Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Brain, David

Keywords

New Urbanism, Actor-Network Theory, Sarasota Architecture, Urban Sociology, Sociology

Area of Concentration

Urban Studies

Abstract

In October of 2007 the city government of Sarasota, Florida embarked on a planning effort called the "Bayfront Connectivity Charrette." Employing New Urbanist design principles, the city employed a contractor to hold an intense four-day design studio. In those four days, hundreds of residents interacted with public officials, professionals, and other residents to come up with a plan for a more pedestrianfriendly US-41 corridor. Through direct observation, document analysis, and follow-up interviews, this thesis tracks the public decision-making process in downtown Sarasota, Florida and asks the general question, "What are the perceptions of individuals' roles in the process; and how does one's perception of the city's intended use, shape their opinions on how their city should look and act?" By utilizing Actor-Network Theory, as introduced by Michel Callon (1987), I come to the conclusion that individuals are embedded in actor-networks that define the elements of any given component of the city. Individuals who do not share over-lapping actor-networks do not value the same aspects of urban design, nor are they able to acknowledge when a particular technology can solve their problems because they regard these technologies as somehow flawed.

Download

Share

COinS