Using St. Louis Virtual City Website to Examine Urban Ecology

Using St. Louis Virtual City Website to Examine Urban Ecology
Changes in the Urban Landscape in St. Louis during the 1950’s
Student Instructions

In completing this assignment you will gain a better understanding of the relationship people (in this case citizens of St. Louis) have to their urban environment and the ways in which various changes can impact their everyday lives. You will then be able to consider the ways in which you are affected on a daily basis by political and economic changes in your neighborhood. You will create your own “Bond Issue” that will cover the issues you personally feel will create a better place to live and work.

Instructions:

Use your textbook to locate the definition and examples of urban ecology. Explain the concept in your own words.
Go to the St. Louis Virtual City website and click on 1950’s decade. View “statistical information”. Take notes on changes in the population from the 50-60’s.
Click onto Site Index and view some of the following sites, taking notes on the issues covered.

Traffic problems and solution
Progress or decay?
Retail sales in downtown dropped
Stadium Arena development plan
Stix opening suburban store
Mill Creek perspectives

Break into groups and answer the following questions as best as you can using the information you found on the website:

Who were the residents of the communities slated demolition?
Were there valid reasons the communities should have been saved? Do you believe it was better in the long run to destroy them?
According to the population statistics, who was moving to the county? Which segments of the population were growing in the city…in the county?
Based on the 1955 Bond Issue, what issues were given the highest priority?
Discuss the positive and negative points of living the city and the county.

As a group, create a “Bond Issue” for University City including elements you believe are critical for a productive and healthy community. Your Bond Issue should include those issues which reflect areas of concern and change in your community. Include changes that would (1) make University City a better
place in which to live and work and (2) encourage people to stay here rather than move to West County.