Thesis. 1978. M.Arch--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references. / M.Arch

Thesis. 1975. M.Arch.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / Bibliography: leaves 150-155. / M.Arch.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture; and, (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references. / by Kenneth Wong. / M.C.P. / M.Arch.

The Adair Park neighborhood in southwest Atlanta was designed as a residential enclave for working class whites that has evolved to what it is today: an area primarily inhabited by low-income minorities. Many of its residents have worked to preserve the area's distinctive architectural heritage. Low housing values and vacancies have attracted affordable housing developers such as the Atlanta affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. In response to specific plans for the development of affordable housing in the area, members of Adair Park organized themselves to petition the City of Atlanta to adopt architectural standards that preserved the existing housing stock, and ensured that any new construction would be compatible with the neighborhood's architectural character. This study explores the tensions between inner-city communities and affordable housing developers in the quest for affordable and architecturally significant neighborhoods. The conclusions from this research suggest that the desire of predominately low-income neighborhoods to preserve the architecture character of historically significant neighborhoods may be firmly rooted in middle class aspirations and values. Moreover, the conclusions from this research also suggest non-profit housing developers should consider these attitudes prior to constructing affordable housing in predominately low-income neighborhoods.

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

 “Actions are better than words.” Since the establishment of The Culture and Heritage Commission in 2000, the Hong Kong Government has been trying to review the situation and devise policies for conservation for Hong Kong. Various Government departments had prepared working papers or research reports to review the problems on heritage conservation and the limitations of our system since 2000. One of the obvious restrictions in the system is the existing conservation legislation. Notwithstanding the announcement of the built heritage conservation policy by the former Chief Executive, Mr. Donald Tsang, in 2007, the Government still takes no active and comprehensive measures in reviewing and amending the legislation. As Mr. Donald Tsang once said, collective memory is a great concern of the public in Hong Kong. It seems that if the conservation legislation is not on the agenda for review in the near future, some of the heritage buildings under threat will really become our collective memory. This dissertation will aim at giving an introduction of the existing conservation legislation of Hong Kong and from a brief case comparison with the conservation legislation in Macau and Singapore, one is not difficult to identify the limitations of our existing legislation and the areas for improvement. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

This thesis explores the opportunities and constraints to community based planning for neighbourhood conservation in the context of an expanding urban core, using the Mole Hill planning process and draft Concept Plan as a case study. In response to previous public processes, and increasing community activism against top-down revitalization, City of Vancouver Planning Staff were directed in April 1996, to undertake a participatory planning process in order to develop conservation strategies for Mole Hill which balance physical, social, environmental and economic goals. Drawing from a broad range of literature on urban conservation and post-industrial urban change, this thesis begins by providing a rationale for area-based urban conservation within the context of post-war North American and European cities. Further, it outlines some of the conflicts arising from conservation, primarily those conflicts relating to post-war economic restructuring and corresponding socio-economic changes in inner cities specifically, gentrification. The thesis uses cases from inner city communities in Vancouver and New York to examine contemporary trends in neighbourhood conservation, and to explore those elements which contribute to a locally focused and sustainable conservation and revitalization strategy. Three characteristics of successful neighbourhood conservation schemes are abstracted by way of a literature review and are subsequently used as a framework to analyse the Mole Hill case study. These characteristics are: a focus on local involvement; multi-dimensional programs and policies; and an ongoing collaborative approach. The case study reveals the complex and contentious nature of planning for conservation within an expanding urban context. The multiplicity of players, the exigency of issues, the amount and availability of resources, and the often adversarial positions demonstrate the fragmented and complex quality of planning in this context. The study found that in Mole Hill a reliance on top-down methods for conflict negotiation and decision making undermined the effectiveness of the community based model and ultimately led to a fractured set of policies and principles for the neighbourhood. Tensions which were created by a misapplication of power resulted in a polarization between a "Staff' position and a "Working Group" position, thus diluting the idea of a consensus based, collaborative process. Despite these setbacks, a multi-agency and multi-interest approach to the process achieved a number of positive principles and strategies which attempt to address the site as a comprehensive whole, bringing the goals of heritage conservation closer to those of housing and community needs. Finally, the case showed that by drawing on existing community knowledge and expertise the process was able to generate innovative ideas such as those which involve local reinvestment and community economic development initiatives which are directed at social and physical improvement. These ideas challenge traditional notions of conservation and revitalization — which often rely on outside capital investment and /or economic incentives to support conservation — and provide a foundation for more culturally appropriate and sustainable strategies for community based neighbourhood conservation.

This creative project consists of a historic sites and structures inventory and preservation planning recommendations for the town of Auburn, Indiana. It is prepared in a format similar to that of the Indiana Sites and Structures Inventories prepared for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Office of Historic Preservation, by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. The text discusses the methodology used in the collection of the inventory data, the evaluation procedure and recommendations for the establishment of historic preservation districts, along with alternative methods for their implementation. The inventory data is organized by proposed districts, followed by a listing of most significant structures outside of the proposed districts.Also included, is a brief history of Auburn and a discussion of the predominate residential architectural styles as found in Auburn. Included in the Appendices are a complete listing of those areas of Auburn outside of the proposed historic districts identified; information on potential historic districts dating from the 1920's to 1930's; and planning data, which includes a summary of the current zoning ordinance, and population and housing data. / Department of Urban Planning

This creative project has investigated the development potential of the "trackside" area as defined in the project. The project site is located on the south end of the central business district of Muncie. The area contains many historically significant buildings such as; the Federal Building, Robert's Hotel, Cohen Block, Marsh Building, Goddard Warehouse and Union Station to name a few. The study included an inventory process of existing conditions, urban spaces, building significants, figure ground study, assets and liabilities and analysis.This inventory process formed the basis for the urban design proposal which indicates the development potential of the area. The overall proposal is broken down into four sub-areas for easier explanation. These areas are named for the function or character trait that is significant to each: Conference Center Area, Plaza Node, Passive Cultural Center and the Railroad Node. In addition to a proposal for each subarea, the study indicates a concept analysis explaining the development idea. / Department of Architecture

Plaster and compo are both materials used for cast architectural ornamentation. Preserving, repairing, and in-kind replacing cast architectural ornamentation is necessary to maintain the integrity of a space. Plaster and compo are visually and texturally very similar materials. Compo was invented to be a less costly substitute for plaster. Whereas the two materials are easily mistaken for one another, they are chemically quite different. The ingredients and methods used to create the two separate materials exemplify this difference. Understanding the differences is key to successfully preserving the ornaments and, thus, the spaces in which they are located. Repairing plaster with compo or compo with plaster can lead to the destruction of cast architectural ornaments. Furthermore, chemical paint removers that are safe to use on plaster can deteriorate compo. It is necessary to thoroughly understand the nature of the materials so that informed decisions can be made about their treatments. The study addresses the similarities and differences, the maintenance, deterioration, repair, and replacement of the two materials. / Department of Architecture