Urban Studies events of interest

CONTENTS
1. "New Uses of Historical GIS" - Prof Logan lecture, 10/1 noon
2. "Better World By Design Conference" - Brown/RISD, 10/2-10/4
3. RIPBS: Ken Burns “THE NATIONAL PARKS: AMERICA’S BEST IDEA”, 10/7

1. FROM THE HISTORY DEPT:
On Thursday, October 1, when John Logan delivers a talk entitled "New Uses of Historical GIS: Immigrant Incorporation in the 19th Century City." The talk begins at 12:10 in the Hillel Chapel Room, corner of Brown and Angell.

Logan is a professor of Sociology and the director of Brown's Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences (S4) program. With grant funding the likes of which no historian could ever fathom, Logan has mapped the demographic characteristics of every urban dweller recorded in the 1880 US Census to make new arguments about social mobility, regional diversity, and the
history of race in America. Rather than using a single city for a case-study, picking several exemplary cities for possible comparison, or using sampling methods to create a manageable study, Logan is going for broke: a national dataset with information on every single urban residence. Then, using GIS, Logan has created neighborhood maps that raise many new
questions about ethnic enclaves, rates of assimilation and segregation, and the strategies of those coming to cities from across the sea or the American countryside. Indeed, his research touches specifically on the different outcomes for white ethnics and African Americans. This talk will offer us a (re)introduction to social science methodologies and the rich potential of GIS.

2. The Better World By Design Conference, which is organized by Brown and RISD students, runs from Oct 2 to 4 and features an exceptional variety of design professionals and scholars who are offering talks, panels and workshops.  SEE http://www.abetterworldbydesign.com/about.php for more information.

In addition, faculty and students are invited to attend the Government and (Re-)Design of Better Cities "workshop" on Friday Oct 2nd (see below). This panel features highly regarded and creative state, municipal and private entrepreneurs who have helped to shape the ground rules for rebuilding Providence. The panelists will describe the ways their programs protect the
City's built and cultural history, promote social justice and incorporate creative "best practices" into their projects. The goal is to leave a lot of time for the audience and the panel to discuss the roles of non-/market techniques in implementation of 'cutting edge' environmentally-friendly, design ideas.


TITLE: Government and (Re-)Design of Better Cities
Fri Oct 2 3:30-5:30
Smith Buonano 168

Federal, state and local governments play a central role in enabling and complicating the diffusion of design.  Governments provide tax incentives that can help planners and developers re-conceive and reconfigure the built landscape. Governments also act as gatekeepers that oversee the administration of a bewildering array of ordinances and codes that ultimately determine what gets built.  As a result, many designers experience “government” as a barrier to new design ideas. However, Rhode Island and Providence have been leaders in developing innovative programs to creatively adapt to the legacy effects of being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. Rhode Island is one of the few states with a Statewide Plan that directs municipalities to address land use planning, affordable housing, Brownfields re-development and historic preservation in a systematic manner.  In addition, the City of Providence has been a leader in re-conceiving the future of the urban landscape through its award-winning Down City, KeepSpace, Metro Bay SAMP, Urban Mill Restoration and Creative Providence initiatives. This panel will explore some of the different ways that governments interact with the design community to produce a better built environment.

Moderator: Caroline Karp, Brown University
Panelists:  
Richard Godfrey, Exec Director, Rhode Island Housing

Lynn McCormack, Director, Providence Dept Art, Culture and Tourism

Edward Sanderson, Exec Director, Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission

Samuel Shamoon, AICP, President, Shamoon Planning LLC, former Director, Providence Planning Department and Inspections and Standards

Mark van Noppen, Managing Director at The Armory Revival Company


3. FROM RIPBS:
Ken Burns' highly acclaimed six part series on our national parks begins Sunday, September 27 on local Massachusetts public television stations and on Wednesday, October 7 on Rhode Island public television stations. Be sure to tune in to watch this documentary on the history, transformation and celebration of America's "best" idea!