Guiding design in Czech Village and New Bohemia, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Abstract

This creative project investigated the history and development of Czech settlement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to propose design guidelines and redevelopment options for two urban neighborhoods – Czech Village and New Bohemia. The project researched design guidelines for ethnically-identified historic districts as well as non-ethnically-identified historic districts to present two distinct sets of design guidelines and redevelopment proposals. The first set is based on the late-19th and early-20th century architecture that developed in these neighborhoods while the second set is based on traditional Czech architectural character. The second set imposes a faux-historic architectural identity, a tactic commonly employed in many ethnically-identified historic districts that wish to maintain a traditional architectural appearance. In developing the redevelopment proposals, the project tracked post-flood recovery efforts, including the City's River Corridor Redevelopment Plan and Neighborhood Action Plans. It also included an investigation into the City's zoning ordinance and comprehensive plan. Examining these documents ensured the redevelopment goals presented as part of this project were aligned with the City's and residents' goals for Cedar Rapids' post-flood recovery and redevelopment for these neighborhoods.