DECLINE
IDENTITY
stimulating growth & energy in small shrinking cities April 27, 2020 Aleah Davis
Undergraduate thesis proposal
STIMULUS
pg. i
Contents
DECLINE, IDENTITY, & STIMULATION
1
shrinking cities
2-3
defining decline
4
decline in context
5
zones of decline: urban/agricultural
6
defining identity
7
stimulation applied to context
8
Stimulation zones: existing urban/pop-up stimulation
9
Stimulation zones: existing urban/new stimulation sites
10
Plug-in stimulus events & GROUPS
11
Stimulus pop-up modules
12
flex modules
13
STORAGE/POWER + COMPOST TOILET + exhibit/DISPLAY
14
FOOD/BREW A/B + LIVESTOCK HOUSING + TICKETING/ENTRY
15
urban condition events
16
rural condition events
17
Events to start-up condition
18
start-up condition
19
stimulus vision
20
new opportunities
21
bibliography
22
pg. 1
DECLINE, IDENTITY, & STIMULATION
Decline is defined as a combination of population loss, over a long period of time, devalued real estate that creates lower property values and tax bases, & decreased variety and quality of services. 43% of the U.S.. resides in small cities (of less than 50,000 residents), additionally, they make up 84% of U.S. cities (Brennan 2005). As small cities in particular decline, each business that closes down or home that is vacated becomes another pocket of declining space across a greater network of decline across the city. Currently, approximately 40% of U.S. cities are experiencing decline, with 83% percent of the shrinking cities being small.
Using the Identity of a small shrinking city, its past and present conditions, businesses, culture, history, and events, stimulation can occur with relevance to the local vernacular of a city. A current business can branch out, using existing structures or a school make use of empty space for community garden spaces, that foster local produce. Local businesses and groups can expand upon their existing events, providing new opportunities to bring people in.
Stimulus is defined as a thing that rouses activity and energy in something. In this case, stimulus can occur throughout the city through events to increase energy and occupation within a small city. Using Identity to form context and build off of the existing strengths of the community, Stimuli can be formed. By examining the most declined portions of small cities, by introducing points of Stimulus within the existing framework of a city, adapting unused infrastructures and space with new activity to help revitalize micro-pockets of a city.
Abstract: addressing the increase and expansion of small shrinking cities by adapting the existing identity and infrastructure of a declining city to create new opportunities for growth through stimulus events. Stimulus events allow for different activities and areas of stimulus to occur across cities, by bringing new life to declined areas, while being able to support local, existing economies and adapt to feature needs, industries, and events. As events provide opportunities, pop-up units can provide support for a ranged series of events, gatherings, and development in areas of the cities, as they are needed.
From the 1930s until the 1960s, cities began experiencing ‘obsolescence,’ resulting in decreased tax bases, creating poor and ‘obsolete’ neighborhoods as middle-class people fled deteriorating neighborhoods. Mayer (2001) noted changes in funding and policy-making over time. In the 1960s and 1970s, the federal government provided funding to declining cities to help improve employment opportunities and training as well as education. However, once President Reagan took office in 1982, he allotted the responsibility to the states to provide funding, creating a major loss in funding to declining cities. Audirac (2018) noted that from the 1970s to the 1980s, cities began de-industrializing en masse, creating an economic decline in once industry-based cities. This caused a decreased tax base, causing suburbs to grow as more middle class left the declining cities. During this era, cities became increasingly populated by the poor and immigrants, who were often seen as undesirable. During the 1990s, the term ‘shrinking city’ began to emerge. Researchers agree that city decline and ‘shrinking’ is still occurring today. Active city shrinking is often emphasized by the 2008 recession, with blame often landing on lack of local government action, the federal government’s unwillingness to break up modern monopolies, or efforts to balance the nation’s economy to match inflation/lower class society’s needs.
pg. 2
shrinking cities
Shrinking cities are caused by a number of influences, often positing the use of a variety of terms to explain the phenomena. Hartt (2019) is one of the many researchers that recognized many overlapping terms that are often interchangeable, such as shrinking city, declining city, or de-industrialized city. Hartt recognized that most of these terms describe a combination of population loss, over an extended period, devalued real estate that creates lower property values and a decreased tax base, and a decreased variety and quality of services offered. Ribant (2019) tried to separate shrinking cities into seven typologies, varying in size, population loss and patterns, and patterns of physical decline. Ribant uses these typologies to help define distinct issues and highlight areas of decline, sustainability, and even growth in the respective typology. Besides size, other reasons for varying definitions of shrinking cities include the factors that contribute to the decline of a shrinking city. Hollander, Nemeth, and Nemeth (2011) recognized that depopulation occurs on a case by case basis, and can be blamed on several internal and external factors, from natural disaster, de-industrialization, and changing social and economic conditions at the local and global scale. Audirac (2018) acknowledged the factors of population loss, economic decline, and ‘abandoned and derelict districts and neighborhoods’ affect industrial and fiscal restructuring of cities on a global scale. Hollander, Nemeth, and Nemeth (2011) also acknowledged that growth and decline occur in cycles, with both being inevitable at some point in time, making development tricky to make sustainable.
Regardless of the causes, the effects of shrinking cities are continuously concerning. The research of Cohen, Mason, Bedimo, and Scribner (2003) discussed the relationships between socio-economic status, health, and appearance of physical structures, social structures (schools, jobs), and physical health of residents. Essentially, through the improvement or decline of physical structures, social structures and conditions improved or declined a well. As physical or social structure improved or declined the state of the neighborhood, so did the states of the surrounding neighborhoods. Gu (2019) acknowledged the importance of revitalization in cities to ‘stabilize tax bases, maintenance costs, and the vibrancy of neighborhoods.’ Hartt (2019) considers the notion of prosperity versus decline. Hartt defined prosperity, or in essence, a healthy or revitalized city, by its opulence, utility, and capability. Hartt defined opulence as an increase in material commodities that increase the overall prosperity of a city. The utility is the satisfaction that opulence provides. Lastly, the capability is the capability to flourish, where residents are easily able to acquire opulence and prosperity. Ultimately, by improving factors within a shrinking city, the goal would be to achieve prosperity, utility, and opulence for residents to improve the social, economic, psychological conditions of a city.
pg. 3
shrinking cities...
To improve the conditions of a shrinking city, many researchers have theorized multiple possibilities for urban scale developments and planning strategies. Hollander, Nemeth, and Nemeth (2011) described the idea of ‘smart growth’ where cities plan for fewer people, spaces, and services, but improve the quality of life for the remaining group of people. Examples included greenscaping brownfield or expanding agriculture into previously urban areas. Hollander, Nemeth, and Nemeth examined changes and developments in East Germany, using ‘smart decline’ methods, and found that the most successful cases provided community-involvement in the planning, making developments more fitted to the community itself. Hollander, Nemeth, and Nemeth believed that despite the natural cycles of boom and bust (urban life-cycle), community involvement and sponsored change is often the most important and impactful in revitalization efforts.
pg. 4
DEFINING DECLINE
Declining cities are caused by a number of variables, culminating a number of terms to reflect the decline. Many areas of decline interrelate, causing damaging effects in other areas, creating a ‘sink hole’, where decline spirals out of control.
pg. 5
DECLINE IN CONTEXT
Danville, Buckhorn, and Bloomsburg were all founded in the early 1810’s, occupying once Native American owned lands. Within the mid to late 1800’s Danville and Bloomsburg had established several large schools, and hospitals, including what would become Bloomsburg University and Geisinger Health Systems, the major assets that exist in the cities today. Early industries included the railroad, which would later establish the path for Route 11, furniture, carpeting and textiles, as well as mining transportation. Initially these areas were strung together by railroads, then state highways, such as Route 11, and later by Interstate 80. Following the national decline of internal industry and production in the 70s & 80s, the cities declined as the carpeting, textiles, furniture, and mining industries closed. But technological advancement allowed for these areas to expand upon their hospitals and schools. From their inception, all of the cities have ties to the surrounding rural and agriculture, prominently producing lumber, corn, beans, hay, potatoes, and dairy.
Low Decline
pg. 6
zones of decline: urban/agricultural
High Decline
Decline in neighborhoods measured by population loss, avg. capita per household, levels of visible decay & abandonment/disuse
Active Fields: corn, hay, soybeans Dead Fields
“People here were much more ashamed of what had happened than they needed to be.... We have a big- and it continues today- a tremendous self-image problem in the community.... They’re convinced that this is not the place that people would want to be.” (Mayer, 2001) The Identity of a city is the essence, both existing and bygone. Each city holds a history of industry & business, culture & its people, geography & makeup. Even in decline, a city’s Identity remains apparent. State College, for example is heavily defined by the presence of the University, its driving force. Also notable facets of its identity could include the presence of agriculture, a location in a fertile valley, and a heavy demographic of students & professors, of many different backgrounds. The activities and events of a place also define much about the identity of a city and its people, through their interests and opinions.
pg. 7
DEFINING IDENTITY
The Identity of a city can reflect past & current conditions. Therefore, it recognizes the presence of decline/decay as well as persisting people and businesses. From an Identity, new Stimuli can be developed, tailored from the existing businesses, people, and events to create revitalization and new opportunities.
BLOOMSBURG FAIR
BLOOM/DANVILLE FARM SHOW
BLOOMSBURG ARTS FAIR
BLOOM/DANVILLE FUNDRAISER EVENTS (RELAY FOR LIFE)
BLOOM/DANVILLE FARMERS MARKETS
pg. 8
STIMULATION APPLIED TO CONTEXT
According to Marion Roberts (2019), to revitalize declining cities, efforts need to focus on creating new connecting routes, using a patchwork strategy, creating social incubators and events, and focusing on processing a source of economy through design. As such, points of Stimulus, both singularly and as a network, will strive to do so, using the Identity as a basis for context. Maxwell Hartt (2019) describes the notion of prosperity, in respects to a healthy city or a city in a period of growth. Hartt describes prosperity as having a sense of opulence, utility, and capability. He defines opulence as having an increased amount material commodities & amenities available with increased prosperity. Utility is the city population’s satisfaction with the available commodities. Lastly, Hartt describes capability as the capability to flourish, where residents are in an easy position to attain and access opulence and utility. These will become the factors for success in regards to the end, designed products of decline, identity, and stimulus.
Using the assets and declined zones as a basis, I propose a solution in the form of an immersive event-driven community. In respect to city identity, Bloomsburg University is well known for its healthcare program; by connecting this to the healthcare facilities further, events can easily be shaped around healthcare or education conferences, fundraisers, and student events. Drawing to the agricultural asset, farm shows, fairs, and art shows can display agricultural products, foods, and crafts as well as livestock shows. A diversified and focused agriculture can aid in other such amenities like farmers markets or farm-to-table restaurants to further create community connections.
Pop-up Stimulus Zone Pop-up Stimulus Startup
Pop-up Stimulus Zone
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pg. 9
Stimulation zones: existing urban/pop-up stimulation
Pop-up Stimulus Startup
Pop-up Stimulus Zone
Pop-up Stimulus Zone
Small declining cities need opportunity for new industries, economies, and people to come. Many small towns achieve this through events, such as Arts Fest in State College or Woodstock in Bethel, NY. By using the identity of the city, new events can emerge to support the existing industries and bring in new ones as well. Pop-up modules can create spaces for events, support changing needs as people come and go, and even provide amenities for emergency events. Through the use of popups, events and amenities can travel through cities to where they are needed, providing opportunity for stimulus throughout a city’s network. Through events, the city become a destination for surrounding cities, drawing in people from within and outside the city to the events. As more people come to the city regularly for events, it can encourage more businesses to move in, where the pop-ups can then help form small start-up communities, making use of the unused and vacant buildings in the city.
pg. 10
Stimulation zones: existing urban/new stimulation sites
BLOOMSBURG THEATER ENSEMBLE
FOOD/BREW FESTIVALS
ANTIQUE RAILWAY FEST
BLOOM HISTORIC SOCIETY
BLOOM/DANVILLE FUNDRAISER EVENTS (RELAY FOR LIFE)
BLOOM/DANVILLE FARM SHOW
BLOOMSBURG ARTS FAIR
BLOOM/DANVILLE FARMERS MARKETS
EMERGENCY/MEDICAL RELIEF
BLOOM UNIVERSITY STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
BLOOM TREE FEST
DANVILLE ABC FASHION SHOW
DANVILLE IRON HERITAGE FEST
BLOOM AGAPE GROUP
CHILDRENS READING CLUB
pg. 11
BLOOMSBURG FAIR
Plug-in stimulus events & GROUPS
EDUCATIONAL/MEDICAL CONFERENCE
BLOOM LIGHTS FESTIVAL
ARTISTS EXCHANGE GROUP/ MAKER SPACE
BLOOM ANTIQUES FAIR
BLOOM GARDENING GROUP
DANVILLE SPRING FLING
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FOOD/BREW UNIT B
LIVESTOCK BARN
TICKETING/ENTRY
POLE CONSTRUCTION
pg. 12
Stimulus pop-up modules
MODULES
PLYWOOD PANEL CONSTRUCT.
PLEXI PANEL CONSTRUCT.
The Pop-up modules consist of event-based program spaces and support spaces, all with options for modularity and customization to fit the needs of different events, sites, and programs. Making use of local forestry, carpentry, and textiles, the pop-up spaces can be made of easily manufactured and replaceable parts that can be combined in transportable kit of parts. The kits contain a set of 4x4 lumber, plywood and plexi-glass panels, metal joints, concrete base blocks, bungee cords for attachment, and a canvas roof panel that can be converted into a wrap to contain the kit pieces for transport. Most of the supplies can be easily replaced or repurchased from local hardware stores such as the wood, bungee cords, and concrete mix for the footers, while the joint pieces, panels, and canvas wrap can be made be local craftsmen to support local businesses.
FLEX A & B
Module Axons & Plans pg. 13
FLEX MODULES
11.25’
15’
15’
These pop-ups are the most basic enclosure, including the wood supports and canvas cover. Flex A represents the smaller series and B the larger series. Since they are flexible they can be used for additional spaces, not covered in the programmed modules, from connector modules, seating areas, dining areas, and more. The modules also represent the range of how the canvas roof cover can be articulated into varying slopes/forms.
15’
STORAGE/POWER
15’
The pop-up helps support other pop-up units with storage space for event-related tools and other objects as well as a power source for other units. To the right, the unit contains space for a generator and fuel storage.
15’
COMPOST TOILET
15’ 15’
EXHIBIT/DISPLAY
30’
The pop-up is largely a flexible open space, to allow for a number of activities from exhibition space, presentation or meeting space. It could also easily operate as a dining area, when paired with the food/brew popups. When not being employed for events, the units can easily be rented or used by local community or college groups, churches, etc., to continue city stimulation.
Module Axons & Plans pg. 14
STORAGE/POWER + COMPOST TOILET + exhibit/DISPLAY
The pop-up family restrooms, allowing for more remote areas of the cities to be occupied for events. The compost toilets can accept compost waste and human waste that can be removed/reused for agricultural compost.
30’
FOOD/BREW A/B
15’
15’
The pop-up allow for either a small or larger food, brew, or sellers station. Each allows for a contained back for storage or preparation and a front counter for orders, displays, and serving. The stalls are flexible spaces, allowing for use beyond food or drink, such as sponsor stalls for fundraising events, or organization/business stalls at conference events.
11.25’
15’
LIVESTOCK HOUSING
30’ 30’
TICKETING/ENTRY
15’
The pop-up allows for a gated or ticketed entry as necessary for events. The space allows for two channels of entry as well as two office spaces for administration, organizers, or security of the events.
Module Axons & Plans pg. 15
FOOD/BREW A/B + LIVESTOCK HOUSING + TICKETING/ENTRY
The pop-up accommodates livestock for farm shows and fairs. As agriculture is a major portion of the cities’ identities, it is necessary to accommodate pop-ups for livestock housing as well.
30’
Applied to Site pg. 16
Urban condition events
FOOD/BRE W B
FLEX B
STORAGE/ POWER
COMPOST TOILET
E XHIBIT/ DISPLAY
E XHIBIT/ DISPLAY
Applied to Site pg. 17
rural condition events
UNUSED FIELD
AVA I L A B L E PARKING FOR EVENT
FOOD/BRE W B
FOOD/BREW FESTIVALS
BLOOMSBURG ARTS FAIR
As the town begins to gain momentum with new visitors and strengthened community gathering, the pop-ups can begine to serve other purposes as the city grows. When not in use for festivals, community groups, clubs, scouts, and student organizations to rent or borrow popups for temporary meeting spaces within the community. Additionally, as business grows, pop-ups can be deployed indoors within the abandoned and vacant buildings in the city to form start-ups for restaurants or artists who can establish themselves in an affordable venue, that again becomes a destination for the community. Within the startup, businesses are supported by the precense and draw of the others, to gain better business. The pop-ups can help create stimulus both through temporary events and adapt with the growing community to create further, lasting stimulus.
pg. 18
Events to startup condition
BLOOMSBURG ARTS FAIR
WA L K A B L E DISTANCE FROM DOWTOWN
AVA I L A B L E PARKING ABANDONED FACTORY
DINING & SEATING AREAS
FLEX B
TOILET
STORAGE/ POWER
Applied to Site pg. 19
Startup condition
FOOD/BRE W B
pg. 20
stimulus vision
pg. 21
new opportunities
By using the identity, what’s existing in these small shrinking cities, to create new forms of stimulus, cities gain the opportunity to connect together the most important thing that remains in a shrinking city: the community. Being able to spread events and group activities is vital in creating energy for a community to move forward from decline, and invite new people and business to the community. For shrinking cities, the pop-up modules provide a system for the city to change and introduce new stimuli as they need and can provide the basis for future growth through new events and startup communities that both use the old and the new to create a better community.
Audirac, Ivonne. 2018. “Shrinking Cities: An Unfit Term for American Urban Policy?” 75: 12. Brennan, Christiana, Darrene Hackler, and Christopher Hoene. 2005. “Demographic Change in Small Cities, 1990 to 2000.” Urban Affairs Review 40 (3): 342-361. Cohen, Deborah A., Karen Mason, Ariane Bedimo, Richard Scribner, Victoria Basolo, and Thomas A. Farley. 2003. “Neighborhood Physical Conditions and Health.” American Journal of Public Health 93 (3): 467-471. Gu, Donghwan, Galen Newman, Jun-Hyun Kim, Yunmi Park, and Jaekyung Lee. 2019. “Neighborhood Decline and Mixed Land Uses: Mitigating Housing Abandonment in Shrinking Cities.” Land use Policy 83: 505-511. Hartt, Maxwell. 2019. “The Prevalence of Prosperous Shrinking Cities.” Annals of the American Association of Geographers 109 (5): 1651-1670. Hollander, Justin B. and Jeremy Németh. 2011. “The Bounds of Smart Decline: A Foundational Theory for Planning Shrinking Cities.” Housing Policy Debate 21 (3): 349-367. Mayer, Henry J. and Michael R. Greenberg. 2001. “Coming Back from Economic Despair: Case Studies of Small-and Medium-Size American Cities.” Economic Development Quarterly 15 (3): 203-216.
pg. 22
bibliography
Ribant, Michael and Xuwei Chen. 2019. “A Typology of U.S. Shrinking Cities.” The Professional Geographer: 1-13.