Posted on by lib1

Design Studio 2003: “Urban Strategies for Economic Recovery: A Revitalization Strategy for New Bedford, Massachusetts,” Seminar Curriculum

Abstract

The Center for Urban Development Studies (CUDS) at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design offered a Design Studio in Fall 2003, “A Revitalization Strategy for New Bedford Massachusetts,” led by François Vigier and John Driscoll. The seminar gave students a history of revitalization efforts in Boston, Massachusetts, and tasked them with designing their own strategies, addressing both social and physical problems in the community environment.

Documents include a summary paper on “Urban Strategies for Economic Recovery,” as well as curriculum documents for “A Revitalization for New Bedford, Massachusetts.” A seminar overview document contains an introduction, course schedule, and charts. A series of presentations provide material on Boston’s projects, with images, statistics, and a timeline.


[Excerpt: Background Presentation, for “Urban Strategies for Economic Recovery,” p. 1, 2.]

Background
“Boston’s economy has been closely linked to its educational institutions. The region is a dynamic center of knowledge. It has no less than 65 colleges and universities. Since 1970, the city has gone through a full economic cycle twice rebounding from deep recession on the strength of innovation and skills. Throughout the 60’s and 70’s the government funded/research at the universities led to the emergence of new high-tech industries, mainly electronics and computer firms. This economic resurgence followed the loss of traditional manufacturing to lower wage regions in the South.”

….

Massachusetts’ Strategic Plan: “Choosing to Compete” as a Strategic Objective.
“Choosing to Compete was the culmination of several years’ effort between the State of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, academic institutions and the business community to understand the State’s economic situation and prospects and to develop a public-private strategy to support economic recovery. Fourteen conferences were held by the State and the University of Massachusetts bringing government officials and civil servants together with business, academic and community leaders. Extensive research and analysis of the economy was carried out jointly by government, academic and private firms. The result was a strategy that starts with an in-depth understanding of the competitive position and future prospects of Massachusetts’ key industries and defines government’s role as a partner with the private sector in making the state’s business sector more competitive in a globalized economy.

“Choosing to Compete” sets out a strategy for how government can enable and assist the private enterprise which drives the economy. It focuses on nurturing the growth of industries which export goods and services to other states or nations and thus bring money into the state and constitute the foundation of its economic development. These industries include manufacturing but also services ranging from tourism to finance and business services like environmental and other consulting firms, to educational institutions which attract students from around the world. If this economic base grows, the local industries which serve it will also grow – industries like construction, retail and wholesale trade, and personal services. Government should not focus its efforts on growing these local industries except in situations where it is attempting to stimulate business development in disadvantaged communities. If the base economy grows, the local economy should automatically grow with it.”
___

See related I2UD projects below

Project Year:2003
Project Type:Urban Design Studio
Geographic Regions:New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
Reports:
Authors:François Vigier; John Driscoll
Sponsors:Center for Urban Development Studies, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Categories:Design Studios; Education
  
ID:2003_09_001

Related I2UD Projects

Gallery 15: United States: Boston, Massachusetts (1994-1997)

Leave a Reply