Molding the unshapely structure : rebuilding Boston Chinatown

This study is an attempt to interpret and comprehend the development pattern of urban form in an ethnic community, in this case Boston Chinatown. The study does not propose a detailed urban design framework but calls for a sensitivity in future design interventions for strengthening the cohesive character of the district. . Contrary to conventional planning approaches which aim to regularize and integrate ethnic districts such as Chinatown into the 'city fabric', this thesis suggests a more cautious strategy in which the peculiarities of the 'unshapely' structure of the area are seen as opportunities to enhance and maintain its identity. The thesis acknowledges an organic wholeness of Chinatown where the physical structure is subservient to and a result of a complex network of vital socio-cultural processes. An increased awareness of these factors is essential in formulating future urban design guidelines for the remodeling and up gradation of the Chinatown district.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• Lim, Meng Howe

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Michael Dennis.

• Architecture.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/68288

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/68288