Thesis Statement and Methodology (supplemented)

Events and rapidly changing technology over the first decade of this new century are challenging the relevancy of this historical notion.  Advances in telecommunications have radically altered the way communities define themselves and relate to one another.

The traditional role of town hall as meeting place is moving towards irrelevance, accelerated along its path by alternate forms of disseminating and debating information.

Skepticism with government is at an all time high with a disenfranchised citizenry, encouraged towards polarization by a 24 hr political news cycle that favors sensationalism over substance.

All of these trends have coincided with an assault on public space by the increasing privatization of the contemporary urban condition, and a subsequent decrease in physical interactions between members of society that used to define the essence of urban life.

Finally, security driven over-reactions in a post 9-11 American Society have brought the schism between the citizen and the body of civic governance into the physical realm, as city hall's across the country have been all but fortified, protected from unrestricted public access.

THE DISCONNECT REALIZED

Revision: Methodology

Revision: 1,3,9

1.  The American City Hall is need of a critical reevaluation of its purpose and realization in order to maintain relevancy in today's society.


3.  Traditionally the city/town hall was the locus of civic life in the Western Democratic Society, providing a space for deliberation,dissemination, and decision making.  However, over the last century, and moving forward into the 21st, the relationship between the city hall, as the tangible place of local governance, and the citizenry making up the municipality has become increasingly disconnected.  The symbolic intent of civic architecture is being overshadowed by a subversion of its democratic ideals through restrictions on its use.


9.  The city hall of the 21st century needs to reassert itself once again as the locus of municipal civic life.  However, events and rapidly changing technology over the first decade of this new century are challenging the relevancy of this historical notion.  Advances in telecommunications have radically altered the way communities define themselves and relate to one another.  Additionally, the traditional role of town hall as meeting place is moving towards irrelevance, accelerated along its path by alternate forms of disseminating and debating information.  Concurrently, the viability of the municipality is being challenged across the country, as budget constraints are encouraging consolidation, or at the very least the need to more with less.  Finally, skepticism with government is at an all time high with a disenfranchised citizenry, encouraged towards polarization by a 24 hr political news cycle that favors sensationalism over substance.  All of these trends have coincided with an assault on public space by the increasing privatization of the contemporary urban condition, and a subsequent decrease in physical interactions between members of society that used to define the essence of urban life.   Finally, security driven over-reactions in a post 9-11 American Society have brought the schism between the citizen and the body of civic governance into the physical realm, as city hall's across the country have been all but fortified, protected from unrestricted public access.  Thus, in order to maintain relevancy, the city hall needs to adapt to these societal changes through a comprehensive and complete reevaluation of its purpose and its realization, or succumb to its inevitable obsoletion.   

Thesis Research Methodology

One, Three, Nine , A Thesis Proposal

ONE- You Can't Fight City Hall? : An Investigation into the Spatial Requirements of Democratic Participation and Governance in the 21st Century


THREE- The ultimate success of a democratic society is contingent upon an active and informed citizenry.  Traditionally, in Western Democratic Societies, the city/town hall has been the locus of activity, providing a space for debate, dissemination, and decision making.  However, over the last century, and moving forward into the next, the relationship between the city/town hall as the tangible place of governance and the citizens making up the community under its jurisdiction has, and is, becoming increasingly fragmented.


NINE-  The City Hall of the 21st Century needs to reassert itself once again as the locus of municipal civic life.  Advances in technology have radically changed the way communities define themselves and interact with each other.  Yet the typology of the city hall has altered little.  Additionally, the traditional role of town hall as meeting place is moving towards obseletion, accelerated along its path by alternate forms of information dissemination and telecommunications.  Concurrently, the viability of the municipality as a governing body is being challenged across the country, as budget constraints are encouraging consolidation, or at the very least an increase in efficiency attune to doing more with less.
  Finally, the nature of public space in the contemporary urban condition is increasingly becoming privatized, limiting outlets for public demonstration and discussion.  These factors have led to an increasingly polarized society that is reflected in our use of space in the city.  The symbolism of classical civic architecture has been subverted from its ideals, communicating elitism, and furthering this polarization.
  In order to maintain relevancy, the city hall needs to adapt to these societal changes through a reevaluation of its purpose and its realization.