Pruitt Igoe Now
DIY: Revitalize via Citizens
ERELL RAGOT
3/17/2012
Saint Louis is divided between its city and its county. Saint Louis city suffers of economic and social dysfunctions. Pruitt-Igoe site is one element of this context which takes a large place into debates because of its image related to past, 40 years ago. More than architectural problem, it was more an urban planning problem including social, economic and environmental issues.
Consequently, the site must be treated as one part of the entire city; it is the point of departure of this project.
From the analysis, two main issues are reflated: social and spatial. First, a clear social break between east and west of the city affects the district. Saint Louis city population mainly needs primary resources such as job. Second, a spatial discontinuity between the site and its surroundings on east and south can be noticed. However, all of these current functions constitute strength for this area which will be important to value. Moreover, the economic situation of the city must be considered in order to avoid unfeasible project.
Thus, the Pruitt-Igoe site and local citizens can be considered as a driving force for the whole city. The goal of this project is to reboot economy thanks to their citizens themselves: it avoids too much use of government funds, it provides the needs of local population and it creates an attractive place.
The proposal for this site includes two main actors: citizens and government.
- The government rent the land to citizens for free during 5 years. The goal is to provide opportunities for citizens to develop their own activities, to reboot market and create more functional diversity.
- The second way back the first as a support via main public services which should be provided by local authorities but also by a strong governance system including associations.
In the urban design plan, these principles are related in three elements:
- Urban continuity in order to absorb the site – integration of existing elements on east
- Diversity development combining with sustainability – urban farms with preservation of some trees and artist village including the renewal of the old Pruitt-Igoe school.
- Public services development linked to current functions: gather in a same place to facilitate the management. The building offers severals entrance and open spaces to create a nice environment and guarantee high quality of life. The orientation of the building follows the main ways used by population.
The city needs to find again a trustworthy feeling. Give the power to hands of local people to change the future thanks to Pruitt-Igoe site is also a chance for government to save its economy.
DIY: Revitalize via Citizens
ERELL RAGOT
3/17/2012
Saint Louis is divided between its city and its county. Saint Louis city suffers of economic and social dysfunctions. Pruitt-Igoe site is one element of this context which takes a large place into debates because of its image related to past, 40 years ago. More than architectural problem, it was more an urban planning problem including social, economic and environmental issues.
Consequently, the site must be treated as one part of the entire city; it is the point of departure of this project.
From the analysis, two main issues are reflated: social and spatial. First, a clear social break between east and west of the city affects the district. Saint Louis city population mainly needs primary resources such as job. Second, a spatial discontinuity between the site and its surroundings on east and south can be noticed. However, all of these current functions constitute strength for this area which will be important to value. Moreover, the economic situation of the city must be considered in order to avoid unfeasible project.
Thus, the Pruitt-Igoe site and local citizens can be considered as a driving force for the whole city. The goal of this project is to reboot economy thanks to their citizens themselves: it avoids too much use of government funds, it provides the needs of local population and it creates an attractive place.
The proposal for this site includes two main actors: citizens and government.
- The government rent the land to citizens for free during 5 years. The goal is to provide opportunities for citizens to develop their own activities, to reboot market and create more functional diversity.
- The second way back the first as a support via main public services which should be provided by local authorities but also by a strong governance system including associations.
In the urban design plan, these principles are related in three elements:
- Urban continuity in order to absorb the site – integration of existing elements on east
- Diversity development combining with sustainability – urban farms with preservation of some trees and artist village including the renewal of the old Pruitt-Igoe school.
- Public services development linked to current functions: gather in a same place to facilitate the management. The building offers severals entrance and open spaces to create a nice environment and guarantee high quality of life. The orientation of the building follows the main ways used by population.
The city needs to find again a trustworthy feeling. Give the power to hands of local people to change the future thanks to Pruitt-Igoe site is also a chance for government to save its economy.