Picturing Urban Renewal

FAIN: HAA-261267-18

SUNY Research Foundation, Albany (Albany, NY 12222-0001)
David Paul Hochfelder (Project Director: January 2018 to March 2024)
Stacy Sewell (Co Project Director: May 2018 to March 2024)
Ann E. Pfau (Co Project Director: May 2018 to March 2024)

Development of a website featuring historical photographs and maps that explores the process of urban renewal in large and small cities across New York State.

We are applying for a Level I Digital Humanities Advancement grant for the amount of $49,587 to develop a design, technical plan, and prototype for the Picturing Urban Renewal website. This innovative website will place in space and time historic photographs of major redevelopment projects in four New York cities. It will encourage active looking as a way of learning about urban history and encourage users to compare how urban renewal transformed these four cities, for better and worse. This project makes two key contributions to urban and public history: (1) By focusing on the visual record, particularly pre-demolition and construction-era photographs, we foreground the human experience of redevelopment. 2) By comparing the impact of urban renewal on cities of varying sizes and economic fortunes, we fill an important gap in the scholarly literature, which emphasizes urban centers almost to the exclusion of the small and mid-sized towns and cities.

Associated Products

Mockup for Picturing Urban Renewal Website (Web Resource)
Title: Mockup for Picturing Urban Renewal Website
Author: DigitalGizmo LLC
Abstract: Road map for structure of front end of Picturing Urban Renewal website that we intend to follow during prototyping and implementation stages.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: http://dev.digitalgizmo.com/urban-renewal/

Fringe City Foundations: Hudson River Valley (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Fringe City Foundations: Hudson River Valley
Abstract: Moderated by Michael Murphy of MASS Design Group, this panel discussion will explore issues of development in the Hudson River Valley. Through the lens of historic planning, design, and policy decisions, the panel will interrogate challenges faced by these cities (e.g., disinvestment, vacancy, and recent waves of gentrification), while considering productive steps towards new strategies for ethical development.
Author: Jeff Anzevino
Author: David Hochfelder
Author: Michael Murphy
Date: 11/14/2019
Location: Center for Architecture, New York City
Primary URL: https://calendar.aiany.org/2019/08/15/fringe-city-foundations-hudson-river-valley/

Newburgh Urban Renewal Agency Records (Acquisitions/Materials Collection)
Name: Newburgh Urban Renewal Agency Records
Abstract: In 2018, project personnel facilitated the transfer of about 100 cubic feet of the records of the Newburgh Urban Renewal Agency from the city to M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives at University at Albany, SUNY. Per city historian Mary McTamaney, these records were in danger of being destroyed. Their processing and rehousing has been delayed because of COVID-19.
Director: David Hochfelder
Director: Ann Pfau
Director: Stacy Sewell
Year: 2018

Urban Renewal (Article)
Title: Urban Renewal
Author: Ann Pfau
Author: David Hochfelder
Author: Stacy Sewell
Abstract: History of urban renewal intended for public and local historians, including guidance on how to research local histories of urban renewal.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://inclusivehistorian.com/urban-renewal/
Primary URL Description: Inclusive Historian's Handbook
Access Model: Open
Format: Other
Publisher: National Council on Public History and American Association for State and Local History

Newburgh’s “Last Chance”: The Elusive Promise of Urban Renewal in a Small and Divided City (Article)
Title: Newburgh’s “Last Chance”: The Elusive Promise of Urban Renewal in a Small and Divided City
Author: Ann Pfau
Author: Stacy Sewell
Abstract: This article is a case study of failure at the federal, state, and local levels. In 1956, Newburgh, New York, undertook an ambitious, arguably oversized, urban renewal program. Between 1962 and 1974, city officials successfully cleared roughly 120 acres of prime waterfront real estate for redevelopment, displacing a largely black population. But combined with economic recession and changing federal and state policies, conflict between and among white city officials and black residents prevented reconstruction. Newburgh's greatest assets were its scenic waterfront and historic architecture. Clearance of the former led to destruction of the latter. Newburgh's waterfront remains largely empty even today.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://doi-org.libproxy.albany.edu/10.1177%2F1538513219897996
Access Model: Subscription only
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Journal of Planning History
Publisher: Sage Journals

Introduction to Special Issue on Urban Renewal in Smaller Cities (Article)
Title: Introduction to Special Issue on Urban Renewal in Smaller Cities
Author: David Hochfelder
Author: Douglas Appler
Abstract: Introduction to special issue on urban renewal in smaller cities.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1538513219898001
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Journal of Planning History
Publisher: Sage Journals

Researching Urban Renewal with Local and State Sources (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Researching Urban Renewal with Local and State Sources
Author: David Hochfelder
Abstract: Description of how to research urban renewal with archival material held at state srchives and local archives.
Date: 9/27/2019
Conference Name: New Perspectives on Urban Renewal

Rebuilding after Renewal: The New York State Development Corporation (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Rebuilding after Renewal: The New York State Development Corporation
Author: Stacy Sewell
Abstract: An account of the unique public corporation that built public housing on land vacated for urban renewal.
Date: 9/27/2019
Conference Name: New Perspectives on Urban Renewal

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