Manufacturing recovery : a networked approach to green job creation in Massachusetts Gateway cities
Author(s)
Leavy-Sperounis, Marianna (Marianna Breakstone)![Thumbnail](/bitstream/handle/1721.1/59753/670434699-MIT.pdf.jpg?sequence=5&isAllowed=y)
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Alternative title
Networked approach to green job creation in Massachusetts Gateway cities
Other Contributors
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning.
Advisor
Lorlene Hoyt.
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Show full item recordAbstract
In this thesis, I compare workforce development planning in Lawrence and Lowell, Massachusetts, two of the state's older industrial "Gateway" cities. I specifically examine local planning processes around job creation in the clean technology (clean tech) sector. Contradicting the notion of the cities as "urban twins," I find that Lawrence's original physical and social design led to a pattern of economic disinvestment and a deficit of municipal planning capacity compared to Lowell. Today, Lawrence experiences the resulting disadvantage when it competes with Lowell for clean tech economic development funds. I argue that state and federal policymakers should recognize critical differences that exist among even the seemingly most similar communities and implement strong, place-based programs so that investments in green workforce development do not perpetuate the historic inequities that cities such as Lawrence face. I conclude by proposing a networked planning strategy that, with stimulus from the state and federal governments, could help Lawrence and Lowell to leverage more effectively and collaboratively their respective assets in support of a regional green economy.
Description
Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2010. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-105).
Date issued
2010Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Urban Studies and PlanningPublisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Keywords
Urban Studies and Planning.