COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Using the Garden City Plan as a Revitalization Tool for Brush Park, Detroit
Creator:
Ward, Erin
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Historic Preservation
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Historic Preservation
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"Like many cities, Detroit suffered greatly in the middle of the twentieth century and no attempts have been completely successful in stopping its continuing descent. Large areas are being reclaimed by nature and almost 10,000 structures have been demolished since 2014.1 New investment is pouring into the commercial downtown, and while this is seen as a positive development, there may be unpleasant side effects. Located within blocks of this investment is the Brush Park Neighborhood, filled with historic nineteenth century mansions. Many other revitalized cities have had extreme cases of gentrification leading to a disconnect of the sense of place historically associated with these areas. The Garden City Movement and the City in the City philosophy will be used as catalysts for invigorating the Brush Park neighborhood in order to create a revitalization plan that does not displace its current long-term residents and allows the district to retain its unique character. Brush Park will stand as a case study to demonstrate how Detroit can develop and become self-sufficient. Through extensive contextual research of the neighborhood and various city planning methodologies, continuous community involvement and feedback through the Brush Park Community Development Corporation and local professionals in related fields, as well as a windshield survey of streetscapes and building typologies, a method for applying the Garden City plan and the City in the City philosophy will be provided. What this work will show is that the Brush Park neighborhood can not only thrive again but, that it can serve as a model for other interconnected satellite districts in Detroit, providing for a self-sufficient and economically viable city."
Abstract:
Keywords: Detroit, Brush Park, revitalization, development, gentrification, historic
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2017-05
Format:
PDF : 97 pages, illustrations (chiefly color), color maps