Sam Smith is a writer, activist and social critic who has been at the forefront of new ideas and new politics for more than five decades. He covered Washington under nine presidents, edited the Progressive Review for over 50 years, wrote four books, helped to start six organizations including the national Green Party, the DC Humanities Council and the DC Statehood Party. In this episode, we talked about urban renewal and if architectural is political.
Show Notes- The Role of Architects In Urban Renewal; Intrigue on Resurrection city With SAM SMITH
Introduction To The Episode
At 01:35, Melissa begins by sharing a brief background of the show on the history of Resurrection City. She also talks about the 1960s US anti-poverty campaign, people’s slogans, and the conflicting comments that rose on the resurrection city’s fifth anniversary. ‘Poor People’ were considered activists and the slogan ‘White Man Road through Black Man’s Home’ was developed. In this episode, Sam Smith talks about John Wiebenson, the architect of the Resurrection City, urban renewal, and the link between architecture and politics.
The History Resurrection City Urban Renewal
Sam Smith was born and raised in DC for the first nine years, and at 05:04, Sam talks about his early life, his career in journalism, and the Resurrection City urban renewal. John Wiebenson was one of the greatest leaders in architect, and he did the planning for the Resurrection City. Sam was around at that time when urban renewal kicked off, and as a journalist, he interviewed a number of people about the essentials that came up when urban renewal was well underway. At 07:35, Sam also shares how urban renewal, such as the freeway, ruined many homes in the neighborhoods and triggered protests, crashes, and campaigns from activists.
The Cost and Benefits of Urban Planning
At 09:22, Sam explains the impact of southwest urban renewal that mainly affected the black. The residents were weak and lacked strong political powers, making them more vulnerable and easy to evacuate. In addition, Sam arguably states that the preservation movement basically started to save homes, unlike today, where it’s involved with multiple tasks. Urban renewal comes with many implications, but it can be beneficial when done appropriately. To drive this home, Sam describes why Capital Hail, where he lived for many years, is the best urban planning he has encountered.
What Made Urban Renewal Messy
The construction of the freeway through people’s homes and bedrooms ruined the whole neighborhood. Sam explains how this led to the development of the slogan white man’s road through black man’s home that was used in the freeway activism battle. People fought the freeway actively. According to Sam, if you want to produce change, you must have the right graphics and morally interested people by your side to be effective. To listen to more insights about urban renewal consequences, tune in at 13:54.
Architecture exchange; How is architecture political
At 16:04, Sam arguably explains that architecture is a self-imported rather than a politically oriented piece. Every architect will claim to know better than the others on how a place should look like, and the residents end up paying the price for their poor planning. He also talks about John Wiebenson’s architecture work on the Resurrection City, which saved the post office building. According to him, to come up with excellent ways to alter human conditions to fit the human souls’ architects should take anthropology courses to learn about cultural changes to help them be sensitive to people’s needs when designing a neighborhood.
1960s Media Basket and architecture link overview
In the 60s, there were several alternative media papers, including Sam’s papers. At 21:00, Sam describes the media situation back in the 60s and their role in architecture. In the present time, Sam says that what concerns him most is the lack of accountable cultural orientation as there is a lot of protests with no alternative as it was back in the 60s.
We all define beautiful and ugly neighborhoods in terms of their architectural designs, and we feel good going to work or living in a wonderful neighborhood. Knowing the architecture is key, don’t miss this power-packed episode; tune in and be enlightened.