Place & Displacement: A Creative Study of the Alpine Avenue Renovation in McMinnville, Oregon

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate placemaking in public spaces with an emphasis on how creative placemaking insights might inform development in one specific rural community: McMinnville, Oregon. Using a transdisciplinary approach, I will examine the 2018 public space renovation of Alpine Avenue in McMinnville, Oregon. Beginning with a summarized case study introduction, this thesis will proceed with a literature review defining and exploring creative placemaking. Lastly, I will examine findings from community interview responses and propose recommendations stemming from collected data. At its core, both the investigation and synthesis of this thesis aim to explore how places are made, and in the future, how the design process might strengthen (and not displace) local communities. Further, this thesis will contribute to the recognition of creative placemaking in academe- informing those outside the field on the potential for arts and culture to build better places. Specifically, this document proposes creative placemaking and arts-based research as a way for planners to address barriers in community participation through creative means.