Clemson University TigerPrints All Dissertations Dissertations 8-2009 The Reintroduction of Heritage Streetcars and the Related Effects of Community Identity and Social Interaction with the Residents in Streetcar- Oriented Developments Robert Benedict Clemson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations Part of the Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons Recommended Citation Benedict, Robert, "The Reintroduction of Heritage Streetcars and the Related Effects of Community Identity and Social Interaction with the Residents in Streetcar-Oriented Developments" (2009). All Dissertations. 427. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/427 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE REINTRODUCTION OF HERITAGE STREETCARS AND THE RELATED EFFECTS OF COMMUNITY IDENTITY AND SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH THE RESIDENTS IN STREETCAR-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS ____________________________________________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University ____________________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Environmental Design and Planning ____________________________________________________ by Robert Creighton Benedict August 2009 ____________________________________________________ Accepted by: Dr. Barry Nocks, Committee Chair Dr. Anne Dunning Dr. Cliff Ellis Dr. Terry Farris ABSTRACT Heritage streetcars have increasingly drawn the attention of planners and transit officials as an alternative mode of public transit that complements the economic development and tourism strategies of numerous cities. Advocates have touted the benefits of heritage streetcars as a circulator transit mode while promoting a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment with many urban revitalization efforts. As a character- defining mode of public transit, heritage streetcars have been reintroduced as a redevelopment approach that enables a community to restore a significant component of its heritage while facilitating development activity near streetcar routes. Heritage streetcars advance this strategy by evoking a sense of nostalgia and fostering a new heritage tourism strategy. Less tangible are the positive effects upon the social infrastructure of the residents in the streetcar-oriented developments and the perceived effects of heightened community identity. This study was undertaken to provide a clearer understanding of the attitudes and perceptions of the residents in streetcar-oriented neighborhoods towards heritage streetcars. Do heritage streetcars play an important role fostering a heightened sense of community identity and help build social capital among residents? What are the physical characteristics of heritage streetcars that are favored or disliked by the residents and does their travel behavior contribute to a greater sense of community identity and social interaction? As an exploratory study, the research examined these questions through a survey and follow-up interviews that were administered to a sample of residents in streetcar-oriented developments and neighborhoods within the study sites of Memphis ii and Little Rock/North Little Rock. Both markets have reintroduced heritage streetcar service with significant development activity including extensive downtown housing growth near the streetcar routes. Although the reintroduction of heritage streetcars is but one factor that has contributed to the economic revitalization of Memphis and Little Rock/North Little Rock, heritage streetcars have become a distinctive symbol of the economic growth within the community. The results of the study are expected to shed light on the effects of heritage streetcars on the neighboring residential communities and enable developers, planners and transit officials to better understand buyer and renter motivations for the residents in streetcar-oriented developments. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my dissertation committee for their ongoing support and advice throughout the preparation of this dissertation. My advisor, Dr. Barry Nocks, provided valued encouragement and insight that enabled me to clarify my research objectives and maintain the proper focus on the methodology. The contributions of my other committee members consisting of Dr. Anne Dunning, Dr. Cliff Ellis and Dr. Terry Farris were also considerable as their constructive suggestions and direction encouraged me to pursue deeper research into the related disciplines of public transit, urban planning and real estate development. I owe Dr. Farris a special thank you as without him I would not have been in the doctoral program at Clemson. Dr. Jeff Hallo provided valuable assistance reviewing my survey design and Dr. Jeff Hoomani was gracious with his time and advice regarding the statistical analysis. As my brother-in-law, Dr. Hoomani always placed professionalism above family considerations with his assistance. I would also like to thank John Lancaster of Memphis Area Transit who was always accessible for my numerous questions and requests for essential background information. Betty Vineland, Eric Meyerson and Virginia Fry with Central Arkansas Transit System were also very helpful and never hesitated to provide requested information regarding their operations. Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Judy, and my daughters, Alexis and Hayley, for their support and patience throughout my doctoral education. Without their iv understanding and sacrifices, I would not have completed this dissertation. They are the light of my life with their unconditional love and understanding. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page TITLE PAGE..................................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES…………...…………………………………………………………..viii LIST OF FIGURES ……………………………………………………………………... xi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION..........….…………………………………..……………..…. 1 Research Questions and Conceptual Framework……….................................. 2 Organization of the Chapters........................................................….………… 5 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE........……...……………………………………… 6 Literature on the History of Streetcars .............………………………………. 6 Re-Emergence of the Streetcar and Transit- Oriented Development ....……………..………………………….…………15 Theoretical Underpinning for Land Use and Transportation Accessibility.....................................………………………..20 Evolution of Transit-Oriented Development.................................……………21 Impact of Transit on Property Values ...............................................................28 Framework for Social Interaction Among Residents in Streetcar-Oriented Developments ..................................................................33 Framework for Community Identity with Streetcars and Streetcar-Oriented Developments ..................................................................37 Community Identity Engendered by Tangible Link between the Past and Present..........................................................................38 Distinctiveness and Community Identity ..........................................................39 Community Identity and Sense of Attachment .................................................40 III. METHODOLGY...………….……………….…………………….……………43 Methodological Framework ......................……………………………………45 Operational Definition for Community Identity ...............……………………46 Operational Definition for Social Interaction............................................……47 Study Sites.........................................................................................................49 Implementation of Survey Research…………. ................................................69 Interviews ..........................................................................................................72 vi Table of Contents (Continued) Page IV. RESEARCH FINDINGS .....................................................................................77 Study Population ...............................................................................................77 Demographic Analysis ......................................................................................78 Community Identity ..........................................................................................83 Interview Results Regarding Streetcars and Enhanced Community Identity.......................................................................94 Streetcars as an Amenity ...................................................................................97 Social Interaction...............................................................................................99 Interview Results Regarding Streetcars and Social Interaction..........................................................................................111 Travel Behavior...............................................................................................115 Likes and Dislikes of