Date of Award
Fall 2014
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.U.R.P.
Degree Program
Urban and Regional Planning
Department
Planning and Urban Studies
Major Professor
Nelson, Marla
Second Advisor
Ehrenfeucht, Renia
Third Advisor
Kent, Christopher
Abstract
Beginning with the development of Seaside (Walton County, FL), Kentlands (Gaithersburg, MD), and Laguna West (Elk Grove, CA), New Urbanist developments have set aside parcels for civic structures, many of which now house congregations. Using interviews with developers, planners, and church officials, this thesis examines the rationale behind including congregations within New Urbanist developments in four southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina). The expectations of New Urbanist developers largely mirror those found within key New Urbanist texts: congregational structures help create a legible landscape through typological architecture and conspicuous siting while providing space for public gathering. The thesis ultimately argues that New Urbanism requires a more robust sociological model, one which captures the influence of institutions on forms of social interaction. Moreover, such a model might provide insight into the ways in which developers and congregations might collaborate to fulfill the social goals of New Urbanism.
Creative Commons License
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Recommended Citation
Pierce, Matthew L., "“Put the Church Right There”: A Study of the Inclusion of Congregational Structures within New Urbanist Developments" (2014). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1936.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1936
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.