Considering Spatial (In)Equities

Over time, the scope of my research has evolved from traditional architectural history and historic preservation topics into perspectives and critiques looking at marginalized communities, space, and design. Much of my recent work is centered around spatial equity - what are the structures, systems, and policies at play that interfere with how certain communities access and experience space? What’s the historic context of these structures/systems/policies and how can we subvert or mitigate them now?

This blog’s title image, a collection of maps I’ve created shown above, sums up my upcoming work related to redlining, hostile architecture, and historic LGBTQ sites. My recent press and upcoming public talks highlight these topics. Here’s where to learn more:

• 3/26: Learn more about redlining and other forms of white supremacist planning policies at my Creative Mornings talk. Free, but tickets required here.

• 4/8: A longer version of my 3/26 talk about redlining and other unjust planning policies at the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana’s Annual Conference. Registration required here.

• 4/9: Hear observations about my survey work on hostile architecture at IU’s Indiana Studies Symposium: Style of the State Conference. Free, but registration required here.

• 4/19-23: Consider the intersection of LGBTQ sites and historic preservation at Indy Design Week, our local, interdisciplinary design conference. More details to come, but follow along here.

Recently, I’ve been in the news sharing insight related to these projects. Check out my WFYI All-In interview, “The History and Culture of Indiana Avenue” with my collaborator Dr. Paul Mullins, which covers issues related to planning, displacement, and disinvestment of the NW side. And IndyStar featured my last exhibit, Lost Indianapolis Landmarks, a bicentennial project, in the article “Lost Landmarks: Surprising Stories of 5 Demolished Indianapolis Buildings, Neighborhoods.”