Connor Cartwright-Larkin
City Beautification As A Strategy For Small-Scale Urban Improvement
Vis Unita Fortior—"A Strength United is Stronger." This Latin motto, chosen by the city council of Stoke-on-Trent in 1910, embodies the historical coherence and unity among the six towns that form the city: Stoke, Hanley, Burslem, Tunstall, Longton, and Fenton. However, in the present day, this unity is challenged by various socio-economic issues and the neglect of its rich architectural heritage. This dissertation explores the dynamics of city beautification initiatives, particularly focusing on their impact on smaller urban population centres like Stoke-on-Trent. By examining both the positive and negative effects, this research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how these initiatives can enhance urban environments without exacerbating issues such as gentrification.
The City Beautiful Movement, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sought to transform urban spaces through beautification and monumental grandeur. Inspired by the neoclassical architecture showcased at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the movement emphasised the importance of beauty in city planning as a means to inspire civic pride and social harmony. While initially influential in major cities across the United States and beyond, the principles of the City Beautiful Movement have seen a resurgence in contemporary urban revitalisation projects. This dissertation explores how these ideals can be applied to smaller towns and neighbourhoods that have not received the same attention as capital cities, aiming to balance aesthetic enhancements with the preservation of cultural and architectural identity.
Despite the renewed interest in these principles, there is a significant gap in comprehensive studies focusing on their application in smaller locales. Most existing research has concentrated on large metropolitan areas, leaving a void in understanding how beautification efforts impact more modest communities. This dissertation will also address this gap by investigating the specific challenges and opportunities faced by these population centres when implementing beautification projects.
Central to this investigation are three key questions: To what extent can the principles of the City Beautiful Movement be effectively applied to post-industrial urban centres, like the city of Stoke-on-Trent, to address economic decline, social disconnection, and cultural loss without exacerbating gentrification? How do the experiences of existing communities in Stoke-on-Trent and a selected case study in France reflect the impact of urban policies, including city beautification, on support networks, housing stability, and the preservation of cultural heritage, both affluent and working-class? This is particularly important to the comparison as the focus, on the area of Le Plessis-Robinson located in a Southwest direction from Paris, is key to studying what options exist to transform other areas. Lastly, in comparing urban policies such as renewal, regeneration, and renaissance through a critical literature review, what distinct attributes characterise the City Beautiful Movement, and how do they tackle deep-seated social issues while mitigating the risks associated with gentrification?
This research is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it contributes to the field of urban studies by providing a detailed analysis of how beautification initiatives affect smaller population centres, a topic that has been relatively underexplored. Secondly, it offers practical insights for urban planners and policymakers aiming to implement projects that enhance civic pride and quality of life without displacing existing communities. By focusing on both historical and contemporary examples, this dissertation provides a comprehensive understanding of the long-term impacts of beautification efforts.
To achieve these objectives, the research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining primary and secondary research. Primary research includes interviews with residents and
stakeholders in both Stoke-on-Trent and the selected case study in France, providing qualitative insights into the lived experiences of those affected by urban policies. Archival research and document analysis enhance the historical and contextual depth of the study, while secondary research through a literature review contextualises the findings within the broader framework of urban studies.
The City Beautiful Movement, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, sought to transform urban spaces through beautification and monumental grandeur. Inspired by the neoclassical architecture showcased at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the movement emphasised the importance of beauty in city planning as a means to inspire civic pride and social harmony. While initially influential in major cities across the United States and beyond, the principles of the City Beautiful Movement have seen a resurgence in contemporary urban revitalisation projects. This dissertation explores how these ideals can be applied to smaller towns and neighbourhoods that have not received the same attention as capital cities, aiming to balance aesthetic enhancements with the preservation of cultural and architectural identity.
Despite the renewed interest in these principles, there is a significant gap in comprehensive studies focusing on their application in smaller locales. Most existing research has concentrated on large metropolitan areas, leaving a void in understanding how beautification efforts impact more modest communities. This dissertation will also address this gap by investigating the specific challenges and opportunities faced by these population centres when implementing beautification projects.
Central to this investigation are three key questions: To what extent can the principles of the City Beautiful Movement be effectively applied to post-industrial urban centres, like the city of Stoke-on-Trent, to address economic decline, social disconnection, and cultural loss without exacerbating gentrification? How do the experiences of existing communities in Stoke-on-Trent and a selected case study in France reflect the impact of urban policies, including city beautification, on support networks, housing stability, and the preservation of cultural heritage, both affluent and working-class? This is particularly important to the comparison as the focus, on the area of Le Plessis-Robinson located in a Southwest direction from Paris, is key to studying what options exist to transform other areas. Lastly, in comparing urban policies such as renewal, regeneration, and renaissance through a critical literature review, what distinct attributes characterise the City Beautiful Movement, and how do they tackle deep-seated social issues while mitigating the risks associated with gentrification?
This research is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it contributes to the field of urban studies by providing a detailed analysis of how beautification initiatives affect smaller population centres, a topic that has been relatively underexplored. Secondly, it offers practical insights for urban planners and policymakers aiming to implement projects that enhance civic pride and quality of life without displacing existing communities. By focusing on both historical and contemporary examples, this dissertation provides a comprehensive understanding of the long-term impacts of beautification efforts.
To achieve these objectives, the research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining primary and secondary research. Primary research includes interviews with residents and
stakeholders in both Stoke-on-Trent and the selected case study in France, providing qualitative insights into the lived experiences of those affected by urban policies. Archival research and document analysis enhance the historical and contextual depth of the study, while secondary research through a literature review contextualises the findings within the broader framework of urban studies.