Abstract:
Savannah, Georgia has an intriguing history of urban planning and city growth. As one of the original colonies, Savannah has a long history that has shaped it to be the city it is today. The most defining features of the city are the 22 squares sprinkled around downtown. There is a neighborhood south of downtown that has the lowest income rates in the city and is filled with dilapidated houses. This neighborhood is the Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District. Just south of this is the growing art district, the Starland District. There is research that green spaces can improve neighborhoods and quality of life for communities and its residents. The goal of the project is to understand the history and context of these neighborhoods so new squares can be added. There is opportunity for connections between these Midtown neighborhoods and downtown. Seven new squares and four new community gardens would be added into the Thomas Square District in the hope of revitalizing it without pushing out residents. The idea is to create hopeful change that does not ruin the fabric of that community.
