| Relying on primary research data, this dissertation employs a multiple case study research methodology to empirically investigated the current state of affairs in city real estate asset management. City real estate asset management is the process of (1) identifying the land and improvements owned or used by a city government, (2) monitoring the contribution of these real estate assets toward the achievement of city goals, and (3) controlling the cost of real estate use.;The research strategy is designed as a 3 x 4 research matrix. The real estate decision making process in three cities (Athens, GA, Mobile, AL and Atlanta, GA) serves as independent situations and four research questions are addressed as dependent events. The first question identifies the participants in city real estate asset management decision making as well as how the participants are organized. The second research question investigates how decision makers identify city real estate. The fourth research question records how the case study cities have reacted to changes in real estate asset needs. These three questions are explanatory; therefore, hypotheses are developed and tested. The third research question explores the extent of city real estate holdings. Since this question is exploratory, no hypothesis is tested.;Primary data is collected via two questionnaires, review of public real estate records and inspections of randomly selected parcels of city real estate. One questionnaire solicits information about the decision making process from city real estate decision makers. The other questionnaire solicits opinions from knowledgeable, private sector real estate professionals about city real estate asset management. Jointly, with the questionnaire results, the researcher's personal inspection of city real estate and review of public real estate records constitutes the basis for both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the current real estate decision making systems investigated.;The results of the research indicate that the current state of city real estate asset management affairs is notably behind corporate real estate asset management's. However, cities are now reacting to the importance of effective and efficient city real estate asset management. |
