FAIRFIELD, CT - What is your vision for sustainability and positive growth for the city of Bridgeport? How can an abandoned building or empty lot help to change the city for the future?
To answer those questions, two schools from Fairfield and Bridgeport partnered with Fairfield Museum and History Center and challenged their students to design and create proposals for the city of Bridgeport’s urban planning initiatives. The result is a 3-month exhibition, opening Friday, January 27 and showcasing the students’ development work on sustainable plans for the empty lots and abandoned buildings on upper Main Street in Bridgeport along with the students’ innovative computer models and their writing, poetry and photography.
A group of 8th grade students from The Unquowa School in Fairfield partnered with 5th grade students from New Beginnings Family Academy in Bridgeport and mentored the younger students in a series of activities to explore the history of the “built environment”, including the architecture of Bridgeport. Through their collaboration, the students looked to the future and became problem-solvers and urban planners to develop proposals for revitalization.
Head of The Unquowa School, Sharon Lauer, explained that, “The collaborative process of creative and critical thinking that our students went through to come up with these viable urban revitalization options was a powerful learning experience.”
According to Christine Jewell, director of education and community programs, “These creative students learned about Bridgeport’s thriving theatre history through contemporary and historical photographs and memorabilia taken by photographer, Jay Misencik at Fairfield Museum’s “Inside Bridgeport’s Theatres” exhibit. This exhibit was part of the Museum’s Bravo! A Century of Theatre in Fairfield County exhibition.
“In contrast, the students also learned about Bridgeport’s current revitalization efforts and Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch’s “BGreen 2020” campaign goals to develop sustainable and green initiatives throughout the city.”
The exhibition, which will be on display from January 27th through April 22nd, 2012, showcases the students’ artwork and poetry and a series of graphic panels featuring their written proposals, writing and art. Students also rendered their plans in 3D digital format through the use of Google Sketchup. The New Generations students have presented the City of Bridgeport with an inspiring array of ambitious proposals that would benefit the well being and livelihood of people from all walks of life.
Jewell added, “This project illustrates the students’ understanding of the importance of historic preservation and revitalization of neighborhoods and linking the heritage of the past with the community needs of the present.”
She pointed out that in the detailed research process, the students worked with visiting photographers Craig Norton and J.J. Misencik to learn how to explore architecture through photography, focusing on details like texture and pattern. They also took a walking tour with Bridgeport historian Charles Brilvitch to learn about Bridgeport’s architectural and social history on a walking tour.
They formed groups to document changes over time by photographing the architecture of Bridgeport. Then the students visited each other’s schools to develop a design and proposal for an empty building or abandoned lot and demonstrate how the design will benefit the people of Bridgeport. They have been challenged to create a vision for sustainability and positive growth for the future of this city.
