|aSource: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 83-02, Section: B.
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|aAdvisor: Qi, Yadong.
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|aThesis (Ph.D.)--Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, 2021.
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|aThis item must not be sold to any third party vendors.
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|aKnown for its pristine views, The Bluff was no accident; therefore, there was a purpose for this location. This rural village was once known as the entry point for the slave trade in Baton Rouge. It was home to a cotton plantation, Scotland/Kernan Plantation. The former entry point for the slave trade is now known as Scotlandville. At one time Scotlandville was one of the few towns in Louisiana that was largely occupied by relatively affluent and formally educated African Americans. Historically, urban renewal has been identified as places or locations where developers would drive out residents from communities, buy the property inexpensively, redevelop the property and sell it as prime real estate. This study focuses on the presumption that Southern University and A & M College has been branded as not being community-friendly or concerned about its surrounding neighboring community, Scotlandville which is a suburb of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, because the targeted area is run-down, not attractive, and of low value. There is a lack of quality businesses or retail outlets, fresh markets, community development, and student-focused entities in the area, which forces residents to travel to other parts of the parish for essential services. Although this area was well established long before Southern University moved to The Bluff in 1914, one cannot describe Southern University and not include the Scotlandville community; they are inseparable.The purpose of this study is to conduct research to analyze how gentrification can or cannot play a major role in redeveloping the community of Scotlandville, LA as well as the entry point onto the campus of Southern University and A & M College. Applied research was used to explore the real-world problems and give solutions for community development in the Scotlandville area. This dissertation has the following objectives: (1) to examine the historical perspective and identify significant events important to the development of the Scotlandville Area from 1880 – 2021; (2) to assess the major ecological/environmental and socioeconomic issues/trends in the Scotlandville area over time; (3) to identify the major factors, needs, and issues affecting community development in the Scotlandville area; and (4) to create a framework for the future of gentrification for the Scotlandville area. The research methods used to conduct this research included collecting historical data (i.e., United States Census data, photographs, newspaper articles, university records, and government documents) which provided a historical perspective, and to collect an inventory of events that occurred between the years 1880 – 2021. Library research (both traditionally and non-traditionally) was conducted and various state, municipal, and local governmental databases were extrapolated including reviewing landscape maps, buildings, vegetation, impervious areas, and existing industries. In addition, an ecological assessment of Scotlandville and Southern University was conducted, focusing on the environmental change, political landscape, population demographics, significant events, and culture. Furthermore, an online survey was conducted on the issues and needs of the Scotlandville area, utilizing the Survey Monkey platform. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a face-to-face survey and oral history interviews could not be conducted. Secondary data was obtained and provided by the Scotlandville Community Committee for further analysis. The research analyzed the major ecological/environmental and socioeconomic trends in the Scotlandville area, including the population change (1880 – 2020), race and ethnicity composition (2000 – 2018), age structure (2000 – 2018), per capita income, education, housing units, bypass highway (I-110) impact, resident complains, growth of chemical industries, forest/resident/farmland/open spaces/commercial land uses (1941 - 2005), and parks and greenspace availability for recreation in the area.Based on the results of the online survey responses, the major factors, needs, and issues of the Scotlandville area were identified. The priority areas of concerns ranked from the highest to the lowest were (1) transportation, (2) environmental issues, (3) community image, (4) housing, (5) safety and crime, (6) infrastructure, (7) recreation and entertainment, (8) social policies & community awareness, (9) economic development, and (10) education. The specific needs/issues included to provide safer travel routes for Southern University students to travel to local businesses within the community and increase routes for walking and bike rails with the 21st century transportation; to clean up neighborhood trash/dumping and maintain weeds and grass to improve beautification around the community; to eliminate the odors emitted from the sewage treatment plant as well as to address flooding and drainage issues; to renovate vacant, blight and empty properties and to reduce high crime rates and illegal drug uses; to enhance existing and develop other recreation activities that will draw other people from the city and beyond to come to the Scotlandville area; to improve police/community relationships; to develop attractive and progressive programs for youth and recreation/community centers for entertainment and exercise for all ages; and to promote businesses, residential, recreation and retail development in Scotlandville, and among others.Based on the research results and the assessment of community needs, a recommended new gentrification plan was developed for the Scotlandville area. It was determined that a university, such as Southern University, which is strategically located within a community, such as Scotlandville, must play a vital role in creating opportunities that are wide-reaching to transform its local community. These two historical entities have fostered a strategic kinship for more than 141 years. Because of their strategic locations, implementing a new gentrification plan can revitalize the Scotlandville area by bringing economics, new people, and beautification; thus, fostering a thriving community and creating a sustainable ecosystem.
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|aSchool code: 1218.
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|aEcology.
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|aUrban forestry.
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|aHistory.
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|aUrban planning.
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|aLand use planning.
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|aPopulation.
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|aStudents.
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|aCensuses.
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|aRelocation.
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|aTrends.
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|aBooks.
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|aRoads & highways.
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|aFamilies & family life.
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|aPresidents.
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|aPlantations.
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|aCore curriculum.
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|aGentrification.
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|aAfrican Americans.
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|aAcademic libraries.
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|aPlanning.
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|aCollege campuses.
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|aPolitical appointments.
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|aHistorically Black Colleges & Universities.
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|aInequality.
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|aRace.
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|aNeighborhoods.
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|aEducation.
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|aBaton Rouge
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|aGentrification
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|aGentrifying
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|aScotlandville Louisiana
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|aSouthern University and A & M College
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|a0329
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|a0281
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|a0578
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|a0536
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|a0999
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|a0515
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|aSouthern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.|bUrban Forestry.