GADSDEN GREEN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD:  URBAN DESIGN STRATEGIES TO BENEFIT THOSE MOST VULNERABLE, TO ADDRESS HISTORIC TRAUMAS AND CREATE MORE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

Payne, Alexandra Eugenia

GADSDEN GREEN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE WESTSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD: URBAN DESIGN STRATEGIES TO BENEFIT THOSE MOST VULNERABLE, TO ADDRESS HISTORIC TRAUMAS AND CREATE MORE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

Authors

Payne, Alexandra Eugenia

Abstract

The Westside neighborhood of Charleston, South Carolina faces challenges from flooding, gentrification and displacement, a lack of affordable housing, and socioeconomic disparities. This study analyzes the Gadsden Green public housing community, Gadsden Creek, and surrounding development. Future development proposals threaten the existence of Gadsden Creek and the affordability of the neighborhood. This analysis and design strategy will involve aspects which current development proposals lack: community engagement from the residents of Gadsden Green, rehabilitation and preservation of Gadsden Creek, flood mitigation, and adequate incorporation of affordable housing. The city has an obligation to provide the residents of the community the resources and investment they have long been deprived of, and prevent the further systematic destruction of the neighborhood.