Microcities

The rapid pace of urbanization over the past three decades has produced megacities of staggering size and complexity. While there are clear benefits to dense urban development, megacities have been marked by segregation and inequality, environmental degradation, overburdened infrastructure and long commute times. This provokes a question: Could a web of smaller cities offer the social, cultural and environmental benefits of urbanity with a lighter ecological footprint?  These projects – a study for affordable housing in Hudson, New York, and a multi-use arena in North Adams  – are the first of a series of case studies looking at the implications of de-coupling urbanism from size in North America. Both projects leverage the potential of a strategic architectural intervention to catalyze further revival of these small Hudson Vally cities. (Work in Progress)