Intergenerational Urban Renewal
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Abstract
Across the United States, there are cities and towns that have been crippled with rundown and
abandoned buildings or lots around their downtown district. Often, nothing is done to fix this
problem which leads to these prime sites being avoided. Additionally, these sites negatively
affect the local economy, environment, equity, and the safety of the general public. Moving
forward it is important for our cities and country to focus on urban infill and redevelopment
projects instead of continuing the suburban sprawl. Architecture plays a pivotal role in
achieving the extent of influence these projects will have on the revival of the urban fabric.
This thesis seeks to find an architectural solution to how an urban redevelopment
project can revitalize an area of a downtown district to the rest of the city by creating a
neighborhood within a dense urban environment through the development and integration
of intergenerational living. This urban redevelopment project consists of the removal of
deteriorating buildings and the vacant land around them which will be replaced with a mixed-use
building and a landscape that reconnects the city back to the site and adjacent waterways.
A catalyst for sustainable urban revival will be formed from this architectural framework.