Vol. 40, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2002 - "Urban Geography and Planning"
(pp. 3 - 34)
John E. Bodenman
Department of Geography and Geosciences
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Abstract
The tremendous growth of the institutional investment advisory industry in Pennsylvania is emblematic of the nation's transition to an information economy. Traditionally, high order financial services located in Pennsylvania like the institutional investment advisory industry have been concentrated in the Philadelphia Central Business District (CBD). However, analysis of the industry's organizational structure and spatial dynamics over the 7983-2000 study period indicates growth of the industry outside of the Philadelphia CBD and across the state in newly emerging centers, particularly Pittsburgh. The Money Management Directory of Pension Funds and their Investment Advisors (1983-2000) provides the data for the analyses. Maps and tables describe the institutional investment advisory industry's spatial organization at both the inter- and intrametropolitan scales.
(pp. 35 - 51)
Paul J. Santay
Dr. Jerry T. Mitchell
Department of Geography and Geosciences
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Abstract
"Renaissance" has been a catch-phrase descriptor for several aspects of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area since World War II. The renaissance has come and gone in various stages over a fifty-five year period. Economic restructuring is driving many of these changes visible in the Pittsburgh landscape, but the changes are not limited to industry or commerce as residential and recreational development are also included. This paper details the construction and impact of the new PNC baseball stadium in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Part of a national trend, municipal authorities are increasingly faced with funding decisions related to the support of private recreational facilities. Importantly, what is the role of public funding in the process? Can and will cities like Pittsburgh benefit their tourism and economic development with these new facilities? Among the issues discussed: an appraisal of the use of tax breaks and other economic incentives at the expense of public recreation provision; the role of public investment as a draw for private investment; and the worth of social benefits derived from civic pride and "re-captured" spaces.
ARRESTING SUBURBAN BLIGHT IN SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND
(pp. 52 - 82)
Sherman E. Silverman
Professor of Geography
Prince George's Community College
Largo, Maryland
Abstract
The landscape of Silver Spring is reflective of how suburban evolution is affected by innovation in urban transportation venues. Located six miles from the central business district of Washington, DC, suburbia in Silver Spring first appeared as consequential to the construction of an early electric streetcar line radiating outward from the city. By the mid 1920s, the trolley had been replaced by short bus routes and as automobiles became more prolific after the Second World War, Silver Spring emerged into a major retail node by 1948. When interstate routes opened in the early 1960s, the construction of opulent malls attracted retailers away from Silver Spring and a progressive decline slowly began to occur. Ethnic minorities found Silver Spring's older housing affordable and their migration into the area generated white flight. Rising crime and changing socioeconomic characteristics presented a negative image which was somewhat of a paradox as access to Silver Spring improved when the regional rapid transit system was completed. A weak connection between the Metro terminal and the retail node did little to entice commuters to patronize what remained of the center. Silver Spring is fortunate to be located in one of the most affluent counties in the metropolitan region of Washington and local government has taken the initiative to develop a comprehensive plan that would restore Silver Spring to an attractive town center which would reflect its ethnic character. Planners eschewed several mega projects in favor of low-order retailing and amenities such as the preservation of its art deco movie theater. High income town housing has been built near the metro station and it is hoped that the resurrection of Silver Spring will provide an eclectic cultural experience in contrast to the perceived boring homogeneity of the regional malls.
SPATIAL PATTERNS OF MIGRATION AND INCOME CHANGE IN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES
(pp. 83 - 102)
J. Matthew Shumway and Samuel M. Otterstrom
Department of Geography
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah
Abstract
Between 1990 and 2000 the U.S. had the largest census -to-census increase in American history, however, in many areas population growth was very small or even negative — including areas in Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, even in declining areas the changing spatial distribution of population occur, and has consequences. In migration, the selectivity of who moves where, and how their characteristics compare to out-migrants and non-migrants have at least as much impact on the local area as the total numbers of migrants. In this paper we address questions of population redistribution among Pennsylvania counties through migration and the effect of migration on county level income. Overall, Pennsylvania is losing income to other regions, because of out-migration of higher paid people, even though the total population increased over the past decade. Positive net migration and income growth has been strongly weighted toward suburban and ex-urban counties near the New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas.
CLIMATIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO PORCUPINE CARIBOU MIGRATION VARIATIONS
(pp. 103 - 126)
Anthony J. Vega and Laura Nicholson
Anthropology, Geography, Earth Science Department
Clarion University
Clarion, Pennsylvania
Abstract
Recent research indicates a climatic component to porcupine caribou migration routes. Porcupine caribou occupy a region bordering the Beaufort Sea. This region, which spans areas of Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada, is largely centered on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Vuntut National Park of Canada. Porcupine caribou typically migrate over a 700 to 1000 mile region between the Beaufort Sea calving grounds and wintering grounds near the Porcupine and Peel River basins. Substantial inter-annual migration variations occur and it is thought that climate anomalies contribute to overall forcing factors. This analysis investigated temperature and precipitation variations throughout the migration region. All weather station data within the area were examined for significant trends embedded within the 1970-89 study period. Anomalous positive and negative anomaly seasons were identified and examined. Anomalous seasons were then grouped into four climate clusters: hot/wet, cold/wet, hot/dry, and cold/dry. Porcupine caribou migration locations were plotted for each climate anomaly cluster and examined for deviations. Results reveal substantial migration differences between each of the climate clusters indicating at least some climate influence on migration locations. Deviations seemed to be related to the timing, amount, and frequency of heavy snowfalls in the region. Typically this relegates caribou to high elevation mountain passes as valleys become snow clogged. Also, significant deviations in migration locations correspond to the prevalence of insects within and near the primary calving grounds. Climate factors are obviously tied to the magnitude of insects in the region and correspondingly influence caribou locations.