Environmental Graphic DesignChanging the Perceptions of Divided Communitiesthrough Cultural and Social Connectivity

Urban segregation occurs when a city’s diversities create perceived barriers around concentrated clusters of social groups. When these divisions are extreme enough, communities become shut off from the rest of the city and often fall into a perpetual cycle struggle and degradation. Research has shown that the success of a neighborhood relies in its ability to connect with other neighborhoods and economies throughout a city. It also demonstrates that cross-participation enhances the overall capacity of a community to operate both socially and economically. In a segregated city, there is an opportunity to use environmental graphic design elements to help improve the perceptions of a divided neighborhood and reconnect it back to the greater city population.This project explores the value that environmental graphic design elements can create to help promote and improve the perceptions of a neighborhood within a segregated urban landscape.A case-study project was developed with the neighborhood East Liberty, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Historically a thriving neighborhood, East Liberty has been plagued by over two decades of neglect and failed renewal efforts. Despite recent development efforts, many people still avoid this neighborhood. This case study uses a combination of research tactics and design prototypes to produce elements that attempt to improve the experience of East Liberty. The results from this project measured a significant improvement to the negative perceptions of East Liberty and demonstrated the potential to entice more people to visit and participate within this neighborhood.

Name thesis:degree_name

MFA

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Communication and Information / School of Visual Communication Design

Grantor dc:publisher

Kent State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Schwanbeck, Andrew T.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Middleton, David

• Design
• Urban Planning

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1364831997

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:kent1364831997