A Mapped Transformation

A distinct feature of the West End Museum is its visualization of the city’s transformation through the use of maps. The Museum contains various maps from before the Urban Renewal project, as well as maps showing the design plans for Urban Renewal, and others showing the greater Boston area. These maps are integral to our understanding of West Boston as they allow for us to physically see the areas that were swept away by re-development, and superimpose in our own minds what exists there now. We are able to create a palimpsest, in the sense that after having viewed each map, we can layer them and gain a greater insight into the specifics of redevelopment.

Drawing upon Sennett’s interpretation of Arendt, it is fascinating to apply the idea of a dense centre that conveys a vibrant sense of community to the West End maps. In fact, in examining maps from pre-Urban Renewal, it is evident that the neighourhood was far more tight-knit in terms of its physical appearance, with buildings very close together and a lack of open spaces. This would, asccording to Sennett, give rise to those who dwelled in the area to form a public realm in that communities become bonded together as a result of living in such close proximity, akin to the idea of a melting pot. Nevertheless, in maps from post-Urban Renewal, we see more open spaces and, thus, less of a tightly packed area. As we saw from the previous page, the sense of community suffered post-Urban Renewal, and this in turn confirms Sennett’s view: with a less dense centre, or arguably no centre at all, the public realm ceases to exist in the same vibrant manner.