The End

 The Piece of the greenway that I spent a few weeks studying is interesting in several ways. First, as I said when I started, the park that was just opened this October marks the end of the Big Dig project and era in Boston. Although, the parkway and it's speedy traffic are still a real barrier, it is now a new threshold for the city that can be crossed in many different ways. The meaning of this space will evolve over time and may someday blend into the city seamlessly.  Part of it's continued evolution will be the construction of an office and Hotel on Parcel 1B, which will block the picturesque view of the Bridge. this will change the scale of the park making it about the  streets that border it and no longer an arm off the monumental bridge and tunnel below. I have while sitting in the park wondered weather the space that was reclaimed at such a high cost really makes an ideal park or weather the gesture is a result of the land being unstable for at least a few years. When it has settled and we feel confident the tunnels are secure i wonder if the belt will be taken over by buildings.

Research Idea and Favorite reading

Territorial markings. Joint households and urban communal dwelling.

So who's stuff goes where and why?

Many, if not most young professionals today live with others their same age in a family home or apartment. These living situations are unique opportunities to look at behavioral marking patters. as a group, this population has limited control over their environment. most of us pay to much for too little to live away from home.  For some though these shared dwellings are home. I would like to look at how it is different for this group than for people who still maintain a home base elsewhere. Are the marking patterns different? are different levels of privacy required? how about the levels of ownership?

Many different stories may emerge and my main goal is to identify an array of factors that are at play in these unique environments.

I think that many of the readings Will be helpful in a variety of ways. I think that the chapters from Lang will be the most supportive.  These chapters have been very helpful for me in deconstructing personal space. The need to mark or change the environment is very interesting to me and i think i will enjoy it.