Globalization as it affects the American cultural landscape

Abstract

Globalization defines the state of the world at this moment. It is an all-encompassing system that is fueled by the enormous advances in technology that permeate world culture. This system has brought with it many positive benefits and changes for individuals around the world, but the most dramatic change happens on a societal level. Unfortunately, this change is damaging to communities and the interaction between humans. Globalization reduces awareness and contact with our heritage and sense of origin. It lures us away from a sustainable society. These cultural losses haunt the positive change brought forward in an era of decreasing human boundaries.The loss of the single family farmstead is an example of Globalization affecting the American cultural landscape. It takes less hands to farm the land due to advances in technology, so more people move away from the community to find jobs in larger cities. As corporate farms buy acreage from traditional farmers, small town farming communities become less sustainable. This study looks at the town of Holstein in western Iowa, as an example of this process. My grandmother currently lives in Holstein and my father was born there, so for myself as the designer, I have important roots at the site. A revitalization plan for the farming community dealing with the aspects of Globalization is needed. In this project, I have shown Holstein as it exists presently, what will happen to the community if the processes of Globalization continue, and an alternate designed plan that could help the community in this time of cultural change.