Kevin J. Boucher
Housing, Local Econ & Neighborhood Development
Degrees
Master's of Regional Planning | University at Albany, SUNY | Albany, NY | Spring 2011
Bachelor of Arts | Urban Studies | University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 2008
Internships, Experience & Awards
GIS/Planning Intern | Planning Department, Town of East Granby | April - August 2009
While interning in the East Granby Building / Planning Department, Kevin collected data from real estate agencies that held listings of commercial and industrial properties for sale or lease in town. He then created a detailed database in ArcMap and Google Earth with over 50 of such properties. This was done to create an inventory of the area being rezoned as "village center" in the town's current master plan.
Kevin also assisted in meeting with developers who presented proposals for development in town, as well as assisted in organizing local Planning and Zoning Commission meetings.
GIS Intern |State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection | April - August 2009
Various editing of state-owned property layers in ArcGIS. Use of coordinate geometry (COGO), georeferencing, as well as digitizing with large format scanner to add new properties or adjust boundary lines to the agency database. Instructed other DEP employees on digitizing procedure after internship was finished.
Planning/Research Interests Kevin possesses a genuine interest in the economic stabilization of urban communities and housing policy, with the belief that citizens enjoy the sidewalk storefront as well as building density of downtown areas. He is fascinated with the intricate detail that went into the construction of stone, masonry and frame buildings prior to WWII in older industrial cities and towns, and is disgusted in seeing the deterioration of such works of art due to property neglect, particularly in distressed urban neighborhoods. Kevin believes that these buildings need to be preserved and replicated as a foundation for creating sustainable (and desirable) urban neighborhoods.
He also believes that current zoning, especially in suburban communities, needs to be restructured to allow for higher density development, and this would in turn generate a higher need for mass transit as an alternative to the auto-dependence that most suburbanites have become accustomed to.
Thesis/Research Paper Topic
Kevin may consider a topic relating to urban blight, and the different ways that the public and private sectors may attempt to remedy such issues.