Catalogue of Belonging | Estableciendo Raíces: Community Belonging Through Engagement

laura gómez montoya northeastern university m.arch ‘21

catalogue of belonging

“belonging has something to do with the economies of making connections and being connected.”

(AbdouMaliq Simone - For the City Yet to Come)

what is

belonging?

The roads we walk, the buildings we live in, and the sights we see, have a deep and constant emotional effect on us. But, where do we feel like we belong? Belonging is comfort, it’s walking down the street feeling connected to the brick on a facade, or fondly recognizing sounds and friends as we traverse space.

Belonging is not absolute. It is contextual and ever-changing, and the beauty of it lies in its constant and many manifestations. Remaining critical and simultaneously open to our surroundings allows us to create and be part of spaces that empower others to belong.

This catalogue is not a rulebook. Rather it explores an important way in which a group of East Boston residents feel like they belong through the power of their experiences.

material

The effects of gentrification are widely known, and have been studied in depth both in the design and sociological fields. As an addition to the existing research, this project looks to gentrification trends in East Boston as a way to map a Matrix of Belonging. This matrix is defined in three parts: Materiality, Scale, and Form. These characteristics have been flagged by residents as points of discomfort, worry, and concern. In an attempt to avoid the negative effects of new development, a parallel matrix is created to show Materiality, Scale, and Form that incites comfort and belonging.

seven stories

one story new development

scale

four stories

one story

form

existing residential

Greenery Transportation Culture Art Street Vendors/Community Business

public space

Greenery Scale Materials Color Connections

residential space

interstitial space

Greenery Cleanliness Accessibility Small businesses History/Immigration

ways to use

the catalogue community strengthening Come together with other community members to better understand how to take care of and improve on existing urban spaces.

Let your voice be heard when new development plans are proposed in your neighborhood.

relationship building

advocacy

community

Ensure that spatial design addresses the needs of the community it will serve.

equitable development

Create working relationships amongst government officials, designers, and investors to ensure a variety of perspectives are being considered.

Embrace collective thinking and the importance of community knowledge and experience.

design process

designers