Huntington Ave Grounds-Scene of the first American League - National League World Series in 1903.
Boston: An Urban Analysis PL 216 - Assignments - Spring 2008
Workbook Assignments
Understanding a city neighborhood is very different from understanding a book, a speech, or a work of art. It requires immersion in the everyday affairs of an area, a sensitivity to the people architecture and other aspects of the environment. Research helps to establish an historical framework, meeting and talking with people brings history alive.
The following assignments require a fair amount of work but should also yield a fair amount of understanding. Taken together, they should provide you with some valuable insights into the community where you work. They should be submitted on the date noted. You may take a one week extension on any one of the assignments without grade penalty.
Assignment #1 Obtain maps of the neighborhood where your PULSE Placement is located for the years mid 1600's, 1700, 1850 (or thereabouts), 1900. 1950, and current. Describe in three to four typewritten pages, the major changes you can detect from your inspection of these materials. Pay attention to details. Did the topography change? Were water and landfill factors? How about roads and rail patterns? Major highways? Residential or business developments? Parks? Landmarks? What inferences can you draw from your analysis of the maps? When possible include photocopies of maps.
Suggested resources include the Boston Public Library, Whitehill Book, class handouts and internet links above.
Due: February 14, 2008
Assignment #2 Analyze two different one-block areas near your placement in Jacobs terms. After your first visit, return on a different day and at a different time for a second view.
Pay particular attention to Jacobs' generators of diversity. In addition, give your suggestions for improving each area while wearing your "Jacobs hat." Finally, what do you predict will happen to each area in the next 10 to 20 years?
Format
Location #1
Name of Street or Intersection
Dates and Times Visited, Weather
Analysis of Each Generator of Diversity
Other Key Points in Jacobs Analysis
Your Suggestions for Location Wearing your Jacobs Hat
Your Future Vision for the Location
Location #2
Name of Street or Intersection
Dates and Times Visited, Weather
Analysis of Each Generator of Diversity
Other Key Points in Jacobs Analysis Your Suggestions for Location Wearing your Jacobs Hat Your Future Vision for the Location
Closing - Brief Comparison of Locations 1 and 2
When possible include digital photographs of the two locations in your appendix.
Total Five typewritten pages.
Due: February 28, 2008
Assignment #3 Working in groups of 3 or 4, please choose a partner(s) from the class and as a team analyze one of the pairs of locations listed below and present your analysis in the form of a 15 minute power point presentation. You are free to use any analytic method(s) of your choice: compare and contrast, historical and architectural analysis, personal analysis, etc.
a.) John Eliot Square and Fort Hill
b.) Peters Hill and Schoolmaster Hill
c.) Copp's Hill and Madonna Queen National Shrine
d.) Old City Hall and New City Hall
e.) Trinity Church and The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
f.) Louisburg Square and Chester Square
g.) Castle Island and Dorchester Heights
h.) Mapparium and Boston Public Library McKim Building
i.) Ether Dome and Floating Hospital Bear
j.) Scarboro Pond and Jamaica Pond
Due March 13, 2008
Assignment #4 View the film "Holding Ground." The film is on reserve in O'Neill Library. Analyze the course of action taken by the residents in the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative.
Visit the area presented in the documentary film, "Holding Ground" Document the date(s) and time(s) of your visit(s).
Incorporate concepts from ALL of the following sources used this semester: Gans, Jacobs, Robert Moses and Rossner as well as the films Mission Hill: Miracle of Boston, The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces and Point of Change.
