3 thesis book pages 13x11 by Seiha Oun

Sustaining the diversity of Old Town/Chinatown Transfiguring Old Town/Chinatown into a Diversity District

Transfiguring Old Town/Chinatown into a Diversity District

by Seiha Oun

Thesis document submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture at Portland State University Portland, Oregon June 2014

iii

PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS The undersigned hereby certify that the Masters thesis of Seiha Oun has been approved as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture

Thesis Committee: Advisor Travis Bell Assistant Professor of Architecture

Date

B.D. Wortham-Galvin Assistant Professor of Architecture

Date

Acknowledgements I would like to express the deepest appreciation to my committee chair, Assistant Professor Travis Bell, and committee member, Assistant Professor B.D. WorthamGalvin. Without their guidance and persistent support, this thesis would have been an impossible task to accomplish. I greatly appreciate their inspiring and motivating words as I overcome the various obstacles throughout this thesis. In addition, I would like to thank my interviewee for sharing their wealth of knowledge. Their knowledge was invaluable and has expanded my overall understanding of Old Town/Chinatown. My amazing colleague were a great resource, I thank them for their diverse expertise and knowledge. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents, sister, and family for their mental supports and believing in me. My family is the most important aspect of my life and I would like to dedicate this accomplishment to them as a form of gratitude. Thank You, Seiha Oun

vii

viii

Abstract Consistently, past neighborhood revitalization efforts have resulted in the monoculturing of neighborhood. The mono-culturing of neighborhoods has led to social exclusion, and the complete removal of diverse community entities from their situated places. There are various benefits to sustaining the diversity of a particular place. This thesis hopes to stimulate a more complex sensibility of the term diversity and provide an architectural vision for sustaining such diversity of place.The initial exploration begins with conceptual research of the meanings and processes of gentrification and community diversity. The conceptual research is grounded in a particular place to give necessary context to the subject. The area of investigation is Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only known ethnic district, Chinatown. Historically, this district was identified as the origin of diversity for the city of Portland. Recent redevelopment of the adjacent downtown area, known as the Pearl District, will inevitably pressure Chinatown to engage in redevelopment efforts. This thesis aims at exploring architectural solutions that might better sustain the multiple, situated communities of Chinatown as it engages in efforts of revitalization.

Table of Contents 1.0

Main Research �� 4

11.0

Kit of Parts �� 81

2.0

Defining Gentrification �� 10

11.1 Primary infrastructure ��81

3.0

The Phenomenon of Chinatown �� 14

11.2 Applications ��85

3.1 The Phenomenon of Chinatown ��15

Conclusions �� 88

3.2 Historic Overview of Portland Chinatown ��18

List of Figures �� 90

4.0

Home to the Marginalized �� 20

Bibliography �� 98

4.1 Historic Ethnic Communities ��20

4.2 Current Constituents ��22

5.0

Shifts in Diversity �� 24

6.0

Defining Future Diversity �� 28

7.0

Landscape Investigation �� 32

7.1 Defining intersections ��34

7.2 Defining Corrdor ��35

8.0

Timescape �� 38

8.1 Local Service hours of operations ��39

8.2 Timescape ��41

8.3 Timescape Artifact ��49

9.0

Precedent Studies �� 56

9.1 June Key Delta ��56

9.2 Free Space ��58

9.3 Oaks Park ��60

10.0

Programs �� 62

10.1 Night Market ��64

10.2 Art Corridor ��70

10.3 Garden Workshop ��74

10.4 Community Event Space ��78

How can architecture be used to help sustain diversity amidst the mono-culturing effects related to urban re-development?

INTRODUCTION 1.0

Main Research

A neighborhood engaged in the process of redevelopment will certainly experience some degree of reinvestment and increased economic activity.. Unfortunately, some redevelopment efforts end up promoting reinvestment at the expense of existing less profitable forms of community. These purely economic redevelopment goals can cause exclusivity and create barriers for existing underrepresented groups. Consequently, preexisting and marginalized communities are often driven out of “improving” neighborhoods, being now less able to afford to live within the neighborhoods raising costs of living. These rising costs not only affect domestic rental rates and property values but also affect access to neighborhood services that can no longer afford to work in the “improved” neighborhood. With the marginalized communities removed, the complexity of the social dynamics of the neighborhood is simplified to contain only economically viable interactions.. What was once an economically diverse social structure is now reduced to a monoculture.

‘Only where things can be seen by many, in a variety of aspects, without changing their identity, so that those who are gathered around them know they see sameness in utter diversity, can worldly reality truly and reliably appear’ (1990, 57). -Hannah Arendt (Source) In mono-cultured neighborhoods these differences were recognized, but not realized to their full potential. Encouraging diversity may provide stability and promote resiliency to communities. Monocultures in general are vulnerable to unanticipated changes. Interconnected mixes of entities are adaptive and less vulnerable in the face of change. Intertwining the relationships between the various community constituents could help reinforce shared values and understandings. A community that is diverse, yet recognized as a cohesive whole, offers inter-community support and greater resiliency.

Monoculture neighborhoods are the end product of gentrification.The complete replacement of preexisting disadvantaged communities with more economically superior groups. The root of the problem derives from the overrepresentation of one particular group over others. This suggested dominant and subservient relationship fosters an unhealthy relationship amongst community. This is an apparent lack of reconciliation of the differences that previously existed. Redevelopment efforts should strive to strengthen and capitalize on the rich diversity that currently exists in neighborhoods. There are numerous benefits to living in a diverse neighborhood. Appreciating and valuing diversity will help sharpen our understanding of society. Embracing these differences allows us to learn from an array of diverse human experiences and perspectives, while enabling us to evaluate our own knowledge. These unique differences have to be understood and appreciated to comply with the needs of the diverse neighborhood. Diversity is a state in which people are capable of expressing themselves openly and comfortably without having to play down their differences. When these distinctive differences are merely recognized, yet not realized, and embraced, then the situation remains divided. Hannah Arendt described diversity in the following terms:

Figure 1.1 : Portland’s Gate to Chinatown

Jane Jacobs contested the notion that diverse, mixed uses negatively characterize a place. During Jacob’s time, the homogeneity of uses was the preferred form of development, as it implied a sense of organization and was thought to be visually comprehensible. The notion of homogeneity proved aesthetically problematic as such places tended to produce monotonous and stagnant urban environments. Jacob’s argued that this could be disorienting to the pedestrian while navigating through this monotony of spaces. She further argued that cities are naturally diverse; the organic, the spontaneous, the messiness all implying a complex system that was the natural evolution of a place. Jane Jacobs believed that the physical diversity in cities encourages neighbors to interact and that these casual interactions nurture a growth of trust, neighborly relationships, and safer sense of place. (Jacobs, 2006, p.290)

Figure 1.2 Cervin Robinson, Jane Jacobs at the White Horse Tavern, 1962, New York, USA.

Figure 1.3 Rhythm of a continuously occupied street

In Part two of the book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” Jane Jacobs addresses the four conditions for generating diversity. Though these conditions were prescribed by Jane as the generator of diversity, this thesis acknowledges these conditions as strategically appropriate for sustaining diversity. The four conditions needed “to generate exuberant diversity in a city’s streets and districts” are:

1. The district, and indeed as many of its internal parts as possible, must serve more than one primary function; preferably more than two. These must insure the presence of people who go outdoors on different schedules and are in the place for different purposes, but who are able to use many facilities in common. 2. Most blocks must be short; that is, streets and opportunities to turn corners must be frequent. 3. The district must mingle buildings that vary in age and condition, including a good proportion of old ones so that they vary in the economic yield they must produce. This mingling must be fairly close-grained. 4. There must be a sufficient dense concentration of people, for whatever purposes they may be there. This includes dense concentration in the case of people who are there because of residence. (Jacobs, 2006, p.196)

Figure 1.4 Traditional street are self monitored that provides

Short Blocks

Figure 1.5 Mixed small retails

Long Blocks

Figure 1.6 Large single use block

Figure 1.4 Movement comparison of long to short blocks

Primary Uses

Short Blocks

Primary uses refer to uses that attract people to linger and spend time in the area. These are categorizes as businesses, residences, manufacturing, and leisure facilities.The primary use is coupled with a secondary use to ensure a constantly active street at all hours. Secondary uses serve primarily the people who are local to the area. Jane Jacobs emphasized the importance of a balance of activities occurring throughout the day. The imbalance of activities of daytime and night causes desolate urban street that impacts the use and safety of the sidewalk.

Long blocks are a barrier to mixtures and diversity by limiting interactions among pedestrians. These limitations are caused by the reduced navigation options to destination paths. A typical long block encourages one to two well trafficked pedestrian paths. The multitudes of paths thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s associated with short blocks is rather adventurous and a more dynamic experience. Circulation paths are more distributed and create more path variations that encourage the possibility for spontaneous encounters.

Figure 1.7 Juxtaposition of Old & New

Figure 1.8 Public eyes on the street

Aged Buildings

Sufficient concentration

Aged buildings are essential to the economic diversity and support the growth of smaller enterprises. This is based on the generalization that older buildings yield cheaper rent costs. Aging buildings prevent neighborhoods from becoming economically exclusive to the more affluent. Incorporating a balance of old and new buildings is important so as to avoid a stagnant urban environment. Thus there should be an appropriate mixed of low, median, and high yield buildings.

Cities are intended for high concentrations of people to conglomerate. Diversity relies on dense concentrations of both visitors and residents to support the diverse places. Crowded urban streetscapes offers a safer sense of place by providing more eyes on the street. In less concentrated areas, the lack of pedestrian life creates inactive sidewalks. Diverse enterprise fails to thrive without the consistent support of large concentrations of diverse people.

Figure 2.1 Vacant storefronts

DEFINING GENTRIFICATION

2.0 Defining Gentrification Neighborhood improvement or redevelopment is a process that aims to improve decaying urban areas and assist struggling neighborhoods. Gentrification and revitalization are two differing and recognizable terms for redevelopment. These two terms are polarizing in urban redevelopment. Revitalization is typically associated with a positive form of redevelopment while gentrification carries a negative connotation. Deciphering whether redevelopment is gentrification or revitalization is notoriously difficult to assess at the outset as both begin with the goal of improving the economic conditions of a neighborhood. What can be understood as Gentrification typically falls within a gray area. Redevelopment efforts require some degree of reinvestment and alterations to housing stock in order to facilitate improvements. However reinvestments and various processes of change are frequently mistaken as processes of gentrification. The common interpretation of gentrification begins from a visible upgrading of housing stock resulting in the introduction of higher income residents to the area, though this is not a sufficient

condition of gentrification. The intended mixture of income levels is critical in determining whether a process of gentrification is underway. Brookings Institute defines gentrification as a process involving: (1) the displacement of existing lower income residents by higher income households; (2) the physical upgrading of housing stock that limits the housing opportunities, and (3) significant alterations to the character of the neighborhood.1 A neighborhood would have to experience all three conditions in order to imply that the neighborhood is undergoing gentrification.To a certain extent the classification of gentrification depends on the intensity of the three conditions. Introducing higher income residents to a neighborhood is acceptable and would not be considered as a gentrification process.The complete changeover of the housing stock from low income to higher income condos, by contrast, would suggest a process of gentrification. The scale of transformation significantly alters the residents by indirect displacement of existing residents. 10

Social mixing has been the common practice for revitalization efforts. This mixing of economic social groups is typically achieved through diversifying housing stock. There are multiple benefits with introducing different social and economic groups into a neighborhood. It helps to reduce the concentration of poverty and provide financial support for an economically stressed neighborhood. The process of social mixing may generate a vibrant streetscape. This process can sometimes fall short of its intention, consequently this results in a socially tectonic relationship3opposed to a true socially-mixed neighborhood. The term socially tectonic describes a relationship where lives are lived in parallel. Members of the differing social groups live their lives separately. There is a dual meaning to how the term tectonic is employed. The relationship of the people is metaphorically described as tectonic plates, where lives move across fabric as separate plates having few social relations. Tectonic may also refer to the prescribed intermixing of social groups that is policybased rather than a natural development of social mixing. Gentrification was initially recognized as a process of rehabilitation to existing housing stock, but other forms of gentrification have since emerged. The upgrading of public spaces and commercial services has been associated with social filtering and exclusion of social groups. The lack of diversified housing stock results in exclusive neighborhoods when housing opportunities become limited to low-income residents. Similarly services that are exclusive to higher income residents indirectly drive out existing residents when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve become limited to certain economic groups. There are two forms of displacement that can take place; displacement may occur either directly or indirectly. The classic form of displacement involves physical clearing of existing fabric that is replaced with newer development. Indirect displacement results from the exclusion of properties and services. Price shadowing is a form of indirect displacement where the rising property values in gentrified neighborhood become Figure 2.2 : Before and after of a redevelopment that resulted in the loss of unique charactered storefront

unaffordable for existing residents. The ideal example of indirect gentrification occurs when young wealthy residents are introduced to an area within an economically dilapidated inner-city. Usually these individual are childless middle class households, unmarried, under 35 years of age, with professional occupation, and are well educated. Introducing higher income residents will expand the local tax-base and support local business storefronts. However these individuals would contribute to higher rents, home prices, and property taxes. When middle or upper income individuals become attracted to the area, property values increase according to the higher demands of middle income housing stock. Inadvertently these gentrifiers instigate the displacement process to existing residents and business owners who can no longer afford the rising rent or property taxes.

Increased property values Reduced Vacancy Rates Encouragement and increased viability of further development Increased social mix without state sponsorship

Displacement through rent/price increase Secondary psychological costs of displacement Unsustainable Homelessness Greater take of local spending through Commercial/industrial displacement Increased cost and changes to local services Displacement and housing demand pressures on surrounding poor areas Loss of social diversity Underarea

TableSummary of neighborhood of urban redevelopment2 Table 2.1 Table impacts summary of neighborhood

impacts of urban redevelopment

An additional type of gentrifier has been distinguished from the conventional gentrifier. The term marginal gentrifier was introduced and recognizes marginally employed professionals who are young and typically non-family households of single women, gay, and artists. Women without family or single parents prefer neighborhoods in the urban area because of better access and availability to numerous services.The common attribute for these gentrifiers is that they are non-family oriented households and are economically middle income. The artists were particularly identified as both the gentrifier and gentrified. The patterns involve the artist initiating the gentrification process by transforming and enlivening a particular area. Consequently the vibrancy of the culture becomes attractive to middle class who inadvertently drive the property values of the area. The increase in property value or lease essentially displaces the original artists who initially established the character.

Figure 3.1 : Character defining balconies of Old Chinatown

DEFINING CHINATOWN

3.0

The Phenomenon of Chinatown

What remains of Chinatown are remnants of a culture that once occupied the urban landscape. Presently Portlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chinatown has lost its essence and true identity. There is a disconnect between the character of the place and its current users. Character-defining shops and restaurants have closed or migrated to outer SE Portland, less than a dozen of these businesses and residents still remain. With the majority of the Chinese residents having migrated from the area, businesses now cater to a different and diverse crowd.Transformation will be inevitable, but how these transformations will take place is a pressing question.

displacement of communities has been a recurring theme within this particular area. Historically this place has been identified as the part of the city where displaced communities relocate due to pressure from urban development.

The contemporary perception of Chinatown in general has shifted significantly from the past. Historic Chinese districts were less than desirable in most cities, as these establishments correlated to slum-like conditions. The reimaging in recent Chinatowns has promoted a positive perception of these establishments. In the contemporary context Chinatown today has been accepted by the general public as a tourist oriented destination. Despite this positive outlook, beneath all the adornment and oriental decorations, Chinatown embodies a dilapidated region of the city. The communities within the district are currently prone to displacement from private investment projects.This phenomenon is not new; the

3.1

Historic Chinatowns

The Chinese presence in the United States dates back as early as the 1850â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The driving mechanisms for their migration were a consequence of internal problems in China. The period between 1840 to 1864 marks a time frame of war and political instability. In conjunction with the already complex issues, the agricultural productivity was impacted by frequent natural disasters that further contributed to the already growing poverty and the country was on the verge of famine. Concurrent to the period was the high demand in the mining industries and gold rush in the United States. These job opportunities were seemingly attractive to the Chinese who were seeking to escape their homeland in search of refuge. The United States and China reached an agreement for an open-door immigration policy. This granted access for Chinese immigrants to work abroad, while being denied access to naturalized citizenship. 6 Figure 3.2 The heart of Old Chinatown on 2nd & Alder Street

Early immigrants endured great hardship during their initial settlement. Their transition to life in the United States was extremely difficult compared to immigrants with European origins. European immigrants experienced less difficulty acclimating to the United States because of shared language along with cultural and physical similarities. In contrast the Chinese experienced a language barrier and stayed within a closed community where they were less obligated to speak the language. For this reason the Chinese immigrants in general invested minimal effort to speak English and experienced a harsher transition. The Chinese in particular were physically and culturally different from the locals. The physical appearance and cultural differences contributed to the local rejection of the ethnic community. Cultural differences were partially responsible for the racial segregation. The other mechanism included the fear of their permanent residency. The consistent rejection by the locals and negative perception towards the ethnic group became the basis for the establishment of historic Chinese districts. Historically the establishment of Chinatowns reflected the desire to control the community activity and designated area of residence. The

Figure 3.3 Chinese immigrant working at cannery

city officials viewed the ethnic group only as a minor contributor to the economic growth of the city. Rather they were viewed as taking the wealth of the city and exporting it back to China. From the general public point of view the Chinese were competing with the locals for employment opportunities. As precautionary measures, various laws were imposed to prohibit the immigrants from purchasing land and limit occupation types to those that were labor intensive. This constant fear of Chinese residing permanently was the primary force in shaping most historic Chinese districts. The formation of historic ethnic enclaves was derived from the persistent pressure of the peer society, legal policy, and the desire for a comforting sense of community. In most cities demarcated areas were created to restrain the Chinese establishment. These confined boundaries were allocated to provide temporary housing for the migrant workers, with the presumption that these workers would eventually return home. The negative aspect of enclaves was the seclusion of the ethnic community from the larger society, resulting in the creation of a city within a city. Chinatown provided immigrants with economic and personal benefits through the multitude of established organizations and associations.These services provided loans, education, employment, entertainment, and teaching of acculturation. Chinatown sheltered its ethnic members from the external pressures. Immigrants found comfort through each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s companionship, reassuring a sense of belonging to the immediate place.

Figure 3.4

Children playing on the street of Chinatown

Figure 3.5 Streetscape of Chinatown 1900

3.2

Historic overview of Portland’s Chinatown

The Chinese settlement in Portland adopted a different form of spatial pattern. Chinese districts in other cities created a densely packed fabric within defined boundaries that limited their presence within the larger cities. The Chinese immigrants of Portland were dispersed throughout the city, and more astonishing was their presence within the heart of the city. The Chinese loosely occupied each block in contrast to an entire block dedicated exclusively to them. Rather than transplanting a whole community into an area, the pattern in Portland allowed the integration of the ethnic group within the larger society. Though they were permitted to occupy the city freely, the pressures from the locals were present like in any other city. They were frequently denied housing by apartment owners. Early Chinese establishments in Portland were scattered among five separate blocks along Front Street, presently Naito Parkway, with several other partially occupied blocks near Ankeny Street and Ash Street. By the turn of the 20th century, the Chinese population had reached its prime occupying 70 partial blocks interspersed along and westward of, First Street. The settlement patterns unpredictably shift as time progresses, except at the intersection of Second and Alder street where structures were continually occupied by the Chinese. This prominent node was considered the heart of the Chinese district. On the bare side of buildings, bulletins and news would keep the residing immigrants updated on news regarding their homeland, local postings, and theatrical performances. Mass gathering took place within this intersection on a regular basis. From 1863 to 1926 the district remained a part of the city center. Influenced by the City Beautiful movement, the redevelopment created a gradual increase in property values.This progressive increase in properties pressured the Chinese community to migrate north of Burnside where property value was affordable. 1907 saw the establishment of an ethnic enclave for the first time in the city of Portland. Indecisiveness had left the Chinese community interspersed north and south of Burnside. By 1926 the majority of the leases on Chinese occupied buildings had expired, and a new community core was established in New Chinatown along North 4th Ave. The established ethnic enclave encompasses an area from Third Ave. to Fifth Ave. and Glisan Street to Couch Street. This New Chinatown became what we’ve come to know as the current Chinatown today. 6

Figure 3.6 Urban “Non-Clave”

Figure 3.7 Urban enclave

ST.

IRVING

NW HOYT ST

ST.

NW 3RD AVE

ST.

GLISAN

N.W.

Figure 4.1 : Chinese occupied buildings 1926

NW 4TH AVE

NW 5TH AVE

NW 3RD AVE

NW 4TH AVE

NW HOYT ST

ST. GLISAN

ST.

NW 6TH AVE

NW BROADWAY

N.W.

GLISAN

ST.

Figure 4.2 : Japanese occupied buildings 1942

HOME TO THE MARGINALIZED 4.0

Home to the Marginalized

4.1

Historic Ethnic communities

The New Chinatown was not exclusive to the Chinese communities. This area north of Burnside was occupied by multiple ethnic groups. Both the Chinese and Japanese community coexisted within what was once identified as New Chinatown/Japan Town. Their coexistence was a coincidence, many factors contributed to why these communities established themselves in this part of the city. By the turn of the 20th century, the majority of the Chinese migrant workers had returned home. The decline in Chinese labor created employment opportunities for other immigrant workers. The high demands in the railroad industry attracted many Japanese migrant farmers to the city. The second factor was the affordability of the area and the preexisting housing stock already structured to accommodate temporary residents. From 1900 to 1913 the area experienced an increase in Japanese population from both the rural areas and overseas.

These ethnic communities entailed similar migration patterns to the African American community. Stricken by policies the Chinese and Japanese communities were the last to migrate out of the neighborhood. The principle was that these ethnic communities were upwardly mobile with aspirations to living in more affluent neighborhoods. This migration is slow process and occurs within a span of multiple generations. The migration typically occurs when second generations with improved education and job opportunities have the capability to reestablish themselves in more affluent neighborhood. This trend of migration is recognized as ethnoburbia5. Each of these ethnic communities has had an imprint on the place and their heritages are manifested within the fabric of Old Town Chinatown. Preserving the existence of these diverse communities is a method for maintaining their cultural memory. Diversity is characterized as the unique attribute and identity to the district of Old Town/Chinatown.

Historically Old Town/Chinatown has been home to various marginalized communities. The Japanese were not the sole beneficiary to the emigration of aging migrant Chinese workers. Italian immigrants and African American laborers took advantage of this opportunity as well. The continuous presence of temporary workers in the area had reinforced its image as transitional home for temporary residents. Throughout its history the area continues to accumulate numerous ethnic groups. These ethnic groups included the Jewish, Italian, Greek, Roma, Japanese, Chinese, African American, and Native American. The distinction between other ethnic communities and the two prominent Chinese and Japanese communities were distinguished by their length of presence and concentration to this area. Unlike the Chinese and Japanese, other ethnic community patterns of settlement were more dispersed throughout the city. The Chinese and Japanese inability to purchase homes limited their opportunity for establishing a neighborhood elsewhere and caused a higher concentration to this area. The African American community establishment in the NW was brief. Their establishment was present along NW Broadway and Everett starting in 1890. By the 1920â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the community had gradually migrated eastward to the Alberta district.

Figure 4.3 Current Constituents Map

4.2

Current Constituents

Although the contemporary Chinatown has defined boundaries, the district is no longer recognized as an ethnic enclave due to the absence of a significant Chinese population. The allocation of this boundary is unassociated with sociopolitical influences and acts as mere separation lines within the central city district. Chinatown has developed into an extension to Old Town.The established entertainment district in Chinatown today has been primarily influenced by the character of Old Town. The existence of the Chinese ethnic enclave was brief. In 1943 the law that had prohibited the Chinese from purchasing land was finally repealed. This essentially triggered the emigration of Chinese from the district. The ethnic community re-adopted the “non-clave” pattern of development, with most resettled in the SE area of Portland. Today Chinatown is recognized as a simulacrum, where it is perceived as a mere representational product of the reality. With the absence of Chinese population, the fossilized urban landscape has shifted function from serving an ethnic community to becoming a destination place for tourism. The place displays an array of diverse Chinese culture, but has minimal relevance to the historical or cultural significances of the Portland Chinese experience. For the Chinese community the district has become a node for cultural exchange and the preservation of traditional Chinese culture. With this intent the majority of cultural services remain in Chinatown today. Despite of the absence of Chinese residents, the district remains considerably diverse. Chinatown is currently home to one of Portland’s most diverse pockets of various marginalized populations. The location and establishment of transitional and shelter programs has drawn the homeless community to the place. The various nightclubs are home to a variety of subcultures. Darcelle’s, a local night club is particularly representative of the LGBT community. The art culture is steadily being established along Broadway. The homeless community is a particularly marginalized population. There is a negative perception of the place because of their presence. However I believe this community deserves the right to have access to these services. The location of the services to the downtown area is critical for the homeless community. On the weekends, despite the presence of the homeless population, Chinatown has become a complete extension of the entertainment district, catering to a variety of night life. Darcelle’s Entertainment Club has been a prominent figure within the district serving as a gathering place, empowering the gay community, hosting fundraising for gay rights, and food for the homeless. In terms of ownership of the place, I believe it is these various populations and nonprofit organizations, including the cultural and social service organizations, businesses, and existing residents who have become the true stakeholders of Portland’s Chinatown.

Figure 5.1 Diversity Map

DEFINING THE DIVERSITY

5.0

Shifts in Diversity

The demographic make up of Old Town Chinatown residents, has since lost the essence of an ethnically diverse residential neighborhood. However the ethnic groups who once inhabited the area continue to maintain their presence there. The Japanese and Chinese cultures remain constituents to the neighborhood; other cultures have preserved their heritage in the form arts that are displayed in gallery spaces. Within the context of Old Town/Chinatown, diversity was originally understood through a narrow scope of visible differences in ethnicity. This became the basis for how diversity was defined in the past, because cultural and physical differences were easily distinguishable. Ethnic communities had the tendency to live within enclaves. These traditional enclaves are characterized as live/work environments. In the past, people were far more dependent on their immediate surroundings. The type of influences and values attained were limited to the particular locality. The individual’s sense of belonging and the community identity were imbued within the physical space.

Joshua Meyrowitz addresses these limitations experienced in the past. The built environment has influences that are beyond our control. Restricted to a place, an individual’s sense of community is fixed and predetermined.This hampers the overall understanding of diversity, when people are identified according to the place and immediate community where which they live. “Not that long ago in human history, only a small minority of people traveled more than a radius of a few miles during their entire lives. Before the Industrial Revolution, connections to place were pre-determined, in most cases, by where a person was born. Typically, everyone one knew was local, and local space shaped virtually everything and every person one experienced. Place-connection was similar to an arranged marriage made by one’s parents at one’s birth. There was not much conscious identification with place because there was little perceived choice.” -Joshua Meyrowitz

Figure 5.2 Dimensions of Diversity

Past ideas of diversity have only recognized the internal dimension of diversity. Diversity has since increased in complexity with the aid of improved means of transportation and advancement in communication technology. Consequently this has led to the detachment between individuals and their physical localities. The influences on how we define our sense of belonging to a community are less dictated by the immediate space in which we live. The individual’s sense of identity now derives from multiple influences. While it would be important to acknowledge ethnicity as a single form of diversity, there are now various forms of diversity that go beyond the internal dimensions of ethnicity.

diverse community.The diminishing outward ethnic diversity in Chinatown is only suggestive of the decline in internal dimensions of diversity. When we account for the external dimension, it is evident that different forms of diversity have since emerged within the district. A group of individuals sharing physical characteristics may still possess different interests or ideology; they may be diverse within an apparent similarity. It is this understanding of diversity in thought that is perhaps a more robust form of diversity to focus upon as we move towards fully inclusive communities.

According to Gardenswartz & Rowe’s conception, there are four dimensions to diversity. These dimensions consist of the organizational dimension, the external dimension, the internal dimension, and the personal dimension. The layers are organized with the macro dimension creating the outer shell enclosing an individualized core. The outermost layer is identified as the organizational dimension. This layer identifies one’s sense of belonging to a particular group or organization. This layer is composed of the individual management status, union affiliation, work location and seniority. The next layer is the external dimension, this layer includes aspects that an individual has control over. This layer defines an individual’s behavior and whom they are likely to base on their decision making upon. The External dimension is characterized by the individual personal habits, recreational habits, religion, educational background, work experience, appearance, status, marital status, geographic location, and income. In contrast the internal dimension of diversity includes the dimension that the individual has no control over. This layer includes aspects such as an individual age, race, ethnicity, gender, and physical ability. The core dimension is the personal dimension.This layer includes the individual’s values, beliefs, likes, and dislikes. This layer is influenced by the other three layers. This thesis will focus on the external and internal dimensions of diversity. Recognizing the multidimensional form of diversity offers a better understanding of how such diversity is applied to a place and questions what constitutes a

DEFINING FUTURE DIVERSITY

6.0

Defining Future Diversity

Diversity should be defined beyond the social dimension. Determining the appropriate diversity to the area depends on identifying recognizable imbalances. The intention in promoting diversity should be to ensure equality and equal access for a variety of groups. How would diversity be addressed in future development? What should be the diverse components that will contribute to the well being of the neighborhood and identifying whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currently missing?

Figure 6.1 Infrastructure artifact

Diversity in Diurnal/Nocturnal Activities A large group of activities have become highly concentrated in the night, particularly the night clubs and bars. The nighttime essentially caters to visitors; there are no available places that accommodate the local residents. There should be more diversified storefront to encourage a rich variety of activities. Considering the fact that these nightclubs are only active a few days of the week, it is essential to activate the night with other kinds of activities other than nightclubs when the nightlife culture is absent. A desolate urban streetscape will allow illegal and unanticipated activities to take place. Having a continuously activated streetscape will promote a safer environment by having public eyes monitoring the area at all hours. It would be of great advantage for this area to strive for a 24 hour neighborhood that is equally active in the night as it is during the day. Diverse public spaces There is an abundance of entertainment and retail spaces, but there is an apparent lack of communal spaces that are conducive to the creation of a neighborhood. It is essential to provide spaces that are dedicated specifically to accommodating collaborative activities. Because most spaces are designed as entertainment nodes, the identity of the neighborhood is less visible to the general public. Diversity in housing types The housing stock of Old Town/Chinatown consist of predominantly single room occupancy (SRO) housing. The significant number of SRO is associated with the social services within the area. These units are typically used as transitional housing for the transient community.While the district should continue to provide affordable housing to maintain existing low-income residents, there is also the need for a more diversified housing stock. This type of housing stock limits the possibility for more permanent/long term residents. SRO are typically available as rental options, currently there no possibilities for homeownership. The district should and will most likely incorporate market rate housing, workforce housing, and student housing to the area.

Figure 6.2 Ankeny Alley

Income diversity The district should remain as an inclusive neighborhood, maintaining the existing services that currently reside within the area while drawing members from other income brackets. The affordability of this area is the primary reason why it has been home to the marginalized communities of Portland. This should be maintained, but neighborhoods concentrated with low-income residents are not sustainable for the district as a whole. Introducing residents of higher income may contribute to more active storefronts and support the local commerce. Age Diversity Currently the residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s median age of the district is approximately 40 years old. The activities taking place in the evening are attracting a far younger crowd. Providing student housing would help to mediate the conflicts between the residents and night culture. Conversely itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as important to provide activities for the older generations in the evening. Ethnic Diversity Recent years the area have experience a significant decline in ethnic diversity. The district should strive to revitalize the presence of an ethnically diverse neighborhood. The cultural differences associated with various ethnic communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offers richer understanding of society through the differing cultural lenses.

Figure 6.3 Everett Lofts

Maintaining small blocks development Discouraging large superblock development as this causes the singularity of uses. Large development stores outprice the smaller and character defining stores, it would be important to avoid the centralization of services. When this occurs the circulation on the sidewalk become less diverse as the needs to traverse along multiple routes are reduce.

2 2

Figure 7.1 Current Constituents Map Combined

LANDSCAPE

Chinese

7.0

Night culture

LGBT

Social Services

Art

Landscape Investigation

The preliminary investigation involved the mapping of the current constituents. This offers an insight to the proximity and the spatial relationship amongst the communities. Through this investigations and personal observations, paths were delineated and identified in this thesis as the corridor to the individual constituents. The overlaying of these corridors allows further explorations of the intersections. The map presents the frequency of overlap at each particular node, which was referred to help determine the appropriate design response. The behavior of the concentration/proximity of use was explored and reinterpreted as conceptual blocks. Two elements were explored, the corridors and the intersection. These initial studies explored the visual impact of a defined corridors and intersections.

Figure 7.2 Current Constituents Map Isolated

Figure 7.3 Intersection & corridor studies dispersed uses

Figure 7.4 Intersection & corridor studies segregated

Dispersed Uses

Segregated

Current uses are fairly dispersed throughout the neighborhood. This was especially evident when mapping the social services related building uses. Although this dispersal of uses reflected the diversified nature of the neighborhood, on the contrary the same randomness in adjacency of uses obscure the identity of its constituents.

The concentration of clearly delineates the presence of its constituents. However the increase in concentration produces exclusive and isolated communities. How can concentration be employed to define the identity while still maintaining the diverse experience.

Figure 7.5 Intersection & corridor studies single intersection

7.1

Defining Intersections

The intersection was implemented to mitigate the concentration of uses along the corridor. The nodes are utilized to address the apparent spatial overlapping of common paths shared by multiple constituents. The corridor emphasizes the concentration; whereas diversification is heighten at these points of intersection.

Figure 7.6 Intersection & corridor studies multiple intersections

Multiple Concentrated Intersections Intermixing of uses naturally develops when two defined intersections are located within close proximity. In this organization both nodes offers a defined intersection while maintaining the existing dispersal pattern to the area.

Figure 7.7 Intersection & corridor studies corridor

7.2

Defining Corridor

Historically corridors were essential to defining a community sense of identity. The concentration of the Chinese community along Fourth Ave instigated the establishment of New Chinatown. The proximity and concentration of a community along a corridor helps to promote their visibility. The corridors are employed as strategic means for enhancing the constituentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visibility.

Corridor Aligning the uses along a street may provide a prominent sense of place by making apparent of the concentration of uses.The concentration of character defining shops and relating services provide a comprehensible sense of place.

Figure 7.8 Intersection & corridor studies intersecting corridors

Figure 7.9 Intersection & corridor studies intersection within a corridor

Intersecting Corridors

Intersection within a Corridor

In this configuration the corridor are employed as the identity defining mechanism. The concentrations of uses run along the corridor.The point of intersection amongst the two corridors will contain the intermixing of uses.

When a defined intersection abruptly bisects a corridor a strong juxtaposition of two communities is created. There is less intermixing that occurs but the character of both the intersection and corridor remains recognizable.

TIMESCAPE

8.0 Timescape

The dimension of time was investigated to comprehend the activities throughout the day. The district experiences sporadic shift in vibrancy. Exploring the fluctuation of activity levels helps to identify potential dead hours and time unbalance amongst its users.This duration of inactive streetscape are recognized as time gaps. The adverse effect of these time gaps may devastate the livelihood of the street condition. Jane Jacobs expresses the significance of time spread and suggests that a neighborhood should strive for a continuously activated street. Activities should be balance and equally distributed throughout the day, as to avoid the incidence of these bleak urban environment. 12

Figure 8.1 Timescape artifact

8.1

Local Services Hours of Operations

Night Businesses Businesses associated with the night culture typically opens later in the evening. Bars, nightclubs, and entertainments starting hours begins at 9pm. The entertainment district are located along Burnside and continues westward beyond the boundary of Old Town Chinatown into the Pearl District. For visual comparison purposes businesses outside the Old Town/Chinatown District have been excluded from the map.

Figure 8.2 : Night businesses

Businesses associated with the night culture typically opens later in the evening. Bars, nightclubs, and entertainments starting hours begins at 9pm. The entertainment district are located along Burnside and continues westward beyond

the boundary of Old Town Chinatown into the Pearl District. For visual comparison purposes businesses outside the Old Town Chinatown District have been excluded from the map.

Day Businesses The entertainment district though vibrant during the night remains dormant throughout the day. e lack of diurnal activities has contributed to the static fabric. Night clubs are typically opened three to four times per week. e spaces are le inactive for the majority of the day and certain weekdays. Businesses operating during the daytime are consistent throughout the weekdays.

Figure 8.3 : Day businesses

11am

The entertainment district though vibrant during the night remains dormant throughout the day. The lack of diurnal activities has contributed to the static fabric.

12am

1am

2am

3am

4am

5am

6am

7am

8am

9am

10am

11am

12pm

1 pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine University of Oregon Primary Photo Education Write Around Portland Dixie’s

Silverado

Ground Kontrol Fox & Hound Restaurant and Lounge Dante’s

The Ember Ave

Wilf’s Restaurant & Piano Bar Berbati’s CC Slaughters Restaurant & Bar The Boiler Room

RETAIL

RESTAURANT

8.2 Timescape

MONDAY

Voodoo Doughnut Red Robe Oregon Leather Co. Cal Skateboards Lee Louis K C CPA Apple Music Row Dragon Art Studio Floating World Comics Pendleton Home Alexis

Ash Street Saloon

Bijou Cafe Captain Ankeny’s Well Casba Mediterranean Cafe Dan & Louis Oyster Bar Davis Street Tavern E-San Thai Cuisine Fong Chong Restaurant Freddie Brown’s Deli Golden Horse Seafood Restaurant Good Taste Restaurant Hobos Restaurant Ichiban Sushi Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub Old Town Pizza Republic Cafe Shanghai Tunnel Thirsty Lion Pub Valentine’s Vegetarian House

Attic Gallery Grass Hut Hellion Gallery Upper Playground Compound NW China Council Lan Su Garden Oregon Maritime Museum Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center NW Documentary Blanchet House Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Central City Concerns Macdonald Center Mercy Corps P:ear 8:30 - 3 Portland Rescue Mission mon- sa and 1pm - 7pm Sisters of the Road Cafe Transition Projects Union Gospel Mission Church of Scientology Saint André Bessette Catholic Church

Monday

Figure 8.4 : Timescape

12am

1am

2am

3am

4am

5am

6am

7am

8am

9am

10am

11am

12pm

1 pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

12am

1am

2am

3am

4am

5am

6am

7am

8am

11am

12pm

1 pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

12am

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine University of Oregon Primary Photo Education Write Around Portland

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine University of Oregon Primary Photo Education Write Around Portland Dixie’s

Silverado

Ground Kontrol Fox & Hound Restaurant and Lounge Dante’s

East Chinatown Lounge Darcelles XV Couture Ultra Lounge Dirty

Harvey’s Comedy Club

Berbati’s Barrel Room CC Slaughters Restaurant & Bar Whiskey Bar The Rose The Boiler Room 5th Ave Lounge

RETAIL

East Chinatown Lounge Darcelles XV Couture Ultra Lounge Dirty

RESTAURANT

Harvey’s Comedy Club

Berbati’s Barrel Room CC Slaughters Restaurant & Bar Whiskey Bar The Rose The Boiler Room 5th Ave Lounge

Voodoo Doughnut Red Robe Oregon Leather Co. Cal Skateboards Lee Louis K C CPA Apple Music Row Dragon Art Studio Floating World Comics Hoodoo Antiques Pendleton Home Alexis

Ash Street Saloon

Tuesday

The Ember Ave

Wilf’s Restaurant & Piano Bar

Voodoo Doughnut Red Robe Oregon Leather Co. Cal Skateboards Lee Louis K C CPA Apple Music Row Dragon Art Studio Floating World Comics Hoodoo Antiques

Vegetarian House Purest Cafe Pony Club Gallery Breeze Block Gallery Sequential Art Gallery & Studio Attic Gallery Tilt Gallery Butters Gallery Grass Hut Gallery Hellion Gallery Upper Playground Compound Atrium Gallery NW China Council Lan Su Garden Oregon Maritime Museum Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center NW Documentary Saturday Market Blanchet House Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Central City Concerns Macdonald Center Mercy Corps P:ear 8:30 - 3 Portland Rescue Mission mon- sa and 1pm - 7pm Sisters of the Road Cafe Transition Projects Union Gospel Mission Church of Scientology Saint André Bessette Catholic Church

Tube

Venue 126

The Ember Ave

Wilf’s Restaurant & Piano Bar

Pendleton Home Alexis

Dixie’s

Silverado

Tube

Venue 126

RESTAURANT

10am

Portland Chinese Language School

RETAIL

9am

Hobos Restaurant Ichiban Sushi Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub Old Town Pizza Republic Cafe Shanghai Tunnel Thirsty Lion Pub Valentine’s Vegetarian House Purest Cafe Pony Club Gallery Breeze Block Gallery Sequential Art Gallery & Studio Attic Gallery Tilt Gallery Butters Gallery Grass Hut Gallery Hellion Gallery Upper Playground Compound Atrium Gallery NW China Council Lan Su Garden Oregon Maritime Museum Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center NW Documentary Saturday Market Blanchet House Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Central City Concerns Macdonald Center Mercy Corps P:ear 8:30 - 3 Portland Rescue Mission mon- sa and 1pm - 7pm Sisters of the Road Cafe Transition Projects Union Gospel Mission Church of Scientology Saint André Bessette Catholic Church

Wednesday

12am

1am

2am

3am

4am

5am

6am

7am

8am

9am

10am

11am

12pm

1 pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

12am

1am

2am

3am

4am

5am

6am

7am

8am

Dixie’s

12pm

1 pm

RETAIL

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

Dixie’s Tube The Ember Ave

Voodoo Doughnut Red Robe Oregon Leather Co. Cal Skateboards Lee Louis K C CPA Apple Music Row Dragon Art Studio Floating World Comics Hoodoo Antiques Pendleton Home Alexis Ash Street Saloon Bijou Cafe Captain Ankeny’s Well Casba Mediterranean Cafe Dan & Louis Oyster Bar Davis Street Tavern E-San Thai Cuisine Fong Chong Restaurant Freddie Brown’s Deli Golden Horse Seafood Restaurant Good Taste Restaurant

FRIDAY

Hobos Restaurant Ichiban Sushi Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub Old Town Pizza Republic Cafe Shanghai Tunnel Thirsty Lion Pub Valentine’s Vegetarian House Purest Cafe Pony Club Breeze Block Gallery Attic Gallery Butters Gallery Grass Hut Hellion Gallery Upper Playground Compound Atrium NW China Council Lan Su Garden Oregon Maritime Museum Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center NW Documentary Blanchet House Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Central City Concerns Macdonald Center Mercy Corps P:ear 8:30 - 3 Portland Rescue Mission mon- sa and 1pm - 7pm Sisters of the Road Cafe Transition Projects Union Gospel Mission Church of Scientology Saint André Bessette Catholic Church

Friday

Venue 126

East Chinatown Lounge Darcelles XV Couture Ultra Lounge Dirty

Harvey’s Comedy Club

RETAIL

RESTAURANT

Valentine’s

5pm

Berbati’s Barrel Room CC Slaughters Restaurant & Bar Whiskey Bar The Rose The Boiler Room 5th Ave Lounge

Hobos Restaurant

Thursday

4pm

Wilf’s Restaurant & Piano Bar

Ichiban Sushi Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub Old Town Pizza Republic Cafe Shanghai Tunnel Thirsty Lion Pub

Blanchet House Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare Central City Concerns Macdonald Center Mercy Corps P:ear 8:30 - 3 Portland Rescue Mission mon- sa and 1pm - 7pm Sisters of the Road Cafe Transition Projects Union Gospel Mission Church of Scientology Saint André Bessette Catholic Church

3pm

Ground Kontrol Fox & Hound Restaurant and Lounge Dante’s

East Chinatown Lounge Darcelles XV Couture Ultra Lounge Dirty

Harvey’s Comedy Club Voodoo Doughnut Red Robe Oregon Leather Co. Cal Skateboards Lee Louis K C CPA Apple Music Row Dragon Art Studio Floating World Comics Hoodoo Antiques Pendleton Home Alexis Ash Street Saloon Bijou Cafe Captain Ankeny’s Well Casba Mediterranean Cafe Dan & Louis Oyster Bar Davis Street Tavern E-San Thai Cuisine Fong Chong Restaurant Freddie Brown’s Deli Golden Horse Seafood Restaurant Good Taste Restaurant

Vegetarian House Purest Cafe Pony Club Breeze Block Gallery Sequential Art Gallery & Studio Attic Gallery Tilt Gallery Butters Gallery Grass Hut Hellion Gallery Upper Playground Compound Atrium NW China Council Lan Su Garden Oregon Maritime Museum Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center NW Documentary

2pm

Venue 126

The Ember Ave

Wilf’s Restaurant & Piano Bar

RSDAY

11am

Silverado

Tube Ground Kontrol Fox & Hound Restaurant and Lounge Dante’s

RESTAURANT

10am

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine University of Oregon Primary Photo Education Write Around Portland

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine University of Oregon Primary Photo Education Write Around Portland Silverado

9am

Berbati’s Barrel Room CC Slaughters Restaurant & Bar Whiskey Bar The Rose The Boiler Room 5th Ave Lounge

12am

DAY

12am

1am

2am

3am

4am

5am

6am

7am

8am

9am

10am

11am

12pm

1 pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

12am

1am

2am

3am

4am

5am

6am

7am

8am

9am

10am

11am

12pm

1 pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

5pm

6pm

7pm

8pm

9pm

10pm

11pm

12am

Portland Chinese Language School University of Oregon Primary Photo Education

University of Oregon Primary Photo Education

Dixie’s

Silverado

Ground Kontrol Fox & Hound Restaurant and Lounge Dante’s

RETAIL

RESTAURANT

Harvey’s Comedy Club

Dixie’s

Silverado

Tube The Ember Ave

Venue 126 Ground Kontrol Fox & Hound Restaurant and Lounge Dante’s

East Chinatown Lounge Darcelles XV Couture Ultra Lounge Dirty Wilf’s Restaurant & Piano Bar Berbati’s Barrel Room CC Slaughters Restaurant & Bar Whiskey Bar The Rose The Boiler Room 5th Ave Lounge

Voodoo Doughnut Red Robe Oregon Leather Co. Cal Skateboards

The Ember Ave

Berbati’s CC Slaughters Restaurant & Bar Whiskey Bar The Boiler Room Harvey’s Comedy Club

RETAIL

Voodoo Doughnut Cal Skateboards

Apple Music Row Dragon Art Studio Floating World Comics Hoodoo Antiques Pendleton Home Alexis Ash Street Saloon Bijou Cafe Captain Ankeny’s Well

Apple Music Row Dragon Art Studio Floating World Comics Hoodoo Antiques

RESTAURANT

Ash Street Saloon Bijou Cafe Captain Ankeny’s Well

SUNDAY

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar Davis Street Tavern E-San Thai Cuisine Fong Chong Restaurant

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar E-San Thai Cuisine Fong Chong Restaurant

Golden Horse Seafood Restaurant Good Taste Restaurant

Hobos Restaurant

Hobos Restaurant Ichiban Sushi

Ichiban Sushi Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub Old Town Pizza

Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub Old Town Pizza

Republic Cafe

Shanghai Tunnel Thirsty Lion Pub

Valentine’s

Vegetarian House Purest Cafe Pony Club

Vegetarian House Purest Cafe

Sequential Art Gallery & Studio Attic Gallery Tilt Gallery Butters Gallery Grass Hut Hellion Gallery Upper Playground Compound

Grass Hut Hellion Gallery Upper Playground Compound

NW China Council Lan Su Garden Oregon Maritime Museum Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center NW Documentary Saturday Market Blanchet House

NW China Council Lan Su Garden Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center Saturday Market Blanchet House

Portland Rescue Mission Union Gospel Mission Church of Scientology Saint André Bessette

Church of Scientology Saint André Bessette Catholic Church

Catholic Church

Saturday

Sunday Timescape

Coupling extended hours of night culture with earlier opening hours of restaurants to provide gradual transition throughout the day.

Bridging institutional programs to cultural and social services through open workshop. These individuals components were intially looking at the possibility for incoporating and utilizing the inactive storefronts for temporary workshop spaces.These storefronts were typically associated with the night uses and unuse during the day.

8.3

Timescape Conceptual Model

Time gaps negatively impacts the perception of the urban space due to lack of active storefronts. The gap creates undesirable baren urban environment.

Engaging the transient community through art related programs.The art movement are attractive to all ages, the art program has potential in helping homeless youth integrate back to society.

Figure 8.5 Timescape artifact components

Institutional

Night Culture

Businesses

Arts

Cultural

Social Services

Figure 3.1 : Free Space

PRECEDENTS STUDY 9.0

Precedents Study

The investigation of the existing landscape and timescapeof Oldtown/ Chinatownallows for new spatial concepts of community engagement to emerge. The elements of defined intersections, corridors, and temporal programing of public space offer new incites into how districts might be designed to celebrate the existing constituents while at the same time allowing for individual developers to participate in revitalization efforts. The following precedent studies offer a handful of complementary ideas to be utilized in the design of the public landscape and timescape of Oldtown/Chinatown. 9.1

Freespace

The development of freespace derived from the inspiration of National Day of Civic Hack and the concept of third space.The term third space is defined as the social environment that’s separate from the home and the work environment. National Day of Civic Hacking was a collaborative project initiated by the federal government, code of America, Random Hacks of Kindness, and Innovation Endeavors. This initiative was to increase government transparency with the general public and encourage civic engagement. During this two days event, the public were granted access to the data from The Department of Labor, Census Bureau, and NASA’s.

members collaborated and rigorously transformed the spaces to accommodate social events, projects, workshops, and services. Interested members would speak with the organizers to schedule activities; the board was eventually booked throughout the months. These projects resulted in vibrant artworks and murals, education/skill development program for the homeless, walking tours, storytelling projects, clothing drives, forums for local service providers, free bike share program, the creation of community garden, and other startup program and projects. The result of the experiment created a new form of social systems. Rare interactions amongst the community members were experienced within this community center. New community and projects were conceived through the people’s collaborations and interactions. Some of which continue to thrive following the closure of the community center. The Freespace movement objective was to create a tool that could be implemented in other cities. The success of this experiment in hope would encourage other cities to engage with this movement to help empower local community.

The movement was initially an experimental project with the intent of exploring how communication, collaboration, and innovation prosper when a gathering space is provided for people. The experiment is completely community driven and involved converting unused commercial spaces into an incubator space for re-imagining and re-envisioning of community. This experiment resulted in the creation of a temporary community center in the city of San Francisco. The community center was opened on the first day of National Day of Civic Hacks; an unused 14,000ft2 warehouse was leased for a month for $2. The deal was made possible mainly due to the property owner’s curiosity with the experiment. Because the project was so successful in the first month, $25,000 was fundraised through crowd funding to extend the lease for another month. This Freespace offered community members the opportunities to share and expresses their skills and creativity. For the span of two months community

Figure 3.2 : Oak Park Neighborhood

9.2

Oak Park Sacramento

Oak Park is one of Sacramento’s oldest neighborhoods, started out in the mid 19th century as an established farming community. In the early 1900’s the area became Sacramento’s first middle-class suburban neighborhood. The neighborhood began to decline during the post-war period when residents began migrating out to newer suburbs. By the 1960’s the area had experienced serious decline and what resulted from the mass migration where the abundant of vacant lots and poor infrastructure. The neighborhood was identified as a redevelopment area since the 1974. Today the community is recognized as a diverse low-income residential area with close proximity to commercial streets. The demographic of the area is made of 33% Latino, 25% white, and 20% African American. Previously there was a low percentage of home ownership with high percentage of renters. Housing & Redevelopment Agency, nonprofits, and community organization has helped to promote homeownership for low-income residents. Property values in the downtown area have made the availability of affordable housing within Oak Park attractive, especially for Individuals who could no longer afford to live in other part of downtown area has progressively migrated to Oak Park. These affordable housings were accomplished through the Boarded and Vacant Homes Program (BVHP) and the Vacant Lot Development Program. Both of these programs were focused on the redevelopment of vacant properties. BVHP was established to provide incentives for rehabilitation and development of single-family housings. The incentive was introduce to attract and encourage developers into purchasing and developing vacant lots for single-family housings. Developer receives $10,000 fee for property locating in targeted area, $15,000 for property within redevelopment area, and $20,000 fee that’s within Oak Park redevelopment area. Developers had to ensure these properties were sold as low-income residents with appropriate client or owners before receiving the developer fees.

pertains specifically to the development of single-family residential. The amounts of fee provided are in accordance to the size of the type and size of the house. Developer may receive up to $7,500 for developing two bedrooms with two bath house. A larger three bedrooms house is eligible for up to $20,000 in developer fee. The max fee provided is $25,000 for the development of a four bedrooms house. Oak Park is an example of how incentive based development could encourage developers to redeveloping vacant and underutilized lot. This neighborhood was successful in accomplishing the anticipated redevelopment efforts without submitting to community displacements.

In conjunction with the BVHP, the Vacant Lot Development Program (VLDP) was implemented to encourage development to decaying single-family vacant lots. The program is based on the BVHP program, utilizing incentives to provide developer fee. The program is intended to respond with the abundance of vacant lots, low rate of residential property owners, and the lack of large singlefamily houses. Eligibility to the VLDP developer fee requires that the project

Figure 3.3 : June Key Delta

9.3

June Key Delta Community Center

The project is an exemplar for triple bottom line sustainable development, placing great emphasis on equity, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship. The community center was name after a member of the Portland alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. June Key was the sole member who had help initiated the vision of a permanent space for this organization. She and other contributing members together purchased the site in 1993. The Sorority is dedicated on providing community projects that will contribute to the public good in various forms including educational development, physical and mental health, economic development, international awareness & involvement, arts & literature.

motivated the organization to participate in the living building challenge to encourage others involvement with the green building movement. Because the organization endorses the idea of empowerment in community of colors and the locals, the organization worked with primary minority and local contractors. The design of the community center was to comply with the living building challenge criteria. The program pertains to a strict rigorous criterion to satisfy. Qualification requires that 50-70% of construction materials had to come from recyclable materials. Shipping containers were utilized as part of the material reuse design strategy, using conservation strategy such as rainwater harvesting and providing storm water management system.

The erection of the community center was to provide community gathering space for the neighborhood that’s free of charge or affordable. Present spaces for educational purposes such as mentoring and tutoring, and to house cultural base activities. Other intention includes the improvement to contaminated brownfield property and to offer the neighborhood and other nonprofit organization with a precedent that’s engaged in sustainability to encourage others to be more engaged with the green movement.

The project main objectives were to be debt free once the project is completed. The success of this project relied on the organization perseverance and persistency seeking funding for the community center. Contribution came in various forms, it was not funding alone that had made this project viable, but the generous donated services that were provided were as important as the funding. Site surveys and blueprint of the preexisting building were done free of charge by the Neil Kelly Construction company, glasses were donated by Benson Industries Glass to name a few. Approximately 100 donors contributed to the success of this project, the names of these donors were inscribed on the glass windows, door, and bricks in recognition of their contributions.

The community center is located on 5940 North Albina Street on a major intersection, that’s visibly significant for both the locals and passerby.The location of the 15,090 SF property unavoidably makes apparent of their presence and strategically allowing the organization to convey their message effectively with the general public. The community center is situated on a Brownfield site that once accommodated an Arco gas station. The project has been divided into multiphase development process. Because of the scarcity in project funding the initial renovations were focused on the immediate needs and providing a functional occupiable space. The first phase provided the community with 120 seats assembly spaces to accommodate the necessary activities and gatherings, increasing the usable area from 876 SF to 2,700 SF. Further developments was introduced until 1997 when new inspirational vision, by early 2000’s a more structured development planning were institutionalized for the vision of the community center. The organization was interested in incorporating sustainable design strategy. They believed communities of colors have yet to engage with the green movement.This aspect

1 Night Market 2 Art Corridor 3 Garden Workshop

PROGRAMS

10.0 Programs The sidewalk presents many services that are beyond its blatant purpose of supporting pedestrian foot traffic. According to Jane Jacobs, a city sidewalk serves three uses to the public good. Active sidewalks provide safety, a place for intermingling, and for children to assimilate. The streets alone are incapable of serving these purposes without the indirect influences of the bordering building uses and people who uses them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A city sidewalk by itself is nothing. It is an abstraction. It means something only in conjunction with the buildings and other uses that border itâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?13 When a neighborhood feels safe, we unconsciously refer to the perceived sidewalk condition. The construed condition is determined not by the physical character of the sidewalk, instead it is defined by the activities in which the sidewalk supports. Regardless of its form, the presence of the sidewalk presents a clear demarcation of the public and private realm.

Figure 10.1 District Site Plan

How would a neighborhood with the absence of anchoring storefronts and inconsistent flow of pedestrian cope with disinvestments? Could sidewalks playa augmented, generative role in Influencing the type of redevelopment changes desired in Oldtown/Chinatown? Can sidewalks generate the context for inclusive reactivation of the storefronts? The phenomenon of food carts and urban kiosks takes place directly within the public realm and are entities independent of the private enterprises of the area. Free space offers an insight to the possibilities of diverse social activities when people are given the opportunity to create their own communal spaces. The following programs are proposed as the basis for enabling the continued diversity of Oldtown/Chinatown through the introduction of public corridors designed around the celebration of existing community constituents. The proposed public program corridors are supported by a permanent, structural augmentation of the city sidewalk referred to below as an additional public infrastructure.

Figure 2.1 : Night Market in the evening

10.1 Night Market New Chinatown was established along 4th Ave. Redesigning this corridor would revive its significance and historical meaning. Activating this corridor would improve the linkage amongst the two existing festival streets located along Flanders and Davis Street. The ethnic community has maintained a prominent presence along Davis Festival Street anchored by Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and other ethnic-defining restaurants and businesses.

hours of night clubs and bars. The entertainment district is commonly active following 9pm while the daytime services remain open until 6pm. The idling urban space within this 3 hours span may invite undesirable or illegal activities to the area. Crimes related to illegal substances have devastated this area. It would be critical to have a consistently active streetscape to provide more eyes on the street and discourage unwanted activities taking place in this street.

According to the landscape study there is an apparent spatial overlapping of the entertainment and ethnic culture along Couch Street. This street becomes a complete extension to the night entertainment district. The ephemeral activities occurring along Couch Street have dispersed some of the activities along 4th Ave.

Incorporating a night market would help to diversify the night time activities. This program would extend the cultural entity beyond the evening. This activity creates a softer transition from the daytime activities to the night while having the potential of bridging the ethnic with the night culture. Diversifying the existing night activities will further contribute to the vibrancy during the night and introduce a new crowd to the night district.

The majority of night time businesses and activities are associated with the entertainment district. Cultural related activities typically end in the early evening. Supported by the timescape analysis there is a distinguishable time gap when the area remains dormant.This time span of inactivity is caused by the late operating Figure 10.2 Night Market Perspective

While the services in the night offer a range of venues to visitors, there is a limited number of services available to the local residents. These residents have poor access to grocery and other services conducive to domestic living.The night market program embarks on balancing the uses at night by providing affordable groceries to local residents, and venues oriented towards satisfying the domestic needs and diversifying the venues for visitors. To ensure that the street is consistently activated, the structure will accommodate other uses. The beautiful Lan Su Garden provides a place for temporary escape from the urban environment. However the particular garden is a fairly introverted private space. Apart from the North Park Blocks along Broadway, there is essentially no space for leisure and public gathering provided within the district. In response to the lack of public open spaces, collapsible urban furniture offers the community spaces for leisure and gathering. A kinetic rooftop along the sidewalk adjusts the scale of the space. When elevated these rooftops maximizes the solar exposure. Lowering these roof structures creates a more enclosed space that is open to street vendors.

Figure 10.4 Night Market Day Perspective

Couch Street

Fourth Ave.

Fifth Ave.

Davis Street

Site address The garden workshop presents a space for institutions and outreach programs to engage with the transient community. This provided space would seek to encourage increased engagement towards this particular community. The workshop is open to any institutions that anticipates engaging this community and is open to the public year round.

Figure 10.6 Site Plan Night Market Scale: 1/64â&#x20AC;? = 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;-0â&#x20AC;?

Figure 10.7 Night Market Axon

Figure 10.3 Night Market Model Scale: 1/8 “ - 1’0”

Figure 10.8 Night Market Model Furnitures

Figure 2.1 : Art Corridor

10.2 Art Corridor The art corridor of Chinatown is prominently defined along Everett Street. This corridor is supported by the artists residing in the Everett Loft. The loft is programmed as live/work studio spaces housing a range of artists. Residents living in these studio spaces are required to participate in at least nine First Thursday event annually. The artist corridor is located within a close proximity to the social services. Adjacent to Everett Loft, at the intersection of 6th and Everett are two social service housing developments. The street is typically shared by the two constituents. The current spatial overlap of the two constituents makes this intersection the ideal node to promote relationships. There is potential for implementing programs similar to the P:ear program to help encourage engagement between these two communities. The P:ear program is an outreach art program dedicated to teaching the arts to transient youth. The homeless youth here learn to produce art and are given the opportunity to display their work at the gallery. This program exposes the youth of the art culture and the many benefits of art. Figure 10.9 Art Corridor Perspective

The intervention for the art corridor incorporates a public gallery space spanning from Broadway to Sixth Ave. The gallery space is shared by the residents of Everett Loft, this permits artists to share their work with the general public. Gallery spaces from Sixth Ave to Fifth Ave are dedicated to homeless youth and outside artists. This gallery creates awareness to the homeless youth capabilities as well as starting artists. Attached to the infrastructure are display panels that are reconfigurable to transform the walking path along this corridor. This added infrastructure creates a buffer space from the public space, while the curb is extended to provide a secondary walking path. Display panels are reconfigured to incorporate both walking paths to create a more dynamic gallery path thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less linear and direct. When these paths become overcrowded, a covered canopy and urban furniture across the gallery spaces offers additional spaces for gathering.

Fifth Ave.

Sixth Ave.

Broadway Street

Flanders Street

Everett Street

Davis Street

Site There is an abundance of surface parking lots in Old Town/Chinatown. The amount of surface parking lot that exists in this district holds great potential and possibility for reinvestment. The garden workshop seeks to redevelop one of these parking sites to accommodate a space for building relationships. The garden workshop is located at a parking lot site beside the Oregon Leather Company. This site is within the vicinity of the social services and institutional buildings. The garden workshop presents a space for institutions and outreach programs to engage with the transient community. This provided space would seek to encourage increased engagement towards this particular community. The workshop is open to any institutions that anticipates engaging this community and is open to the public year round.

Figure 10.11 Site Plan Art Corridor Scale: 1/64â&#x20AC;? = 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;-0â&#x20AC;?

Figure 10.12 : Art Corridor Axon

Figure 10.13 Art Corridor Model Furniture

Figure 2.1 : Decaying urban area

10.3 Garden Workshop There is an abundance of surface parking lots in Old Town/Chinatown. The amount of surface parking lot that exists in this district holds great potential and possibility for reinvestment. The garden workshop seeks to redevelop one of these parking sites to accommodate a space for building relationships. The garden workshop is located at a parking lot site beside the Oregon Leather Company. This site is within the vicinity of the social services and institutional buildings. The garden workshop presents a space for institutions and outreach programs to engage with the transient community. This provided space would seek to encourage increased engagement towards this particular community. The workshop is open to any institutions that anticipates engaging this community and is open to the public year round. The garden workshop is a seasonal activity. This garden offers a space for the transient population to cultivate the land and engage in a productive activity. The gardening process is sought as a therapeutic activity that would yield multiple Figure 10.14 Garden Workshop Perspective

benefits. The maturity of the garden would in turn express the growth in the cultivators. This cultivation of the land may in turn develop a more positive perception towards the community. The infrastructure is designed to support the garden. The roof canopy of the structure along Second Ave functions as water catchment system. The rainwater collection system is designed to provide sufficient amount of water throughout the dry season. The garden is approximately 2,160 ft2 and will require roughly 26,000 gal. of water to endure the 20 weeks of dry season, based on 60 gal. per 100 ft2 of garden plot. The corridor along Davis Street contains additional vertical garden panels due to the direct south facing exposure. When unused during the cooler season, the site becomes a public park for the community. Urban furniture is embedded into the wooden platform bounding the garden space. Gardening beds are converted into benches for public seating.

Davis Street

Couch Street

First Ave.

Second Ave.

Everett

10.3 Site There is an abundance of surface parking lots in Old Town/Chinatown. The amount of surface parking lot that exists in this district holds great potential and possibility for reinvestment. The garden workshop seeks to redevelop one of these parking sites to accommodate a space for building relationships. The garden workshop is located at a parking lot site beside the Oregon Leather Company. This site is within the vicinity of the social services and institutional buildings. The garden workshop presents a space for institutions and outreach programs to engage with the transient community. This provided space would seek to encourage increased engagement towards this particular community. The workshop is open to any institutions that anticipates engaging this community and is open to the public year round.

Figure 10.16 Site Plan Garden Workshop Scale: 1/64â&#x20AC;? = 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;-0â&#x20AC;?

Figure 10.18 Art Corridor Model

10.3 Design There is an abundance of surface parking lots in Old Town/Chinatown. The amount of surface parking lot that exists in this district holds great potential and possibility for reinvestment. The garden workshop seeks to redevelop one of these parking sites to accommodate a space for building relationships. The garden workshop is located at a parking lot site beside the Oregon Leather Company. This site is within the vicinity of the social services and institutional buildings. The garden workshop presents a space for institutions and outreach programs to engage with the transient community. This provided space would seek to encourage increased engagement towards this particular community. The workshop is open to any institutions that anticipates engaging this community and is open to the public year round.

benefits. The maturity of the garden would in turn express the growth in the cultivators. This cultivation of the land may in turn develop a more positive perception towards the community. The infrastructure is designed to support the garden. The roof canopy of the structure along Second Ave functions as water catchment system. The rainwater Figure 10.17 Garden Workshop Axon collection system is designed to provide sufficient amount of water throughout the dry season. The garden is approximately 2,160 ft2 and will require roughly 26,000 gal. of water to endure the 20 weeks of dry season, based on 60 gal. per 100 ft2 of garden plot. The corridor along Davis Street contains additional vertical garden panels due to the direct south facing exposure.

Figure 2.1 : Decaying urban area

10.4 Community Event Space The intersection of Davis and Third Ave is considered as one of the more diversified and active spaces in Chinatown. The street is actively used here by multiple constituents, including the ethnic community, LGBT, night culture, social services, and the transient community. This particular intersection bisects the festival street, which occasionally closes to accommodate culturally related events. Third Ave is also closed down during the weekend, when the night clubs and bars are most active. These streets regularly close down to host different type of activities, yet not often are these activities related. The intervention acknowledges these frequent closings of the streets as potential for redefining the intersection as a space for community interaction, engagement, and gathering. The covered canopy hopes to encourage a different circulation patterns to this intersection. Currently, Third Ave acts as a division of these communities; activities taking place on the festival street are separate from adjacent blocks. Across from the festival street is a fairly active entertainment district. How can we introduce a night time venue that draw a more diverse crowd? The introduction of the film night program sought to diversify the night Figure 10.19 Film Night Perspective

time venue for the area. The program is relatively inclusive; this could help to attract a more diverse crowd to the area. A diversity of age is introduced and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not exclusive to residents or visitors, extending the ethnic cultural presence. The film could complement the existing night entertainment scene. The infrastructure is designed to enhance what already exists; it is not the replacement of the festival street. Rather this infrastructure is designed to augment the activities of the streets. The sides of the canopy are bifolding panels that fold down to allow for projected media to be presented. Urban furniture provides seating for attendees and the folding down of the panels mimics a more enclosed space transforming the street into a communal space.

Everett

Couch Street

Second Ave.

Fourth Ave.

Third Ave.

Davis Street

Figure 10.21 Site Plan Event Space Scale: 1/64â&#x20AC;? = 1â&#x20AC;&#x2122;-0â&#x20AC;?

Figure 10.23 Event Space Model

Figure 10.22 Event Space Axon

KIT OF PARTS 11.0 Kit of Parts 11.1 Primary Infrastructure The proposed augmentation of the city sidewalk is envisioned as a new infrastructure composed of two primary components, the permanent infrastructure, and the temporary application.The permanent infrastructure provides supporting skeletal frames for various applications to fasten to and is composed of self-supporting steel columns with cantilevering beams. Two sets of the cantilevering structures span across the width of the street to produce a singular bay. Constructing the infrastructure as bays allows for the interventions to be incrementally implemented to the existing fabric. The implementation of this infrastructure provides a steady, gradual growth for the district as a whole, so that no single developer must shoulder the cost for redevelopment alone. When developers must carry costs individually, buildings must be designed to return profits quickly - a process that quickly produces the problems associated with gentrification. The permanent infrastructure remains simple and nonspecific to the particular intersection. The homogenizing of the structure creates visual uniformity to the district, while accentuate the diverse differences of the applications.

Figure 11.1 Permanent Infrastructure

24’ Infrastructure Proposed

16’ - 6” Min Clearance

13’- 6” 12’

Vertical Clearance

Figure Height clearance The 11.2 AASHTO guidance onsection vertical clearance

83It must be emphasized that the integrity of the Interstate System for national

defense purposes be maintained to meet AASHTO Policy as stated in A Policy on Design Standards - Interstate System, incorporated by reference in 23 CFR 625. On Interstate sections in rural areas, the clear height of structures shall be not less than 4.9 meters (16 feet) over the entire roadway width, including the usable width of shoulder. On Interstate sections in urban areas, the 4.9-meter (16-foot)

Type of Roadway

Local Collector Streets

Recommended

14’

Explanation

Over entire roadway with provision for resurfacing Over entire roadway with provision for

16’ - 6” Min Clearance

13’- 6” 12’

Vertical Clearance The AASHTO guidance on vertical clearance Type of Roadway It must be emphasized that the integrity of the Interstate System for national defense purposes be maintained to meet AASHTO Policy as stated in A Policy on Design Standards - Interstate System, incorporated by reference in 23 CFR 625. On Interstate sections in rural areas, the clear height of structures shall be not less than 4.9 meters (16 feet) over the entire roadway width, including the usable width of shoulder. On Interstate sections in urban areas, the 4.9-meter (16-foot) clearance shall apply to a single routing. On other Interstate urban routes, the clear height of structures shall be not less than 4.3 meters (14 feet). Design exceptions must be approved whenever these criteria are not met.

Local Collector Streets

Arterial

Recommended

14’

16’ - 6”

Explanation

Over entire roadway with provision for resurfacing Over entire roadway with provision for resurfacing, 14’ may be retained in highly urbanized areas if there is a 16’ alternate route

Source: policyAon Geometric Design of Highways Streets, AASHTO Table A11.1 policy on geometric design ofand highways and streets, AASHTO

Pivot Hinge Full rotational hinges

Connection types Components are fastened to the permanent infrastructure through multiple types of connections, allowing the applications to adapt with the varying uses.The limited amount of connection types ensures the attachment to the applications remains consistent. It is hoped that these applications will evolve and allow for constant change. The repetitive, predictable means of connection creates a basis for how future applications will be designed.

Bi-Fold Collapsable panels with the use of cables

Winch Lift Allows for components to move vertically

Figure 11.3 Connection types

Track Enable lateral movement 84

11.2 Applications The applications are designed for communities to reconfigure the sidewalk to comply with their specific needs. The individual components are temporarily attached to and supported by the permanent infrastructure, allowing for future flexibility by adapting to changing needs. The combinations of applications allow the diversity of the area to be spatially informed. Current sets of applications are site specific and adjusted to complement the existing constituents. Through persistent experimentation, the applications will endure further refinements to suit more specific needs. Adaptability and flexibility of these applications will be critical as these components are envisioned as consistently shifting throughout the district.

Bi-fold Wall

The spatial interventions created are focused on improving the quality of public space, on celebrating the existing, diverse community constituents and activities, and on encouraging greater social intersection between different social groups. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to consider is how the interventions translate as productive social spaces that encourage and celebrate diverse social interaction. Figure 11.4 Component types

IBC container

Curb Extender 85

Collapsable Furnitures

Water tank

Art & Sculpture display

CONCLUSION The core of this thesis has been to formulate a future vision of Oldtown/ Chinatown that celebrates the diversity of the place; a diversity that is rarely the basis of redevelopment plans. The thesis explores a redevelopment that actively seeks to undermine gentrification; a plan for improvement that does not push the already marginalized members of community out, but celebrates them. Our cities, developers, and designers should be more sensitive to the various dimensions of diversity that exist within less economically dominant communities. To this end, I have offered conception of diversity that expands the notion beyond itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common place understanding. It is hoped that this definition might establish a keener awareness of the diversity that currently exists in the contemporary urban environment and to instill the understanding that sustaining diversity ultimately contributes the livelihood of neighborhoods.

Further research could explore the complicated ownership of individual buildings. An alternative proposal for the permanent interventions envisioned creating an external structural system that would span across two buildings. These structural frames could resolve the need for seismic retrofitting of the numerous unreinforced masonry buildings. The costs of such a retrofit would ultimately be distributed amongst the property owners, developers, and possibly the city to help subsidize these needed seismic upgrades. However, as mentioned, this would have required a deeper investigation of property ownership structure within the area. Additionally, This kind of intervention becomes very site specific. For the purpose of this particular thesis exploration the resulting infrastructure was designed as a generic urban armature that could be applied in any neighborhood to promote the visibility of its diversity.

The decision for placing the proposed infrastructure onto the city sidewalk stemmed from the desire to create more transparent activity that would visibly inform the diversity of the area. This district scale vision for the improvement of Chinatown attempts to take advantage of both the existing landscape and existing timescape. The existing landscape generated a series of linked corridors designed around the diverse activities of the various district constituents. The existing timescape generated an attempt to program these corridors to engage multiple constituent groups throughout the day/week. Through this focus of the landscape and timescape of Chinatown, I have attempted to design a framework for ensuring the continued celebration of the diversity of this place; a plan for development that does not inevitably result in gentrification. The proposed design intervention introduces a different method for redevelopment that relies on shared urban structure to sustain the diversity of the neighborhood. Suggesting that this infrastructure is publicly owned avoids the complex ownership of the properties in the district and the individual pressures that drive one-off development projects. The programmatic responses of this thesis offered only a handful of possibilities particular to Oldtown/Chinatown, there are certainly many additional opportunities using the notion of community intersections and corridors. The intention of the proposed programs was focused on identifying potential social intersection to facilitate an interconnected social fabric that avoids a socially tectonic relationship amongst the constituents. These aspirations became the influences for the need of shared gathering spaces that allow the diverse experiences of the existing and future communities to intermingle. This shared sense of place would ultimately strengthen the sense of ownership and value of the place.

List of Figures Figure 1.1 : Portland’s Gate to Chinatown �� 1

flickr.com/photos/39627344@N08/6341759533/in/pool-pdxchinatown/

that resulted in the loss of unique

charactered storefront �� 11

Image retrieved from http://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2014/04/ NY10Years_004.jpg

Figure 1.2 Cervin Robinson, Jane Jacobs at the

Figure 3.1 : Character defining balconies

White Horse Tavern, 1962, New York, USA. �� 5

of Old Chinatown �� 13

Image retrieved from flickr.com/photos/39627344@N08/6341759533/in/ pool-pdxchinatown/

The Balconies of Chinatown. N.d. Sweet Cakes, Long Journey. Seattle: U of Washington, 2004. 230. Print.

Figure 1.3 Rhythm of a continuously

Figure 3.2 The heart of Old Chinatown on

occupied street �� 5

2nd & Alder Street �� 15

Image retrieved from http://janeswalkphx.wordpress.com/tag/jane-jacobs/

Image retrieved from http://www.wce.wwu.edu/resources/aacr/photographs/ oregon/main/13.htm

Figure 1.4 Traditional street are self monitored

that provides �� 6

Image retrieved from http://envisionbaltimore.blogspot.com/2013/07/ dissolving-border-vacuums-part-7.html

Figure 1.5 Mixed small retails �� 7

Image retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/la-citta-vita/5185073363/ in/photostream/

Figure 1.6 Large single use block �� 7

Image retrieved from http://www.citylandnyc.org/wp-content/uploads/ sites/14/2011/06/St-Vincents-multiple-renderings_Page_2.jpg

Figure 1.4 Movement comparison of long

to short blocks �� 7

Image retrieved from http://damienwoolliscroft.tumblr.com/ post/18149510843/precis-of-the-death-and-life-of-great-american-cities

Figure 3.3 Chinese immigrant working at

cannery �� 15

Image retrieved from http://www.wce.wwu.edu/resources/aacr/photographs/ oregon/main/0.htm

Figure 3.4 Children playing on the street

of Chinatown �� 16

Image retrieved from http://www.wce.wwu.edu/resources/aacr/photographs/ oregon/main/17.htm

Figure 3.5 Streetscape of Chinatown 1900 �� 17

Image retrieved from http://www.wce.wwu.edu/resources/aacr/photographs/ oregon/main/15.htm

Figure 3.6 Urban “Non-Clave” �� 18

Illustration created by author

Figure 1.7 Juxtaposition of Old & New �� 8

Figure 3.7 Urban enclave �� 18

Image retrieved from http://www.cochraninc.com/portfolio/project/white-stag

Illustration created by author

Figure 1.8 Public eyes on the street �� 8

Figure 4.1 Chinese occupied buildings 1926 �� 19

Image retrieved from http://www.eveandersson.com/photo-display/large/usa/ or/portland-alphabet-district-restaurant-mio-gelato-w-dogs-on-23rd-ave.html

Figure 2.1 Vacant storefronts �� 9

Photographed taken by Author

Figure 2.2 : Before and after of a redevelopment

Illustration created by author

Figure 4.2 Japanese occupied buildings 1942 �� 19

Illustration created by author

Figure 4.3 Current Constituents Map �� 21

Illustration created by author

Figure 5.1 Diversity Map �� 23

Illustration created by author

Figure 5.2 Dimensions of Diversity �� 25

Figure 7.9 Intersection & corridor studies

intersection within a corridor �� 36

Figure 6.1 Infrastructure artifact �� 27

Illustration created by author

Figure 7.9 Intersection & corridor studies

Illustration created by author

Figure 6.2 Ankeny Alley �� 29

intersection within a corridor �� 36

Illustration created by author

Image retrieved from http://www.travelportland.com/article/old-towns- ankeny-alley-nightlife-district/

Figure 6.3 Everett Lofts �� 30

Image retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/6L3oyA

Figure 7.1 Current Constituents Map Combined �� 31

Illustration created by author

Figure 7.2 : Current Constituents Map Isolated �� 32

Illustration created by author

Figure 7.3 Intersection & corridor studies dispersed uses ��33

Illustration created by author

Figure 7.4 Intersection & corridor studies

segregated �� 33

Illustration created by author

Figure 7.5 Intersection & corridor studies

single intersection �� 34

Illustration created by author

Figure 8.1 Timescape artifact �� 37

Illustration created by author

Figure 8.2 Night businesses �� 39

Illustration created by author

Figure 8.3 Day businesses �� 40

Illustration created by author

Figure 8.4 Timescape �� 42

Illustration created by author

Figure 8.5 Timescape artifact components �� 50

Illustration created by author

Figure 9.1 Freespace �� 55

Image retrieved from http://freespace.io/files/2014/03/freespace-header.jpg

Figure 9.2 Oak Park �� 57

Image retrieved from http://www.midtownmonthly.net/life/a-brief-history-of- oak-park/

Figure 7.6 Intersection & corridor studies

Figure 9.3 June Key Delta �� 59

multiple intersections �� 34

Illustration created by author

Figure 7.7 Intersection & corridor studies

corridor �� 35

Illustration created by author

Figure 7.8 Intersection & corridor studies intersecting corridors �� 36

Image retrieved from http://www.key-delta-living-building.com/ sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/j.jpg

Figure 10.1 District Site Plan �� 61

Illustration created by author

Figure 10.2 Night Market Perspective �� 63

Illustration created by author

Figure 10.3 Night market Model Scale: 1/8 “ - 1’0” �� 64

List of Tables Table 2.1 Table summary of neighborhood impacts of

urban redevelopment �� 1

Table 1.1 Summary of Neighborhood Impacts of Gentrification. N.d. . Gentrification in a Global Context: The New Urban Colonialism. London: Routledge, 2005. 5. Print.

Table 11.1 A policy on geometric design of highways

and streets, AASHTO �� 84

http://nacto.org/docs/usdg/geometric_design_highways_and_streets_aashto. pdf

Notes 1 Hanna Arendt, The human condition, (Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1958), 57. 2 Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Citie, (New York, The Modern Library, 1961),290. 3 Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Citie, (New York, The Modern Library, 1961),196. 4 Kennedy Maureen, and Paul Leonard, Dealing with neighborhood Change: A primer on gentrification, (Washington D.C., Brookings Institution, 2001), 14. 5 Rowland Atkinson, Gary Bridge, Gentrification in a Global Context: The New Urban Colonialism, (London, Routledge, 2005), 5. 6 Rowland Atkinson, Gary Bridge, Gentrification in a Global Context: The New Urban Colonialism, (London, Routledge, 2005), 54. 7 Marie Wong, Sweet Cakes, Long Journey: The Chinatowns of Portland, Oregon, (Seattle, University of Washington Press, 2004),16. 8 Wong, Sweet Cakes, Long Journey: The Chinatowns of Portland, Oregon, (Seattle, University of Washington Press, 2004),258. 9 Christopher Wei, Ethnoburb versus Chinatown : Two Types of Urban Ethnic Communities in Los Angeles, (Cybergeo, 1998),6. 10 Joshua Meyrowitz , The Rise of Glocality:New Senses of Place and Identity in the Global Village, 6. 11 Lee Gardenswartz, Jorge Cherbosque, Anita Rowe, Emotional Intelligence for Managing Results in a Diverse World The Hard Truth About Soft Skills in the Workplace, (Mountain View, Davies-Black Pub, 2008),33. 12 Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Citie, (New York, The Modern Library, 1961),209. 13 Jane Jacobs, The Death and Life of Great American Citie, (New York, The Modern Library, 1961),37.

Bibliography “3 Ways Tactical Urbanism Leads to Permanent Change.” Urban Angle. http://urbanangle.net/3-ways-tactical-urbanism-leads-permanent-change/ (accessed November 30, 2013) “5 Problems with Urban Revitalization that Tactical Urbanism Solves.” Urban Angle. http://urbanangle.net/5-problems-with-urban-revitalization-that-tacticalurbanism-solves/ (accessed November 30, 2013). Arendt, Hannah. The human condition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1958. Atkinson, Rowland, and Gary Bridge. Gentrification in a Global Context: The New Urban Colonialism. London: Routledge, 2005. Bain, Lesley, Barbara Gray, and Dave Rodgers. 2012. Living Streets Strategies for Crafting Public Space. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. http://public.eblib.com/ EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=817501. Bajwa, Jenny, Daunt, Joanne, Farrelly, Sean, Overbeek, Serah, and Sladek, Jessica. 2012. Anti-Displacement Strategies: Nonprofit Organizations in Old Town Chinatown. http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/8646. Bell, Bryan, and Katie Wakeford. Expanding architecture: design as activism. New York: Metropolis Books, 2008. Bowles, Nellie. “Work + play = Freespace.” SFGate. http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Work-play-Freespace-4690303.php (accessed October 27, 2013). Casakin, Hernan, and Fátima Bernardo. 2012. The role of place identity in the perception, understanding, and design of built environments. [Oak Park, Ill.]: Bentham eBooks. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10587895. Butler, Tim, and Garry Robson. 2002. “Social capital, gentrification and neighbourhood change in London: a comparison of three South London neighbourhoods”. Sage Urban Studies Abstracts. 30 (2): 143-275. “CollectiveMemory.”CollectiveMemory. http://www.uic.edu/classes/comm/comm200am/teamprojects/MemoryTechnologies/Collective_Memory.htm (accessed November 21, 2013). Comerford, Jane. A history of Northwest Portland: from the river to the hills. Portland, Or.: Dragonfly Press, 2011. DAO Architecture, LLC, Portland (Or.), Portland Development Commission, Barney & Worth, Inc, and E.D. Hovee & Company. n.d. Portland : North Old Town/Chinatown redevelopment strategy. Portland : North Old Town/Chinatown Redevelopment Strategy. City of Portland (Or.). http://pdc.us/pdf/ura/dtwf/ north-otct-files/01-NOTCT-080909Final-part1.pdf. (accessed October 08, 2013) De Sousa Christopher. June Key Delta Community Center, Portland, OR: A U.S. EPA Brownfields Sustainability Pilot. Chicago, Illinois: Institute for 98

Environmental Science and Policy. Dirlik, Arif, and Malcolm Yeung. Chinese on the American frontier. Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield, 2001.

Gardenswartz, Lee, Jorge Cherbosque, and Anita Rowe. “Emotional Intelligence And Diversity: A Model For Differences In The Workplace.” Journal of Psychological Issues in Organizational Culture 1, no. 1 (2010): 74-84. Gratz, Roberta Brandes. The living city. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989. Holtorf, Cornelius (2000-2008) Monumental Past: The Life-histories of Megalithic Monuments in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany). Electronic monograph. University of Toronto: Centre for Instructional Technology Development. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/245. Hornstein, Shelley. 2011. Losing Site Architecture, Memory and Place. Ashgate. Jia Lou. 2007. “Revitalizing Chinatown Into a Heterotopia”. Space and Culture. 10 (2): 170-194. Kennedy, Maureen, and Paul Leonard. Dealing with neighborhood change: a primer on gentrification and policy choices. Washington, DC.: Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, 2001. Kirkbride, Robert. 2008. Architecture and memory the Renaissance studioli of Federico da Montefeltro. [New York, N.Y.]: Columbia University Press. http:// www.gutenberg-e.org/kirkbride/. Krase, Jerome. Seeing cities change: local culture and class. Farnham: Ashgate, 2011. Kwong, Peter. The new Chinatown. New York: Hill and Wang, 1987. Morrish, William R., Susanne Schindler, and Katie Swenson. Growing urban habitats: seeking a new housing development model. San Francisco: William Stout Publishers, 2009. Levy, Diane K., Jennifer Comey, and Sandra Padilla. 2006. In the face of gentrification: case studies of local efforts to mitigate displacement. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. Lydon, Mike, Bartman, Dan, Woudstra, Ronald, and Khawarzad, Aurash. Tactical Urbanism: Short Term Action Long Term Change. http://bettercities.net/sites/ default/files/Tactical%20Urbanism%20Final.pdf. Nyíri, János Kristóf. A sense of place: the global and the local in mobile communication. Wien: Passagen, 2005. 100

101

“Nominally Chinatown.” Nominally Chinatown. http://www.reed.edu/luce/chapman/Intro.html (accessed November 21, 2013). Patrick, Ola Söderström, and Etienne Piguet. 2010. “New forms of gentrification: issues and debates”. Population, Space and Place. 16 (5): 335-343. Peterman, William. 2000. Neighborhood planning and community-based development: the potential and limits of grassroots action. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Rosa, Marcos L.. Handmade urbanism: Mumbai - Sao Paulo - Istanbul - Mexico City - Cape Town. From community initiatives to participatory models.. Berlin: Jovis Verlag, 2013. Solnit, Rebecca, and Susan Schwartzenberg. 2000. Hollow city: the siege of San Francisco and the crisis of American urbanism. London: Verso. Tsui, Bonnie. American Chinatown: a people’s history of five neighborhoods. New York: Free Press, 2009. Van Criekingen, Mathieu, and Jean-Michel Decroly. 2003. “Revisiting the diversity of gentrification: neighbourhood renewal processes in Brussels and Montreal”. Urban Studies. 40 (12): 2451-2468. Vandergrift, J. “Gentrification and Displacement”, Calvin College, 2006. Wei, Christopher. 2011. “Ethnoburb versus Chinatown : Two Types of Urban Ethnic Communities in Los Angeles”. Cybergeo. Wolfe, charles. “Urbanism Without Effort.” Island Press. Wong, Marie Rose. Sweet cakes, long journey: the Chinatowns of Portland, Oregon. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2004.