Date of Award

9-1-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Public Administration

First Advisor

Kenneth Chilton

Abstract

Despite intentions or understatement, public policy has influenced neighbourhood change, such as gentrification. However, its impact tends to be muted, ignored, or underappreciated. Transit equity policy and research have also lacked a robust social justice framework that considers spatial justice. Additionally, there have been several knowledge gaps, limitations, and mixed results regarding impacts, notably concerning buses, bus rapid transit (BRT), accessibility, and communities of concern. Unlike other studies, this dissertation proposal employs the social-ecological system framework (SESF), the public transportation sustainability list (PTSIL), and sustainability impact assessment (SIA) guidance from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in a longitudinal multiple embedded case study design to explore and evaluate transit equity impacts in Nashville, TN, from 2010 to 2021, in the context of gentrification. The sources of evidence include archival records and documentation. An inductive strategy examining rival explanations was utilised to minimise bias. Analytic techniques involved pattern matching, explanation building, logic models, time series analyses, and cross-case syntheses to analyse patterns and trends. Results support and extend previous findings that gentrification is unique in how it unfolds and produces varying effects. Despite benefits, there are disproportionate transit equity impacts, especially for communities of concern in the most vulnerable traditional neighbourhoods that are hotspots. Awareness of public policy, sustainable resource governance, and social justice enhances understanding and analysis. It also aids in informing public policy recommendations regarding sustainability and socio-economic resilience. Keywords: transit equity, social justice, neighbourhood change, governance

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