Expedition Interim: Projects on a Journey Towards Equity

Abstract

As systemic local inequities continue to malform cities without official accountability, the options for architectural intervention seem limited. Not many artistic avenues exist to combat issues of unilaterally failing infrastructure; and to address an issue so thickly sown across modern cities may require intervention at an infrastructural scale. Additionally, what’s catalyzing displacement in one neighborhood may be different in another. This thesis explores how we could respond to the nuances of cities like Seattle, Chicago, or New York City. And how can a project have both a practical usage and convey a symbolic stance against inequity by simply being? This thesis proposes temporary installations of projects in various locations, the purpose and use of which can be decided by the everyday public, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), or locally appointed leaders. These projects aim to establish a new layer of public infrastructure which responds to everyone’s shifting needs for space rather than permanently planting projects with narrow solutions.