Date of Submission
Spring 5-9-2023
Degree Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Mine Hashas-Degertekin
Abstract
Atlanta has evolved into a single-occupant vehicle city resulting in downtown blocks devoid of any semblance of community and higher greenhouse gas emissions. In 1991, leading up to the 1996 Olympics, Marvin S Arington announced plans to demolish Techwood Homes, which at the time was the oldest federally subsidized housing community in the US (Marvin S Arington, 1991). Many other low-income housing developments were demolished during this time, including homes located in what is now Centennial Park. Program block voids began forming where black communities had previously stood. Corner stores, pharmacies, family practitioners, restaurants, and bars were replaced by a sea of open spaces (Mary T. Schmich and Chicago Tribune, 1991). These economic voids have been the core drivers of pedestrian activities disappearing. The streets have become less safe with fewer eyes on the street and loss of community cohesion (Jane Jacobs,1961). Commuters from far away suburbs now zoom into private parking lots, walking around in private skywalks and passageways, developed by John Portman. Skywalks have destroyed the city's street life and communities (Rem Koolhaas, 1995). In order to reinvigorate downtown Atlanta’s program blocks and improve environmental sustainability, multi-use zoning needs to be incorporated as suggested in “Suburban Nation'' by Andres Duany. “Multi-use zoning” will improve the downtown pedestrian street life of Atlanta, while reducing damage to the ozone layer and improving the environment through lower vehicle traffic. Strategies such as an increase in photovoltaics, parks, green roofs, and green facade systems will improve the environment. This project will be focusing on the Marts and surrounding city blocks and instituting the above issues.