood River, jefferson, Malheur, Marion, Morrow and Umatilla, will see more than an eightpercent population loss, double the expected state loss rate, and proportionally greater economic losses. By estimating the undocumented population in each of Oregon's 36 counties, this study further details potential economic losses in the six Oregon counties with concentrated Hispanic, and consequently, undocumented populations.
Open Access
The Effects of Permanent Partial Disability on Claim Disposition Agreements
(University of Oregon, 2010-06) Todd, Brandy L., 1977-
Increasingly, workers' compensation (WC) insurers are turning to claim disposition agreements (CDA) as a means of reducing costs. CDAs are agreements between injured workers and insurers that close claims for a lump sum payment in lieu of other payments to which workers may be entitled. Intuitively, CDA payment amounts are expected to vary in response to changes in WC benefit levels. Models for decision-making processes related to lump sum versus benefit streams suggest the opposite. This thesis examines the relationship between CDA amounts and permanent partial disability (PPD) using two models. The first model utilizes individual claim information before and after a legislated benefit increase in the state of Oregon. The second model examines aggregate claims and payments made over a 16-year period from 1990 through 1995.
Open Access
The Electrification of Transportation in Oregon: Opportunities for University, Government, and Industry Collaboration
(University of Oregon, 2012) Phillips, Elaine; Phillips, Elaine; Young, Robert
To promote economic recovery and create jobs, Oregon has developed a collaborative approach to economic development and turned its attention to stimulating the growth of competitive industry (Porterian) clusters. The electric vehicle (EV) cluster is one of the state's 21 priorities. With federal funding for electric vehicle infrastructure and The Electrification of Transportation initiatives, momentum is building. The Oregon University System, a number of state agencies and a coalescing group of EV entrepreneurs are pushing Oregon forward as a major player in the global marketplace. This thesis reviews an Oregon Transportation Research and Education Consortium study to determine whether the institutions of the Oregon University System and the state government are meeting the needs of EV entrepreneurs in this effort. The review concludes that Oregon's institutions need to further develop their collaborative networks with entrepreneurs for Oregon to be a competitor.
Open Access
Hydrologically Informed Development: A Landscape Analysis of the Impacts of Rural Residential Development on Drinking Water Quality in the Lower McKenzie Watershed, Oregon
(University of Oregon, 2011-06) Evers, Cody R., 1981-
Exurban growth is prevalent in watersheds nationwide and of special concern in areas important for their undeveloped qualities. The McKenzie River, Oregon, is a natural amenity of great public, aesthetic and recreational value and provides drinking water for much of the southern Willamette Valley. These qualities also make the basin an attractive place to live, and their preservation is often in conflict with the rights and gains of private landowners. However, current containment strategies of development can be arbitrary from a hydrological perspective, especially when adapted from urban contexts. This study introduces a spatially-explicit and physically-based approach for identifying hydrologically sensitive lands in periurban watersheds and then applies that model as a framework for assessing current risk to municipal drinking water sources from exurban residential development.
Open Access
The Icelandic Example: Planning for Hydrogen Fueled Transportation in Oregon
(University of Oregon, 2009-06) Fisher, Jeffrey Dean, 1966-
The ability to provide an adequate supply ofrenewable energy necessary to offset the emissions of"zero emission" vehicles is of importance for Oregon's planners and policy makers. An increase in electricity generation caused by the electricity required for zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will result in an increase in greenhouse gas emissions ifrenewable energy is not installed to meet hydrogen fuel cell needs. What are the renewable energy implications for Oregon planners to consider for meeting future fuel cell zero emission vehicle (ZEV) needs? Work done in Iceland can serve as an example for Oregon's need for renewable energy to meet ZEV needs. Icelandic data about hydrogen generation and the renewable energy requirements necessary for ZEVs at the Gtj6thaIs hydrogen fueling station set a benchmark for Oregon planners to consider when figuring the impact of ZEVs.
Open Access
The Impact of Structural Adjustment Policies on the Education Systems of Developing Countries: A Comparative Study between Thailand and Malaysia after the Asian Financial Crisis
(University of Oregon, 2009-03) Tableman, Leslie D., 1985-
Education is an important tool in supporting the infrastructure of a country, so having quality and reliable education systems is critical to the success of developing countries in a global economy. In the face of international recessions and financial crises, many countries depend on bailout packages provided by international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (lMF) and Worid Bank. The bailouts typically contain conditions, known as structural adjustment policies or programs, which require certain policy reforms of the accepting country. The goal of this paper is to investigate whether those conditions have a noticeable relationship to the delivery of education in developing countries. Specifically, this study looks at descriptive statistics surrounding educational indicators for Thailand, a country that accepted a bailout, and Malaysia, a country that declined a bailout, after the Asian Financial Crisis.
Open Access
The Impacts of China Housing Reform on Residents' Living Conditions
(University of Oregon, 2011-06) Li, Yao, 1986-
China's housing reform has brought significant changes to housing supply and allocation. This thesis uses a 2005 survey of Beijing residents to examine how housing conditions vary among different housing sources and across various population groups. Results indicate that people who owned their housing reported better housing conditions (larger space and better satisfaction with open space and landscape quality) than renters; residents living in privately developed housing reported better conditions than those living in publicly developed housing. People at a younger age (<40) group and higher income residents relied on multiple housing sources to obtain homeownership, while older-age (>50) and lower-income residents relied on purchasing past public housing or public-subsidized affordable housing to achieve homeownership. This research shows that while the reform has led to more housing choices and better housing quality for urban residents, it also resulted in greater inequality in housing and environment qualities among different population groups.
Open Access
Inch by Inch, Row by Row: Implementing Urban Agriculture Projects in Eugene
(University of Oregon, 2011-06) Scafa, Stephanie, 1983-
The City of Eugene is advocating for garden projects by expanding their Composting Program to include Urban Agriculture. This research uses 19 in-depth, personal interviews with gardening experts in Eugene to explore the factors that make urban agriculture projects successful and sustainable based on specific areas for capacity building identified by the researcher and City staff. Using qualitative analysis, I found that each identified area for capacity building could be perceived as a barrier to establishing garden space. "Successful" and "sustainable" gardens confront multiple barriers to garden implementation and remain diverse and productive over time. The results of this study provide insight into how and why the City is choosing to remove barriers to people who grow their own food and justification for the need for the City's Urban Agriculture Program.
Open Access
Maneuvering the System: How Undocumented Latino/a Immigrants Survive and Adapt to Living in Lane County, Oregon
(University of Oregon, 2012) Bernstein, Joanna; Bernstein, Joanna; Sandoval, Gerardo
Out of all fifty states, Oregon has the ninth highest population of undocumented immigrants as a proportion of the state's total population. I conducted 20 formal and informal interviews with undocumented Latino/a immigrants living in Eugene and Springfield in order to find out how these immigrants maneuver the system in order to acquire housing, work, social resources, and other things that they need to survive. These interviews ultimately revealed that immigrants use social capital to circumvent these barriers and that the largest barriers that they face to survival and integration all ultimately revolve around a lack of access to a government issued photo ID/driver's license and language barriers. After conducting these interviews and researching how other jurisdictions have worked to integrate immigrants, I offer specific local planning and public policy recommendations for how to collaboratively integrate undocumented Latino/a immigrants into our community.
Open Access
Measuring Geographically Concentrated Poverty in U.S. Metropolitan Areas, 1990-2000
(University of Oregon, 2009-03) Leasor, Michele McNeely
In recent years, researchers have taken a particular interest in the spatial concentration of poverty due to evidence suggesting that people liVing within certain densities of poverty are more likely to experience certain problems or what have become known as neighborhood effects. This analysis is a quantitative study, focused on describing changes in poverty concentration between 1990 and 2000 in United States metropolitan areas. The study reports changes seen at the commonly used 40% poverty concentration threshold between 1990 and 2000, while at the same time considering other concentration thresholds and how changing the threshold by which we evaluate poverty informs the general trends policy makers receive information about when changes in poverty occur.
Open Access
A Model for the Public Sector to Foster Sustainable Business Development
(University of Oregon, 2011-06) Becker, Brie
Businesses play an important role in the economic, environmental and social health of our communities. The public sector can foster sustainable business development through economic development strategies, policies and resources. This study evaluates the Sustainable Business Initiative (SBI), an economic development initiative intended to strengthen Eugene's economy by identifying barriers that keep businesses from being more sustainable. Using the collaborative planning model as a framework, I seek to evaluate both the process used to convene the SBI and the outcomes it produced to implement sustainable business practices. I assess whether the SBI changed business practices in Eugene and whether the SBI can serve as a useful model for other communities to engage in sustainable business development. I argue that although collaboration is a useful model to elevate the conversation of sustainability, more effort is needed to link the process with the outcomes to ensure long-lasting change in the business community.
Open Access
Park Availability and Expenditure Effects on Crime, Poverty, Wealth and Obesity Indicators
(University of Oregon, 2010-06) Salas, Javier Antonio, 1982-
Urban parks play an important role in cities. Lack of understanding about their effects on urban dwellers and their capacity to play a role in promoting social well-being could diminish their benefits. With population growth in cities, park managers may need to increase the quantity and quality or diversify parks to achieve the same results. The relationship between availability and expenditure on parks and urban quality of life has received little research attention. An analysis of 75 US cities determined that park density, operational expenditure and park acreage as a percentage of the city are significantly related to average levels of income, obesity and violent crimes. Optimum park density is 49 people per acre of park. Violent crime is a key determinant of whether urban parks generate a virtuous cycle improving health and income and reducing obesity rates or a vicious cycle achieving the contrary.
Open Access
Participatory Sporting Events as Fundraising Vehicles
(University of Oregon, 2009-03) Prater, Karen N., 1966-
Nonprofit organizations across the United States utilize participatory sporting events such as running or walking races in order to raise awareness and funds for their cause. Large events, for example the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, attract thousands of participants and raise as much as $16 million annually for one cause. Smaller events held in small towns to large cities may attract as few as one hundred participants and raise considerably less for their cause. Representatives of nonprofit organizations and race directors were interviewed regarding staff time and costs involved in producing a run/walk event held in Oregon. Recurring characteristics and best practices for a run/walk event were identified. In addition to the funds raised less the cost to produce the event, measurements of success for this type of special event may include factors such as educating and attracting new constituents to the cause.
Open Access
Politics of Climate Action Plans: A Critical Discourse Analysis
(University of Oregon, 2012) Oliver, Hannah; Oliver, Hannah; Young, Robert
Despite increased knowledge of the causes and consequences of climate change, federal politics has prevented a comprehensive, nationwide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This inaction at the federal level has prompted local governments to take the lead on reducing greenhouse gas emissions through Climate Action Plans (CAP). This thesis explores the environmental discourses that are at work in the CAP adoption process of three cities that historically vote for democratic candidates and republican candidates, respectively, in federal elections. As a qualitative study, my inquiry evaluates the CAP adoption process through an analysis of public officials' statements, public comments and editorials, and CAP content. John Dryzek's eight environmental discourses are applied to highlight the discourses that are reflected in the data obtained from public officials, the public, and policy outcomes. This examination reveals opportunities of bipartisan agreement and provides insights for governments to move past the politics of climate change.
Open Access
Public Policy on Parallel Imports in Korea: The Welfare Effect for Consumers in the Korean Golf Market, and Policy Suggestions
(University of Oregon, 2006) Je, Young Kwang; Irvin, Renee A.
Policy on the parallel imports of medicines is being debated currently in Korea. This paper looks at several countries' trends, the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement, and the Korean golf market to search for policy ideas. A simple consumer welfare benefit-cost and sensitivity analysis shows that parallel imports give not only consumers' surplus on parallel imported golf clubs, but also a much larger consumers' surplus on authorized brand versions.This paper makes the following recommendations: First, parallel imports should be permitted according to the principle of free trade, if the cost of parallel imports to the country is not much larger than the benefit. Second, even if parallel impmts are pem1itted, some exceptional cases should be allowed where international exhaustion is problematic. Third, governmental intervention, a clear labeling system, for example, is required to protect consumers, and help consumers make rational choices.