A Study of the Development Process that Led to the Construction of the Philadelphia Convention Center
Date
1993
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Producer
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Choreographer
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Videographer
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Department
Haverford College. Department of Political Science
Type
Thesis
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Award
Language
eng
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Table of Contents
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Access Restrictions
Haverford users only
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Abstract
This thesis examines the development process that led to the construction of the Philadelphia Convention Center. The study showed that the planning procedure utilized by the city incorporated facets of Peterson's theory on the formation of development policies. Peterson believes that cities operate as a maximizing unit during the planning process. This study showed that while the city attempted to operate as a optimum unit, it failed to result in the rational development of policies. The fiscal crisis encountered by Philadelphia as a result of manufacturing's exodus from the city and the movement of the wealthy to the suburbs caused the city to focus on economic development. As government and business elites allied to create development policies, neighborhood groups and local businesses became excluded from the planning process. Thus, the city's attempt to act as a maximizing unit did isolate the general public. However, the public's exclusion failed to result in a rational development process. Policy orientation favored the business and state interests. Debate surrounding the formation of programs focused on the different needs of the elites and failed to present the various merits and detractions of the project. Thus, the complexity surrounding development projects prevented the rational development of policies.