An Irreverent Jab at Analysis Regarding the Notion of Connectivity Reflected in the Urban Landscape The notion of connectivity is pervasive within the urban environment.
The very nature of the urban life revolves around connectivity, whether physical or societal, and manifests itself in different forms based on the demographics of the inhabitants of the environment.
Three specific topics of connectivity must be explored in order to grasp the significance of this concept on urban life.
First, the interconnectedness of people and things in the metropolitan area must be understood by examining the proposed Light Rail system between Minneapolis and St.
Paul.
Next, the impacts that connectivity have on social behaviors is reflected in the interactions between political groups in creating boundaries and hierarchy.
Finally, the changes in connectivity that are brought around by, and bring about, changes in the urban landscape can clearly be seen in the differences in physical connectivity - mass transportation availability - between three census tracts in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.
"Streetcars have sex appeal.
It resonates with folks - developers don't write checks for buses.
" According to Rich Rovang, the Project Director for the Central Corridor Project, the addition of the light rail transit (LRT) line between St.
Paul and Minneapolis will increase connectivity between the two CBDs in the urban area.
However, the LRT system is not without dissenters.
Mr.
Rovang states that the small businesses in the area around the construction zone of the LRT will be negatively impacted during the multi-year construction phase of the project.
In contention is another form of connectivity - the parking and access for customers to the businesses.
Clearly, the LRT system is just the starting point of a larger debate on connectivity and the "fear of the other".
As Mr.
Rovang states, some parties along the proposed LRT line are concerned with the socioeconomic status of the perceived target users of the system.
Yet, the counter argument is that the impoverished group may be able to increase its standard of living by having a wider access to jobs as a result of the LRT system.
With the proposed elimination of the workhorse bus route - the 16 - and replacement by a more timely LRT system, the citizens that live along the proposed route would have more reliable transportation with a regular schedule.
Additionally, Mr.
Rovang mentions the increase in connected bus routes to the LRT stations; these bus routes will allow the LRT to become the hub of a hub and spoke system serving the population that either cannot afford or chooses not to utilize a car as a primary form of transit and allow them to efficiently travel throughout the Twin Cities.
However, beyond physical connectivity, there is an invisible force, societal connectivity, that drives large change in city politics and social interactions between people.
"The Los Angeles riots were not caused by the Rodney King verdict.
The Los Angeles riots were caused by rioters.
" As the American genius Rush Limbaugh clearly believes, the riots in Chicago were the fault of the rioters.
There is some truth in this statement as there were other channels of connectivity through which the community could have advocated for its views.
However, connectivity is more than a single way - the fault for the riots also lays on the side of the government as communication, a form of connectivity within the social space, broke down due to graft and corruption between its impoverished citizens and the government they elected.
The subsequent riots were a violent display of the clash of boundaries and the action that accompanies the "fear of the other.
" Both sides were afraid of the unknown actions of the other party and became violent in response to the perceived threat.
However, the activists present in the community experienced two distinct sides of connectivity with those in power.
Because of the socioeconomic status and race of the activists, they were present in discussions regarding the outcome of the unrest from an early stage.
Because of this, they wielded potentially unfair power in the negotiations regarding the fate of a community of residents that existed prior to their intervention.
They were seen by the mayor as leaders in the community in part because of their race.
However, their race also caused friction later between the community and themselves as their perceived "in" with the government due to their status became a point of mistrust.
Again, the networks these activists had with the government and the understanding of the legal hierarchy of City Hall, while maintained to benefit the neighborhoods, became a point of controversy used against them when the impoverished population of the neighborhoods realized they were not able to cross that racial boundary and develop connections with City Hall in the same manner.
"The place of the father in the modern suburban family is a very small one, particularly if he plays golf.
" The manifestation of connectivity in the form of mass transportation is realized in three distinct forms in three different census tracts - Eden Prairie, St.
Anthony, and Woodbury.
The importance of mass transportation visually decreases as one moves farther from the CBDs of the Twin Cities towards the wealthier southwest suburbs - the importance of the car increases as distances between locations grow larger, a scenario typically found in the larger sprawl of suburban developments.
For instance, the distance for a resident in EP to public transit is only 0.
34 mi to a bus stop, but over 3.
3 miles to a bus station that will directly transport them downtown.
Compare this to less than a mile to a bus shelter in St.
Anthony and roughly 3 miles to the nearest bus shelter in Woodbury.
Further analysis shows that the number of bus routes passing along each bus shelter is the highest in St.
Anthony, next in Woodbury, and a single bus line in EP.
These bus routes also run at different times and with varying frequency.
For instance, the citizen of EP would have to allocate nearly his entire day to travel to downtown Minneapolis for the appointment.
Further, the trip back is constrained by the hourly bus schedule for the 690, the infrequent 603 connector trips, and the limited bus stops within the CBD of Minneapolis.
An analysis of the connectivity in Eden Prairie, reveals more facts about demographics with regard to connectivity.
The vast majority of citizens own a car and the road system of EP is extensive.
The average income is above the mean within the Minneapolis area, so the standard of living is slightly higher, causing sidewalks to become leisure pathways rather than major transit ways.
Additionally, the shape of roadways is telling in terms of the reliance of public transit.
While St.
Anthony and Minneapolis have more grid streets, the winding roads of EP are not conducive to large bus stops and mass transit.
As can clearly be seen, connectivity is pervasive in both the physical landscape and the social environment in the city.
The very basis of the city is to bring people together, yet this constant contact can also lead to friction between groups.
Connectivity is present in the interconnectedness of people within the urban environment, interactions between political and social groups, and even more clearly in the physical manifestation of mass transit.
As we progress forward in technology, our connectedness only increases with all groups within the city, leaving potential for fear and conflict to arise, but also realizing the increased productivity that may result as we collaborate and interact even more.