http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/7873 Search the Channel search http://dspace.mit.edu/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/34168 Title: A spatial structuring approach to IT use and workplace change : what's space got to do with it? <br/> <br/>Authors: Goelman, Ari <br/> <br/>Abstract: This dissertation uses the disparate spatial practices of radiologists and outpatient physicians to frame a study of the relationship between space, information technology use and workplace change, with a particular focus on relationships of control. Drawing from diverse urban, organization and economic literatures, I propose a spatial structuring approach to examining issues of space and work practices. From this perspective, spatial practices are seen as both shaping and being shaped by information technology use. The spatial practices of outpatient physicians prior to adopting Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) shaped the implementations of the EMRs in that they led to a series of problems in coordinating outpatient work, problems that EMRs were adopted in part to solve. The EMRs, in turn, were successfully used to further extend physician work in time and space, as well as to better coordinate and control their work. For radiologists, their historic spatial practices shaped the way they used teleradiology applications to respond to a recent, and overwhelming, scarcity of radiologists. Radiologists were able to successfully exert control over the offshoring of their work, in part due to their long history of working at a distance from their patients and other physicians.; (cont.) Radiology work has been done remotely since the inception of their profession, so the fact that it can now be done from thousands of miles away, rather than a hundred yards away, did not appreciably lessen their ability to exert professional control. This research also links spatial practices at work to temporal practices at work. I use a comparison of the ways in which outpatient physicians and radiologists work in space and time to highlight the importance of these practices in shaping and being shaped by the use of information technologies. In both cases, information technologies that enabled physicians to extend their work in space were used to extend their work in time, as well. Once again I link these complex dynamics to issues of control, both of the information technologies in question, and of medical work more generally. <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2005.; Includes bibliographical references (leaves 203-211). Fri, 29 Oct 2004 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/28791 Title: Transit planning in Curitiba and Bogotá : roles in interaction, risk, and change <br/> <br/>Authors: Ardila Gómez, Arturo <br/> <br/>Abstract: What is the role of planners in the planning process for new transit modes? By documenting transit-planning processes in Curitiba and Bogota from 1955-95 and 1986-2001, respectively, this work demonstrates that in both cities planners had important roles in system design, the inventive adaptation of new technologies to local conditions, the integration of newly proposed systems with existing service and, above all, mediation between political leadership and strong vested interests. Both cities put planners' roles in special context, however. First, the mayors had a firm appreciation of planning services and understood that planners needed to interact with stakeholders and politicians. Second, the mayors were strong leaders who offered planners a benchmark from which to understand the implications of stakeholders' demands. Third, these cases were framed by new technologies such as Bus Rapid Transit, which competed against rail alternatives. Fourth, because of the novelty of BRT planners had difficulty producing credible forecasts. This uncertainty forced planners to interact more with stakeholders and politicians to build credibility. Fifth, BRT offered the advantage of being highly flexible, particularly when compared to rail proposals. This flexibility allowed planners to adjust the plans in response to the feedback produced by the interaction with stakeholders and politicians. Adjusting the plans often forced planners to innovate. Within this context, planners' main role was to interact with politicians and stakeholders. The interaction was above all a source of feedback for all parties involved. Planners used this feedback, first, to mediate between politicians and stakeholders by reducing power differentials. If either actor; (cont.) were too powerful the planning process could not advance. Second, planners developed incremental adaptations to the original plan in light of the political reality unveiled by the interaction. The gradual adjustments to the original plan lowered risk for all parties. The adaptations and the reduced risk helped assemble coalitions of support. Planning teams with high levels of political capacity were able to interact with politicians and stakeholders. Planning teams also needed a high level of technical capacity to prevent stakeholders from capturing/co-opting the planning team. <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2004.; "September 2004."; Includes bibliographical references (p. 425-454). Wed, 29 Oct 2003 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/28785 Title: Swamp rats, fat cats and soggy suburbs : planners and engineers in south east Florida <br/> <br/>Authors: Phelan, Katherine A., 1971- <br/> <br/>Abstract: U.S. cities continue to physically expand, supported by and creating demand for water supply, road, sewerage, electricity networks. But the relationship between the professional values, education and practices of city or urban planning and civil engineering, and these infrastructure networks is an under-explored phenomenon in both fields. This doctoral dissertation contributes important new knowledge about the decisions and recommendations of planners and engineers for infrastructure and growth, and their resulting impact on the shape of rapidly growing urban areas. A qualitative method results in qualified conclusions about continuity, change and contradiction in the two professions' beliefs, actions and their physical influence on the built environment. Studying these two professions in the swampland context of south east Florida exposes their professional beliefs and actions in relation to infrastructure conception and implementation, and urban expansion. The involvement of planners and engineers with the canals and ditches used to drain the Everglades have been crucial to the accommodation of urban population growth on the east coast of the Florida peninsula. But neither profession appears satisfied with the extent of their influence on urban growth in Florida or the nation. At the same time, increases in population, number of households and land consumption will continue across the United States. The dissertation concludes that the professions must improve their understanding of the relationship between the spatial and non-spatial issues of infrastructure systems. The three-dimensional, physical aspects of urban expansion provide a real opportunity for both fields to reinvigorate and reinforce their professional expertise.; (cont.) The diverse elements of the development process need to be more extensively examined within a significant increase in collaborative research on growth, infrastructure and the professional practice of both disciplines. It is imperative that such results are accessible and useful to the practitioners of planning and engineering who deal with these issues on a daily basis. <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2004.; "September 2004."; Includes bibliographical references (p. 319-373). Wed, 29 Oct 2003 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/40616 Title: Latino lifestyle & the new urbanism : synergy against sprawl <br/> <br/>Authors: Mendez, Michael Anthony, 1977- <br/> <br/>Description: Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2003.; Includes bibliographical references (p. 107-112). Tue, 29 Oct 2002 22:58:59 GMT