Date
7-21-2022
Department
Helms School of Government
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Chair
Ronald Hy
Primary Subject Area
Political Science, General
Keywords
revitalization, community development, comprehensive planning, citizen engagement
Disciplines
Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
Recommended Citation
Rumball-Petre, Erica Nicole, "The Use of Comprehensive Planning in Barre and Bennington Revitalization Projects" (2022). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 3743.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3743
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the economic, physical, social, and stakeholder engagement strategies used during revitalization projects in Barre and Bennington, Vermont. Revitalization projects are used to reinvigorate communities whose economies, infrastructure, and quality of life have deteriorated (Morckel, 2014). Revitalization projects differ significantly from community to community. However, the literature asserts that city planners and engaged citizens must address the same critical components if the revitalization project is to have a lasting impact (Morckel, 2014, Rupp et al., 2019). The use of economic, physical, social, and stakeholder engagement strategies is termed “comprehensive planning.” Planners who neglect to address these critical areas risk investing time and energy into a project that does not truly meet citizens’ needs. The research questions asked 1.) How are planners and citizens in Barre and Bennington using economic, social, physical, and stakeholder engagement strategies during revitalization efforts? 2.) How are planners and citizens combining social, physical, and stakeholder engagement strategies during revitalization efforts in Barre and Bennington? Using the case study method, the experiences of revitalization participants in each community as well as city planning documents revealed the ways in which planners and citizens used comprehensive planning methods in Barre and Bennington, Vermont.
