Date of Submission
Spring 5-7-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Architecture
Department
Architecture
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Mine Hashas-Degertekin
Abstract
Postwar planning has led to the disruption of sufficient urban design. Effects such as urban sprawl and the spread of low-density housing has created issues with residents having to heavily rely on commuting to cities by automobiles, creating a car-driven environment as opposed to one that is pedestrian-friendly, and also causing an increase in air pollution. The aim of my thesis is to establish a mixed-use community west of the North Springs MARTA Station as a solution to localizing services in order to counter these problems of separated zones and urban sprawl. Using precedents of past and present mixed-use developments, my thesis documents concepts that are fundamental to efficient design from both America and Europe such as localized services, the promotion of microtransit and walkability, and the improvement of curbsides as a means to showcase how these concepts can be applied to North Springs. I also highlight how these concepts can focus on different services such as major work centers that incentivize suburban residents to have a close proximity to businesses. In my thesis, I ask what challenges are present in America’s current urban planning and apply those challenges to my design as precedents to learn what makes a successful community. The significance of this study is that it informs our understanding of what caused the current-day issues of divided single-use zones by focusing on elements of mixed-use design that can contribute to an achievable solution for future communities.