ARCH-4980.6 | Chris Perry, Assistant Professor

AGRITECH PARK

Investing in the Micro Community

TRACEY KLICH

Extrapolation theory provides the basis to understand how past actions effect the present, and through this lens, how decisions made now will affect the future. During the post war period extrapolation theory makes connections between, science, technology, chemical orocesses, and cybernetics, informing the designs of the time. Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion house and Moshe Safdie’s Habitat ’67 serve as examples of how the aerospace industry influenced architectural designs. Extrapolation theory permeates decision making at every level of government and society, causing exponential changes as ideas move through time to different societies. The choices of society influence the way in which architecture is designed. The possibilities of the future are both limited and limitless depending on how the future is seen by the leaders of a society.

By using extrapolation theory to understand how Detroit, MI, through its sole focus on auto culture, caused the growth and demise of a once prosperous metropolis leads to understanding several issues and assets in Detroit.  The collaboration between ideas of the current government along ideas of shared cooperation can catalyze a new wave of urban design.

The purpose of the Agritech Park, as a micro community, combines current business ideals, potential growth through entrepreneurialism, current infrastructure, and the ingenuity of the general population. The needs of the remaining population and the abundance of available space produces an environment ripe for growth. The larger population is ignored in favor of focusing on a limited scale community that is beneficial to both the current population and the environment.

By repurposing abandoned school buildings, monetary issues can be resolved for an area as well as benefit multiple businesses. Green spaces can be designed as both urban agricultural centers and landscaped areas connecting the residents to the business leaders. The program of the spaces create an atmosphere of inclusion that meets the needs of both the current community and the new business leaders.