+
The story of the Hill portrays a continual and harsh dichotomy that has existed between residents and authority throughout the century, between a real vitality and an idealized order. Both had merit and both were flawed; the organic robustness of the district also fostered poverty and prostitution, while the social failure of the urban renewal projects is now finally encouraging revival of the neighborhood through bottom-up empowerment rather than top-down imposed design.
What I've noticed from walking around Homewood for studio, is that there may not be many people in the neighborhood, and though there may be high crime rates and poverty, the residents developed a strong sense of community. As a 'distressed' neighborhood, residents of the Hill develop a strong sense of community. People draw positive bonds out of hardship. The Hill especially, is starting to realize its prime location in the city. In terms of urban revival, I've noticed Southside Works slowly become more blended in the Pittsburgh environment. With the Cheesecake factory as its mecca, the Works had at first felt very artificial. But soon enough Pittsburgh character was integrated because people live and work there to make it their own. Mellon Arena, which is a civic monument, is meaningful to many, but because of its isolation in the landscape, personally belongs to no one. I'm not sure yet if i want to attempt my own vision hinging on a real project for the site of the current arena or extract a more hypothetical project, seeking effectivity in the 'bad' decisions that had been imposed on the Hill, but I know it must begin with understanding the physical, economic, social, and visionary evolution of the Hill.
+
What I've noticed from walking around Homewood for studio, is that there may not be many people in the neighborhood, and though there may be high crime rates and poverty, the residents developed a strong sense of community. As a 'distressed' neighborhood, residents of the Hill develop a strong sense of community. People draw positive bonds out of hardship. The Hill especially, is starting to realize its prime location in the city. In terms of urban revival, I've noticed Southside Works slowly become more blended in the Pittsburgh environment. With the Cheesecake factory as its mecca, the Works had at first felt very artificial. But soon enough Pittsburgh character was integrated because people live and work there to make it their own. Mellon Arena, which is a civic monument, is meaningful to many, but because of its isolation in the landscape, personally belongs to no one. I'm not sure yet if i want to attempt my own vision hinging on a real project for the site of the current arena or extract a more hypothetical project, seeking effectivity in the 'bad' decisions that had been imposed on the Hill, but I know it must begin with understanding the physical, economic, social, and visionary evolution of the Hill.
Seems like a great project idea with tons of potential and alot of historical contextuality to draw upon. You paint a scene that is focused in our city which is great since you know so much about it, but being so precise so early could have its pitfalls down the road. I'm not claiming to be a thesis expert, but broaden the scope, I'm sure similar metropolitian cities experienced the same kind of downtown decay because of a sport stadium (detroit and miami come to mind).
ReplyDelete