Viability Through Connection

Abstract

In exploring the phenomenon of a city, few choose to focus on those faced with blight, decay or abandonment. To choose to turn away from those cities in the most blatant need is to miss some of the richest opportunity for positive growth, adaptive redevelopment and innovation. A metropolis riddled with decades of economic decline or struck by natural disaster can breed a new urban area with a fresh identity linked to both the past and present. Though seemingly daunting, the prospect of a neglected metropolis spawning a new, thriving reinterpretation of its former self is an opportunity to address the countless layers that comprise a city, whether they be physical, social, ethical, cultural, historical or otherwise. In delving into such a complex environment, one must devise a method by which they relate and clearly connect these aspects. Consider establishing a series of existing, thriving “nodes” in a city. Though disjointed, they shine as beacons of success, otherwise surrounded by decay. By creating a new system that serves to connect and network the nodes, a new place is inherently created. The new place, while rooted in mere connection, ultimately forges its own identity. The identity is initially a synthesis of the joined places, but with eventual habitation and implementation, the new place forms a completely unique and fresh character, while still retaining intrinsic qualities from each of the nodes. These new, connective spaces relate the physical condition of a city to its cultural or social condition. They link historical context (physical or otherwise) to plausible future circumstances. The correlations addressed by the design are virtually endless, and a new place must be able to adapt to changing relationships between nodes. The fashion in which issues are dealt with and made cohesive is the essence of this design type. The project can range in scale and type, but regardless, clear parallels must be drawn between nodes. By drawing these parallels, awareness of the city is increased exponentially and the new place engages previously independent assets.