Massachusetts Avenue Arts District Promenade of Indianapolis, Indiana : an exploration into urban renewal : revitalization of urban remnant spaces as a medium for people places

A backdrop to the everyday drama of life, urban settings suffer from the complex interweavings of remnant spaces. Defined as areas which are void of function, these "lost" spaces penetrate the cityscape as desecrated wastelands. Characterized and defined by the architecture that abuts them, urban remnant spaces provide an opportunity for innovative design within the city walls. There is a need, therefore, for society to return to its deteriorating urban centers and implement remnant spaces as nodes of creative design. The result, therefore, would benefit the survival of the city as a whole and revive attraction within its boundaries.The Massachusetts Avenue Arts District, located between East Street and College Avenue, is a component of the Chatham-Arch Historic District. Established in the middle 1850's, Massachusetts Avenue is known as the commercial and retail core of the historic district. Increases in population and changing trends have caused an influx of rental units within the area and, in turn, have negatively impacted the site. Recent renovations and the acknowledgement of the corridor as the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District suggest the possibility of future investments in the area. It was the intent of this project to explore the growing identity within the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District and, in essence, accelerate the forecasted process of improvement. Centering primarily around improvements to the street, the goal was to create a dialogue between public and artist within the city- of Indianapolis. Furthermore, in an attempt to enhance the relationship between interior and exterior environments, the project extended its boundaries into definable remnant spaces and established areas conducive to social activities. It is the hope that the creation of the Massachusetts Avenue Arts District Promenade will serve as a model study applicable to similar areas within the urban environment.College of Architecture and PlanningThesis (B.L.A.