Remembering Lost Places: A Digital History of Urban Renewal

FAIN: MD-263902-19

SUNY Research Foundation, Albany (Albany, NY 12222-0001)
David Paul Hochfelder (Project Director: June 2018 to October 2023)

Development of an interactive website examining the history of urban renewal through the historical experience of Albany, New York.

We are applying for a Discovery Grant to support planning for a place-based, people-centered responsive website, which will explore how urban renewal transformed one mid-sized American city—Albany, NY. The literature on urban renewal has focused on major metropolitan areas. Yet smaller cities were more profoundly affected. While Albany’s redevelopment is a particularly dramatic example, this city’s experience is representative of many others and will help illuminate a neglected aspect of the nation’s urban history. The Remembering Lost Places website will be a resource for cities still coming to terms with urban renewal. For this grant, we will undertake three elements of the overall project: a design document for the subsequent prototyping phase; an interpretive framework that explores how the Albany experience can help us understand the social, political, and economic impact of urban renewal nationally; and outreach strategies to reach broader audiences.

Associated Products

In Albany, the Cost of a "Modern" Plaza (Article)
Title: In Albany, the Cost of a "Modern" Plaza
Author: Ben Schulman
Abstract: Article summarizing the history and architectural significance of Albany's Empire State Plaza, featuring PI Hochfelder.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.architectmagazine.com/aia-urbanism/in-albany-the-cost-of-a-modern-plaza_o
Access Model: open
Format: Magazine
Periodical Title: AIA Architect
Publisher: American Institute of Architects

How to Research the History of Discriminatory Housing Practices in Albany (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: How to Research the History of Discriminatory Housing Practices in Albany
Abstract: Public workshop on how to research redlining and racially restrictive covenants using local sources.
Author: David Hochfelder
Author: Akum Norder
Date: 2/13/2020
Location: Albany Public Library

98 Acres in Albany: Telling the Social History of Urban Renewal (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: 98 Acres in Albany: Telling the Social History of Urban Renewal
Abstract: Presentation on urban renewal in Albany.
Author: David Hochfelder
Date: 11/3/2019
Location: New Scotland Historical Society

Albany: Lost Places / Displaced People (Web Resource)
Title: Albany: Lost Places / Displaced People
Author: David Hochfelder
Author: Ann Pfau
Author: Stacy Sewell
Abstract: Scroll story depicting urban renewal in Albany, on the project's development/mockup working space.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: http://dev.digitalgizmo.com/urban-renewal/stories/albany-displaced.html

Double Parking While Black (Blog Post)
Title: Double Parking While Black
Author: Ann Pfau
Abstract: Blog post about police brutality incident in Albany's urban renewal take area in 1961.
Date: 1/3/2020
Primary URL: https://98acresinalbany.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/double-parking-while-black/
Blog Title: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories
Website: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories

Selling the South Mall (Blog Post)
Title: Selling the South Mall
Author: David Hochfelder
Abstract: Blog post about how the State of New York attempted to convince Albany residents of the necessity of urban renewal.
Date: 1/15/2020
Primary URL: https://98acresinalbany.wordpress.com/2019/01/15/selling-the-south-mall/
Blog Title: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories
Website: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories

Every Day an Earthquake (Blog Post)
Title: Every Day an Earthquake
Author: David Hochfelder
Abstract: Blog post about construction noise, dirt, and other disruptions around Albany's urban renewal site.
Date: 5/14/2019
Primary URL: https://98acresinalbany.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/every-day-an-earthquake/
Blog Title: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories
Website: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories

Wally's Vision: From Clay To Concrete (Blog Post)
Title: Wally's Vision: From Clay To Concrete
Author: Stacy Sewell
Abstract: Blog post about Wallace Harrison's role as architect of the Empire State Plaza.
Date: 6/12/2019
Primary URL: https://98acresinalbany.wordpress.com/2019/06/12/wallys-vision-from-clay-to-concrete/
Blog Title: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories
Website: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories

July 4, 1976 (Blog Post)
Title: July 4, 1976
Author: Ann Pfau
Abstract: Blog post about the opening of the Empire State Plaza on July 4, 1976 for the Bicentennial.
Date: 7/4/2019
Primary URL: https://98acresinalbany.wordpress.com/2019/07/04/july-4-1976/
Blog Title: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories
Website: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories

Famed for Friendliness (First Methodist and the Inner City Mission Part I) (Blog Post)
Title: Famed for Friendliness (First Methodist and the Inner City Mission Part I)
Author: David Hochfelder
Abstract: First part of a two part story on Albany's First Methodist Church, torn down for urban renewal.
Date: 8/26/2019
Primary URL: https://98acresinalbany.wordpress.com/2019/08/26/famed-for-friendliness-first-methodist-and-the-inner-city-mission-part-i/
Blog Title: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories
Website: 98 Acres in Albany: 40 Blocks, Thousands of Stories

Urban Archive (Web Resource)
Title: Urban Archive
Author: Ann Pfau
Abstract: Urban Archive is a place-based historical mapping web and iOS app. Project team contributed all content for its Albany map.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: https://www.urbanarchive.org/cities/albany

Hear About Here (Web Resource)
Title: Hear About Here
Author: David Hochfelder
Abstract: Hear About Here is a map-based audio touring platform. Project personnel contributed content for its Empire State Plaza tour.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.hearabouthere.com/historical/tags/empire-state-plaza/

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