Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Suburban Development
In Gamm's boom he refers to the cities of Roxbury and Dorchester as "streetcar suburbs" and discusses how the expansion of transportation in those areas changed the dynamic of the communities. Specifically, traditional community centers were removed and in their place, streets were laid. I think that this is an idea that is worth looking at from the perspective of Medford and Somerville. Current plans are to expand the green line of the T to additional parts of Medford and Somerville, including areas by Tufts. Many community members wonder how this will change the dynamic of the communities. If the Medford and Somerville areas become a hub for commuters, will the traditional groups that have lived in the area be forced out? Will the dynamics and interactions between people change? And, to bring this back to what we are working on in class, how will this change the sense of social responsibility in the area, and how can our map help? Perhaps new, younger families will move into the area and develop their own community, but it is just as possible that young people will gravitate to the area for its newfound convenience to the city and not for a neighborhood with a strong sense of community.
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I think Brittney raises some really valid questions. The extension of the green line to Somerville will likely cause some big changes in the area, including a possible shift in the community's population. I am curious to see what happens in the neighborhood once the green line is finished. I wonder if what Gamm observed in Dorchester and upper Roxbury will stay true for Somerville. Gamm observed that in Dorcester and Roxbury, who stayed and left was based on their religious community. Jews moved because their religious congregation allowed them to, while Catholics stayed because the parish was attached to a specific plot of land. Personally, I don't know what exactly Somerville's make-up is in terms of these groups, but I would be really interested to see if that pattern will apply. In terms of our project on civic engagement, both Jewish synagogues and Catholic churches are large participants in community activism, so I hope both would remain in Somerville.
ReplyDeleteThe extension of the green line and stirring the economy truly are related.Obviously, with greater possitbility in transportation, Medford/Somerville will have more visitors and perhaps even more settlers.
ReplyDeleteI personally don’t know much about the Catholic churches and how they function. In fact, I know nothing at all apart from what we discussed in class last time. I think that the extension of the green line would definitely help bring in more people. Well, more people means more expenses. Therefore, at least there will be some transaction in/out of this community.