environmental planning thesis topics

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

• Ecology /ecological science
• Atmospheric science
• Oceanography
• Soil science
• Environmental chemistry
• Environmental economics
• Environmental ethics
• Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

• The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
• The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
• The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
• Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
• The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
• The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
• The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
• The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
• The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
• The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

• The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
• The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
• The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
• Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
• The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
• The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
• The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
• The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
• The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

• The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
• The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
• The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
• Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
• The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
• The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
• The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
• The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
• The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
• The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

• The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
• The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
• The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
• Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
• The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
• The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
• The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
• The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
• The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
• The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Topics & Ideas: Geology

• The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
• The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
• The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
• Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
• The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
• The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
• The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
• The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
• The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
• The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

• The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
• The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
• The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
• Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
• The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
• The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
• The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
• The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
• The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
• The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

• The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
• The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
• The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
• Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
• The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
• The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
• The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
• The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
• The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
• The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

• The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
• The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
• The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
• Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
• The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
• The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
• The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
• The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
• The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
• The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

• The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
• The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
• The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
• Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
• The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
• The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
• The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
• The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
• The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
• The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
• The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
• Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
• Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
• Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
• Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
• The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
• Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
• Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
• Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
• A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
• Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
• Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
• Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

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10 Comments

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Scholars' Bank

Environmental studies theses and dissertations.

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• AN ACCUMULATION OF CATASTROPHE: A POLITICAL ECONOMY OF WILDFIRE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES  Dockstader, Sue ( University of Oregon , 2024-03-25 ) This dissertation is an environmental sociological study of wildland fire in what is now the western United States. It examines wildfire management from roughly the 1900s to the present time employing a Marxist historical ...
• Managing Life's Future: Species Essentialism and Evolutionary Normativity in Conservation Policy, Practice, and Imaginaries  Maggiulli, Katrina ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Folk essentialist and normative understandings of species are not only prevalent in popular layperson communities, but also end up undergirding United States conservation policy and practice due to the simplistic clarity ...
• Unsettled Ecologies: Alienated Species, Indigenous Restoration, and U.S. Empire in a Time of Climate Chaos  Fink, Lisa ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation traces environmental thinking about invasive species from Western-colonial, diasporic settlers of color, and Indigenous perspectives within U.S. settler colonialism. Considering environmental discourses ...
• Futuremaking in a Disaster Zone: Everyday Climate Change Adaptation amongst Quechua Women in the Peruvian Cordillera Blanca  Moulton, Holly ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) Indigenous women in Peru are often labeled “triply vulnerable” to climate change due to race, gender, and economic marginalization. Despite Peru’s focus on gender, Indigeneity, and intersectionality in national adaptation ...
• Land Acts: Land's Agency in American Literature, Law, and History from the Colonial Period to Removal  Keeler, Kyle ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-10 ) This dissertation examines land’s agency and relationships to land in the places now known as the United States as these relationships appear in literature and law from early colonization to the removal period. Land Acts ...
• PALEOTEMPERATURE, VEGETATION CHANGE, FIRE HISTORY, AND LAKE PRODUCTIVITY FOR THE LAST 14,500 YEARS AT GOLD LAKE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST, USA  Baig, Jamila ( University of Oregon , 2024-01-09 ) The postglacial history of vegetation, wildfire, and climate in the Cascade Range (Oregon) is only partly understood. This study uses high-resolution analysis from a 13-meter, 14,500-year sediment core from Gold Lake to ...
• On Western Juniper Climate Relations  Reis, Schyler ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Western juniper woodlands are highly sensitive to climate in terms of tree-ring growth, seedling establishment and range distribution. Understanding the dynamics of western juniper woodlands to changes in precipitation, ...
• Stories We Tell, Stories We Eat: Mexican Foodways, Cultural Identity, and Ideological Struggle in Netflix’s Taco Chronicles  Sanchez, Bela ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Food is a biological necessity imbued with numerous social, cultural, and economic implications for identity production and everyday meaning-making. Food television is a unique medium for the meanings of food and foodways ...
• Soil Nutrient Additions Shift Orthopteran Herbivory and Invertebrate Community Composition  Altmire, Gabriella ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-26 ) Anthropogenic alterations to global pools of nitrogen and phosphorus are driving declines in plant diversity across grasslands. As such, concern over biodiversity loss has precipitated a host of studies investigating how ...
• Multispecies Memoir: Self, Genre, and Species Justice in Contemporary Culture  Otjen, Nathaniel ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Liberal humanism articulates an individual, rational, autonomous, universal, and singularly human subject that possesses various rights and freedoms. Although the imagined subject at the heart of liberal humanist philosophy ...
• Understanding How Changes in Disturbance Regimes and Long-Term Climate Shape Ecosystem and Landscape Structure and Function  Wright, Jamie ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Long-term and anthropic climatic change intersecting with disturbances alters ecosystem structure and function across spatiotemporal scales. Quantifying ecosystem responses can be convoluted, therefore utilizing multiproxy ...
• Ikpíkyav (To Fix Again): Drawing From Karuk World Renewal To Contest Settler Discourses Of Vulnerability  Vinyeta, Kirsten ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) The Klamath River Basin of Northern California has historically been replete with fire-adapted ecosystems and Indigenous communities. For the Karuk Tribe, fire has been an indispensable tool for both spiritual practice and ...
• Grassland Restoration in Heterogeneous, Changing, and Human Dominated Systems  Brambila, Alejandro ( University of Oregon , 2022-10-04 ) Ecological restoration is a powerful tool to promote biodiversity and ecosystem function. Understanding underlying system variability and directional change can help predict outcomes of restoration interventions. Spatial ...
• Restoring What? And for Whom? Listening to Karuk Ecocultural Revitalization Practitioners and Uncovering Settler Logics in Ecological Restoration.  Worl, Sara ( University of Oregon , 2022-05-10 ) What does it mean to restore a landscape degraded by settler colonialism? How might a well intentionedprocess like ecological restoration end up causing harm from underlying settler colonial logics? This thesis explores ...
• Instigating Communities of Solidarity: An Exploration of Participatory, Informal, Temporary Urbanisms  Meier, Briana ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) This dissertationexamines the potential for participatory, informal urbanisms to buildcollaborative relations across ontological, cultural, and political difference. This research contributes to thefield of urban, environmental ...
• The Holy Oak School of Art and Ecology: A Proposal for Arts-Based Environmental Education Programming  Best, Krysta ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The following is a proposal for arts-based environmental education programming in elementary schools, after-school programs, and day-camp programs, entitled the Holy School of Art and Ecology. Ecophenomenological, arts-based ...
• Settler Colonial Listening and the Silence of Wilderness in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area  Hilgren, Bailey ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) The Boundary Waters Canoe Area soundscape in northern Minnesota has a long and contested history but is most often characterized today as a pristine and distinctly silent wilderness. This thesis traces the construction and ...
• Species Dynamics and Restoration in Rare Serpentine Grasslands under Global Change  Hernandez, Eliza ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Conserving rare serpentine grasslands is a challenge with ongoing nitrogen deposition. Nutrient-poor patches are fertilized by nitrogen-rich smog and exotic grasses can rapidly spread. Water resources are also being altered ...
• Place-making and Place-taking: An Analysis of Green Gentrification in Atlanta Georgia  Okotie-Oyekan, Aimée ( University of Oregon , 2021-11-23 ) Despite the benefits of urban greenspace, Atlanta’s Westside Park is causing gentrification and displacement pressures in Grove Park, a low-income African-American community in northwest Atlanta, Georgia. This study used ...
• Prairie Plant Responses to Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest  Reed, Paul ( University of Oregon , 2021-09-13 ) Understanding how plants respond to climate change is of paramount importance since their responses can affect ecosystem functions and patterns of biodiversity. At the population level, climate change may alter phenology ...

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Digital Commons @ USF > College of Arts and Sciences > School of Geosciences > Geography, Environment and Planning > Theses and Dissertations

Geography, Environment and Planning Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Travel and Migration Behaviors of Migrants from Puerto Rico During Disasters , Lauren C. Carter

Spatial Pattern and Environmental and Social Factors of Monkeypox in the Contiguous United States , Linbo Han

Predicting Groundwater Spring Locations from Topographic and Climatic Data Using Maxent Modeling , Ayten Ece Koc

Prepare for, Respond to, Recover, and Learn from Disasters: Using Data-Driven Methods to Model and Understand Disaster Resilience , Jinwen Xu

Quantifying the Effectiveness of Night Vision Detection: A Comparative Study of Visible Light, Night Vision, and Thermal Images , Feng Yeh

Spatial Mismatch between Electric Vehicles (EVs) and EV charging stations in Florida , Chuang Yin

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Measuring Sustainable Development through Tax Increment Financed Brownfield Redevelopment Statutes: A Florida Case Study , Jeff Burton

Climate Action and Indigenous Land Relations: A Case Study in Nagaland, Northeastern India , Osensang Pongen

“Fast Policy” and “Rule By Aesthetics”: A Preliminary Study of Water Street Tampa –The “Worlding” of an Aspiring “Icon Project” , Nousheen Rahman

Assessing Changes in Actual Air Quality and Public Perceptions of Air Quality in Kathmandu Valley Nepal pre and post COVID-19 Lockdown , Robin Margherita Rives

Isotopic Study of the Waters from the Sulphur Springs Catchment, Tampa, Florida , Esra Zengin

Inland Tropical Cyclone Intensity Decay in the Continental United States , Yijie Zhu

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Soil Accretion and Mass Accumulation in a Scrub and Fringe Mangrove Forest in Biscayne Bay, Florida , Jessica A. Jacobs

Machine Learning for Species Habitat Analysis , Abigail Lavallin

Remote Sensing and GIS Integration for Amazon Rainforest Wildfires Applications , Cong Ma

The Little Things That Count: Mapping Diversity of West Florida’s Shelf , Nicole L. Seiden

Evacuation Decision Making and the Role of Social Connections across Evacuation Statuses during Hurricane Irma , Nathan D. Shull

Examining the Effects of Hydrology and Reclaimed Water Application on Nutrient Retention in Wetlaculture Mesocosms in Southwest Florida , Andrew Wilson

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

The Use of Spanish Moss as a Biological Indicator to Examine Relationships Between Metal Air Pollution, Vegetation Cover, and Environmental Equity in Tampa, Florida , Yousif Abdullah

Rainfall, Precipitation, and Drought Patterns Associated with Wintertime Transmission of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus (EEEV) in Florida , Bestami Cevher

Soil Characteristics Associated with Horse Cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in Florida , Fulya Guzelkucuk

Exploring the Potential of Nutrient Retention and Recycling with Wetlaculture Systems in Ohio with Physical and Landscape Models , Bingbing Jiang

Optimal Strategies for Grassland Restoration to Increase Spatial Carrying Capacity of Florida Sandhill Cranes in Pasco County, Florida , Ibrahim Kaya

A Sustainability Machine: The Incineration-based Waste Regime in Tampa, FL, USA , Kevin P. Martyn

Climate Change and Sustainable Development within the Tourism Sector of Small Island Developing States: A Case Study for the Bahamas , Arsum Pathak

The Perceived Usefulness of a Weather Radar Display by Tampa Bay Residents , Michelle E. Saunders

The Short-Term Effects of Different Removal Methods of Urochloa Maxima, Guinea Grass, on Acoustic Complexity , Connor D. Wagner

Assessment of Land Cover Change in St. Martin’s Marsh Aquatic Preserve, Florida, USA , Katie Wagner

Current and Projected Sustainability of the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Caribbean Small Island Developing States , Zachary S. Winters

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Food Policy Coalitions in Strengthening Community Food Security in the United States. , Joseph G. England III

Measuring and Understanding Food Accessibility in the Tampa Bay Area , Bailey I. Glover

Assessing palm decline in Florida by using advanced remote sensing with machine learning technologies and algorithms. , Christopher B. Hanni

Measurement of Changes in Forest Fragmentation Caused by Road Construction Between 2000 and 2014 Using GIS in St. Johns County, Florida , Ahmet Karatas

Desertification Risk Analysis Based on Soils and Climate in Olive Cultivated Areas in Tulare County, California , Zehra Kavakli Karatas

Storm Surge and Evacuations in Pinellas County , Christianne Pearce

Water Scarcity in the Face of Hurricanes: Improving the Resilience of Potable Water Supplies in Selected Florida Counties , Fautemeh Sajadi Bami

A Method to Analyze Similarities of Eye Movements: a GIScience Based Spatiotemporal Approach , Mehrdad Vaziri

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Assessing the Impacts of Ghana’s Oil and Gas Industry on Ecosystem Services and Smallholder Livelihoods , Michael Acheampong

Policing the Riverfront: Urban Revanchism as Sustainability , Jared J. Austin

Remote Sensing and Spatial Metrics for Quantifying Seagrass Landscape Changes: A Study on the 2011 Indian River Lagoon Florida Seagrass Die-off Event , René Dieter Baumstark

Reconstructing Historical Hurricane Tracks in the Atlantic Basin: Three Case Studies from the 1840s , Emily L. Cerrito

Access to Safe Water Supply: Management of Catchment for the Protection of Source Water in Ghana , Michael K. Eduful

A Comparative Study on Coastal Zone Changes and Anthropogenic Impacts between Tampa Bay, USA, and Xiangshan Harbor, China, during the Last 30 Years , Qiandong Guo

A Behavioral Analysis of Households Using Reclaimed Water in Irrigation: Case of Pinellas County, Florida , Natalie Kuraya-Ziyadeh

Understanding Agricultural-Land Conservation from the Perspective of Landowners in Franklin County, Massachusetts , Rocio Lalanda

An Investigation of Habitat Suitability Factors and their Interactions for Predicting Gopher Tortoise Habitat , Abigail V. Lavallin

Operationalizing the Pressure and Release Theoretical Framework Using Risk Ratio Analysis to Measure Vulnerability and Predict Risk from Natural Hazards in the Tampa, FL Metropolitan Area , Jessica A. Wilder

Assessing the Cooling Effects of Urban Vegetation on Urban Heat Mitigation in Selected U.S. Cities , Qiuyan Yu

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Forging Blockchains: Spatial Production and Political Economy of Decentralized Cryptocurrency Code/Spaces , Joe Blankenship

What Makes Water Policy Sustainable? An Analysis of Water Policy in US Cities , Rebecca Brady David

Longitudinal Awareness: A Study of Vulnerability to Flooding in Polk County, Iowa , Kerri A. Dickey

Using Remote Sensing to Evaluate Wetland Recovery in the Northern Tampa Bay Area Following Reduction in Groundwater Withdrawals , Amor Elder

Stormwater Infiltration and Groundwater Integrity: An Analysis of BMP Siting Tools and Groundwater Vulnerability , Kristopher Craig Gallagher

Pollen Forecasting in Sarasota, Florida , Daniel J. Gessman

Potential Impacts of Accelerated Sea-Level Rise and Hurricane-Induced Storm Surge in Western Pasco County, Florida , Kittiya Harris

The Ability of an Aquatic Invader to Uptake Nutrients in an Upstream Estuarine Environment: Implications for Reducing the Intensity and Frequency of Massive Fish Kills in Florida , Melissa L. Kerr

An Assessment of Constructed Wetland Treatment System Cells: Removal of Excess Nutrients and Pollutants from Municipal Wastewater in Lakeland, Florida , Molly Klinepeter

Identifying Nodes of Transmission in Disease Diffusion Through Social Media , David Sebastian Lamb

The Role of High-Elevation Headwater Runoff in Streamflow Generation and Water Supply in the Northern Andes, Colombia , Laura Lotero Lozano

A Landscape of Thermal Inequity: Social Vulnerability to Urban Heat in U.S. Cities , Bruce Coffyn Mitchell

Effects of Anthropogenic Activity on the Green Swamp Preserve Ecosystem , Barbara Ann Nordheim-Shelt

Abundance and Habitat Preferences of Introduced Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) , Jacqueline Marie Perry Cahanin

Multi-scale Approaches for Evaluating the Success of Habitat Restoration in Tampa Bay, Florida , Stephanie Thompson Powers

How Lessons from a Past Disaster Can Influence Resilience and Climate Adaptation in Broward County, Florida , Hannah Rose Torres

Reappropriating Public Space in Nanchang, China: A Study of Informal Street Vendors , Bryan C. Winter

Perceptions Affecting Tree Valuation: An Analysis of Recently Sold and Leased Properties in Tampa, Florida , Cody R. Winter

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Locally Optimized Mapping of Slum Conditions in a Sub-Saharan Context: A Case Study of Bamenda, Cameroon , Julius Anchang

Analysis of Managerial Decision-Making within Florida’s Total Maximum Daily Load Program , Justin Barthle

Environmental and Community Health in South San Diego County: A Behavior Analysis of Recreational Ocean Users Along Imperial Beach, California , Trista Brophy

Population Dynamics and Vulnerability Reduction: The Role of Non-Profit Organizations Following the 2011 Earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand , Nicole Suzanne Hutton

Media Representations of Abortion Politics in Florida: Feminist Geographic Analysis of Newspaper Articles, 2011-2013 , Jennifer Iceton

Situating Migrants in Contemporary Japan: From Public Spaces to Personal Experiences , Milena Urszula Janiec Grygo

How Mature Capitalism Turns Pollution into Diamonds: Malagnogenesis and the Reverse-Engineering of Harm into Risk , Kevin P. Martyn

Constituting Agricultural and Food Policy in Malawi: The Role of the State and International Donors in the Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) , Peter Rock Nkhoma

Development of a Forecast Process for Meteotsunami Events in the Gulf of Mexico , Leilani D. Paxton

The Effect of Home Range Estimation Techniques on Habitat Use Analysis , Brendon Quinton

A Review of Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Use in an Urban Watershed , Anamarie Elizabeth Rivera

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Role of Community Participation in Water Production and Management: Lessons From Sustainable Aid in Africa International Sponsored Water Schemes in Kisumu, Kenya , Erick Oniango Ananga

An Investigation of the Effects of Chemical and Physical Weathering on Submerged Karst Surfaces , Bryan Charles Booth

Saharan Air Layer Dust Loading: Effects on Convective Strength in Tropical Cloud Clusters , Randall J. Hergert

Tornado Fatalities: An In-Depth Look at Physical and Societal Influences , Heather Joann Key

A Composite Spatial Model Incorporating Groundwater Vulnerability and Environmental Disturbance to Guide Land Management , Johanna L. Kovarik

Quantifying the Interaction of Wildlife and Roads: a Habitat and Movement Approach , Rebecca Whitehead Loraamm

Land-use & Water Quality in the Headwaters of the Alafia River Watershed , Jaime Alison Swindasz

The Impact of Bus Rapid Transit Implementation on Residential Property Values: A Case Study in Reno, NV , Steven Thomas Ulloa

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Determining What Factors Affect Peoples' Perceptions of the Use of Reclaimed Water as a Source for Potable Water: A Study within Hillsborough County, Florida , Susana Rebecca Alvarado Tricoche

The Influence of the Projected Coordinate System on Animal Home Range Estimation Area , Michael Barr

Managing Regional Water Resources Amidst Rapid Urbanization in Southwest Florida: A Case Study , Nicole Owusua Caesar

An Evaluation of Florida Gulf Coast University's Residence Life Staff Member's Hurricane Preparedness , Erin Floto

Greenhouse gas emissions and climate policy in Florida's state and local governments (2000 to 2010) , Sandra Jo Garren

Risk Perception and Beliefs about Volcanic Hazards: A Comparative Study of Puna District Residents , Melanie Marie Leathers

An Investigation of Methodologies for Determining Walkability and its Association with Socio-Demographics: An Application to the Tampa - St. Petersburg Urbanized Area , Oana A. McKinney

Connecting Institutional Discourses and Everyday Understandings of Climate Change: Viewpoints from a Suburban Neighborhood in Tampa, Florida , Christopher Metzger

Assessing the Environmental Justice Implications of Flood Hazards in Miami, Florida , Marilyn Christina Montgomery

Testing the Feasibility of Bioacoustic Localization in Urban Environments , Blaire O'neal

Agriculture, Environmental Restoration and Ecosystem Services: Assessing the Costs of Water Storage on Agricultural Lands in South Florida , Kayla Ouellette

Atmospheric and Ocean Conditions and Social Aspects Associated with Rip Current Drownings in the United States , Charles Hugh Paxton

Still Waters Run Deep: Landscaping Practices, Community Perceptions, and Social Indicators for Stormwater Nonpoint Source Pollution Management in Manatee County, Florida , Ann Rebecca Persaud

An Analysis of Public Perception and Response to Hurricane Sandy , Lindsay L. Rice

Federal Disaster Declarations and Denials: Analyzing Spatial Equity in the Implementation of the Stafford Act , Richard Salkowe

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Environmental Conservation Masters Theses Collection

Theses from 2024 2024.

Effects of Habitat, Density, and Climate on Moose and Winter Tick Ecology in the northeastern U.S. , Juliana Berube, Environmental Conservation

Adaptive Silviculture for Wildlife: Supporting Forest Biodiversity Through Climate Adaptation , Jahiya Clark, Environmental Conservation

Comparing Likelihood of Tree Failure Assessments Using Different Assessment Techniques , Ari Okun, Environmental Conservation

Use of Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (Drones) Based Remote Sensing to Model Platform Topography and Identify Human-made Earthen Barriers in Salt Marshes , Joshua J. Ward, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2023 2023

Modeling the Effects of Forest Management Practices on Ecohydrologic Processes in the Antalya River Watershed of Turkey , Hilal Arslan, Environmental Conservation

HYDRO-SOCIAL TERRITORIES AND OIL PALM PLANTATIONS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AGRIBUSINESS, AND SAFE WATER ACCESS UNDER POWER RELATIONS IN KAIS, WEST PAPUA, INDONESIA , Briantama Asmara, Environmental Conservation

Evaluation of Acoustic Telemetry Array Performance and Fine- Scale and Broad-Scale Spatial Movement Patterns for Coral Reef Species in Culebra, Puerto Rico , Roxann Cormier, Environmental Conservation

Improving Energy Efficiency of School Buildings with Solar-Assisted Cooling for the Maldives , Ahmed Fathhee, Environmental Conservation

Pine Barrens Wildlife Management: Exploring the Impact of a Stressor and Active Management on Two Taxa at Camp Edwards , Andrew B. Gordon Jr, Environmental Conservation

Factors Affecting the Distribution of Malayan Sun Bear in Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Northern Myanmar , Min Hein Htike, Environmental Conservation

A Multi-Regional Assessment of Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) Occupancy in Managed and Unmanaged Forests Using Autonomous Recording Units , Jeffery T. Larkin, Environmental Conservation

Climate Change Attitudes of United States Family Forest Owners and their Influence on Forest Management Practices , Logan Miller, Environmental Conservation

The Relative Effects of Functional Diversity and Structural Complexity on Carbon Dynamics in Late-Successional, Northeastern Mixed Hardwood Forests , Samantha Myers, Environmental Conservation

Factors influencing the occurrence and spread of aquatic invasive species in watershed systems , Hazel M. Ortiz, Environmental Conservation

PARTICIPATORY WETLAND GOVERNANCE IN RAMSAR – ASSESSING LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION IN INDIA , Seema Ravandale, Environmental Conservation

A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE LINKED DECISIONS IN THE CONFISCATION OF ILLEGALLY TRADED TURTLES , Desiree Smith, Environmental Conservation

Effect of Alliaria petiolata management on post-eradication seed bank dynamics , Chloe Thompson, Environmental Conservation

Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) Population Dynamics and Response to Habitat Management in Massachusetts , Julia Vineyard, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2022 2022

Assessment of the Economic and Ecosystem Service Contributions of USDA Forest Service Landowner Assistance Programs in the Conterminous United States , Jacqueline S. Dias, Environmental Conservation

Exploring Urban Forestry Non-Governmental Organizations in the Temperate Forest Region of the United States , Alexander J. Elton, Environmental Conservation

Songbird-mediated Insect Pest Control in Low Intensity New England Agriculture , Samuel J. Mayne, Environmental Conservation

Perception and Value Assessment of Ecosystem Services in Rural and Urban Regions in Ecuador , Roberto S. Navarrete Arias, Environmental Conservation

Identifying New Invasives In The Face Of Climate Change: A Focus On Sleeper Populations , Ayodelé C. O'Uhuru, Environmental Conservation

A Tipping Point in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest: Current and Future Land-Use and Climate Change Trends , Alula Shields, Environmental Conservation

Dynamics of Water Supply and Demand in the Bandama River Watershed of Cote d'Ivoire , Sarah Alima Traore, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2021 2021

Applying Ecological Theory to Amphibian Populations to Determine if Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) are Ideal and Free when Selecting Breeding Habitat , Taylor M. Braunagel, Environmental Conservation

Assessing the Impacts to Society Associated with the Use of Alternative Ammunition for Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges , Christopher Cahill, Environmental Conservation

Evaluation of Environmental Factors Influencing American Marten Distribution and Density in New Hampshire , Donovan Drummey, Environmental Conservation

Can Volunteers Learn to Prune Trees? , Ryan W. Fawcett, Environmental Conservation

The Efficacy of Habitat Conservation Assistance Programs for Family Forest Owners in Vermont , Margaret E. Harrington, Environmental Conservation

The Role of Vegetative Cover in Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change and Improving Public Health , Anastasia D. Ivanova, Environmental Conservation

Assessing the Structure and Function of Utility Forests in Massachusetts , Ryan Suttle, Environmental Conservation

Factors Influencing Stopover and Movement of Migratory Songbirds within the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge , Jessica Tatten, Environmental Conservation

Patterns and mechanisms of intraspecific trait variation across thermal gradients in a marine gastropod , Andrew R. Villeneuve, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2020 2020

Habitat Associations of Priority Bird Species and Conservation Value on Small, Diversified Farms in New England , Isabel Brofsky, Environmental Conservation

Autonomous Recording Units as an Alternative Method for Monitoring Songbirds , Lindsay Clough, Environmental Conservation

Impact of Predators on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) in the Eastern and Western United States , Ryan Crandall, Environmental Conservation

New England’s Underutilized Seafood Species: Defining And Exploring Marketplace Potential In A Changing Climate , Amanda Davis, Environmental Conservation

Improving Growth and Survival of Cultured Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) for Restoring Populations , Virginia Martell, Environmental Conservation

From Intentional Awareness to Environmental Action: The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Pro-Environmental Behaviors , Nischal Neupane, Environmental Conservation

The Ecological Value of Spruce Plantations in Massachusetts , Calvin Ritter, Environmental Conservation

In-vitro Propagation and Fish Assessments to Inform Restoration of Dwarf Wedgemussel (Alasmidonta Heterodon) , Jennifer Ryan, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2019 2019

Hydrologic Structure and Function of Vernal Pools in South Deerfield, Massachusetts , Charlotte Axthelm, Environmental Conservation

Ecological and Economic Implications of Establishing Quercus spp. in the Urban Environment , Tierney Bocsi, Environmental Conservation

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) Management Effectiveness and Plant Community Response , Erin Coates-Connor, Environmental Conservation

Defining and Addressing Interconnected Goals in Groundwater Management Planning Across the USA , Allison Gage, Environmental Conservation

Root-Driven Weathering Impacts on Mineral-Organic Associations Over Pedogenic Time Scales , Mariela Garcia Arredondo, Environmental Conservation

Using Visual Media to Empower Citizen Scientists: A Case Study of the Outsmart App , Megan E. Kierstead, Environmental Conservation

Urban Biodiversity Experience and Exposure: Intervention and Inequality at the Local and Global Scale , Evan Kuras, Environmental Conservation

Arboriculture Safety Around The World , Jamie Lim, Environmental Conservation

Ecological Considerations and Application of Urban Tree Selection in Massachusetts , Ashley McElhinney, Environmental Conservation

The Women's Action: Participation through Resistance , Michael Roberts, Environmental Conservation

Eastern Whip-poor-will Habitat Associations in Fort Drum, NY , Kimberly Spiller, Environmental Conservation

The Role of International River Basin Organizations in Facilitating Science Use in Policy , Kelsey Wentling, Environmental Conservation

An Examination of Tern Diet in a Changing Gulf of Maine , Keenan Yakola, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2018 2018

Mapping Sandbars in the Connecticut River Watershed through Aerial Images for Floodplain Conservation , Bogumila Backiel, Environmental Conservation

You Must Estimate Before You Indicate: Design and Model-Based Methods for Evaluating Utility of a Candidate Forest Indicator Species , Jillian Fleming, Environmental Conservation

Performance of Floristic Quality Assessment in Massachusetts Forested Wetlands , Carolyn Gorss, Environmental Conservation

The Impact of Intraspecific Density on Garlic Mustard Sinigrin Concentration , Mercedes Harris, Environmental Conservation

Plants, Parasites, and Pollinators: The Effects of Medicinal Pollens on a Common Gut Parasite in Bumble Bees , George LoCascio, Environmental Conservation

Human and Climate Change Influences on Black (Diceros bicornis) and White (Ceratotherium simum) Rhinos in Southern Africa , Hlelolwenkhosi S. Mamba, Environmental Conservation

Watershed-Scale Modeling for Water Resource Sustainability in the Tuul River Basin of Mongolia , Javzansuren Norvanchig, Environmental Conservation

Impacts of Small, Surface-Release Dams on Stream Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen in Massachusetts , Peter Zaidel, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2017 2017

Accounting For Biotic Variability In Streams With Low Levels of Impervious Cover: The Role of Reach- and Watershed-Scale Factors , Catherine Bentsen, Environmental Conservation

Juvenile River Herring in Freshwater Lakes: Sampling Approaches for Evaluating Growth and Survival , Matthew T. Devine, Environmental Conservation

DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS OF CLIMATE ON BIRD ABUNDANCE ALONG ELEVATION GRADIENTS IN THE NORTHERN APPALACHIANS , Timothy Duclos, Environmental Conservation

EVALUATION OF THE RECREATIONAL CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISHERY FOR GOLDEN DORADO SALMINUS BRASILIENSIS IN SALTA, ARGENTINA: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT , Tyler Gagne, Environmental Conservation

Botswana’s Elephant-Back Safari Industry – Stress-Response in Working African Elephants and Analysis of their Post-Release Movements , Tanya Lama, Environmental Conservation

Factors Influencing Shrubland Bird and Native Bee Communities in Forest Openings , H. Patrick Roberts, Environmental Conservation

A Mixed-methods Study on Female Landowner Estate Planning Objectives , rebekah zimmerer, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2016 2016

Factors Influencing Household Outdoor Residential Water Use Decisions in Suburban Boston (USA) , Emily E. Argo, Environmental Conservation

Understory Plant Community Structure in Forests Invaded by Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) , Jason Aylward, Environmental Conservation

Factors Affecting Habitat Quality for Wintering Wood Thrushes in a Coffee Growing Region in Honduras , Brett A. Bailey, Environmental Conservation

Invasive Species Occurrence Frequency is not a Suitable Proxy for Abundance in the Northeast , Tyler J. Cross, Environmental Conservation

Population Genetic Analysis of Atlantic Horseshoe Crabs (Limulus polyphemus) in Coastal Massachusetts. , Katherine T. Johnson, Environmental Conservation

Modeling Historical and Future Range of Variability Scenarios in the Yuba River Watershed, Tahoe National Forest, California , Maritza Mallek, Environmental Conservation

The Life History Characteristics, Growth, and Mortality of Juvenile Alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, in Coastal Massachusetts , Julianne Rosset, Environmental Conservation

Specific Phosphate Sorption Mechanisms of Unaltered and Altered Biochar , Kathryn D. Szerlag, Environmental Conservation

Trophic Relationships Among Caribou Calf Predators in Newfoundland , Chris Zieminski, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2015 2015

Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Assemblages in Three New York Pine Barrens and the Impacts of Hiking Trails , Grace W. Barber, Environmental Conservation

Niche-Based Modeling of Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) Using Presence-Only Information , Nathan Bush, Environmental Conservation

Assessing Mammal and Bird Biodiversity and Habitat Occupancy of Tiger Prey in the Hukaung Valley of Northern Myanmar , Hla Naing, Environmental Conservation

Generating Best Management Practices for Avian Conservation in a Land-Sparing Agriculture System, and the Habitat-Specific Survival of a Priority Migrant , Jeffrey D. Ritterson, Environmental Conservation

Experimental Test of Genetic Rescue in Isolated Populations of Brook Trout , Zachary L. Robinson, Environmental Conservation

UNDERSTANDING STAKEHOLDERS PERCEPTION TOWARDS HUMAN-WILDLIFE INTERACTION AND CONFLICT IN A TIGER LANDSCAPE-COMPLEX OF INDIA , Ronak T. Sripal, Environmental Conservation

Impacts of Land Cover and Climate Change on Water Resources in Suasco River Watershed , Ammara Talib, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2014 2014

A Comparison of American, Canadian, and European Home Energy Performance in Heating Dominated – Moist Climates Based on Building Codes , Stephanie M. Berkland, Environmental Conservation

Spatio-Temporal Factors Affecting Human-Black Bear Interactions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Nathan Buckhout, Environmental Conservation

Estimating the Effective Number of Breeders of Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, Over Multiple Generations in Two Stream Systems , Matthew R. Cembrola, Environmental Conservation

An Assessment of Environmental Dna as a Tool to Detect Fish Species in Headwater Streams , Stephen F. Jane, Environmental Conservation

Assessing Wild Canid Distribution Using Camera Traps in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts , Eric G. LeFlore, Environmental Conservation

Quantifying the Effect of Passive Solar Design in Traditional New England Architecture , Peter Levy, Environmental Conservation

Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Species in Sumatra: Smaller Cats and the Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis) As Case Studies , Wulan Pusparini, Environmental Conservation

The Cumulative Impacts of Climate Change and Land Use Change on Water Quantity and Quality in the Narragansett Bay Watershed , Evan R. Ross, Environmental Conservation

Patterns in Trash: Factors that Drive Municipal Solid Waste Recycling , Jared Starr, Environmental Conservation

Theses from 2013 2013

Greening the Building Code: an Analysis of Large Project Review Under Boston Zoning Code Articles 37 and 80 , Sandy J. Beauregard, Environmental Conservation

Vernal Pool Vegetation and Soil Patterns Along Hydrologic Gradients in Western Massachusetts , Kasie Collins, Environmental Conservation

Implementation of Aquaponics in Education: An Assessment of Challenges, Solutions and Success , Emily Rose Hart, Environmental Conservation

Aquatic Barrier Prioritization in New England Under Climate Change Scenarios Using Fish Habitat Quantity, Thermal Habitat Quality, Aquatic Organism Passage, and Infrastructure Sustainability , Alexandra C. Jospe, Environmental Conservation

The Energy Benefits of Trees: Investigating Shading, Microclimate and Wind Shielding Effects in Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts , Emma L. Morzuch, Environmental Conservation

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Environmental Studies and Science

Thesis topics.

If you are a junior EV major, it is time to start thinking about the possibility of a senior thesis, particularly the thesis topic. Sophomores, it's never too early to start planning your thesis, such as travel funds or specific research plans. 

Here we have compiled a list of EV faculty and their research interests. Look it through and see if any topic or area of interest catches your eye. 

Research Themes & Study Areas:

Miro kummel.

• Spatial dynamics of ladybug-aphid predator-prey dynamics on short grass prairies. Field work (May+June) and mathematical modeling using R.
• Spatial analysis of habitat use by mountain lions and elk in Catamount Center area on Pikes Peak
• Dynamics of insect pests and their natural enemies (several possibilities on Western Slope and in the Pueblo area)
• Spatial pattern formation at the treeline edge and its relevance for treeline advance in response to climate change (drones)
• Microclimatology of treelines (Drones)
• Dendrochronology and dendroclimatology of treeline advance.
• Spatial structure of tundra or prairie vegetation (drones)
• Indicators of rangeland health from remote sensing using drones (Chico Basin Ranch)
• Phytoplankton and zooplankton dynamics in relation to nutrient loading in eutrophic water bodies.

Corina McKendry

• City sustainability
• Environmental justice
• Climate adaptation
• Globalization and the environment

Mike Angstadt

• Norm diffusion: how/why new institutions spread (e.g., environmental courts), and implications
• Norm implementation: how domestic institutions incorporate international environmental la
• Nonstate environmental governance: NGOs in global environmental governance and law
• Alaskan environmental law & policy
• Renewable energy policy and equity
• Climate law/governance
• Rights of nature movements
• Earth system law
• Opportunities/mechanisms for exchange between: (1) environmental judges, (2) judges and academics, and (3) disciplines (environmental law & environmental politics)

Charlotte Gabrielsen

• Landscape & spatial ecology (to characterize the influence of climate and human land use on landscape patterns and processes)
• Effects of spatiotemporal ecosystem dynamics on biodiversity (particularly, in wetland ecosystems)
• GIS & remote sensing (as tools to inform conservation & management planning)
• Smallholder agricultural mitigation and adaptation
• Gender equity and justice
• Community-based Management

Allison Lawman

• Past, present, and future climate change
• Oceanography and atmospheric science
• The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
• Tropical Pacific decadal variability
• Abrupt climate change
• Stable isotope geochemistry
• Trace metal geochemistry
• Climate model output
• Climate impacts on coral reefs (thermal stress and ocean acidification)

Sylvan Goldberg

• Pre-1900 American literature
• Environmental literature
• Literature of the American West
• The relationship between place, nature, identity, and literary form
• Affect/emotion, gender (queer ecology), and temporality

Marion Hourdequin

• Environmental ethics
• Ethics & climate change, including climate justice and the ethics of climate engineering
• Ethics and philosophy of ecological restoration; restoration in landscapes with complex socio-ecological histories
• Philosophy, ethics, and the Anthropocene
• Nature in East Asian traditions of thought (esp. Confucianism and Daoism)
• Philosophy of science, values in science, science-society relationship
• Philosophy of ecology
• Additional areas of interest: environmental justice; philosophy of ecosystem services; Aldo Leopold; ethics of de-extinction

Eric Perramond

Southwest Studies

• Water resources, law, and water policy
• Natural Resource Management & Conservation
• Decolonizing Conservation (broadly - Bears Ears, Valles Caldera, etc.)
• Militarization of the American West/Southwest (Border wall, nuclear sacrifice zones, military open spaces)
• Areas : Southwest U.S., Mexico, Latin America, Western Europe
• Water adjudications of water resources in the western U.S.
• Impacts of neo-liberal economic policies in Mexico
• Livelihood and environmental justice crises in the Southwestern U.S.
• Boundary layer meteorology – energy fluxes over heterogeneous surfaces
• Biometeorology – energy flux across interfaces in ecosystems

Henry Fricke

• Paleoclimatology
• Geochemistry
• Environmental history
• U.S. empire
• History of natural history
• Museum studies
• Science and technology studies

Shane Heschel

Organismal Biology and Ecology

• Physiological ecology of plant populations, particularly in stressful environments
• Local adaptation and the evolution of physiological mechanisms
• Factors driving the local extinction of plant populations
• Population genetics and Conservation genetics

Eli Fahrenkrug

• Probing Aerosol and Dust Particle Migration within Individual Snow Grains and their Impacts on Snow Albedo and Radiative Forcing Models
• Developing New Citizen-Accessible Water Quality Diagnostics for Use in Low-Resource Areas
• The Fountain Valley Water Project: a local community-based citizen science project responding to PFAS contamination in drinking water

Howard Drossman

• How do students develop conceptions of ecological stewardship?
• Environmental education
• Integral approaches to studying the environment
• Mindfulness and the environment
• Atmospheric chemistry
• Aquatic chemistry
• Biogeochemical cycling

Environmental planning and management

• Published: 23 July 2019
• Volume 26 , pages 24313–24314, ( 2019 )

Cite this article

• Hamid Reza Jafari 1 ,
• Saeed Karimi   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8465-6052 1 &
• Fatemeh Sadat Alavipoor   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4829-2298 1  

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Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.

Environmental planning is a discipline in science. It considers the current situation and provides methods to achieve a suitable environment. Then, it could help decision-makers to protect natural resources and use them appropriately. The future generation need to live in this planet and we forgot this rule. The planet full of wastes and pollutions will not be habitable. All of the continents meet environmental issues and need to plan, manage, and educate people to understand the situation, protect their environment, work on clean air, and build their homes and workplace on a suitable site without dangerous implications for environment. Natural science is mixed with our everyday lives. We should train how to live and work. Could you mind live without oxygen? No, it is not possible. So, how could the future generation live without oxygen. It is too uncomfortable to live with a mask with no clean water to drink. We could not imagine this story for our lives. Could you? We suggest to join our research to help our planet live. The methods which could help to achieve a suitable environment is presented in this special issue.

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College of Engineering, Faculty of Environment, Department of Environmental Planning, Management and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Hamid Reza Jafari, Saeed Karimi & Fatemeh Sadat Alavipoor

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Correspondence to Fatemeh Sadat Alavipoor .

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Jafari, H.R., Karimi, S. & Alavipoor, F.S. Environmental planning and management. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26 , 24313–24314 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05901-9

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Received : 12 June 2019

Accepted : 03 July 2019

Published : 23 July 2019

Issue Date : 01 August 2019

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05901-9

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Urban Planning Thesis/ Research Topic Suggestions (Part 1)

Introduction.

In the field of Planning, each student is required to undertake a research project (thesis) as per his/ her interest subjects relevant to the field in the final semester. It basically gives an opportunity to the students to put their learning of previous semesters together. It also gives an opportunity to synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired by applying it for strategy formulation for a live planning challenge.

Each student is allocated individual thesis supervisor or a guide along with a co-guide who guide the students through this thesis semester. During this period, the thesis is monitored continuously and periodically through internal marked reviews to check the consistency of the work. The final output is in the form of submission of a detailed report along with drawing/ visuals presented on sheets which is presented to an external jury panel consisting of experts from the relevant field.

Urban Planning

Urban Planning is a technical and political process concerned with development of open land or greenfield sites as well as revitalization of existing parts of the city. Primary concern of urban planning is public welfare.

• Impact of government policies and initiatives (most recent) on urban land use
• Quality of life assessment in residential areas
• Role of urban local bodies (ULBs) in urban governance
• Socio-economic impact assessment of metro rail
• Evolving a mechanism for public participation in urban planning and implementation
• Impact of urbanization on land use in the rural-urban fringe
• Implications of airport expansion on the surrounding areas
• Role of International aid in urban poverty alleviation
• Planning implications of highway corridor on settlement pattern
• Impact of urban expansion on small towns
• Assessing linkage between the parent city and satellite town
• Changes in building bye-laws and its implications on urban development
• Planning for sustainable neighbourhood
• Assessing the liveability in the residential areas of IT parks
• Impact of urban sprawl on provision of public services

GIS in urban planning enables spatial analysis, modelling and data visualization which can contribute to a variety of important urban planning tasks. These tasks include land suitability analysis, site selection, land use and transport modelling, impact assessments etc.

• GIS modelling of Land Information System
• Urban Growth Modelling in GIS
• Urban Sprawl Pattern analysis using GIS
• Role of GIS in revenue improvement
• Municipal Information System using GIS in Property Tax Management
• Application of GIS for property tax
• Geo-Spatial Information System Based Model for Micro-Level Planning
• Integration of land records to GIS, a model for municipal application
• Application of GIS Technology in Watershed management
• Use of the Geo-Informatics in land suitability analysis for Industrial Development
• Integrated public transportation systems using GIS

Cities and tourist movement have both historical and dynamic relationship. Urban places often act as major attractions and serve as gateways to or staging areas for tourism. Tourism is at the heart of many cities’ development projects. Tourism is a major driving force in the development and stimulator of a new urbanity in metropolises and cities.

• Tourism Potentiality of pilgrim centres
• Impact of tourism on district development
• Eco-Tourism development strategies for Coastal Town
• Impact of Ecotourism on Local Community
• Impact of tourism on the development of Local Areas
• Planning for tourism circuit
• Potential of Urban Wetlands for Ecotourism Development
• Impact of Religious Tourism in Regional Development
• Tourism Development Plan for Inter State Border Conflict areas
• Spatiotemporal movement patterns of international tourists
• Water tourism: An Exploration of the Role of Inland Water Transport in Tourism Development
• Potential of Community based Ecotourism
• Strategies for Heritage Tourism Development
• Strategies for Ecotourism Development
• Impact of Tourism on Rural Livelihood

Urban Finance

Cities are growing at a remarkable rate and will continue to expand more. Planning urbanization in advance in conjunction with urban finance for implementation will help cities avoid unplanned and informal growth. When investment in cities is guided by good planning principles, it unlocks the potential for growth making sustainable development attainable.

• Municipal Bonds – An alternate source of Funding Infrastructure Projects
• Evaluation Study of Methods for Property Tax Assessment
• Revenue mobilization for urban local bodies through Asset Management
• Evaluation of Economic value and funding mechanisms of Parks
• Financial Appraisal of property development and advertisement of Metro rail
• Sustainable Financial strategy for implementation of the General Town Planning Scheme
• Assessment of Property Tax Management System
• Using Public Land as a tool to generate Municipal Finance
• Infrastructure Financing through Tax increment Financing

Environment Planning

Environmental issues arise and exist in almost all sectors where development is involved. Environmental Planning helps in making decisions about the natural environment, public health and the built environment.

• Environmental issues in the transformation of urban fringe
• Environmental implications of Solid waste management in hilly areas
• Conflict of drivers of ecosystem change on wetlands
• Impact of urban flood vulnerability on the mobility of the urban poor
• Adaptation of neighbourhood planning for climate change
• Potential for green and blue infrastructure towards climate responsive planning
• Planning for a low carbon neighbourhood
• Community based disaster management
• Vulnerability and risk assessment of settlements prone to tropical cyclone
• Impact of spatial expansion of city over urban green spaces
• Estimating the economic cost of environmental degradation of an industrial area
• Impact of sea level rise on development in metropolitan regions

Since the Industrial Revolution, cities and industries have evolved together. There exist various industrial towns which have grown around factories and expanding industries.

• Impact of industries on a fringe town
• Role of Agro-based industries in regional development
• Impact of industrialization on Tribal areas
• Development implications of SEZ: An evaluation of policies and programs
• Eco industrial Estate Planning
• Industrialization and Unplanned development
• Industry-led regional transformation
• Industrial development and intra-regional disparities
• Industrial Development induced displacement and resettlement strategies
• Socio-economic impacts of Industrial Development
• Impact of Industrial Development in a Backward region
• Planning interventions to address industrial disparity
• Impact of Micro, small and medium scale enterprises on regional development
• Potential of resource-based industry in the regional economic development
• Development constraints of an Industrial cluster in a city

Informal Sector

Cities with rapid urbanization usually face a problem with the informal sector. Businesses that the informal sector comprises of generally operate on the streets and public places and are often seen as eye-sores. So, conflicts arise between urban authorities who try to keep their cities clean and the urban informal sector operators who need space for their activities.

• Planning for Spatial integration of the street vendor activities around the temple area
• Informal sector and its implications in the structure of the city and economy
• Creating Public spaces through Placemaking by street vending as a tool
• Evaluation of the national policy on urban street vendors
• Assessment of participatory approaches for Planning of Hawker’s Space
• Assessing impact of pedestrians on the livelihood of Street Vendors
• Integrating working and living space of street vendors

Slum/ Informal settlements

Existence of informal settlements in the urban areas is a challenging issue in urban planning. It is short-sighted and unsustainable to ignore the challenge of slums considering the large scale of slums and the number of people they house.

• Security and slum vulnerability towards eviction
• Transfer of Development rights as a tool for Rehabilitation of slums
• Prioritization model for slum performance assessment
• Tackling large agglomerations of slum areas
• Imageability assessment of slums
• Evaluation of weaker sections housing programs in urban areas
• An evaluation of the Slum Improvement Project
• Re-Development strategies for slums
• Forward and Backward linkages of Migrants
• Composite Vulnerability assessment of slums
• The vulnerability of slums to livelihood security
• Impact of residential relocation on livelihood of slum dwellers
• Formulation of Methodology for delisting of slums
• Street led approach for development of slums
• Impact of perceived tenure security on slum consolidation

Housing and Real Estate

Housing is considered to be a basic human requirement of any civilized society. In order to ensure planned development of urban areas and create an enabling environment, it is important to provide affordable housing.

• Foreign Direct Investment in real estates of suburban
• Role of private builders in housing
• An exploratory study of residential satisfaction and acceptance levels in public housing schemes
• Influence of development policies on real estate market in metro areas
• Housing preferences of IT industries: Affordability and Proximity
• Global financial crisis and its impact on the housing sector
• Critical evaluation of affordable housing and assessment of public and private sector agencies
• Role of real estate agencies in urban housing development
• Role of NGOs in urban Housing for the poor
• Self-built housing for urban poor
• Impact of multinational companies on real estate
• Assessment of real estate regulatory bill for housing design
• Role of community in financing housing infrastructure in informal settlement
• The changing pattern of real estate in periphery areas

Inclusive Planning

Inclusive planning implies involving a fair representation of citizens providing meaningful and educated input where planners advocate for greater equity in public policies that address multiple objectives of urban planning.

• Evaluation of pedestrian accessibility measures in neighbourhoods for the elderly
• Inclusive neighbourhood for children
• Planning and designing accessible public spaces for differently abled
• Appropriateness of functionality of public spaces for the elderly
• Integrating child-friendly cities concept into urban planning

Transport Planning

Transport Planning is required for the operation, provision and management of facilities and services for the modes of transport. It is the process of preparing policies, goals and spatial planning designs to prepare for the future needs.

• Effect of passenger information system (PIS) on public transit ridership
• Planning for pedestrianization of the core area
• Concept of BRT-Strategies for Indian cities
• Impact of IT services on public transportation
• Traffic management plan for railway station area
• Study of major traffic bottlenecks
• Planning for vehicular parking in city central area
• Role of cycle rickshaw as a feeder system to MRTS
• Job-Housing balance as a tool to tackle traffic congestion
• Improving the road freight movement through route optimization
• Exploring the use of tramways as a parallel mode of public transportation
• Urban Planning Thesis/ Research Topic Suggestions (Part 2)
• Getting started with Thesis Writing
• ‘Preferable’ Thesis Tenure Working for Students of ‘Bachelor of Planning’
• Thesis Statement | Meaning, Importance, Steps and Types
• Difference between a research paper, dissertation & thesis
• Tips for Writing a Thesis

About The Author

Nancy Grover

Master's Theses 2011 to 2020

2020 master's theses.

Thesis: The Healthy Incentives Program: Perspectives from Lawrence, Massachusetts Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Nicole (Cole) Huang

Thesis:  Mangroves, Defense from Depth Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Sean Hogan

Thesis:  Walking the Talk: Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction and Green Brand Identity   Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology Author:  Cullen Mitchell

Thesis:  Road Congestion Pricing: A Case Study Analysis of the Ambiguity and Evolution of Policy Objectives Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Jordan Webster

Thesis:  Understanding Economic Development Strategies for Effective Implementation for Planners Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Savannah-Nicole Villalba

Thesis:  A Comparison of Mapping Methodologies Identifying Transportation Disadvantaged Populations and Extreme Weather Risk in Boston Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning  Author: Megan Morrow

Thesis:  Integrated Urban Water Management and Governance Capacity in Boston, Massachusetts: Implications for Building Climate Resilience  Topic:  Water Resources Policy & Planning Author: Meredith Houghton

Thesis:  The Impact of Seminole Tribe, Twenty Years Later Topic:  Native American Studies and Law Author:  Victoria Stern

Thesis:  In pursuit of Domestic Energy: Legality of Expanded Oil and Gas Leases in the Age of Trump Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author : Elizabeth Rosenberg

Thesis:  Racial Justice and Community Development Corporations: Accounts from the Field Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Minnie McMahon

Thesis:  The Future of Renewable Natural Gas in Massachusetts Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Shoshana Blank

Thesis:  Investigating Interest in an Intergenerational Homeshare Program Bringing Together Tufts Students and Local Seniors Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Nicholas Pittman

Thesis:  Corporate Social Responsibility in the Modern Age: Big Data as a Tool to Further CSR Efforts Topic:  Corporate Environmental Policy Author:  Namgay Tshering

Thesis:  On Notice: Comparing Participation and Transparency Requirements in Zoning Procedures Topic:  Land Use Policy and Planning Author:  Catherine Kemmett

Thesis:  Green Cities and Just Sustainabilities Topic:  Sustainable Development  Author: S ara Moaveni

Thesis:  Growing Together: Service Providers Cooperatively Supporting New American Farmers and Gardeners in Chittenden County, Vermont Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Chelsea Alexander

Thesis:  Clearing the Air: A Proposal for a Congestion User Fee for the City of Boston  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Andrew McFarland

Thesis:  Development and Displacement: An Examination of the Effects of New Development on Residential Mobility in Boston from 2005 to 2019 Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Brian Froeb

Thesis:  Just Energy: Generating Community Power in Holyoke, MA  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Cyatharine Alias

Thesis:  Innovation Labs in Public, Private and Nonprofit Sectors: Where is Social Innovation Heading?  Topic:  Urban Policy & Planning  Author:  Lina Xie

Thesis:  "Foot Notes" a thesis podcast on the intersection of walkability and race Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Lily Linke

Thesis:  Charging into the future: Using Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership patterns to identify suitable locations for deploying EV charging stations in Massachusetts  Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Rajat Shrestha

Thesis:  Determinants of Vehicle Miles Traveled and Transportation Emissions in the Boston Metro Region Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Tigran Aslanyan

Thesis:  Illuminations of Safety: Urban Design, Safety, and Conviviality in Danehy Park Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Rachel Dowley

Thesis:  Families on the move: Housing affordability of an inner-suburb in a high-cost metropolitan area Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Carol Ann Litster

Thesis:  Planning to Heal: A Critical Analysis of Frameworks Seeking a Corrective Course for Planning in the Context of Housing Planning and Development in Boston  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Eliana Golding

Thesis:  Exploring a Green New Deal Platform in Boston  Topic:  Climate Change Policy & Planning  Author:  Julia Masters

Thesis:  Safety Perceptions of 3-D Crosswalk Design Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Jessica Bartlett

Thesis:  The Co-location of Affordable Housing & Public Libraries Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Kamari Durley

Thesis:  Spatializing Culture: The Language of Landscape in Franklin Park Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Elisabeth Kellam

Thesis:  A Data-Driven Approach to Discover the Vitality Around Transit Stations in the U.S. Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Yuehui Li

Thesis:  Where do talents go in China: Factors at play in their city choice Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Xinlei Lian

Thesis:  Exploring the impact of e-commerce on cities and villages: The case of Amazon and Alibaba Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Xianzheng Fang

Thesis:  The Spatial Variability of COVID-19 in Massachusetts: Implications for Sustainable Development Topic:  Public Health Policy and Planning Author:  Peiyao Wang

2019 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Farmer Identity in Mid-Atlantic Farm to School Programs Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Rebecca Lucas

Thesis:  Community Shared Solar: How to Make it Shine Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author: Bruce Johnson

Thesis:  A Collaborative Approach to Climate Change Adaptation Planning at the Watershed Scale: A Case Study of the Resilient Mystic Collaborative Topic:  Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Carolyn Meklenburg

Thesis:  Performance Parking Programs  Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Emily Klotz

Thesis:  The Last Mile: Content Analysis and Travel Behavior in Toronto and Montreal Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Shabnam Bista

Thesis:  Identifying Biopholic Design Elements in Streetscapes in Devens and Seeing if They Have Influence over Visual Attention and Sense of Place Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Peter Milliken

Thesis:  Understanding Modern and Historic Architecture in Boston, MA and Da Nang, Vietnam Through Evidence Based Design Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Kelly Sherman

Thesis:  Cultivating Nature and Civic Ecology in Boston’s Urban Green Space Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alexis Marie Washburn

Thesis:  The Interaction Between Market and Non-Market Based Energy and Environmental Regulations to Reduce Carbon Emissions: A Case Study of California and British Columbia  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Stefan Koester

Thesis:  Equitable Carsharing: Attaining Electric Vehicle Carsharing within Boston's Low-Income Communities Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Albert Good

Thesis:  Multispecies Planning: Locating Nonhuman Entanglements in Oyster Restoration Policy on the Massachusetts Coast Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  James Morgan

Thesis:  Data in the City: Principles of data-driven decision making Topic:  Urban Policy & Planning Author:  Emma Homstad

Thesis:  University Student Transit Use: A Case Study of Tufts University Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning  Author:  Anna Sangree

Thesis:  SNAP Based Incentive Programs at Farmers Markets: A Critical Analysis Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Rachel Hoh

Thesis:  An Analysis of the Opiod Epidemic in Boston, MA: A Deep Dive into the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Topic:  Public Health Policy and Planning  Author: Mariah Healy

Thesis:  Local Government's Role in Climate Resiliency Planning: Impacts on Transportation and Land Use Planning in East Boston Topic:  Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Ariel Patterson

Thesis:  Adaptive Reuse: Planning for Economic Development in Former Industrial Cities Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Marissa Meaney

Thesis:  Against the Grain: Safety Analysis and Design Guidance for Contraflow Bike Streets Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Liza Burkin

Thesis:  The Meaning of Mutuality in the 21st Century: The Role of Mutual Banks in Community Wealth Building, a Case Study of Lee Bank in Berkshire County, MA Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Alice Maggio

Thesis:  Identifying a Missed Opportunity in State Disaster Response: An Analysis of State Housing Finance Agencies' Response to Hurricanes Through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Valerie Weiner

Thesis:  Modeling Electric Vehicle Adoption in Massachusetts: Problems, Opportunities, and Implications for Municipalities and Utilities Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Stephen Herling

Thesis:  The Link Between Elderly Travel Behavior and the Built Environment: A Case Study of Boston Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Bingqin Shan

Thesis:  Using Data to Supplement MBTA Points-of-Sale in AFC 2.0 in Increase Equity   Topic:  Transportation Policy and Planning Author:  Lily Ko

Thesis:  Breaking The Cycle: How Philadelphia Can Shape Its Rail Park Topic:  Urban Planning & Design  Author:  Kaitlin Mills

Thesis:  Planning for Cannabis Retail Stores in Major U.S. Cities: Best Practices Recommendations for Boston, Massachusetts  Topic:  Urban Policy & Planning Author:   Michael Flanary

Thesis:  Teaching Democracy: The Opportunities and Challenges of Conveying the Micropractices of Democracy through a Community-University Training  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Zoe Ackerman

Thesis:  Reinvigorating a Post-Industrial Small Town: Community Engaged Placemaking in Rural Vermont    Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Lylee Rauch-Kacenski

2018 Master's Theses

Thesis: Urban Waterfront Revitalization and Open Space: A Case of Rezoning Waterfront of Yong River in Nanning, China Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Xizhi Luan

Thesis:  Assessing Conservation Easements and Their Adaptability to Future Change in Strafford County, New Hampshire Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Robert McDonough

Thesis:  Collective Visioning in the Boston Ujima Project Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Sarah Jimenez

Thesis:  Planning for Coastal Flooding Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Author:  Erin Coutts

Thesis:  Mega Projects: Worth the Cost? A Study of Three Boston Mega Projects and Their Impact on Their Neighborhoods Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Samantha Pirk

Thesis:  People's Electric Power: Community Energy Solutions to Empower Democracy and Combat Climate Change Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Joel Wool

Thesis:  Impacts of Land Use Change and Export Agriculture on Guatemalan Food Security Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author: John VanderHeide

Thesis:  Home Economics: Reimagining How the Home Can Support Single-Mother Families Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Ashley Clark

Thesis:  Assessing the Economic Viability and Environmental Benefit of Prioritizing Soil Health in Agriculture Policy Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Jamie Fanous

Thesis:  The Effects of Social Services in Comprehensive Affordable Housing Developments on Resident Socioeconomic Mobility Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Jaissa Feliz

Thesis:  The Arabic Hour: Understanding Arab-American Media Activism and Community-Based Media Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author: Noah Habeeb

Thesis:  An Assessment of the Massachusetts Commercial Food Waste Ban: Implementation and Effectiveness Three Years into the Ban Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Alexandra Raczka

Thesis:  Spatial Accessibility to Health Services: A Study of Hepatitis-C Virus Infection in Massachusetts Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Sharon Ron

Thesis:  Farmworker Health Landscape: Barriers to Improving Health and Safety in U.S. Agriculture Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author: Tessa Salzman

Thesis:  Agriculture and Solar Energy Development as Competing Land Uses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Kathleen Nay

Thesis:  Measuring the Impacts of Cooperative Participation on Vanilla Farmers in Madagascar  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Matthew Amato

Thesis:  Capacity to Participate: a Case Study of resident participation in Somerville, MA  Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Christian Brandt

Thesis:  Hooked on Safety: An Analysis of Commercial Fishing Safety and Training Opportunities Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Margaret Brown

Thesis:  Extending Community Control Over Commercial Development: Community Land Trusts and Community Finance Models Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Allison Curtis

Thesis:  Opportunities and Challenges in Farm to Institution: Commonwealth Kitchen's contribution to the movement Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Laura Flagg

Thesis:  Expanding the Green Network on Rooftops: A Study of Green Roofs Development as a Part of Urban Green Space Planning Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Ka Lum Fung

Thesis:  Trip Duration and Mode Choice Analysis: A Study of the Below Median Income Households in the Boston Metropolitan Region Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Divya Gandhi

Thesis:  Exploring Factors that are Driving Electric Vehicle Demand in Massachusetts from the Perspective of Built Environment and Socio-economics   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Anil Gurcan

Thesis:  Steering from Day Zero: How are Cities Safeguarding Their Water Security?   Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Hiromi Hashimoto

Thesis:  From Ownership to Shared Use: The Spatial Patterns of Carsharing  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Ju-Ying Hung

Thesis:  An Uphill Battle: Nashville's Fight for Inclusionary Zoning Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Stephanie Johnson

Thesis:  Green Gentrification in Washington D.C. A Methods Study of how GIS can be used to Assess the Effects of Parks on City-wide Gentrification Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alyssa Kogan

Thesis:  Investigating Public Participation as a Strategy to Improve Drinking Water Utilities' Infrastructure Investment Practices  Topic:   Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Amanda Kohn

Thesis:  Stacking Green Infrastructure Benefits: A Spatial Multi-Criteria Approach to Green Infrastructure Planning in Seattle, Washington Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Kai Ying Lau

Thesis:  Land Use Change Patterns in Massachusetts 2001 - 2011: A Case Study using NLCD Land Cover Data Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Jiao Liu

Thesis:  Hydraulic Fracturing: Groundwater Contamination and the US Regulatory Framework   Topic:  Toxics and Environmental Health Author:  Emrat Nur Marzan

Thesis:  Preparing to Adapt: Municipalities Engaging Stakeholders Around Climate Change Adaptation in Massachusetts  Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Darya Mattes

Thesis:  Exploration of Inorganic Chemical Pollution in California’s Groundwater (Capstone) Topic:  Toxics and Environmental Health  Author:  Julia Miller

Thesis:  Integrated Valuation of Socio-Environmental and Resiliency Metrics for Conservation in a Changing Climate: A "Climate-Smart" Model for the Optimization of Tidal Salt Marsh Conservation Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning  Author:  Ivy Mlsna

Thesis:  Planning for Low-Carbon Transportation Systems Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author: Paulina Muratore

Thesis:  Travel Behavior and People's Sentiment in Transit Zones: An Exploratory Case Study in New York City Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Wencong Xu

Thesis:  Analyzing New York City's Community-Based Planning Statute Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Brennan Corriston

Thesis:  Keeping Passenger Ferries Afloat: What Can Boston Learn From Other Water Transportation Systems Around the Country? Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Jacob Mittleman

2017 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Utilization of Community Development Block Grant funding for façade improvement activities: A study among CDBG entitlement communities in Massachusetts  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Mary Muter

Thesis:  The Impact of Retirement Communities on Home Prices: An Evaluation of School Achievement and Residential Sale Price Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Monica Gregoire

Thesis:  Municipal-Supported, Citizen-led Placemaking Processes: A Study of Successes, Challenges and Lessons Learned in Five Case Studies  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Adrianne Schaefer

Thesis:  Boston's Emerging Solidarity Food Economy - Lessons in Transformative Change  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Hannah Sobel

Thesis:  Kitchen Incubators in New England: How an emergent business incubator model is fostering food entrepreneurship Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Heidi Stucker

Thesis:  A Clean Break: Fuerza Laboral's Quest to Incubate a Building Cleaning Cooperative in Rhode Island  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author: Janaki Blum

Thesis:  Community Participation in Traffic Calming Implementation Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Pat Kelsey

Thesis:  In the Room Where it Happens: Autonomy and Discretion in Home Visitors' Information and Referral Actions Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Sarah Sherman

Thesis:  Assessing the Impact of Offshore Wind in Massachusetts: An Estimate of of C02 Emissions Reductions Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Ryan Bailey

Thesis:  Affordable Housing Creation Through Regulation of the Private Market: Inclusionary Zoning and Linkage Programs Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Cecilia Nardi

Thesis:  The State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP): A Case Study of Conservation Agriculture and Small Farmers in California  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Danielle Ngo

Thesis:  The Public Dimensions of the Boston Public Market Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Barbara Shepard

Thesis:  Local Governance for the National Framework: Assessing Chinese Subnational Climate Change Policies Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Timothy Grant

Thesis:  Home Buyouts: One Community's Quest to Retreat from the Coast  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Anna McGinty

Thesis:  A world of difference - Stories of planning for diversity from South Africa to Salem Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Monique Ching

Thesis:  Priorities for Siting Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Developments in Greater Boston  Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Hannah Cross

Thesis:  The Effects of State Energy Policy Changes on Residential Electric Energy Burden   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Nicolas Dahlberg

Thesis:  Revenue Increase for Water Utilities from Improved Metering—An Empirical Analysis on AMR Meter Installation Project in Livingstone, Zambia  Topic:   Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Yuji Dai

Thesis:  Measuring Transit Accessibility in the MBTA Service Area: Spatial Location of Poor Transit Access Areas and Assessment of the Daily Commute to Employment Locations  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Mbacke Faye

Thesis:  Impacts and Best Practices of Pedestrian Plazas in Cities  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Gohringer

Thesis:  Creating River North: A Case Study of Demographic Shifts in Denver  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning  Author:  Anthony Lechuga

Thesis:  Assessment of the Child Maltreatment in Massachusetts Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Yuan Li

Thesis:  Investing in Water: Assessing the Feasibility of Establishing a Water Sharing Investment Partnership in Texas' Rio Grande Water Market  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Lauren Lynch

Thesis:  Knowing Where the Power is Going: Opportunities and Challenges for Disaggregated Household Electrical Usage Feedback Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Nathaniel Mayo

Thesis:  Accessing Opportunity in Massachusetts: The Spatial Consequences of State Statute Chapter 40B  Topic:   Housing Policy Author:  Hana Migliorato

Thesis:  Site Selection Optimization for Wetlands Preservation  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Jessica Norriss

Thesis:  An Analysis of the Environmental Justice Movement in Massachusetts & Rhode Island Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Elizabeth Pongratz

Thesis:  An Investigation of Community Policies and Attitudes Towards Accessory Dwelling Units in Greater Boston Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Alexandra Purdy

Thesis:  Newspapers Accounts of Neighborhood Economic Change   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Bradley Putnam

Thesis:  Energy Justice and the Stakeholders Involved: A Case Study of Solar Power in Rural Haiti Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Elijah Romulus

Thesis:  Capstone title: Shared Equity Homeownership Models Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Stephanie Savir

Thesis:  An Analysis of Save Haven Locations in New York City Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning  Author:  Brooke Schwartz

Thesis:  Liquor License Distribution in Boston: Exacerbating Economic Disenfranchisement Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Lauren Shuffleton

Thesis:  Exploring Roles for Communities in Green Infrastructure Projects Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Elise Simons

Thesis:  A Cross-State Analysis of Renewable Portfolio Standard Development Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Mariel Marchand

Thesis:  Regional Self-Reliance and Food Security: A food systems modeling case study in the Department of La Paz, Bolivia Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Caitlin Matthews

2016 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Waste not, want not. Putting Urban Metabolism into Practice Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Imaikalani Aiu

Thesis:  The Housing Market in Egypt After the Revolution: Opportunities and Challenges for Foreign Direct Investment Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Mark Attia

Thesis:  Securing the Future of Water Resources for Beirut: A Sustainability Assessment of Water Governance in Beirut, Lebanon Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Ayah Badran

Thesis:  Solar Stimulus: Perceptions of Banks and Credit Unions towards solar PV in Massachusetts  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Suveer Bahirwani

Thesis:  Networked Community Land Trusts: An Analysis of Existing Models and a Needs Assessment for the Greater Boston Community Land Trust Network Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Benjamin Baldwin

Thesis:  The Public Perception of Manufacturing Careers in New England Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology  Author:  Annie Burtoff

Thesis:  Warming Temperatures in a Changing Climate - How Rising Temperatures are Linked to Climate Change in the U.S. Print Media Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning  Author:  Betsy Byrum

Thesis:  Arts, Culture, and Creativity: A Case Study of the Arts and Planning Toolkit for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Jennifer Chin Erickson

Thesis:  Towards a Vision Zero Policy Theory: Examining Emerging Road Safety Initiatives in U.S. Cities  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Nathaniel Fink

Thesis:  Turkey's 1980's Export-led Growth Policies and Working Class Women's Social Exclusion  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Deniz Gecim

Thesis:  The Power and Potential of Relationships: An Examination of Juvenile Justice Involved Adolescent Mothers in a Home Visiting Program  Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Meghan Higgins

Thesis:  Economically, Ecologically and Socially Balanced Agriculture Practices in Northern California and New England Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning  Author:  Matthew Hinds

Thesis:  The Feasibility of Creating a Regional Transfer of Development Rights Program in Barnstable County, Massachusetts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  William Holm

Thesis:  The Built Environment and Walking to School: Findings from a Student Travel Behavior Survey in Massachusetts Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Kate Ito

Thesis:  Using Vacant Land for Stormwater Management: Prioritizing Locations to Maximize Community Benefits  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Anna Krane

Thesis:  Examining how recreational park programs can contribute to making parks in the City of Boston more Age-Friendly Topic:  Urban Planning & Design  Author:  Megan Krey

Thesis:  Land in Trust: Comparing Acquisition Methods for Farmland Preservation in Rural, Suburban and Urban Contexts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  Victoria Kulwicki

Thesis:  Gritty and Growing: Exploring Commercial Urban Agriculture in Everett, MA  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Kathleen O'Brien

Thesis:  Challenges of Public-Private Partnerships: A Case Study of the Boston Urban Forest Coalition Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning  Author:  Andrew Petit de Mange

Thesis:  Sustainable Livelihood Community Level Assessment in Wayanad, Keiala  Topic:  Sustainable Development Author:  Allison Platt

Thesis:  Bridging the Transportation Finance Gap: Planning Beyond Boundaries for a Connected 21st Century Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Rayn Riel

Thesis:  An Investigation of People's Attitudes about Bicycling in Urban Areas in the US: An Exploration Case Study in Washington DC  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Yaqi Shen

Thesis:  Cause to Collaborate: Assessing the Role of Regional Conservation Partnerships in Inter-Municipal Collaboration Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Jesse-Nathan Steadman

Thesis:  The Establishment of a Casino Gaming Business as a Stimulus/Growth Strategy for a Medium sized "Shrinking City" (Springfield, MA) Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Evan Sullivan

Thesis:  Build It: A Feasibility Study of GIS-Based Analyses of Cycling Infrastructure  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Ian Thistle

Thesis:  Child Care Use Among Adolescent Mothers Enrolled in a Massachusetts Home Visiting Program Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  LunYan Tom

Thesis:  Educating Practical Visionaries at Tufts University: A Framework for Community-University Co-Learning Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Rebecca Tumposky

Thesis:  BEYOND AFFORDABLE HOUSING: WHITHER COMMUNITY LAND TRUST? Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Trang Vuong

Thesis:  Noise Levels Associated with Sentiment Analysis on Twitter: A Case Study of New York City   Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Xiang Yu

Thesis:  Steel Winds: A Case Study of a Successful Community - Developer Relationship Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Peter Ciurczak

Thesis:  Creating Lasting Affordability Through Community Land Trust: Lessons for Somerville, Massachusetts Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Susan Mann

Thesis:  An Assessment of Neighborhood Retail Environment in Union Square, Somerville  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy  Author:  Maria Martinez Vazquez

Thesis:  Creating a Culture of Progressive Planning Practice in America's Medium-size Cities  Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  James McKeag

Thesis:  Mapping Massachusetts: A Spatial Analysis of Opportunity and Ideal Markets for Participants in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program   Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Amelia Najjar

Thesis:  Framing A Regional Landscape-Scale Conservation Plan for the Penobscot River Corridor Using Best Practices and Lessons Learned   Topic:  Regional and State Planning  Author:  Janna Newman

Thesis:  Seed to Student: An Analysis of the Potential Impacts of Recent Federal Legislation on Local Food Systems via School Garden Programs on Cape Cod, Massachusetts  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Elizabeth Nollner

Thesis:  Telling the Story of Food Justice: A Case Study of the Urban Farming Institute of Boston Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Valerie Oorthuys

Thesis:  Youth Voices in Positive Youth Development: A Case Study Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Krysti Turnquest

Thesis:  Critical Factors for Successful Private-Public Partnership (PPP) in Urban and Environmental Infrastructure Projects in Jilin Province, China Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Mengmeng Zhou

Thesis:  Shrinking Cities and Subjective Well-Being: An Investigation of Resident Attitudes and Opinions Via Micro-Blog Sentiment Analysis  Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Andrew Wiley

Thesis:  Groundwater Regulation and the Public Trust Doctrine in California  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Christina Valerino

Thesis:  Building Footprint Changes in Baltimore Rowhouse Neighborhoods   Topic:  Housing Policy   Author:  Jingyu Tu

Thesis:  Cleaning and Eating Green: A Review of Local Restaurants That Are Purchasing and Using Green Cleaning Products  Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Migdalia Tracy

Thesis:  The Energy Ladder: A Valid Model for Fuel Transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Rebecca Toole

Thesis:  Local, Low Impact Stormwater Management and the Power of the Massachusetts Municipality  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning  Author:  Jennifer Titus

Thesis:  Air Quality and Sustainable Redevelopment: the Case of Construction in Dudley Square Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Hanaa Rohman

Thesis:  Framing A Regional Landscape-Scale Conservation Plan for the Penobscot River Corridor Using Best Practices and Lessons Learned  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Janna Newman

Thesis:  Community and Economic Development Strategies for Revitalization of Former Mill Towns in Massachusetts  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Christine Madore

Thesis:  Enhancing Rural Community Assets Through Active Transportation Planning: A Case Study of Norway, Maine  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Kristine Keeney

Thesis:  Disciplinary Trends in Boston Area Schools: Programming to Improve Conflict Resolution Practices and Close the Education Gap Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Breann Jeffries

Thesis:  Active Transportation Among Older Adults in Massachusetts   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Marguerite Hutcheson

Thesis:  A Golden Ticket: the State of Admissions for Low-Income Youth at Elite Universities Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Brianda Hernandez

Thesis:  Reclaiming Philly's Vacant Properties: An Assessment of Community Discourse in the Formation of the Philadelphia Land Bank  Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Kasia Hart

Thesis:  Cumulative Causation: Decision-Making in Food Hub Creation and Development   Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Joanna Hamilton

Thesis:  The Benefits, Drawbacks, and Limitations of Service Coordination Tools: Perspectives from Social Service Providers in Somerville, Massachusetts Topic:  Welfare and Social Services Policy Author:  Kristin Haas

Thesis:  Portuguese Speaking Immigrant Communities in Massachusetts: Assessing Well-Being Through Sentiment Analysis of Microblogging Data Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Cara Foster-Karim

Thesis:  The Parking Benefit District Exploring Business Owner's Perspective on an Innovative Parking Management Model in Jamaica Plain, Boston  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Dorothy Fennell

Thesis:  Community Land Ownership and Governance in Northern New England: An Analysis of Two Local Approaches to the Community Forest Model  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Abby Farnham

Thesis:  Talking About Food: Using Institutional Stories to Build Equity Within Food System Planning in Everett, MA  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Kimberly Etingoff

Thesis:  The Kingdom of Jordan's Water Policies and Programs: Understanding Water Scarcity and Finding a Path to Sustainable Water Demand Management Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning    2015 Author:  Deema Dabbagh

Thesis:  Sustainability Reporting in New England: An Analysis of Programs and Metrics Reported by Top Public Manufacturers  Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology Author:  Michael Coty

Thesis:  Industry Trade Associations: An Examination of Their Corporate Social Responsibility Programs and Messaging of Those Efforts  Topic:  Socially Responsible Marketing  Author:  Laurie Calvert

Thesis:  Conflict Assessment of Oil Exploration in Southern Belize  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Jennifer Bogle

2014 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Impacts of Public Policies on China's Solar Photovoltaics Industry   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Yunwen Yu

Thesis:  Managing urban Vacancy: Decision Strategies for Vacant Lot Reuse in Baltimore, MD Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Eliza Whiteman, Davenport

Thesis:  Improving Environmental Governance in China: Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessments  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Katherine Walsh, Paula

Thesis:  Public Space Use, Meaning, and Design Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Meera Velu

Thesis:  Bus Transit Reliability in Metropolitan Boston: A Study of MBTA's Dropped Trips  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Christopher Timmel

Thesis:  Boston Main Streets 2.0: Spreading Boston's Innovation Economy from the Innovation District to the Neighborhoods Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy  Author:  John Taylor

Thesis:  Parklets in Somerville: A Resource for Implementation   Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Laura Smead

Thesis:  Remixed and Revitalized: Perceptions of the Influences of School and Community Contexts on Student Achievement Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Michelle Sedaca

Thesis:  The Dudley Community Greenhouse: Brownfield Redevelopment toward a more Just and Sustainable Food System Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Jesse Seamon

Thesis:  The Struggle to Own and the Struggle to Stay: The Story of Greater Four Corners and the Coalition for Occupied Homes in Foreclosure (COHIF)  Topic:  Housing Policy  Author:  Rebecca Schofield

Thesis:  Rhode Maps to Meet Local and Regional Needs: A Comparison of Affordable Housing Statutes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts   Topic:  Housing Policy   Author:  Matthew Sarcione

Thesis:  Worker Programs and Resource Use: Evidence from Better Work Jordan   Topic:  Employment/Job Development Policy Author:  Nathan Robins

Thesis:  American Partisan Politics and the Public Policy making Process: An Essay Focusing on the Rising Massachusetts Electorate Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Wilnelia Rivera Diffo

Thesis:  A More Competitive Central Business District: Place-making Strategies for Beijing  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Yifei Ren

Thesis:  Smart Growth on Cape Cod: Measuring the Effectiveness of the Hyannis Growth Incentive Zone  Topic:  Environmental Education Policy Author:  David Quinn

Thesis:  Municipal Development of Anaerobic Digestion/Combined Heat and Power in Massachusetts Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Brenda Pike

Thesis:  Solar Heating for Cooler Planet: A Case Study of and Lessons Learned from Policies in Austria and South Africa Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Cameron Peterson

Thesis:  Planning Practice and Community Based Food Systems: Understanding Barriers and opportunities for Planners Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Joshua Peters, A

Thesis:  Growing New Farmers: A Survey of Farm Incubator Programs in the United States Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Meaghan Overton, A.

Thesis:  Assembling a Closed-Loop System: Applying Lessons from The Plant in Chicago to CERO's Vision for Boston  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning  Author:  Marcy Ostberg

Thesis:  Cultural Recognition and Food Programming: The Cultural Inclusivity of Community Supported Agriculture Programs in Urban, Low-Income, African American Communities Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Ronak Okoye, Dave

Thesis:  Housewife Data: Citizen Science and the Case of Love Canal   Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Nolan Nicaise

Thesis:  Digital Inclusion in Rural Ecuador: A Preliminary Analysis of Digital Community Centers Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  C. Morales, Danilo

Thesis:  Value Capture Transit-Oriented Development: The MBTA Story Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Joseph Monty

Thesis:  The Case for Crowdsourcing in Bicycle Planning: An Exploratory Study   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Jennifer Molina

Thesis:  The Effect of Economic Freedom on Income in U.S. Metropolitan Areas  Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Matthew Missett

Thesis:  Trends in Organizational Renewable Energy Strategy: From Short-Term Procurement to Long-Term Investment in the EPA Green Power Partnership   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Ryan Miamis

Thesis:  Reducing Gridlock on the Grid: Utility Trends in Managing Peak Electric load through Residential Demand Response Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Betsy McDonald

Thesis:  Assessment of Displacement Mitigation Efforts Concerning Gentrification in Chicago, Ill  Topic:  Race, Gender, & Elderly Policy Author:  Kiersten Mailler

Thesis:  The Challenge of Bridging Social Movement Activism for Climate Protection and Environmental justice in the City of Boston Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Ninya Loeppky

Thesis:  Evaluating Climate Change Action Plans: a Scorecard for Communities Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Silas Leavitt

Thesis:  Catching Fire: An Analysis of Maine's Combined Heat and Power Energy Incentive Policies  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Joshua Laufer

Thesis:  Planning for Aging in Community: Making Sense of Multiple Perspectives in Cambridge, Massachusetts Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Ellen Kokinda, Bowman

Thesis:  The Journey to School: A Case Study at Mission Hill School Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Christina Kim

Thesis:  Low Income Renewable Energy Programs: Case Studies of State Policy in California and Massachusetts  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Kaitlin Kelly

Thesis:  Green and Engaging for All: Applying Universal Design to the Rose Kennedy Greenway  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Laura Jasinski

Thesis:  State Economic Development in Massachusetts' Gateway Cities: Past and Present Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Ian Jakus

Thesis:  Inner-City Grocery Store Development as Community Economic Development: A Case Study of the New York City Food Retail Expansion to Support Health Program (FRESH) Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Tida Infahsaeng

Thesis:  From Bedroom Community to Cultural Destination: Exploring Instrumental Cultural Development Efforts in Arlington, MA  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Margaret Husak

Thesis:  The Natural Gas Dilemma in New England's Electricity Sector: Experts' Perspectives on Climate Issues and Policy Opportunities Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management  Author:  Steven Griffith

Thesis:  An Analysis of the Use of Conservation Easements in Farmland Preservation   Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Catherine Gregg, Marie

Thesis:  Conservation of the Piping Plover: Strategies for Preserving Wintering Habitat in the Bahamas  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Gabrielle Gareau

Thesis:  The Black Box of Case Management: Examining Front Line Service Referrals In The Family self-sufficiency Program Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Jacqueline Furtado

Thesis:  Apples, Aerobics, and ABC's: Nutrition and Exercise in Promise Neighborhoods initiatives Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Brean Flynn, Childs

Thesis:  Developing Solidarity: Transformative Community Economic Development and the New Lynn Coalition Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy  Author:  Jonathon Feinberg, Noah

Thesis:  Energy-Efficiency Retrofits in Small-Scale multifamily Rental Housing: A Business Model  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Brian DeChambeau

Thesis:  How Should a Waterfront Business Evolve in the Wake of Climate Change? A strategic business plan developed for the long-term threats of sea level rise and coastal flooding  Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Brooke Davis, A.

Thesis:  The American Woonerf: Creating Livable and Attractive Shared Streets   Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Natalia Collarte

Thesis:  Ecological Sanitation in the U.S.: Barriers and Opportunities in Water Conservation, Resource Recovery, and Green Jobs   Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Lauren Cole

Thesis:  Supermarket Dominance in Malaysia's Food Supply Chain: Implications for Contract Farmers and National Policy Topic:  Food Systems Policy  Author:  Denise Chin

Thesis:  Exploring School-Based Barriers to Family and Community Engagement in Urban Communities  Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Sherra Cates

Thesis:  Greener Peaks: The Economic Rationale of 'Beyond Compliance' Environmental initiatives in the Ski Industry Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Corey Cameron

2013 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Cultivating Regional Cultural Competency: Exploring Place-based Exclusion and Representation in Urban Planning Research Topic:  Regional and State Planning Author:   Amos Wright IV, J.

Thesis:  City for All? A Geospatial Approach to Equity, Sustainability and Gentrification in Seattle, Washington Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Nicolas Welch

Thesis:  Assessing the Concept of Concentrated Poverty in HOPE VI  Topic:  Welfare and Social Services Policy Author:  Meghan Welch

Thesis:  Whither Flows Beaver Brook? Statistical Estimation of Streamflow Depletion by Groundwater Pumping, and a Policy Evaluation of the Massachusetts Sustainable Water Management Initiative  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Adam Weinberg

Thesis:  Equity, Climate Adaptation, and Urban Planning: A Case Study of Cape Town Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Axum Teferra

Thesis:  Drivers of City Sustainability: Evidence from Europe Topic:  Sustainable Development Author:  Silvia Tanga

Thesis:  Ecosystem Service Finance: A Case Study in Stow, Massachusetts Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Brian Szekely

Thesis:  The Grey Zone: A Look at Stream Buffer Zone Protection Regulations for Georgia's Trout Streams Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Anne Sexton

Thesis:  Building a Non-Profit Organization's Evidence-Based Rationale: A Case Study of The Possible Project  Topic:  NGO Management, Policy & Planning  Author:  Caitlin Robillard

Thesis:  Non-Profit and Public Food Security Systems: The Potential for Coordinating Access to Safety net Programs  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Blake Roberts

Thesis:  Wind Energy in Massachusetts: The Role of Municipal Electric Utilities   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Nathan Rawding

Thesis:  Moving from Philosophy to Reality: The Innovation Agenda in the Cambridge Public Schools  Topic:  Education Policy Author:  Tessa Orbach

Thesis:  Size and Shape Matters: The Modifiable Areal Unit Problem in Neighborhood Effects Research   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Carl Onubogu

Thesis:  Consider the Dam: Hydropower, Discourse and Politics in Laos Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Kathryn Olson

Thesis:  Identifying and Removing Barriers to Expanding Municipal Aggregation in the Commonwealth Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Micaelah Morrill

Thesis:  A Time Allocation Monitoring Study of RCRA Enforcement at Region I of the United States Environmental Protection Agency   Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  John Melcher

Thesis:  The Effects of Casinos on Host Communities and the Potential Impact of a Casino on the East Boston Neighborhood Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Adrian Madaro Moro

Thesis:  A Comparison of Sprawl in US and China: Applicability of Smart Growth Strategies to Chinese Cities Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Zhi Li

Thesis:  Monitoring-Based Commissioning on University Campuses: Barriers to Adoption Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author: Julia Ledewitz

Thesis:  Urban Citizenship and Spatiality: The Perceptions of Space and Belonging of Expatriate Women in Dubai Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Janet Lau

Thesis:  Redefining Success: Addressing Displacement Associated with Transit Extensions   Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Jason Kurian

Thesis:  Emerging Models of Youth Involvement in Food Policy Councils: Four Case Examples  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Emma Kravet

Thesis:  Envisioning a Multi-purpose Green Infrastructure Approach: Strategies to Promote Health and Community Well-being in Urban Environments Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning  Author:  Hannah Kohut

Thesis:  An Anchor in Clean Water: The Role of Anchor Institutions in Managing Great Bay Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Holden

Thesis:  Sidewalk Accessibility, Sidewalk Justice: Conceptions of Equity in Cities' Prioritization of Pedestrian Accessibility  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning  Author:  Gabriel Holbrow

Thesis:  Power and the Politics of Control: The Institutionalization of Food Movement Projects and the Role of Land Rights in Social Transformation Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Caitlin Hachmyer

Thesis:  Towards a "Greener" Chinatown: Re-Visioning a Culturally-Responsive and Inclusive Public Space System in Boston's Chinatown Topic:  Environmental Justice Author:  Rui Guo

Thesis:  The Wrong Side of the Street: Examining Urban Violence and Resilience in Managua, Nicaragua through a Spatial Lens  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Rachel Gordon

Thesis:  Are Business Improvement Districts Perceived as Effective for Revitalizing Mid-Sized Rust Belt Cities?  Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Laura Fox

Thesis:  Moving Toward Completion: Barriers to Complete Streets Implementation in Metropolitan Boston Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Nicholas Downing

Thesis:  Overcoming Challenges to Zero Waste in Massachusetts: Analysis and Recommendations  Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Laura Crossley

Thesis:  There Is No Plan for When the Lakes Run Dry: Water Planning Approaches for Climate Change Adaptation in Austin, Texas  Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Molly Cooney-Mesker

Thesis:  Community Supported Fisheries: Establishing New Markets in a Limited Resource Industry  Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Bronwyn Cooke

Thesis:  Eminent Domain As a Tool for Redevelopment: A Case Study Analysis of Boston's West End and New London's Fort Trumbull Area Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Meredith Christensen

Thesis:  African American Grocery Stores: A Framework for Food Policy Development  Topic:  Food Systems Policy Author:  Brytanee Brown

Thesis:  Who's in Control? Mitigating Elite Capture in Community-Driven Development   Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Lenz Bayas

Thesis:  Towards a More Transformative Community Economic Development   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Ian Adelman

2012 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Yellow Card: Potential Neighborhood Impacts of a Soccer Specific Stadium Development in East Somerville.  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Melissa Woods

Thesis:  Moving from Coal to Efficiency: An Analysis of State-Level Employment Impacts. Topic:  Employment/Job Development Policy Author:  Samantha Weaver

Thesis:  Planning Union Square as an Intercultural Center: Opportunities for a Diverse Community Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Jong Wai Tommee

Thesis:  Local Development, Local Data: A Geospatial Study of Small-Area-Change Using Building Permits in Austin, TX. Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Melissa Shakro

Thesis:  Private Real Estate Developer Attitudes Towards Vacant Lot Reuse and Associated Policy Reform: A Case Study of the Homewood Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh , PA.  Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Alyssa Rosen

Thesis:  The Greenhouse in the City: The Uses and Roles of Community-Oriented Urban Greenhouses.  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alexandra Reisman

Thesis:  Exploring Residential Property Investment Patterns in Somerville, MA: Tools and Techniques for Practicing Planners.  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Bradley Rawson, R.

Thesis:  Taxing for Transit: an Exploratory Analysis of Local Option Transportation Taxes Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Lydia Rainville

Thesis:  Moving from Vulnerability to Resilience: A Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Taunton River Watershed.  Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Loni Plocinski

Thesis:  Are We Planning for Sustainable Food Systems? An Evaluation of the Vision and Goals of Food System Assessments and their Usefulness to Planning. Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Marisol Pierce-Quinonez

Thesis:  Reintegration of Internationally Returning Migrants: The Role of Public Programs  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Nicholas Petschek

Thesis:  Phosphorus Control at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants Topic:  Toxics and Environmental Health Author: Katherine Moore

Thesis:  Crowdsourcing for Transit-Oriented Planning Projects: A Case Study of inTeractive Somerville Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Michael Messina

Thesis:  Food Policy for All: Inclusion of Diverse Community Residents on Food Policy Councils  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Molly McCullagh

Thesis:  The New Markets Tax Credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: Can They Be Joined Efficiently?  Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Maritza Martinez

Thesis:  The Effect of Genetic Introgression of Farm-Raised Fish on the Endangered Wild Atlantic Salmon Populations in Maine Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management Author:  Christopher Mancini

Thesis:  Enabling Significant Public Contribution to Urban Redesign with Open-Source 3D Modeling Software Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Andrew Likuski

Thesis:  Increasing Urban Open Space Through Pocket Parks Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Alison LeFlore

Thesis:  Assessment of Latino/a Community-Based Organizations: The Case of Arlington Community Trabajando, Inc. in Lawrence, MA.   Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Amy Kuykendall

Thesis:  Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: Developing Relationships in New England College Towns Topic:  Community Development Policy & Planning Author:  Alexander Krogh-Grabbe

Thesis:  Moving Consumers Up the Waste Hierarchy with the Paint Product Stewardship Initiative's Oregon Pilot Program Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Brielle Amara Megan Kissel

Thesis:  Encouraging Walking in Gilman Square: Physical Interventions to Increase Livability in Urban Neighborhoods Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Catalina Justiniano

Thesis:  Protecting the Commonwealth's Most Vulnerable Agricultural Lands: The Roll of Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Program.   Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Kyle Greaves

Thesis:  Dealing with Dysfunction in the Nation's Increasing Obsolete System for Land Use Management: Guidance from the Past for State-Coordinated Planning and Decision Making.   Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning  Author:  Lum Fobi

Thesis:  Exploring the Roll of Boston's Community Health Centers in Improving Healthy Food Access  Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Kristin Feierabend, E.

Thesis:  Towards a More Transformative Community Economic Development   Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Emily Elizabeth Earle

Thesis:  Planning Skills and Expertise Valued by Food Policy Councils (FPC's): A Case Study Analysis of Four American FPCs Working with Urban and Regional Planners.  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Christina DiLisio

Thesis:  Federal Clean Air Act Authority for Land Use Planning, Coordination, and Consistency.   Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Julia Bramley

Thesis:  A Place for Business: An Exploration of Business Location as a Tool in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation   Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Carl Bickerdike

Thesis:  Linking Climate Change Action to Well-Being in Cities. Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Kimberly Ake

2011 Master's Theses

Thesis:  Building Energy Codes as a Tool for Energy Efficiency: Examining Implementation in Kentucky  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Brittany Zwicker

Thesis:  In Hot Water: Temperature TMDLs in the Pacific Northwest   Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Kendall Webster

Thesis:  Constructing a Noise Propagation Model to Assess Community Noise Levels Stemming From Road Traffic: The Case of Somerville, MA. Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Erica Walker

Thesis:  From Active Living to Healthy Planning: Rethinking the Role of Urban Planning in Reducing Obesity Topic:  Public Health and Nutrition Policy & Planning Author:  Laura Tolkoff

Thesis:  21st Century Civilian Nuclear Power and the Role of Small Modular Reactors Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Eugen Taso

Thesis:  Cooperative Purchasing Organizations and Corporate Social Responsibility in Independent Coffee Shops Topic:  Corporate Env. Policy & Industrial Ecology Author:  Rowan Spivey

Thesis:  Fostering Food System Resiliency: Lessons from the Cuban Experience   Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Benjamin Simons

Thesis:  Residential Energy Efficiency in Moderate-Income Households  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning   Author:  Marcus Rozbitsky

Thesis:  Building Established Suburbs Upwards: Two Case Study Developments from Long Island, NY  Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Jeanette Rebecchi

Thesis:  Reducing Barriers to Producing Affordable Rental Housing for Extremely Low Income Households in Massachusetts Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Melisaa Ann Quirk

Thesis:  More Than Noise: What Urban Planners Can Learn From Hip-Hop Music   Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Jennifer Louise Quinn

Thesis:  Reintegration of Internationally Returning Migrants: The Role of Public Programs Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Nicholas Petschek

Thesis:  Zoning Regulations that Promote Local Generation of Energy, Water and Food Resources, with Recommendations for the City of Boston Topic:  Land Use Policy & Planning Author:  Stephen Pantalone

Thesis:  Green Homes Brookline: Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of the One-Stop Shop Model of Residential Energy Efficiency Service Delivery   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Panella

Thesis:  The Impact of a New Transit Station on Existing Businesses A Case Study of the Davis Square Red Line Station, Somerville, MA Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Emmanuel Owusu

Thesis:  Savings Through Source Control: Evaluating Nonstructural Options for Reducing Phosphorus Loading to the Charles River Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Daniel Nally

Thesis:  Jane Jacobs' West Village Now and Then: An Analysis of Neighborhood Change Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Sarah Moser

Thesis:  Landscape as Infrastructure: Best Practices for Creating Green Urban Networks to Improve Human and Natural Environments Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Michelle Moon

Thesis:  The New Market Tax Credit and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: Can They Be Joined Efficiently? Topic:  Economic Development and Fiscal Policy Author:  Maritza Martinez

Thesis:  A Town and Its Ecovillage: A Case Study of Two Massachusetts Communities Topic:  Sustainable Development Author:  Elizabeth Mahaffy

Thesis:  Interdependent Wastewater Management Between Isreal & Palestine: The Case of the Tulkarem - Emek Hefer Region Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Simcha Leventhal

Thesis:  Social Chemistry and Toxic Chemicals: Assessing the Likelihood for Increased Regulation of BPA in the United States Topic:   Environmental Law  Author:  Daniel Latham

Thesis:  Mitigating Displacement due to Gentrification: Tools for Portland, Oregon   Topic:  Housing Policy Author:  Eunice Kim

Thesis:  Analysis of the Coastal Protection Experience in Three Towns on Cape Cod, Massachusetts Topic:  Water Resources and Fisheries Policy & Planning Author:  Peter Kelly-Joseph

Thesis:  Proto-STARS Pilot: A Nine Campus Collaboration to Adapt the STARS Sustainability Assessment to Northeast Boarding Schools   Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Rebecca Hession

Thesis:  Home Visiting Utilization Among a Sample of Teen Mothers: The Full Story   Topic:  Family and Child Policy Author:  Katrine Herrick

Thesis:  Arts and Urban Revitalization Through the Lens of Providence's Arts Organizations  Topic:  Urban Planning & Design Author:  Emma Heffern

Thesis:  A Complex Situation: The Tension between Access and Conservation in the U.S. and U.K. National Parks Topic:  Natural Resources Policy & Management  Author:  Julia Haskin

Thesis:  Climate Change and Small Island Developing States: Arguments for Accelerating Action Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Samantha Harris

Thesis:  Conservation and Development? Effectively Packaging Land Protection Tools to Preserve Farmland and Manage Growth Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning  Author:  Matthew Hammer

Thesis:  Sustainability Considerations for Music and Arts Festivals in the United States Topic:  Solid Waste/Pollution Prevention Policy & Planning Author:  Eric Giambrone

Thesis:  Building a Forest Conservation Corps: A New Model for Forest Carbon Monitoring in Indonesia Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Mona Funiciello

Thesis:  Land Tenure Reform as an International Intervention: A Case Study of Aceh, Indonesia  Topic:  International Policy & Planning Author:  Erin Fried

Thesis:  Post-Disaster Redevelopment Planning in Florida: A Resilient Solution to Counteract Reactive Federal Policy Topic:  Regional and State Planning Author:  Adam Frank

Thesis:  Factors Related to Student Food Choice in High Schools: A Case Study at the Boston Arts Academy  Topic:  Agriculture and Food Systems Policy and Planning Author:  Kaleigh Fitzpatrick

Thesis:  Addressing Climate Change in the Developing World: The Role of Core Competency-Aligned Corporate Social Responsibility in Building Adaptive Capacity Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Ayesha Dinshaw

Thesis:  Participatory Design: History, Examples and Promise Topic:  Political Participation and Media Relations Author:  Amanda Cleveland

Thesis:  Black Carbon and Climate Change: Exploring the Policy Options for Reducing Emissions from Diesel Fuel Consumption in the United States   Topic:  Air Quality and Climate Change Policy & Planning Author:  Elizabeth Carver

Thesis:  Equal or Better: The Story of the Silver Li(n)e  Topic:  Transportation Policy & Planning Author:  Kristopher Carter

Thesis:  Understanding the Complex Components of Community-Based Energy Efficiency Programs: A Study of Two Massachusetts Programs  Topic:  Energy Policy & Planning Author:  Erin Brandt

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50 Best Environmental Science Research Topics

May 31, 2023

Environmental science is a varied discipline that encompasses a variety of subjects, including ecology, atmospheric science, and geology among others. Professionals within this field can pursue many occupations from lab technicians and agricultural engineers to park rangers and environmental lawyers. However, what unites these careers is their focus on how the natural world and the human world interact and impact the surrounding environment. There is also one other significant commonality among environmental science careers: virtually all of them either engage in or rely on research on environmental science topics to ensure their work is accurate and up to date.

In this post, we’ll outline some of the best environmental science research topics to help you explore disciplines within environmental science and kickstart your own research. If you are considering majoring in environmental science or perhaps just need help brainstorming for a research paper, this post will give you a broad sense of timely environmental science research topics.

What makes a research topic good?

Before we dive into specific environmental science research topics, let’s first cover the basics: what qualities make for a viable research topic. Research is the process of collecting information to make discoveries and reach new conclusions. We often think of research as something that occurs in academic or scientific settings. However, everyone engages in informal research in everyday life, from reading product reviews to investigating statistics for admitted students at prospective colleges . While we all conduct research in our day-to-day lives, formal academic research is necessary to advance discoveries and scholarly discourses. Therefore, in this setting, good research hinges on a topic in which there are unanswered questions or ongoing debates. In other words, meaningful research focuses on topics where you can say something new.

However, identifying an interesting research topic is only the first step in the research process. Research topics tend to be broad in scope. Strong research is dependent on developing a specific research question, meaning the query your project will seek to answer. While there are no comprehensive guidelines for research questions, most scholars agree that research questions should be:

1) Specific

Research questions need to clearly identify and define the focus of your research. Without sufficient detail, your research will likely be too broad or imprecise in focus to yield meaningful insights. For example, you might initially be interested in addressing this question: How should governments address the effects of climate change? While that is a worthwhile question to investigate, it’s not clear enough to facilitate meaningful research. What level of government is this question referring to? And what specific effects of global warming will this research focus on? You would need to revise this question to provide a clearer focus for your research. A revised version of this question might look like this: How can state government officials in Florida best mitigate the effects of sea-level rise?

 2) Narrow

Our interest in a given topic often starts quite broad. However, it is difficult to produce meaningful, thorough research on a broad topic. For that reason, it is important that research questions be narrow in scope, focusing on a specific issue or subtopic. For example, one of the more timely environmental science topics is renewable energy. A student who is just learning about this topic might wish to write a research paper on the following question: Which form of renewable energy is best? However, that would be a difficult question to answer in one paper given the various ways in which an energy source could be “best.” Instead, this student might narrow their focus, assessing renewable energy sources through a more specific lens: Which form of renewable energy is best for job creation?

 3) Complex

As we previously discussed, good research leads to new discoveries. These lines of inquiry typically require a complicated and open-ended research question. A question that can be answered with just a “yes” or “no” (or a quick Google search) is likely indicative of a topic in which additional research is unnecessary (i.e. there is no ongoing debate) or a topic that is not well defined. For example, the following question would likely be too simple for academic research: What is environmental justice? You can look up a definition of environmental justice online. You would need to ask a more complex question to sustain a meaningful research project. Instead, you might conduct research on the following query: Which environmental issue(s) disproportionately impact impoverished communities in the Pacific Northwest? This question is narrower and more specific, while also requiring more complex thought and analysis to answer.

4) Debatable

Again, strong research provides new answers and information, which means that they must be situated within topics or discourses where there is ongoing debate. If a research question can only lead to one natural conclusion, that may indicate that it has already been sufficiently addressed in prior research or that the question is leading. For example, Are invasive species bad? is not a very debatable question (the answer is in the term “invasive species”!). A paper that focused on this question would essentially define and provide examples of invasive species (i.e. information that is already well documented). Instead, a researcher might investigate the effects of a specific invasive species. For example: How have Burmese pythons impacted ecosystems in the Everglades, and what mitigation strategies are most effective to reduce Burmese python populations?

Therefore, research topics, including environmental science topics, are those about which there are ample questions yet to be definitively answered. Taking time to develop a thoughtful research question will provide the necessary focus and structure to facilitate meaningful research.

10 Great Environmental Science Research Topics (With Explanations!)

Now that we have a basic understanding of what qualities can make or break a research topic, we can return to our focus on environmental science topics. Although “great” research topics are somewhat subjective, we believe the following topics provide excellent foundations for research due to ongoing debates in these areas, as well as the urgency of the challenges they seek to address.

1) Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Although climate change is now a well-known concept , there is still much to be learned about how humans can best mitigate and adapt to its effects. Mitigation involves reducing the severity of climate change. However, there are a variety of ways mitigation can occur, from switching to electric vehicles to enforcing carbon taxes on corporations that produce the highest carbon emission levels. Many of these environmental science topics intersect with issues of public policy and economics, making them very nuanced and versatile.

In comparison, climate change adaptation considers how humans can adjust to life in an evolving climate where issues such as food insecurity, floods, droughts, and other severe weather events are more frequent. Research on climate change adaptation is particularly fascinating due to the various levels at which it occurs, from federal down to local governments, to help communities anticipate and adjust to the effects of climate change.

Both climate change mitigation and adaptation represent excellent environmental science research topics as there is still much to be learned to address this issue and its varied effects.

2) Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is another fairly mainstream topic in which there is much to learn and research. Although scientists have identified many forms of sustainable energy, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, questions remain about how to best implement these energy sources. How can politicians, world leaders, and communities advance renewable energy through public policy? What impact will renewable energy have on local and national economies? And how can we minimize the environmental impact of renewable energy technologies? While we have identified alternatives to fossil fuels, questions persist about the best way to utilize these technologies, making renewable energy one of the best environmental science topics to research.

3) Conservation

Conservation is a broad topic within environmental science, focusing on issues such as preserving environments and protecting endangered species. However, conservation efforts are more challenging than ever in the face of a growing world population and climate change. In fact, some scientists theorize that we are currently in the middle of a sixth mass extinction event. While these issues might seem dire, we need scientists to conduct research on conservation efforts for specific species, as well as entire ecosystems, to help combat these challenges and preserve the planet’s biodiversity.

4) Deforestation

The Save the Rainforest movement of the 1980s and 90s introduced many people to the issue of deforestation. Today, the problems associated with deforestation, such as reduced biodiversity and soil erosion, are fairly common knowledge. However, these challenges persist due, in part, to construction and agricultural development projects. While we know the effects of deforestation, it is more difficult to identify and implement feasible solutions. This is particularly true in developing countries where deforestation is often more prevalent due to political, environmental, and economic factors. Environmental science research can help reduce deforestation by identifying strategies to help countries sustainably manage their natural resources.

Environmental Science Topics (Continued)

5) urban ecology.

When we think of “the environment,” our brains often conjure up images of majestic mountain ranges and lush green forests. However, less “natural” environments also warrant study: this is where urban ecology comes in. Urban ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment in urban settings. Through urban ecology, researchers can address topics such as how greenspaces in cities can reduce air pollution, or how local governments can adopt more effective waste management practices. As one of the newer environmental science topics, urban ecology represents an exciting research area that can help humans live more sustainably.

6) Environmental Justice

While environmental issues such as climate change impact people on a global scale, not all communities are affected equally. For example, wealthy nations tend to contribute more to greenhouse-gas emissions. However, less developed nations are disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change . Studies within the field of environmental justice seek to understand how issues such as race, national origin, and income impact the degree to which people experience hardships from environmental issues. Researchers in this field not only document these inequities, but also identify ways in which environmental justice can be achieved. As a result, their work helps communities have access to clean, safe environments in which they can thrive.

7) Water Management

Water is, of course, necessary for life, which is why water management is so important within environmental science research topics. Water management research ensures that water resources are appropriately identified and maintained to meet demand. However, climate change has heightened the need for water management research, due to the occurrence of more severe droughts and wildfires. As a result, water management research is necessary to ensure water is clean and accessible.

8) Pollution and Bioremediation

Another impact of the increase in human population and development is heightened air, water, and soil pollution. Environmental scientists study pollutants to understand how they work and where they originate. Through their research, they can identify solutions to help address pollution, such as bioremediation, which is the use of microorganisms to consume and break down pollutants. Collectively, research on pollution and bioremediation helps us restore environments so they are sufficient for human, animal, and plant life.

9) Disease Ecology

While environmental science topics impact the health of humans, we don’t always think of this discipline as intersecting with medicine. But, believe it or not, they can sometimes overlap! Disease ecology examines how ecological processes and interactions impact disease evolution. For example, malaria is a disease that is highly dependent on ecological variables, such as temperature and precipitation. Both of these factors can help or hinder the breeding of mosquitoes and, therefore, the transmission of malaria. The risk of infectious diseases is likely to increase due to climate change , making disease ecology an important research topic.

10) Ecosystems Ecology

If nothing else, the aforementioned topics and their related debates showcase just how interconnected the world is. None of us live in a vacuum: our environment affects us just as we affect it. That makes ecosystems ecology, which examines how ecosystems operate and interact, an evergreen research topic within environmental science.

40 More Environmental Science Research Topics

Still haven’t stumbled upon the right environmental science research topic? The following ideas may help spark some inspiration:

• The effects of agricultural land use on biodiversity and ecosystems.
• The impact of invasive plant species on ecosystems.
• How wildfires and droughts shape ecosystems.
• The role of fire ecology in addressing wildfire threats.
• The impact of coral bleaching on biodiversity.
• Ways to minimize the environmental impact of clean energies.
• The effects of climate change on ocean currents and migration patterns of marine species.

Environmental Justice and Public Policy

• Opportunities to equalize the benefits of greenspaces for impoverished and marginalized communities.
• The impact of natural disasters on human migration patterns.
• The role of national parks and nature reserves in human health.
• How to address inequalities in the impact of air pollution.
• How to prevent and address the looming climate refugee crisis.
• Environmentally and economically sustainable alternatives to deforestation in less developed countries.
• Effects of environmental policies and regulations on impoverished communities.
• The role of pollutants in endocrine disruption.
• The effects of climate change on the emergence of infectious diseases.

AP Environmental Science Research Topics (Continued)

Soil science.

• Effects of climate change on soil erosion.
• The role of land management in maintaining soil health.
• Agricultural effects of salinization in coastal areas.
• The effects of climate change on agriculture.

Urban Ecology

• How road construction impacts biodiversity and ecosystems.
• The effects of urbanization and city planning on water cycles.
• Impacts of noise pollution on human health.
• The role of city planning in reducing light pollution.

Pollution and Bioremediation

• The role of bioremediation in removing “forever” chemicals from the environment.
• Impacts of air pollution on maternal health.
• How to improve plastic recycling processes.
• Individual measures to reduce consumption and creation of microplastics.
• Environmental impacts of and alternatives to fracking.

Environmental Law and Ethics

• Ethical implications of human intervention in the preservation of endangered species.
• The efficacy and impact of single-use plastic laws.
• Effects of religious and cultural values in environmental beliefs.
• The ethics of climate change policy for future generations.
• Ethical implications of international environmental regulations for less developed countries.
• The impact and efficacy of corporate carbon taxes.
• Ethical and environmental implications of fast fashion.
• The ethics and efficacy of green consumerism.
• Impacts of the hospitality and travel industries on pollution and emissions.
• The ethical implications of greenwashing in marketing.
• Effects of “Right to Repair” laws on pollution.

Final Thoughts: Environmental Science Research Topics

Environmental science is a diverse and very important area of study that impacts all aspects of life on Earth. If you’ve found a topic you’d like to pursue, it’s time to hit the books (or online databases)! Begin reading broadly on your chosen topic so you can define a specific research question. If you’re unsure where to begin, contact a research librarian who can connect you with pertinent resources. As you familiarize yourself with the discourse surrounding your topic, consider what questions spring to mind. Those questions may represent gaps around which you can craft a research question.

Interested in conducting academic research? Check out the following resources for information on research opportunities and programs:

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Emily earned a BA in English and Communication Studies from UNC Chapel Hill and an MA in English from Wake Forest University. While at UNC and Wake Forest, she served as a tutor and graduate assistant in each school’s writing center, where she worked with undergraduate and graduate students from all academic backgrounds. She also worked as an editorial intern for the Wake Forest University Press as well as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English at WFU, and currently works as a writing center director in western North Carolina.

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20 Timely Thesis Topics for Environmental Science Students

The study of the environment revolves around everything that has to do with the Earth, its atmosphere, natural bodies and elements that define what we know today as our planet. Therefore, coming up with environmental thesis topics is something you can do by taking into consideration the diverse niches under the body or environmental sciences.

This article will explore the different aspects of environmental science with the aim of coming up with a list of environmental dissertation topic. So read along and do not hesitate to use any of the topic ideas discussed here as the brainchild of your thesis.

Environmental Science Thesis Topics

• An Analysis of the Western World’s Policy towards Healthy Ocean Management and Its Results
• Scrutinizing the Role of Technology in Environmental Engineering with the Aim of Improving the Environment
• Evaluating Alternative Energy Systems and the Role They Play in Managing the Earth’s Ecosystem and Minimizing Pollution
• Analyzing the Nigeria’s Niger Delta, its Environmental and Legal Issues and how Environmental Engineering Can be Used to Solve Them
• The Ecological Importance of the Amazon Forest, its Troubles and how Policies Can be Developed to Counter Them.
• The Importance of Creating Environmental Policies, protocols, and Laws to Preserve some of the Earth’s Symbolic Locations
• A Research on Public Education and the Different Techniques that can be Employed to Increase Public Awareness of Environmental Issues
• An Analysis of China’s Environmental Pollution Struggle and the Role Technology can Play in Alleviating its Problems
• An Analysis of Public Health, Animal Rights and the Need to Create Policies to Guide both Concepts
• A Research on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Western Nations and the Role of Human Habits in Aiding its Fluctuations
• An Analysis of Noise and Light Pollution and Their Effects on Public Health
• The Global Warming Phenomena, its Diversions, and the Studies Dedicated to Tracking Changes Attributed to Global Warming
• An Analysis of Carbon dioxide Fluxes Covering the Roles Played by Plants, Animals, and Water Bodies
• An Analysis of Water and Air Pollution and Their Impact Microorganisms
• An Analysis of Water Pollution, the Transportation of Water Pollutants and their Effects on Ocean Life Forms
• Analyzing Soil Contamination in Marshy Lands and the Importance of Computer Modeling for Understanding Their Impact
• The Impact of Soil and Water Pollution on Pond-dwelling Organisms and Their Effects on Amphibians
• Scrutinizing the National Environment Policy Act and How It Can be Implemented in the Developing World
• Making a Case for an International Environmental Protocol to Monitoring and Managing Public Health
• An Analysis of the Developing World and how the Interaction between these Societies and the Environment Affects Public Health

These are some of the timely environment thesis topics we promised you at the introductory section of this article. Here we have provided environmental health dissertation topics and other ideas which you are welcome to work with.

Posted by Mike Sung

• ← 20 Topics for Dissertation in International Relations

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Urban Planning Dissertation Topics Ideas and Examples

Published by Owen Ingram at January 5th, 2023 , Revised On March 24, 2023

Urban planning is an essential tool in creating vibrant and healthy communities. It is the practice of balancing the needs of a society with limited resources to ensure equitable development and long-term sustainability. Urban planners work at all scales, from local communities to global initiatives, helping to shape cities, regions and even entire countries.

At its core, urban planning focuses on improving the quality of life through efficient use of land, transportation networks and public services such as education and healthcare facilities.

Planning can be a powerful tool in tackling social issues like poverty, inequality and environmental degradation by finding smart solutions that meet people’s needs while preserving natural resources.

This can include everything from designing walkable neighbourhoods that promote physical activity to creating green spaces that clean air pollutants out of the atmosphere.

Conducting research on urban planning topics is essential for students writing dissertations because it allows them to understand the field better while developing critical thinking skills.

Researching urban planning topics gives students insight into life within various cities and towns worldwide. Knowing how different areas have developed over time can help inform future decisions shaping our society.

Research projects give students hands-on experience conducting surveys and collecting data, which can then be used to formulate opinions about current issues facing cities and regions today.

How to Choose the Best Urban Planning Dissertation Topic

Choosing a dissertation topic for urban planning can be one of the most challenging and rewarding. It’s essential for students to take the time to carefully research and assess different topics, as this will form the basis for their entire dissertation project.

The following tips will help students choose a dissertation topic that connects with their interests while also contributing something new and exciting to urban planning literature.

• First, students must consider what topics they are passionate about within urban planning.
• Doing so may reveal potential research gaps or intersections, which could become their project’s focus.
• Identifying any specific industry trends or current debates in this area is also beneficial and could provide an impetus for conducting original research.

List of Urban Planning Dissertation Topics

• Chinese urban planning at fifty: an assessment of the planning theory literature
• Shifting approaches to planning theory: Global North and South
•  Disintegrated development at the rural-urban fringe: Re-connecting spatial planning theory and practice
• Computer-supported participation in urban planning from the viewpoint of “Communicative Planning Theory.”
• Jaqueline Tyrwhitt: a transnational life in urban planning and design
• A serious Digital game for urban planning: “B3—Design your marketplace!”
• The value of community informatics to participatory urban planning and design: a case study in Helsinki
• Urban planning and development in Tehran
• Application of system dynamics model as a decision-making tool in urban planning process toward stabilising carbon dioxide emissions from cities
• Property, politics, and urban planning: a history of Australian city planning, 1890-1990
• The making of urban America: a history of city planning in the United States
• Slope instability in static and dynamic conditions for urban planning: the ‘Oltre Po Pavese’case history (Regione Lombardia–Italy)
• The impact of sanitary reform upon American urban planning, 1840-1890
•  The capital of Europe: Architecture and urban planning for the European Union
• Settlement history and urban planning at Zincirli Höyük, southern Turkey
• Urban transportation planning in the United States: history, policy, and practice
• Beyond the colonial city: Re-evaluating the urban history of India, ca. 1920–1970
• Shadows of planning: on landscape/planning history and inherited landscape ambiguities at the urban fringe
• White cities, linguistic turns, and Disneylands: The new paradigms of urban history
• Analysis of problems in urban green space system planning in China
• Lagos (Nigeria) flooding and influence of urban planning
• Reusing organic solid waste in urban farming in African cities: A challenge for urban planners
• An assessment of public participation GIS and Web 2.0 technologies in urban planning practice in Canela, Brazil
• City of change and challenge: Urban planning and regeneration in Liverpool
• Urban planning in Russia: towards the market

What is the Importance of Choosing the Correct Urban Planning Research Topic

Urban planning is a very important topic for students to study, as it helps them understand the complexities of city life and its many related disciplines. When researching an urban planning dissertation topic, students should carefully consider their approach and the structure of their research project.

An excellent urban planning dissertation topic can help students better understand the issues, provide insight into potential solutions, and even develop new ideas for further investigation.

When selecting an urban planning dissertation topic, it is important for students to consider their interests in the subject matter. Choosing a topic that aligns with students’ interests will often result in more meaningful results and may lead to exciting discoveries.

Students should also be aware of current events or trends relevant to their chosen field, as these can provide invaluable insights into urban planning topics.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

FAQ’s About Urban Planning Dissertation Ideas

When to choose the urban planning dissertation topic.

In terms of choosing a topic for the dissertation, students should take into account the time of their academic year. Having enough time for research is important. In case you do not have time to write your dissertation, visit our website and see our services .

How do I choose the most appropriate urban planning dissertation topic?

The best way to choose an appropriate topic is by doing research on various topics related to urban planning. Consider what research you want to do and how much time you have to write your dissertation.

Examining journals and publications that explore urban planning issues can give you ideas about potential topics for your dissertation. Additionally, attending conferences or seminars related to urban planning can provide insight into current research in this field.

Can I use these topics for my dissertation?

The topics listed here can be used for your dissertation. There are a variety of topics you can use depending on the type of research project you are doing.

Have other students used these topics already?

These dissertation topics may have already been used by other students. You can order unique dissertation topics on our website if you need topics that have never been used before.

Can ResearchProspect provide unique and customised urban planning dissertation topics?

Yes, ResearchProspect provide unique and customised Urban Planning dissertation topics.

Can you make a research proposal on my selected topic?

Yes, we can develop a research proposal for your chosen topic. On our website, you can order research proposal topics or learn more about our proposal writing services .

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Environmental Planning, M.Sc.

Program overview.

Our environment is constantly changing. Humans and nature must continually adapt - whether due to the increase in greenhouse gases, the decrease in biodiversity, or the growing use of area in urban spaces. Environmental planning offers methods and tools to react to these changes. The objective is to coordinate our standards and requirements when it comes to nature and landscape in an efficient and environmentally compatible way. 

In the English-language, international master’s program in Environmental Planning, you will look at these challenges with a strong interdisciplinary focus, whereby ecological, design, social scientific, engineering, and planning scientific contents all play a role. During your studies, you will also benefit from TU Berlin's many cooperation agreements with partners in the public and private sectors.

Admission requirements

The formal admission requirement for the consecutive master’s program in Environmental Planning is a first university degree in ecology and environmental planning, ecology, environmental planning, landscape planning, landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, geography (with a focus on physical geography and geographic information systems), environmental sciences, ecology/nature conservation, urban space planning, environmental policies, or a closely related subject. In the degree programs listed or closely related programs, you must be able to show proof of coursework totaling at least 90 credit points in modules related to the environment and planning at the time of your application.

The Environmental Planning master’s program is taught in English. Applicants are therefore required to provide proof of English skills at CEFR level C1 or equivalent. Proof of German skills is not required. Foreign applicants are advised to acquire basic German skills, however, before beginning the study program.

You can find more information about the application, admission, and selection procedures in the application and admission regulations of the degree program (see the link "Study and examination regulations").

Program structure

The projects are a key element of the program. Work on projects is done both in the project group (plenary) and in research groups. The project serves to teach and practice analytical tools (theories, methods, techniques) and develop model solutions on the levels of planning, society, construction, design, and planning policy. It is supported by the degree program’s other courses. The project work also includes carrying out excursions.

The master’s program in Environmental Planning is divided into compulsory, compulsory elective, and elective components. The compulsory component totals 78 credit points, which include two projects and the master’s thesis. The compulsory elective component includes 24 credit points and is divided into the core and complementary areas. The elective component encompasses 18 credit points.

By choosing project topics and the modules in the core area, you can set your own focus in the course of your studies. There is also a supplementary area offering you a chance to select modules that are either closely related to the subject or are interdisciplinary and meaningfully round off or expand your own focus.

The objectives and further structure of the program as well as the examination requirements and details on how the examinations are carried out are set down in the study and examination regulations. 

There is a proposed course schedule for the degree program. This is a recommendation for how to complete the degree program within the standard period of study of four semesters. You can find it as an annex to the study and examination regulations. The most current version of the regulations applies to applicants.

Study and examination regulations:

• Environmental Planning M.Sc. 2017 (pdf, 598 KB, German)
• Environmental Planning M.Sc. 2017 (pdf, 546 KB)
• Environmental Planning (Umweltplanung) M.Sc. 2010 (pdf, 522 KB, German)

Content and modules

The master’s degree program in Environmental Planning consists of modules which combine curriculum content on a specific topic and often include various study and teaching formats like lectures, practical tutorials, seminars, and practical projects. Students are required to earn a specific number of credit points and complete certain coursework and assessments in each module. 

 A current overview of all modules is available in TU Berlin’s module transfer system (MTS). The MTS also provides an overview of which modules are mandatory for your degree program and which are elective. Detailed module descriptions provide information about the content, learning objectives, participation requirements, workload, type of assessment, and much more.

The module catalogue is based on the study and exam regulations. The most current version of the regulations   applies to applicants.

Internships

An internship is not a compulsory component of the program.

Stays abroad

You can generally complete parts of the program abroad, either in the form of study abroad or internships. General information concerning stays abroad is available from the TU Berlin International Office (study abroad) or the Career Service (internships abroad).

Acquired skills

In the master’s program in Environmental Planning, you will gain the following competences and skills: 

• Understanding of processes in planning and environmental assessments in Europe and around the world as well as knowledge of
• spatial environmental planning and the tools for carrying out plans and environmental assessments, 
• application of the key guidelines and sector policies of the European Community relevant to environmental planning, 
• important links to ecological, landscaped architectonic, and socio-scientific areas as well as
• knowledge about possibilities for continuing and new developments in European environmental regulations. 

You will also expand your team skills, confidence and communication, social and leadership skills, and factual assertiveness.

After your studies

The master’s program in Environmental Planning enables you to take on positions of responsibility in European and international planning offices and think tanks, public administration such as ministries and subordinate authorities, but also for academic-scientific careers in the areas of environment, landscape, and planning. After completing the program, you are able to work on research projects and take on leadership, management, and development tasks. You can also continue on with a doctorate to gain qualifications for research and teaching.

Further information & downloads

Website of the Degree Program

Questions about the degree program: Course Guidance

Recognition of previously acquired credits: Examination Board

Subject-specific Counseling and Services

Office of Academic and Student Affairs of the Faculty

General guidance and choosing the right degree program: Academic Advising Service

Application and enrollment: Office of Student Affairs

Information on Semester Fees / Costs for enrollment & re-registration

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

News Roundup Spring 2024

CEGE Spring Graduation Celebration and Order of the Engineer

Forty-seven graduates of the undergraduate and grad student programs (pictured above) in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering took part in the Order of the Engineer on graduation day. Distinguished Speakers at this departmental event included Katrina Kessler (MS EnvE 2021), Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and student Brian Balquist. Following this event, students participated in the college-wide Commencement Ceremony at 3M Arena at Mariucci. 

UNIVERSITY & DEPARTMENT

The University of Minnesota’s Crookston, Duluth, and Rochester campuses have been awarded the Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, joining the Twin Cities (2006, 2015) and Morris campuses (2015), and making the U of M the country’s first and only university system at which every individual campus has received this selective designation. Only 368 from nearly 4,000 qualifying U.S. universities and colleges have been granted this designation.

CEGE contributed strongly to the College of Science and Engineering’s efforts toward sustainability research. CEGE researchers are bringing in over $35 million in funded research to study carbon mineralization, nature and urban areas, circularity of water resources, and global snowfall patterns. This news was highlighted in the Fall 2023 issue of  Inventing Tomorrow  (pages 10-11). https://issuu.com/inventingtomorrow/docs/fall_2023_inventing_tomorrow-web

CEGE’s new program for a one-year master’s degree in structural engineering is now accepting applicants for Fall 2024. We owe a big thanks to DAN MURPHY and LAURA AMUNDSON for their volunteer work to help curate the program with Professor JIA-LIANG LE and EBRAHIM SHEMSHADIAN, the program director. Potential students and companies interested in hosting a summer intern can contact Ebrahim Shemshadian ( [email protected] ).

BERNIE BULLERT , CEGE benefactor and MN Water Research Fund founder, was profiled on the website of the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF). There you can read more about his mission to share clean water technologies with smaller communities in Minnesota. Many have joined Bullert in this mission. MWRF Recognizes their Generous 2024 Partners. Gold Partners: Bernie Bullert, Hawkins, Inc., Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and SL-serco. Silver Partners: ISG, Karl and Pam Streed, Kasco, Kelly Lange-Haider and Mark Haider, ME Simpson, Naeem Qureshi, Dr. Paul H. Boening, TKDA, and Waterous. Bronze Partners: Bruce R. Bullert; Brenda Lenz, Ph.D., APRN FNP-C, CNE; CDM Smith; Central States Water Environment Association (CSWEA MN); Heidi and Steve Hamilton; Jim “Bulldog” Sadler; Lisa and Del Cerney; Magney Construction; Sambatek; Shannon and John Wolkerstorfer; Stantec; and Tenon Systems.

After retiring from Baker-Tilly,  NICK DRAGISICH  (BCE 1977) has taken on a new role: City Council member in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. After earning his BCE from the University of Minnesota, Dragisich earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. Dragisich retired in May from his position as managing director at Baker Tilly, where he had previously served as firm director. Prior to that, he served as assistant city manager in Spokane, Washington, was the city administrator and city engineer in Virginia, Minnesota, and was mayor of Chisholm, Minnesota—all adding up to more than 40 years of experience in local government. Dragisich was selected by a unanimous vote. His current term expires in December 2024.

PAUL F. GNIRK  (Ph.D. 1966) passed away January 29, 2024, at the age of 86. A memorial service was held Saturday, February 24, at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T), where he started and ended his teaching career, though he had many other positions, professional and voluntary. In 2018 Paul was inducted into the SDSM&T Hardrocker Hall of Fame, and in 2022, he was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame, joining his mother Adeline S. Gnirk, who had been inducted in 1987 for her work authoring nine books on the history of south central South Dakota.

ROGER M. HILL  (BCE 1957) passed away on January 13, 2024, at the age of 90. His daughter, Kelly Robinson, wrote to CEGE that Roger was “a dedicated Gopher fan until the end, and we enjoyed many football games together in recent years. Thank you for everything.”

KAUSER JAHAN  (Ph.D. 1993, advised by Walter Maier), PE, is now a civil and environmental engineering professor and department head at Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering. Jahan was awarded a 3-year (2022- 2025), $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The grant supports her project, “WaterWorks: Developing the New Generation of Workforce for Water/Wastewater Utilities,” for the development of educational tools that will expose and prepare today’s students for careers in water and wastewater utilities.

SAURA JOST  (BCE 2010, advised by Timothy LaPara) was elected to the St. Paul City Council for Ward 3. She is part of the historic group of women that make up the nation’s first all-female city council in a large city.

The 2024 ASCE Western Great Lakes Student Symposium combines several competitions for students involved in ASCE. CEGE sent a large contingent of competitors to Chicago. Each of the competition groups won awards: Ethics Paper 1st place Hans Lagerquist; Sustainable Solutions team 1st place overall in (qualifying them for the National competition in Utah in June); GeoWall 2nd place overall; Men’s Sprint for Concrete Canoe with rowers Sakthi Sundaram Saravanan and Owen McDonald 2nd place; Product Prototype for Concrete Canoe 2nd place; Steel Bridge (200 lb bridge weight) 2nd place in lightness; Scavenger Hunt 3rd place; and Aesthetics and Structural Efficiency for Steel Bridge 4th place.

Students competing on the Minnesota Environmental Engineers, Scientists, and Enthusiasts (MEESE) team earned second place in the Conference on the Environment undergraduate student design competition in November 2023. Erin Surdo is the MEESE Faculty Adviser. Pictured are NIKO DESHPANDE, ANNA RETTLER, and SYDNEY OLSON.

The CEGE CLASS OF 2023 raised money to help reduce the financial barrier for fellow students taking the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, a cost of $175 per test taker. As a result of this gift, they were able to make the exam more affordable for 15 current CEGE seniors. CEGE students who take the FE exam pass the first time at a rate well above national averages, demonstrating that CEGE does a great job of teaching engineering fundamentals. In 2023, 46 of 50 students passed the challenging exam on the first try.

This winter break, four CEGE students joined 10 other students from the College of Science and Engineering for the global seminar, Design for Life: Water in Tanzania. The students visited numerous sites in Tanzania, collected water source samples, designed rural water systems, and went on safari. Read the trip blog: http://globalblogs.cse.umn.edu/search/label/Tanzania%202024

Undergraduate Honor Student  MALIK KHADAR  (advised by Dr. Paul Capel) received honorable mention for the Computing Research Association (CRA) Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award for undergraduate students who show outstanding research potential in an area of computing research.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

AKASH BHAT  (advised by William Arnold) presented his Ph.D. defense on Friday, October 27, 2023. Bhat’s thesis is “Photolysis of fluorochemicals: Tracking fluorine, use of UV-LEDs, and computational insights.” Bhat’s work investigating the degradation of fluorinated compounds will assist in the future design of fluorinated chemicals such that persistent and/or toxic byproducts are not formed in the environment.

ETHAN BOTMEN  (advised by Bill Arnold) completed his Master of Science Final Exam February 28, 2024. His research topic was Degradation of Fluorinated Compounds by Nucleophilic Attack of Organo-fluorine Functional Groups.

XIATING CHEN , Ph.D. Candidate in Water Resources Engineering at the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory is the recipient of the 2023 Nels Nelson Memorial Fellowship Award. Chen (advised by Xue Feng) is researching eco-hydrological functions of urban trees and other green infrastructure at both the local and watershed scale, through combined field observations and modeling approaches.

ALICE PRATES BISSO DAMBROZ  has been a Visiting Student Researcher at the University of Minnesota since last August, on a Doctoral Dissertation Research Award from Fulbright. Her CEGE advisor is Dr. Paul Capel. Dambroz is a fourth year Ph.D. student in Soil Science at Universidade Federal de Santa Maria in Brazil, where she studies with her adviser Jean Minella. Her research focuses on the hydrological monitoring of a small agricultural watershed in Southern Brazil, which is located on a transition area between volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Its topography, shallow soils, and land use make it prone to runoff and erosion processes.

Yielding to people in crosswalks should be a very pedestrian topic. Yet graduate student researchers  TIANYI LI, JOSHUA KLAVINS, TE XU, NIAZ MAHMUD ZAFRI  (Dept.of Urban and Regional Planning at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology), and Professor Raphael Stern found that drivers often do not yield to pedestrians, but they are influenced by the markings around a crosswalk. Their work was picked up by the  Minnesota Reformer.

TIANYI LI  (Ph.D. student advised by Raphael Stern) also won the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation (DDET) Fellowship for the third time! Li (center) and Stern (right) are pictured at the Federal Highway Administration with Latoya Jones, the program manager for the DDET Fellowship.

The Three Minute Thesis Contest and the Minnesota Nice trophy has become an annual tradition in CEGE. 2023’s winner was  EHSANUR RAHMAN , a Ph.D. student advised by Boya Xiong.

GUANJU (WILLIAM) WEI , a Ph.D. student advised by Judy Yang, is the recipient of the 2023 Heinz G. Stefan Fellowship. He presented his research entitled Microfluidic Investigation of the Biofilm Growth under Dynamic Fluid Environments and received his award at the St. Anthony Falls Research Laboratory April 9. The results of Wei's research can be used in industrial, medical, and scientific fields to control biofilm growth.

BILL ARNOLD  stars in an award-winning video about prairie potholes. The Prairie Potholes Project film was made with the University of Delaware and highlights Arnold’s NSF research. The official winners of the 2024 Environmental Communications Awards Competition Grand Prize are Jon Cox and Ben Hemmings who produced and directed the film. Graduate student Marcia Pacheco (CFANS/LAAS) and Bill Arnold are the on-screen stars.

Four faculty from CEGE join the Center for Transportation Studies Faculty and Research Scholars for FY24–25:  SEONGJIN CHOI, KETSON ROBERTO MAXIMIANO DOS SANTOS, PEDRAM MORTAZAVI,  and  BENJAMIN WORSFOLD . CTS Scholars are drawn from diverse fields including engineering, planning, computer science, environmental studies, and public policy.

XUE FENG  is coauthor on an article in  Nature Reviews Earth and Environment . The authors evaluate global plant responses to changing rainfall regimes that are now characterized by fewer and larger rainfall events. A news release written at Univ. of Maryland can be found here: https://webhost.essic. umd.edu/april-showers-bring-mayflowers- but-with-drizzles-or-downpours/ A long-running series of U of M research projects aimed at improving stormwater quality are beginning to see practical application by stormwater specialists from the Twin Cities metro area and beyond. JOHN GULLIVER has been studying best practices for stormwater management for about 16 years. Lately, he has focused specifically on mitigating phosphorous contamination. His research was highlighted by the Center for Transportation Studies.

JIAQI LI, BILL ARNOLD,  and  RAYMOND HOZALSKI  published a paper on N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors in Minnesota rivers. “Animal Feedlots and Domestic Wastewater Discharges are Likely Sources of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) Precursors in Midwestern Watersheds,” Environmental Science and Technology (January 2024) doi: 10.1021/acs. est.3c09251

ALIREZA KHANI  contributed to MnDOT research on Optimizing Charging Infrastructure for Electric Trucks. Electric options for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks (e-trucks) are still largely in development. These trucks account for a substantial percentage of transportation greenhouse gas emissions. They have greater power needs and different charging needs than personal EVs. Proactively planning for e-truck charging stations will support MnDOT in helping to achieve the state’s greenhouse gas reduction goals. This research was featured in the webinar “Electrification of the Freight System in Minnesota,” hosted by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies. A recording of the event is now available online.

MICHAEL LEVIN  has developed a unique course for CEGE students on Air Transportation Systems. It is the only class at UMN studying air transportation systems from an infrastructure design and management perspective. Spring 2024 saw the third offering of this course, which is offered for juniors, seniors, and graduate students.

Research Professor  SOFIA (SONIA) MOGILEVSKAYA  has been developing international connections. She visited the University of Seville, Spain, November 13–26, 2023, where she taught a short course titled “Fundamentals of Homogenization in Composites.” She also met with the graduate students to discuss collaborative research with Prof. Vladislav Mantic, from the Group of Continuum Mechanics and Structural Analysis at the University of Seville. Her visit was a part of planned activities within the DIAGONAL Consortium funded by the European Commission. CEGE UMN is a partner organization within DIAGONAL, represented by CEGE professors Mogilevskaya and Joseph Labuz. Mantic will visit CEGE summer 2024 to follow up on research developments and discuss plans for future collaboration and organization of short-term exchange visits for the graduate students from each institution. 

DAVID NEWCOMB  passed away in March. He was a professor in CEGE from 1989–99 in the area of pavement engineering. Newcomb led the research program on asphalt materials characterization. He was the technical director of Mn/ROAD pavement research facility, and he started an enduring collaboration with MnDOT that continues today. In 2000, he moved from Minnesota to become vice-president for Research and Technology at the National Asphalt Pavement Association. Later he moved to his native Texas, where he was appointed to the division head of Materials and Pavement at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, a position from which he recently retired. He will be greatly missed.

PAIGE NOVAK  won Minnesota ASCE’s 2023 Distinguished Engineer of the Year Award for her contributions to society through her engineering achievements and professional experiences.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced ten inaugural (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines awards, with a potential $1.6 billion investment nationally over the next decade. Great Lakes ReNEW is led by the Chicago-based water innovation hub,  Current,  and includes a team from the University of Minnesota, including PAIGE NOVAK. Current will receive $15 mil for the first two years, and up to $160 million over ten years to develop and grow a water-focused innovation engine in the Great Lakes region. The project’s ambitious plan is to create a decarbonized circular “blue economy” to leverage the region’s extraordinary water resources to transform the upper Midwest—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Brewing one pint of beer generates seven pints of wastewater, on average. So what can you do with that wastewater?  PAIGE NOVAK  and her team are exploring the possibilities of capturing pollutants in wastewater and using bacteria to transform them into energy.

BOYA XIONG  has been selected as a recipient of the 2024 40 Under 40 Recognition Program by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. The award was presented at the 2024 AAEES Awards Ceremony, April 11, 2024, at the historic Howard University in Washington, D.C. 

JUDY Q. YANG  received a McKnight Land-Grant Professorship Award. This two-year award recognizes promising assistant professors and is intended to advance the careers of individuals who have the potential to make significant contributions to their departments and their scholarly fields. 

Professor Emeritus CHARLES FAIRHURST , his son CHARLES EDWARD FAIRHURST , and his daughter MARGARET FAIRHURST DURENBERGER were on campus recently to present Department Head Paige Novak with a check for $25,000 for the Charles Fairhurst Fellowship in Earth Resources Engineering in support of graduate students studying geomechanics. The life of Charles Fairhurst through a discussion with his children is featured on the Engineering and Technology History Wiki at https://ethw.org/Oral-History:Charles_Fairhurst#00:00:14_INTRODUCTION

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