New Places in Old Spaces

Abstract

Urban abandonment in the United States has taken a devastating toll on neighborhoods and communities. Some Indianapolis neighborhoods are dealing with decline in creative ways, as there is a renewed market demand for those communities while others continue to be forgotten. This poster describes cycles of decline and rebirth in urban Indianapolis neighborhoods as seen through the eyes of local residents. We will take you on a journey through time and place in 3 different Indianapolis neighborhoods: decline and rejuvenation in Lockefield Gardens; stories of near east side residents as they battle the challenges of seeing their neighborhood abandoned; and a community that is reusing abandoned lots to rejuvenate and reunite their neighbors through the creation of a community garden. Through these three case studies, we are analyzing the ways that neighborhoods are both reinventing themselves and, in other cases, falling prey to neglect as a result of the failure of the market to create a demand for their homes and businesses.