The Transition of Soho From Industrial to Artist Community: a Debate in Urban Theory

The objective of this thesis is to compare two theories, the ecological model and the socio-spatial approach, using the transition of SoHo from industrial to artist community as a case study. In doing so, I traveled to New York where I interviewed artists who were part of the transition process. In addition to interviews, I reviewed literature and official documents provided by the New York City Planning Commission. This thesis was written with the belief that the socio-spatial approach offers a mature explanation of urban phenomenon and :fills the theoretical gaps in the ecological model. After researching this topic, I concluded that while the socio-spatial approach does indeed offer a mature perspective and expansive applicability to urban phenomenon, there is a need for further development in urban theory. The recognition of the meaning a population attaches to space creates, in the case of SoHo, a social movement among the artist community. This classification needs to be adopted by modem urban theories. Finally, I conclude that the future o(urban studies will continue to mature and the future of SoHo will see the out-migration of artists due to the invasion of non-artists