Garden variety: the social potential & spatial design of an urban landscape

Abstract

This project explores the site-specific design of an urban landscape as a focal point and social hub within a disparate community context. This research investigates the social, economic, and environmental context in the historic neighbourhoods of West Alexander and Centennial in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This area has witnessed a prolonged period of degradation and provides a challenging community interface. Many government and grassroot initiatives are active within the area, addressing cultural, educational, and economic issues. This project explores the potential of an urban landscape design in developing a more cohesive physical environment and facilitating interaction and collaboration between dissonant community factions. The intentions of this research are to provide a pragmatic design that is tailored to the current community.