City of Muncie and Ball State University integration plan

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Authors
Kain, Jitin
Advisor
Mitchell, J. Paul
Issue Date
2002
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.U.R.P.)
Department
Department of Urban Planning
Other Identifiers
Abstract

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Muncie's city center was the core of urban life. It was similar to many industrial cities of the late 1800s, where the central business district was the hub of activities. The urban fabric in Muncie has changed significantly over the years, making it a city with very little activity in the city center. Downtown revitalization has therefore been an important task for civic leaders in the city. There are various revitalization strategies that aid in city center revival. Some have been classified as incremental, while some as catalysts. The first approach seeks to revitalize a city center using programs that show results over a period of time. The second approach depends on the successful development of a large project like a shopping mall, convention center or a hotel that brings back life in the city center. The goal of this study is to prove the effectiveness of colleges and universities as catalysts in downtown revitalization. Researched material suggests that various communities across the United States are harnessing the resources and forming partnerships with their host universities in order to aid in downtown revitalization efforts. Traditionally, universities and colleges in the United States developed away from the city center, but physically shifting downtown has proven effective in reviving the deteriorating condition of economically deprived communities. The proposed Integration Plan is aimed at guiding as well as providing ideas to further enhance the downtown revitalization process in the City of Muncie.

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