Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Honors Thesis (Colby Access Only)
Department
Colby College. Theater and Dance Dept.
Advisor(s)
Jim Thurston
Second Advisor
Veronica Romero
Third Advisor
Ben Lisle
Abstract
This thesis adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating insights from architecture, urban planning, and psychology, to unravel the intricacies of the built environments within underprivileged communities worldwide. Recognizing architecture’s influence on human behavior, this study explores the unique challenges posed by urban slums, where the built environment plays a pivotal role in shaping residents’ psychosocial experiences. Through case studies of three prominent yet contrasting global slums—Dharavi, Rocinha, and Mathare Valley—this research identifies recurring prevalent architectural patterns across diverse slum contexts. These vernacular components serve as entry points for further analysis to expose the psychosocial consequences of the slum built environment. Consequently, the combination of these insights lays the foundation for developing targeted redevelopment strategies tailored to the unique needs of underprivileged communities. By leveraging a nuanced understanding of slum architecture that considers an understanding of the inter dynamics between the built environment, psychology, and sociology, this research seeks to foster successful urban development initiatives that prioritize the well-being of marginalized populations.
Keywords
Architecture, Urban Planning, Slums
Recommended Citation
Bailey, Elizabeth, "Creating Community Through Architecture: Designing Interventions in Underprivileged Communities" (2024). Honors Theses. Paper 1460.https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/honorstheses/1460