Scholarly Commons @ MiamiOH
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Recent Submissions
From edge to edge: reimagining the city without boundaries
(2026) Dalakyan, Viktoriya;
Physical and juridical separations—such as highways, industrial zones, zoning policies, and socio-political structures—continue to reinforce socio-economic polarization and spatial segregation in contemporary cities. Gated communities represent one of the most explicit manifestations of this condition, operating through both visible barriers and less perceptible systems of exclusion. Expanding beyond their traditional definition, this thesis interprets gated communities as a broader urban phenomenon encompassing physical, economic, administrative, symbolic, social, and biopolitical boundaries. Through a combination of literature review, typological analysis, and case studies—including observations of gated developments in Chicago and boundary conditions in Cincinnati— this research examines how these layered separations shape urban experience and social relations. Particular focus is given to the Village of St. Bernard, understood as a village scale gated condition embedded within a larger metropolitan context. Fieldwork, visual documentation, and analytical mapping reveal how infrastructural, industrial, and administrative divisions contribute to fragmentation and disconnection. In response, the thesis proposes an alternative design approach that reimagines these boundaries as opportunities for connection rather than division. By introducing a dispersed, non-linear socio-economic corridor through the industrial landscape, the project aims to foster interaction, diversify economic activity, and reconnect isolated communities. Ultimately, this work argues for a shift from exclusionary spatial models toward “gateless” urban environments that prioritize accessibility, integration, and social cohesion.
ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTIONS FOR POST INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPE RESTORATION AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
(2026) Akhter, Saida;
This thesis investigates how architecture can operate within contaminated landscapes by reframing soil as an active medium of ecological, cultural, and spatial transformation. Focusing on the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Oklahoma, the project addresses the long term environmental and social impacts of lead and zinc mining on Quapaw tribal lands, where contamination, displacement, and ecological collapse remain ongoing.
Drawing on regenerative design, Indigenous ecological knowledge, and the ecology of knowledges, the research proposes “earth architecture” as a framework for post-industrial environmental justice. Within this framework, architecture operates as a form of geological prosthetic supporting damaged ground systems rather than imposing upon them. The project develops a phased, process-driven approach that integrates underground stabilization of mining voids, phytoremediation through native plant systems, and ecological zoning across wetlands, prairies, and productive landscapes.
Repository landforms act as both containment infrastructure and cultural markers, referencing Indigenous mound-building traditions while safely storing contaminated material. Through qualitative methods, including case study analysis and site-based research, the thesis identifies strategies for aligning remediation with community resilience.
Ultimately, it argues that healing land is inseparable from restoring cultural relationships, positioning architecture as a long-term participant in ecological recovery and collective healing rather than a static object of design.
Restoring memory through architecture: urban interventions to revitalize Cincinnati's West End neighborhood
(2026) Mohamed, Omar;
The mid-20th century witnessed a devastating pattern of urban renewal across the United States. The construction of interstate highways systematically fractured and isolated primarily minority neighborhoods. Cincinnati’s West End is one example of a neighborhood that has suffered this loss through decades of subsequent urban decay, displacement, and disinvestment. Central to this thesis is the core question: How can architectural and urban interventions simultaneously preserve the neighborhood's rich history, protect current residents, and create new opportunities for meaningful visitor engagement?
By proposing a multi-faceted approach, this thesis introduces programmatic solutions designed to holistically uplift the community. Key interventions include expanding public transportation networks to seamlessly connect the West End with the broader Cincinnati area, developing sustainable low-income housing to prevent resident displacement, and integrating community gallery and art spaces to celebrate local identity. These strategic programs aim to empower marginalized residents while inviting visitors to engage with the neighborhood's history, thereby increasing public awareness and economic vitality.
Assessing generative artificial intelligence tools for analyzing bird banding data
(2026-03) Boehme, Ginny; Russell, Jill; Russell, David
Exploring the accuracy of ChatGPT’s data analysis and visualizations
(2025-03) Boehme, Ginny