Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Date

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

City & Regional Planning

Committee Chair

Charlie Santo

Committee Member

Christine Kirchoff

Committee Member

Naser Titu

Committee Member

Stephen Diko

Abstract

Patterns of structural and socioeconomic disparities are stark. Public sector actors, in particular planners and grant managers, have a responsibility to thoughtfully allocate funds to better address longstanding disparities. This study provides examples of how actionable science looks in practice in local government contexts and grounds the work in the literature across planning, public administration, and anthropology fields. This inter-disciplinary approach helps identify co-production as a common theme to stitch these works together. First, a case study in green fleet efforts offers a co-produced approach and detailed program evaluation to justify and continue encouraging the use of idle mitigation technology in Fire Services fleet vehicles. Quantifying financial savings can serve as a compelling component of this justification, but co-benefits for air quality, rider experience, and vehicle maintenance costs should not be overlooked. Second, a plan evaluation effort to analyze entitlement grantees’ Consolidated Plans required by the federal government granting agencies – specifically examining how climate- and housing-related work is discussed. Grantees’ discussion of climate principles vary greatly, and while many mention climate, it’s integration across other relevant initiatives such as energy efficient housing or resilient parks are sparse. Goals and associated outcomes rarely connect directly to climate-related principles, although co-benefits of eligible projects can be notable towards a more resilient community. Takeaways for both climate practitioners and grant managers help ground the work for practical, tangible takeaways. Third, a pilot study examining the impacts of a housing rehabilitation program reveal significant reductions in energy burden for area residents. Utility bill costs decreased for the sampled pool and point to meaningful, targeted interventions currently underway in local government agencies. Policy and practice recommendations accompany this work, and seek to empower local municipalities to more critically examine programs, policies, and budgeting to guide more equitable outcomes for society. In making science matter more and employing program evaluation strategies that help demonstrate community benefit, public sector actors can build a more equitable, just, and inclusive space moving forward.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Open Access.

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