Cecilia Giusti - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Cecilia Giusti
Community Development Journal, 2009
Page 1. RE5DLRNH EMERGING CHIGANO DIALOGUES ON COMMUNITY AND GLOBALIZATION MIGUEL MONTIEL, TOMAS ... more Page 1. RE5DLRNH EMERGING CHIGANO DIALOGUES ON COMMUNITY AND GLOBALIZATION MIGUEL MONTIEL, TOMAS ATENCIO, AND EA "TONY" MARES Page 2. Page 3. Resolana Page 4. Page 5. Resolana EMERGING ...
Cities, 2017
Many cities worldwide are making efforts to revitalize their downtowns. However, limited attentio... more Many cities worldwide are making efforts to revitalize their downtowns. However, limited attention seems to be given to the evaluation of these redevelopment processes. The objective of this paper is to analyze the main impacts of downtown revitalization on urban spatial structure. Our case study is Bryan and College Station, two small-cities comprising a continuous urban area in central-east Texas, and we focus on downtown Bryan revitalization process. The evaluation is addressed from socioeconomic and spatial perspectives, and the methodology is based on a comparative analysis of some key indicators. The performance of the indicators is compared in time (before and after the beginning of revitalization efforts) and also in different spatial scales. The results show an increase in land values, reversing the depreciation of downtown properties; however the effects on population and local economic activity indicators showed mixed results. After 15 years of efforts, downtown Bryan is undergoing a process of recovering its centrality but the resulting development pattern is spatially uneven until now. The paper ends with some recommendations regarding the evaluation of the revitalization efforts.
Community Development, 2008
An urban bias is evident in policies and programs addressing housing and community development is... more An urban bias is evident in policies and programs addressing housing and community development issues in the US Analysis of American Housing Survey data comparing non-metropolitan housing conditions to central city and suburban housing conditions indicates a higher incidence of ...
Poverty, inequality, and exclusion are the basis of social justice. While these problems are prev... more Poverty, inequality, and exclusion are the basis of social justice. While these problems are prevalent in developing countries, they also occur in developed countries. In the United States, not only is poverty present, but it is also highly concentrated. Minorities, new immigrants, and women represent the most vulnerable U.S. groups. Officially, poverty is defined based on household incomes, yet characterizing poverty only on the basis of monetary resources is insufficient. As discussed in this article, poverty can also be classified on quality of life indicators, from housing, health, and education to socialization and political participation. This paper’s objective is to establish the built environment and financial exclusion–two dimensions of a broad definition of poverty–as the foundation of social justice. A successful microloan program that addresses these two aspects of poverty is presented. The focus is on the effects of poverty in Texas colonias, ranging from how poverty is...
In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legisl... more In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Department of Transportation have recently developed coordinated transit and human services plans for the 24 planning regions in the state of Texas. This study evaluates both the processes that have been adopted throughout the state as well as the types of outcomes that have emerged. Having engaged in perhaps the most comprehensive approach to meeting the revised federal requirements in the United
Community Livability, 2019
In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legisl... more In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Department of Transportation have recently developed coordinated transit and human services plans for the 24 planning regions in the state of Texas. This study evaluates both the processes that have been adopted throughout the state as well as the types of outcomes that have emerged. Having engaged in perhaps the most comprehensive approach to meeting the revised federal requirements in the United States, the Texas experience in developing coordinated transit and human service plans is particularly useful for identifying opportunities, barriers, and best practices for coordinated rural transit planning, and thus for filling a major gap in the available professional guidance.
Background: Rates of obesity have reached epidemic proportions, and Latinos bear disproportionall... more Background: Rates of obesity have reached epidemic proportions, and Latinos bear disproportionally high burdens. Residential environments are important settings shaping health behaviors/outcomes, but many Latinos live among challenging conditions with concentrated poverty and inadequate infrastructure. Objectives: (1) To review selected literature on environmental correlates of Latino obesity and physical activity; (2) To provide comparative descriptions of urban form in a colonia, representing a common Latino settlement in border areas; and (3) To identify environmental correlates of walking, physical activity, and obesity among colonia-residing Latinos. Methods: This paper analyzes 89-respondent surveys of residents in El Cenizo, a colonia in Texas, and environmental measures captured from field audits and Geographic Information System. Results: Limited existing studies reported traffic, street connectivity, sidewalk, and density as correlates of physical activity or obesity. Urba...
Ponencia presentada a: Session 1: Educacion y arquitectura en las universidades / Architectural e... more Ponencia presentada a: Session 1: Educacion y arquitectura en las universidades / Architectural education in the universities
Journal of the American Planning Association, 2021
Problem, research strategy, and findings Markets have been central to civilization, fostering tra... more Problem, research strategy, and findings Markets have been central to civilization, fostering trade and social life. Although markets take a variety of forms and sizes, existing planning research does not engage with flea markets and swap meets. In this study we explore four Latino vendor markets (LVMs), classified as flea markets or swap meets, in two predominantly Latino states, California and Texas. We analyze Latino vendor markets through the lens of place attachment from three perspectives: basic economic activity, social and human interactions, and their physical setting. We draw our results from 198 surveys with vendors and customers, interviews with key informants, and detailed on-site observations. We find that LVMs are vibrant and lively places where attachment and feelings of belonging manifest; we identify them as one-stop shops and places of purposeful interactions. Our findings are limited by the scope of the geographic focus of the research. Takeaway for practice Forw...
Proceedings of the eCAADe conference, 2015
This paper examines the application of innovative and interdisciplinary collaboration methods tha... more This paper examines the application of innovative and interdisciplinary collaboration methods that emerged from the rapidly developing field of information technology and its intersection within the realm of design and architecture. These events, also referred to as hackathons, have risen in popularity in recent years (Artiles & Wallace, 2013) and stem from a design response for the increasing demand for accelerated design decisions within the field of architecture. This paper examines the potential of hackathons as a platform for rapid development of design ideas into prototypes within a time constraint of 24 hours. The paper explores the hackathon as a robust foundational element for pedagogical approaches rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration. Using a case-study research methodology, this paper probes the framework of the event, the outcomes, and the lessons learned. As this paper demonstrates, the hackathon required participants to identify and explore shifting territories t...
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2010
The adoption of appropriate innovations is an important issue in agricultural development. Howeve... more The adoption of appropriate innovations is an important issue in agricultural development. However many development project officers fail to use strategies to identify and select opinion leaders who can leverage the diffusion and adoption process. This case study used qualitative methods including interviews, focus groups, and observations to gather data to analyze current social networks, identify key participants, understand the roles and characteristics of leaders, and define a strategy to engage leaders within the region of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The analysis revealed three diverse social networks; one powered by political structures in the urban and rural areas while organized groups of regional farmers powered a second type of social networks. Independent farmers shaped still other unstructured and informal networks that influenced adoption and diffusion of innovations. Data confirmed that opinion leaders have identifiable and predictable roles and characteristics within and among the networks. Therefore, the diffusion of innovation through formal and non-formal leaders represents a promising strategy for development project officers. Local leaders influence adoption decisions largely because of their recognition and respect by community members. The diffusion of innovations through opinion leaders promotes the active participation of local farmers and validates the innovation through time. Therefore, the importance of analyzing social networks and selecting opinion leaders to support the diffusion process of development projects was important in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The authors recommend future studies to compare results from other regions and cultures in Guatemala.
This research is a pilot study aimed to identify environmental characteristics in colonias that a... more This research is a pilot study aimed to identify environmental characteristics in colonias that are related to infrastructure and safety, access to goods and services, and quality of life. A secondary objective consisted of evaluating a variety of tools that could be used to identify and assess these environmental characteristics. El Cenizo in Webb County, Texas, was selected as our study colonia after preliminary visits and investigations. A multidisciplinary approach framed this study, considering the transportation, urban design and planning, public health, and socioeconomic dimensions as potential determinants of the residents’ mobility behaviors, environmental perception, and quality of life. Three instruments were developed to collect data for this research: 1) a survey, 2) an activity diary or travel diary, and 3) environmental audit instruments. Additionally, this study also included a small sub-group study testing the usability of wearable Global Positioning Systems (GPS) u...
I. Research Question The Small Business Administration Office reports that small businesses in th... more I. Research Question The Small Business Administration Office reports that small businesses in the U.S. represent more than 99 percent of all employers, employ 51 percent of private-sector workers, and represent nearly all of the self-employed, with Texas following such a pattern (SBA 2002). Small businesses are widely recognized as a valuable foundation in fostering economic growth. Of those who are self-employed, which represents 7 percent of the work force, 53 percent have home-based businesses and 3 percent own franchises (SBA 2002).
Community Development Journal, 2009
Page 1. RE5DLRNH EMERGING CHIGANO DIALOGUES ON COMMUNITY AND GLOBALIZATION MIGUEL MONTIEL, TOMAS ... more Page 1. RE5DLRNH EMERGING CHIGANO DIALOGUES ON COMMUNITY AND GLOBALIZATION MIGUEL MONTIEL, TOMAS ATENCIO, AND EA "TONY" MARES Page 2. Page 3. Resolana Page 4. Page 5. Resolana EMERGING ...
Cities, 2017
Many cities worldwide are making efforts to revitalize their downtowns. However, limited attentio... more Many cities worldwide are making efforts to revitalize their downtowns. However, limited attention seems to be given to the evaluation of these redevelopment processes. The objective of this paper is to analyze the main impacts of downtown revitalization on urban spatial structure. Our case study is Bryan and College Station, two small-cities comprising a continuous urban area in central-east Texas, and we focus on downtown Bryan revitalization process. The evaluation is addressed from socioeconomic and spatial perspectives, and the methodology is based on a comparative analysis of some key indicators. The performance of the indicators is compared in time (before and after the beginning of revitalization efforts) and also in different spatial scales. The results show an increase in land values, reversing the depreciation of downtown properties; however the effects on population and local economic activity indicators showed mixed results. After 15 years of efforts, downtown Bryan is undergoing a process of recovering its centrality but the resulting development pattern is spatially uneven until now. The paper ends with some recommendations regarding the evaluation of the revitalization efforts.
Community Development, 2008
An urban bias is evident in policies and programs addressing housing and community development is... more An urban bias is evident in policies and programs addressing housing and community development issues in the US Analysis of American Housing Survey data comparing non-metropolitan housing conditions to central city and suburban housing conditions indicates a higher incidence of ...
Poverty, inequality, and exclusion are the basis of social justice. While these problems are prev... more Poverty, inequality, and exclusion are the basis of social justice. While these problems are prevalent in developing countries, they also occur in developed countries. In the United States, not only is poverty present, but it is also highly concentrated. Minorities, new immigrants, and women represent the most vulnerable U.S. groups. Officially, poverty is defined based on household incomes, yet characterizing poverty only on the basis of monetary resources is insufficient. As discussed in this article, poverty can also be classified on quality of life indicators, from housing, health, and education to socialization and political participation. This paper’s objective is to establish the built environment and financial exclusion–two dimensions of a broad definition of poverty–as the foundation of social justice. A successful microloan program that addresses these two aspects of poverty is presented. The focus is on the effects of poverty in Texas colonias, ranging from how poverty is...
In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legisl... more In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Department of Transportation have recently developed coordinated transit and human services plans for the 24 planning regions in the state of Texas. This study evaluates both the processes that have been adopted throughout the state as well as the types of outcomes that have emerged. Having engaged in perhaps the most comprehensive approach to meeting the revised federal requirements in the United
Community Livability, 2019
In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legisl... more In response to changes in federal requirements for rural transit planning, the Texas State Legislature and the Texas Department of Transportation have recently developed coordinated transit and human services plans for the 24 planning regions in the state of Texas. This study evaluates both the processes that have been adopted throughout the state as well as the types of outcomes that have emerged. Having engaged in perhaps the most comprehensive approach to meeting the revised federal requirements in the United States, the Texas experience in developing coordinated transit and human service plans is particularly useful for identifying opportunities, barriers, and best practices for coordinated rural transit planning, and thus for filling a major gap in the available professional guidance.
Background: Rates of obesity have reached epidemic proportions, and Latinos bear disproportionall... more Background: Rates of obesity have reached epidemic proportions, and Latinos bear disproportionally high burdens. Residential environments are important settings shaping health behaviors/outcomes, but many Latinos live among challenging conditions with concentrated poverty and inadequate infrastructure. Objectives: (1) To review selected literature on environmental correlates of Latino obesity and physical activity; (2) To provide comparative descriptions of urban form in a colonia, representing a common Latino settlement in border areas; and (3) To identify environmental correlates of walking, physical activity, and obesity among colonia-residing Latinos. Methods: This paper analyzes 89-respondent surveys of residents in El Cenizo, a colonia in Texas, and environmental measures captured from field audits and Geographic Information System. Results: Limited existing studies reported traffic, street connectivity, sidewalk, and density as correlates of physical activity or obesity. Urba...
Ponencia presentada a: Session 1: Educacion y arquitectura en las universidades / Architectural e... more Ponencia presentada a: Session 1: Educacion y arquitectura en las universidades / Architectural education in the universities
Journal of the American Planning Association, 2021
Problem, research strategy, and findings Markets have been central to civilization, fostering tra... more Problem, research strategy, and findings Markets have been central to civilization, fostering trade and social life. Although markets take a variety of forms and sizes, existing planning research does not engage with flea markets and swap meets. In this study we explore four Latino vendor markets (LVMs), classified as flea markets or swap meets, in two predominantly Latino states, California and Texas. We analyze Latino vendor markets through the lens of place attachment from three perspectives: basic economic activity, social and human interactions, and their physical setting. We draw our results from 198 surveys with vendors and customers, interviews with key informants, and detailed on-site observations. We find that LVMs are vibrant and lively places where attachment and feelings of belonging manifest; we identify them as one-stop shops and places of purposeful interactions. Our findings are limited by the scope of the geographic focus of the research. Takeaway for practice Forw...
Proceedings of the eCAADe conference, 2015
This paper examines the application of innovative and interdisciplinary collaboration methods tha... more This paper examines the application of innovative and interdisciplinary collaboration methods that emerged from the rapidly developing field of information technology and its intersection within the realm of design and architecture. These events, also referred to as hackathons, have risen in popularity in recent years (Artiles & Wallace, 2013) and stem from a design response for the increasing demand for accelerated design decisions within the field of architecture. This paper examines the potential of hackathons as a platform for rapid development of design ideas into prototypes within a time constraint of 24 hours. The paper explores the hackathon as a robust foundational element for pedagogical approaches rooted in interdisciplinary collaboration. Using a case-study research methodology, this paper probes the framework of the event, the outcomes, and the lessons learned. As this paper demonstrates, the hackathon required participants to identify and explore shifting territories t...
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2010
The adoption of appropriate innovations is an important issue in agricultural development. Howeve... more The adoption of appropriate innovations is an important issue in agricultural development. However many development project officers fail to use strategies to identify and select opinion leaders who can leverage the diffusion and adoption process. This case study used qualitative methods including interviews, focus groups, and observations to gather data to analyze current social networks, identify key participants, understand the roles and characteristics of leaders, and define a strategy to engage leaders within the region of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The analysis revealed three diverse social networks; one powered by political structures in the urban and rural areas while organized groups of regional farmers powered a second type of social networks. Independent farmers shaped still other unstructured and informal networks that influenced adoption and diffusion of innovations. Data confirmed that opinion leaders have identifiable and predictable roles and characteristics within and among the networks. Therefore, the diffusion of innovation through formal and non-formal leaders represents a promising strategy for development project officers. Local leaders influence adoption decisions largely because of their recognition and respect by community members. The diffusion of innovations through opinion leaders promotes the active participation of local farmers and validates the innovation through time. Therefore, the importance of analyzing social networks and selecting opinion leaders to support the diffusion process of development projects was important in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The authors recommend future studies to compare results from other regions and cultures in Guatemala.
This research is a pilot study aimed to identify environmental characteristics in colonias that a... more This research is a pilot study aimed to identify environmental characteristics in colonias that are related to infrastructure and safety, access to goods and services, and quality of life. A secondary objective consisted of evaluating a variety of tools that could be used to identify and assess these environmental characteristics. El Cenizo in Webb County, Texas, was selected as our study colonia after preliminary visits and investigations. A multidisciplinary approach framed this study, considering the transportation, urban design and planning, public health, and socioeconomic dimensions as potential determinants of the residents’ mobility behaviors, environmental perception, and quality of life. Three instruments were developed to collect data for this research: 1) a survey, 2) an activity diary or travel diary, and 3) environmental audit instruments. Additionally, this study also included a small sub-group study testing the usability of wearable Global Positioning Systems (GPS) u...
I. Research Question The Small Business Administration Office reports that small businesses in th... more I. Research Question The Small Business Administration Office reports that small businesses in the U.S. represent more than 99 percent of all employers, employ 51 percent of private-sector workers, and represent nearly all of the self-employed, with Texas following such a pattern (SBA 2002). Small businesses are widely recognized as a valuable foundation in fostering economic growth. Of those who are self-employed, which represents 7 percent of the work force, 53 percent have home-based businesses and 3 percent own franchises (SBA 2002).