parshall thesis document2 12.16.10

8/7/2019 parshall thesis document2 12.16.10

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PARSHALL...looking toward the future in rural america



PARSHALL...looking toward the future in rural America

A design thesis submitted to theDepartment of Architecture and Landscape Architecture

of North Dakota State University

By

Michael Van Beek

________________________________primary thesis advisor

________________________________thesis comittee chair



permission rights

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signature_____________________________ date_____________



ABSTRACT 9PROBLEM STATEMENT 11STATEMENT OF INTENT 13NARRATIVE 14USER/CLIENT 15MAJOR ELEMENTS 16

SITE INFORMATION 17EMPHASIS 18PLAN FOR PROCEEDING 19STUDIO EXPERIENCE 20PREMIS RESEARCH 22-31

TYPOLOGY RESULTS 32HISTORICAL CONTEXT 33CASE STUDIES 35-39GOALS 40SITE ANALYSIS 41-45

PROGRAMATIC REQUIRMENTS 46REFERENCES 47 APPENDIX 48



abstract

Globally, nationally and locally many rural centers have, and are,being subjected to a sort of dissinvestment similar to that of fail-ing urban centers. These Rural areas, although starkly differentin terms of scale and adjacency, share common goals and chal-lenges with their urban counterparts. Currently, there is a multi-tude of data related to urban dissinvestment, and theory on howto solve the problem. This Thesis leverages both urban theoryand new housing technology to begin answering the question of how to make rural communities; especially Parshall ND, vibrant.



problem statement.

Across the globe rural areas are slowly losing a war of attrition. Large-ly due to advances in production technology, the cumulative effects of out-migration, and relatively higher levels of pay in urban areas; smallagrarian centers are becoming less attractive as places for develop-ment. With negligible development many small communities are find-ing it difficult to maintain both population, and the services requiredfor remaining individuals. This multifaceted dilemma of emigration

translates into dissinvestment; some of which cannot be remmedied.Even so, some rural centers including Parshall, still have the possi-bility of being viable, but many times, community and quality of life;two of the small town’s most amiable characteristics, find it difficult tocoexist with constictive, antiquated, or nonexistant policy of spendingand community development.



statement of intent

typology: Community Development

By implementing aspects of urban theory, expanding upon the at-tractive socioeconomic features of the small town, and respond-ing to specific local characteristics, Parshall, and other well situ-ated rural communities can ensure a vibrant future.

The general structure of a small town is well suited to walkable

design. It has been proven that this perspective regarding thefunction of infrasturcture fosters vibrant, efficient and viable com-munity centers.

To those susceptible to the detrimental elements of urban living,small communities can present a comfortable and secure placeto live.

In many rural centers cost of living is relatively low when com-pared to similar development patterns; these factors make com-fort and stability possible.

Parshall’s unique characteristics provide authentic Identity andthe opportunity for greater pride among its residents.

The current physical, economic, and social situation of commu-nities within the adjacency of the baken formation presents theopportunity for these communities invest in the future.

There is a correlation between the hollowing core in urban Amer-

ica and the current challenges faced in rural communities. Byborrowing from the multitude of data related to urban issues andcapitalizing on unique aspects of rural living small towns such as

Parshall poise themselves for the future.

conclusion:

premises:

claim:



thesis proposal

narrative

It is evident that a recent and stark shift of has oc-curred in our way of living as relics of the past aremingled with the standards of the present. Elementsof rural places still exist but not at the scale that wasonce necessary to fuel our booming country. Theseplaces are smaller, atrophied due to increased effi-ciency of production and the draw of urban life. Canpieces of places can carry out the necessary func-

tion the whole once did? The digestion of small town America is not only difficult on its residents but alsofor our nation, there is valuable shared history lost inthe process.Regions and the places within them are required tochange in order to be viable, but lessons of our na-tions past have shown that change without foresightis a recipe for destruction. There are many factors toweigh and difficult choices to make in this processbecause capitalistic economy is as ruthless as thelaw of nature.

There is competition for resources, industry andultimately the population to remain viable. Parshall,ND like many other similarly sized towns of the stateis within this struggle. To survive these communitiesmust find a way of conforming to the current econ-omy and way of life technology has imposed, but,must not lose who they are in the process.



user/client description

Parshall, NDDemographics

population: 1,073

Race: Native American 54.5%

White 41.8%Other 3.8%

median age: 32.7

School enrollment: 282

Educational Attainment:No H.S. Degree 26.9%Highschool diploma 26.9%

Some college 22.0% Associates degree 9.0%Bachelors degree 12.1%Graduate or Professional 3.1%

Housing:Owner-occupied housing units 56.9%Median value $36,700Renter-occupied housing units 43.1%Median rent $338

Earnings:Median family income $27,222Below poverty level 21.6%



major project elements

New Infrastructure:Recent additions and future growth necessitate updates toexisting elements.

Housing:

Quality affordable living spaces are needed currently, man-ufactured and stick, these must be designed and orientedin a manner that weaves old and new.

Community connectivity:To promote healthy growth community connections thatsupport various modes of travel will be developed.

Town Center:To maintain efficiency and social vitality a healthy commu-

nity core must exist and lend itself to activity, commerce,and communication.

Community Nodes:Secondary informal community gathering points such asschools, town features and public space.



site information

region:

site:

upper midwest

Located in North-central North Dakota 133 milenorth northwest drive from Bismarck, within the FortBerthold reservation, Parshall, ND is positioned onthe periphery of the Bakken oil formation; a geolog-ical formation known for energy and everything thatgoes along with its extraction. New Town; a com-munity of similar size and circumstance, located19 miles west north west is Parshall’s main com-petition for residents, tourism and industry. LakeSakakawea’s Van Hook Arm; a popular fishing andrecreation destination, is located nine miles to thewest, situated between Parshall and New Town.



project emphasis

This project will focus on fusing urbanist ideals,modular low cost housing, and the amiable aspectsof rural living in order to update the built environmentso that it may better cultivate vibrancy and intercon-nectivity among the diverse population of ParshallNorth Dakota.



plan for proceeding:

Theoretical premis/unifying ideaResearch will be done concerning the sociological impacts of rural vs. urban living, the private and national economic sus-tainability of rural life and factors providing stability to vital ruralcenters.

Project typologyCurrent research and methods developed for rural, small com-munity and urban development will be investigated as goodideas can transcend scale.

historical contextCase studies regarding successful and failed rural communitieswill be conducted in order to gain insight on elements distin-guishing the two.

site analysisresearch will be conducted on current economic factors, de-velopment in the area, characteristics of the built environment,ecological data, climate data, soil types, prevailing winds, ect...

Programmatic Requirements:Research will be done concerning the elements necessary forefficient and comfortable small town living.

plan of design methodologyResearch will be conducted on walkable streetscapes and com-munities, main street development, native plant landscapes andsustainable community design.

Plan for documenting the design process

The design process will be documented using a notebook,sketch paper and human/computer interface technology.



studio expericnce

2006 fall Roosevelt Park - Fargo, NDIdeal LandscapeWestside Elementary Design Fargo, ND

2007 springMahnomen Hospital Healing Landscape - Mahnomen, MNValley City Campus Masterplan - Valley City, NDNathan Phillips Square - Toronto, Ontario

2007 fall Cooperstown Park Design - Cooperstown, NDIce Sculpture Installation Project - Fargo

2008 springFarmers Market Siting and Feasibility Study - Fargo, ND

NDSU “Triangle” Neighborhood Masterplan - Fargo, NDJefferson Neighborhood Water Retention Design - Fargo, NDEco Village Design - Fargo, ND

2008 fallSouth Lake Union Masterplan - Seattle, WAUrban Village One - Seattle, WA

2009 springKlai Hall Phytoremediation - Fargo, NDSuperfund Phytoremediation - Leadville, CO

2009 fallRegent Masterplan - Regent, NDRed River Water Conservation Project - Fargo, NDMHA tourism Development - Whitshield, ND



thesis program



theoretical premis research

Rural communitiesand the thinking of Leon Krier

“If one day, for some mysterious reason all thebuildings, settlements, suburbs and structures builtafter 1945... vanished from the face of the earth,would we mourn their loss?” In Architecture choice

or fate Leon Krier lays out a theoretical argumentfor why and how the stucture of human settlementhas devolved to its current state. The concepts dis-cussed in this volume are geared toward an urbansetting, though, a large amount of Krier’s Designtheory is relevant to small communites, as this is thepattern of development he advocates for within theurban context.

In the words of Krier “a city is not an accident but

the result of coherent visions and aims” This state-ment is universal, and within the context of rural America vision and goals are perhaps more impor-tant than anywhere else. It is helpful to conceptual-ize small towns through the lense of politics: If ruralcommunites were a nation unto themselves theseentities would be considered a direct democracy,understandably, in many cases this is how theyfunction. Because of the mass availabilty of politi-cal expression there is a tangible power wieldedby each citizen and subsequently the possibility of

unfocused fluidity. Due to personal views and theirpossibility of imposing relative chaos, it is impera-tive for small communities to develope a clear andconcise vision from which to guide future decisions.This Vision should not hamper social vibrancy andexpression (two major strengths of rural communi-ties) only provide neccessary aim and coherance.



The tenuous relationship between vibrancy andfocus (two central concepts to successful com-munity) is well understood by Krier. He attempts to

solve this dilema by advocating for a resonable andthoughtful compromise between the polar ieals. Anelegantly sympol quote from Krier exemplifies thistheoretical perspective. “Public space is a void, astructured and structuring void, with specific di-mensions, forms and characteristics.” In the eyesof Krier vibrancy and focus are not mutially exclu-sive, to him focus and structure informs vibrancy;not heavy handedly, but very much like low organsevoke purposeful communal expression among

baseball fans. Placed within the narrowed con-text of street design this principle is illustrated by“un-focused, focused” and “as corridor, as place”.Below is Kriers illustration of the difference betweenstreetscapes executed through bleak utility, andthose with utility that considers humanity.

Insert image p.142



The layout of the street is a means to an obvious

end; efficient movement, but Krier understands per-haps better than anyone, that the value of somethingis not only found in its end. True value is found whenweighing the entire process. This concept of com-munity design is simple but very easily and oftenoverlooked when viewing through the perspective of utilitarianism. Even the most ardant utilitarian wouldunderstand, after years of accumulated experientialattrocities, that the bleak functionality of placelessdevelopment has limited utility.

When considering the Ideas of Krier one finds thathis concepts and fight for “Architectural Humanism”,although crafted as a responce to current trendsof urban growth, have remarkable relevance to thedesign of rural communities. The factors he lists aspivotal to urban development are actually elementalto the small town. Where a large city goes throughhardship and bleakness without “Architectural Hu-manism” a small town lacking the same ceases toexist. Vibrant public space is increadibly necces-

sary to the overall vitality and existance of a smalltown. Given the capacity for and the general extentof travel within the routines of rural folk, It is not faroutside the realm of possibility that these individualswould in fact go elsewhere for services; thus se-verely handicaping the community in which they live.Rural areas need to cultivate a compelling reasonfor individuals within the town to invest in that town;duty works but it only goes so far, people ultimatelycare about convenience, comfort and affordability.Therefore, the design and vision small towns followis of utmost importance, the refinement of place andpublic spaces paramount.



Traditional Neighborhoodsand the viability of Rural America:

Rural America was founded upon the Jeffersonian

grid. These small communities are well served by avision that continues to embrace and refine a ‘triedand true’ foundation for development. Responsiblecommunity development can be generated by thefollowing flow: New or updated spaces and build-ings infill within existing infrastructure, if no spaceexists; new development should follow the patternof ‘Traditional Neighborhood Development’ andnot the spread out suburban archetype, typified bylarge lots, inefficient infrastructure and high levelsof necessary consumption and civic cost. Consider-

ing the perspective of Krier this view does not seemto exist upon an unsettled foundation. An assump-tion drawn from the previous study: ‘the effect of poor development patterns is inversly related to thesize of the development’ becomes easier to justifywhen considering the stark facts of economics.

According to the document Smart Growth & Con-ventional Suburban Development: Which Costs

More? Traditional Neighborhood development

reduces per unit infrastucture costs from 32-47%.These costs are felt much more accutely by the ru-ral community than a city that can spread out costsamong a considerable resident base. According tothe previously cited document, Traditional Neigh-borhood Development (TND) is composed of thefollowing factors:

1. Compact form with a distinct edge yielding largecontiguous preserved open space;2. Mixing of land uses;

3. Complete neighborhoods proportioned generallyaccording to 5 minutes walking distance;



4. Grid network of interconnected streets with short,walkable blocks and multiple route choices;5. Alleys with garage access and rear garbagepickup;

6. On street parking & shared parking strategies toreduce parking lot size7. Community parks, squares, and open spacesfaced by the fronts of buildings and located withinwalking distance of residential homes.

INSERT ILLUSTRATION OF FRAMEWORK

“The variables discussed in the EPA report includ-ing density, urban form, and impervious area led

to a clear cost savings for TND infrastructure whencompared with that of CSD (conventional suburbandevelopment ). . .the intent of this study is not toimply that the comparative cost savings found herewould necessarily be replicable in every situation.However, the EPA study demonstrated that the costscan always be measured and compared, and theresults showed far greater TND infrastructure costsavings than expected when compared to conven-tional suburban infrastructure costs.” -Smart Growth

& Conventional Suburban Development: Which

Costs More?

Generally rural communities do not deal with highlevels of growth, but, this does not mean that build-ings will not be updated and infrastructural improve-ments will not be made. Given the law of nature;‘something must evolve to meet new challengesor suffer extinction’, it is necessary for these com-munities to adopt a vision congruent with each’srespective needs and the fluctuating impositions of

it’s context. TND seems well suited to meet the re-quirement. Small towns are historically laid out in theTND manner; the infrastructure costs less, provideswalkability and charm, access to nearby services,good public space, and ultimately fosters strongcommunity ties.



When looking into the views of planners dealingwith rural communities it becomes evedent that thecase for increased regulation within these devel-

opments is justified. The following is a statementfound on cyburbia.org a leading planning forum:

“case in point, and I have 3 of these ( problems)- the 3-4 generation family accumulating ( refuse)all over the property, old trucks, tires, appliances,no gravel for the driveway, just mud; nobody bugsthem for years. enter family of 4 settling down toMaine from a major metropolitan area, builds a nicestick-built shingle-style, quintessential Maine house,

so nice... then after taking occupancy, upon hear-ing mad dogs barking, people yelling, Bud canseverywhere, comes into my office and (voices their complaints)”

The comment speaks volumes to why rural com-munities need vision to guide leadership, not onlyin future matters but those related to present qualityof life concerns. It is cruel that in some cases thosewith the greatest need secure the least help, butsuch is the case with planning in rural areas. One

way TND works to remedy situations related to theabove comment is by limiting the amount of privatespace available to negligent management. Apathetic management is another measurable fac-tor within the greater economic viability of Smalltown America. Just like numerous other casesstated previously; a piece of a small whole is largerwithin a small entity than it is within a large entity.This fact holds true to disinvestment. Within a largesettlement areas of blight are deleterious to the cityas a whole, but, these areas can be quarantinedand in effect, logically segmented from the whole.Within a small town there is no perceptible vacuousspace within which to throw problem areas; howev-er unfair, the weakest link reflects most poorly uponthe next largest system, this system in a small townis the town itself.



Communityand other maketable factors of Rural Towns

It is neccessary for leaders to understand the popu-lations needed to support certain services. An alltoo attractive pitfall for small communities is invest-ing resources in areas that the current communitycannot support. If it is realized after-the-fact that anindustry is not economically viable the communityis dealt a traummatic, sometimes leathal blow as,generally, the sort of competition neccessary toovercome failure is not existant within these areas.

Therefore, Small towns need to push for advance-ment in logical areas, those that play well into thehand they are dealt. “Research suggests that densi-ties of seven units per acre or higher are needed tosupport a small corner store; a small supermarketrequires 18 units per acre.” (Creating Great Com-munities) this statement may be gleaned from datarelated to larger developments; due to the relativelack of competition, rural services require slightlyless density, although, there is a universal truth tothe research. Services require a pool of consumers

to provide neccessary day to day cash flow in orderto remain feasible. The concept appears obvious butgiven the increadible difficulty start-up businesseshave with proffitability, and the significance of thesefailures relative to the possible downfall of a commu-nity, it cannot be overstated.

“Although less than seven per-cent of the county’sland area is high-density development, it generates33 percent of the county’s real estate taxes” (Cre-ating Great Communities) this is crucial to ruralcenters, they must create value and capitalize ontheir attractive, elemental features: three of whichare community, identity and adjacency to nature;increased density benefits all of these features andlikewise brings rural communities closer to solvency.



“subdivisions grow up without any town center, any cornerstore or any sense of community.”(Creating Great Neighbor-hoods) The scenario alluded to in the previous statement isnot possible in functioning rural centers, and thus is a criticaldefensable characteristic for these communities to fall backon, and cultivate vitality from.

Suburban developments struggle with creating true identity,and often fall prey to ‘manufactured individualism’. The fewdifferences that are in favor of rural communities need to beexpanded upon with ruthless precision, a town simply cannotcompete with the city in a large number of areas; and it doesnot need to, as long as it capitalizes upon strengths.

Development of true community Identityinsert text here --->

community vs. urban alienation“we find that urban residence is associated with percievedpowerlessness... even when we adjust for sociodemographiccharacteristics, a small effect of urban residence on subjectivepowerlessness remains.” (A New Look at Urban Alienation) According to the previously stated article: “People who reportliving in a disordered neighborhood have significantly higherlevels of perveived powerlessness, in small part because theylack social ties with neighbors”(commentary on above text)

Adjacency to nature As American culture has evolved nature and the outdoorshave become less of an influence in our daily lives. Childrenare spending less time participating in natural play and morein structured activities. As stated in the introduction of LastChild in the Woods Richard Louv 2008 “Our society is teach-ing young people to avoid direct experience in nature. Thatlesson is delivered in schools, families, even organizationsdevoted to the outdoors, and codified into the legal and regu-latory structures of many of our communities.” According to Louv most children today don’t experience thenatural world the same way previous generations have. Louvbreaks down the changing American perception of nature interms of stages of the changing frontier.From the formation of the United States to the closing of thecontiguous frontier in the late 1800’s Americans generallyviewed nature through the lens of “direct utilitarianism”. Dur-ing this period the wilderness was seen as something to betamed, individuals were to battle the frontier and master theelements.



During this formative period in American history therelationship between the nation and the frontier didmuch to define our countries’ character. As the Fron-tier closed in the late 1800’s popular culture beganto romanticize ‘The Fontiersman’. Individuals suchas Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir talked of theimportance of nature and promoted the preservationof natural wonders. The actions of these individu-als and others created an environment that fosteredand preserved an inextricable connection between Americans and the natural world. In today’s connected, information driven world “ro-mantic attachment” seems to be slowly slipping andwe are finding ourselves in a position of “electronicdetachment”. According to Louv this detachment

is facilitated by several factors the most significantof which are increasingly intellectualized views of nature and the growing urban population. In additionto the changing nature of day to day life a nation thatonce celebrated ‘rugged individualism’ and Emerso-nian transcendentalism seems to be succeeding atmaking these powerful existential experiences lessaccessible. Fear of lawsuits and injury combinedwith well intentioned heavy handed parenting hasdrastically limited children’s access outdoor areasand natural play opportunities. This situation trans-

lates into more time spent in sterile environmentsutilizing electronics and other less creative forms of play.

Authorities are beginning to quantify the coloquiallyheld belief that ‘nature does children good’. Re-cent studies show an immutable correlation betweechildren who are deficient in creative natural playand the likelihood of these individuals suffering fromdevelopmental issues, depression, ADHD and learn-

ing disabilities.



Although the vast majority of current research isrelated to nature and childhood there is the multi-tude of worthwhile; albeit sentimental, writings of the 19th century American romantics devoted todefining the importance of nature in personal devel-opment, maintenance and fulfillment.

Residents of rural America benefit from their adja-cency to nature, this is, in many respects a majorreason individuals immigrate to or justify being insparsely populated areas. A central goal for smallcommunities is to strike the right balance of Com-munity, and protection of natural play opportunities.It is difficult to meet a compromise between twoseemingly mutually exclusive characteristic but it isneccessary to the success of communities and the

health of those who live within them.

Research on historic native development pat-terns? - where do i get this catherine?

theoretical study synthesized.

COMMENTS ON COUNTERINTUITIVE COM-

PACT DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL CENTERS



Results from Typology Research

The various typologies related to the design of and stra-tegic plan for Parshall ND are as follows: Hybridized new

urbanist style development or (TND) pattern, retrofitted foruse with modular housing within the rural context, and Thedevelopmental framework set forth in ‘Beginning AgainNorth Dakota’ (BAND) Through the analysis of New Urbanist and TND style of development it became evident that there are certainqualities of these models that do not translate from theurban to rural context. That being said, underlying designsensitivities laid out in the previous analysis of; the writ-ings of Leon Krier, research on TND and the case study forOrenco Station have universal utility. Significant areas of correlation include: the new urbanist ideal of open spacecreation, development of character, the necessary genera-tion of critical mass/density at which local services andinfrastructure are increasingly viable, and finally, the em-phasis on humanistic/experiential qualities of the built en-vironment. With the given analysis of the data it becomesquite clear that a retrofitted Traditional Style Development / New urbanism is far better suited to updating Parshall,ND than the sprawl archetype found in Casselton.

Upon considering Strategic Plans covered within the casestudies of Tower City and Wallhalla it became clear thatthe plans for these towns were executed quite differently,and rightfully so. Each community has different charac-teristics and BAND: (an extremely relevant document)presents a framework from which to cultivate the under-standing and capitalization of unique elements within arural community. Through the strategic plan it becomesevident that Walhalla: a town located in western NorthDakota, has much more in common with Parshall than

Tower City North Dakota, located in eastern ND. Despitethe commonality of Tower City and Walhalla: similar sizeand region, the direct adjacency and history of these de-velopments does much to form individuality as such, ruralcommunities in search of increased vitality should not bepainted with a broad brush, Parshall especially, cannot ig-nore its uniqueness as a community if it does the solutionfound will be grossly inadequate.



Parshall ND is located in north central North dakota,

on the periphery of the Fort Berthold Mandan Hidatsa Arikara (MHA) reservation. The MHA reservation hasa past none too different from the quintessecial nativeamerican experience. To describe events with relativebrevity: land was taken from the tribe slowly and delib-erately until a static establishment was formed at ‘Likea Fish Hook Village’. Upon the completion of the Gar-rison Dam water innundated the remnants of the vil-lage and relocated the members of the tribe to higherground. (more on relevant history specific to parshall)

Western North Dakota, the region with the greatest in-fluence upon West Central ND is currently in the midstof an expansive energy boom. This process requires amassive overhaul of existing infrastucture and injectsinordinate amounts of capital and population into anotherwise spacely populated, range dominated region.This Influx although helpful to the overall state econo-my presents logistical challenges to and neccessitatessizeable investment within the affected region.

Currently Parshall ND has a significant racial mix of near 50, 50 Caucasean to Native American residents.This Racial divide along with the town’s location withinthe periphery of the reservation, the MHA affiliatedtribe’s progressive stance, and the context of oil andgas development within the greater reservation helpsto make Parshall, ND well situated for the developmentof a thoughtful and progressive design and strategicplan. Other Projects dealing with similar issues in-clude: the stategic plans for Tower City and WalhallaND covered briefly in the “case studies” protion of the

document although a clear framework or study for thedevelopment of a Rural Community with the specificcharacteristics of Parshall, ND is not readily available.

historical context



Orenco StationOrenco Station is a 156 acre area planned for 1,830 dwellings.The development has a gross density of about 12 dwellingsper acre. Orenco Station is located in Hillboro, Oregon a com-munity just west or Portland. The development consists of 9%open space, 37% residential, 24% commercial, 3% mixed use 2%civic/industry.

Although this ‘town’ is located on the urban periphery what itstrives to create is what a strong rural community needs in orderto function, character, open space, relative density and subse-quent community vitality. There will be less neccessary density asmovement patterns are different and Parshall is not a bedroomcommunity that needs to make public transit viable. It is helpful tocontrast the ‘new urbanist’ style with what is neccessary for ruralcommunities as there are things to be learned from data in thearea of the relevant overlap.

case studies



Tower City, NDHighlights of the strategic plan for Tower City, ND created using theframework of “Beginning again North Dakota”

Goal 1: To create a good first impression by developing attractive and

welcoming areas for people to enjoy.Improve the aesthetics of the I-94 exchange to invite interest in our community.expand and enhance the city park...

increase pride and community through flowers and welcome banners...

Goal 2: Create a thriving business sector by preserving and fostering in-terest in existing businesses while inviting new businessesto our communityencourage support of local business...support and increase interest in our communityinvite new businesses to buildcreate an airport



Walhalla, NDHighlights of the strategic plan for Tower City, ND created using the frame-work of “Beginning again North Dakota”

VISION: Walhalla is a community...- characterized by welcoming neighborhoods and belonging - that embrac-es its heritage and beauty - that is well planned, environmentally sensitive,w/ equal access plentiful rec. and culture - with integrated technology utilityand transport networks - developing partnerships of citizens, business &

education communities for a stong base - that offers ample employment andbusiness - encourages public involvement

Goal 1: stimulate and stabilize local economyretain support and expand local businessessupport new industry and businessGoal 2: Increase tourism in the areadevelop natural resourcesimprove first impression of the communitygenerate and support tourism businessadopt a business climate that capitalizes on tourism

develope advertising and marketing consistent with ongoing developmentGoal 3: Improve city infrastuctureremove and refurbish building citywideestablish spring cleanup programencourage ciry government to educate and enforce city ordinances



Casselton, NDIs a town currently dealing with an influx of new housing. Dueto its status as a bedroom community to Fargo and somewhatdifferent economic class of user it is dealing with growth factorsthat are not truly representative of Parshall, ND. The current formof growth and the relative similarity of size between the two com-munities are the factors to be considered. Casselton is currentlya good example of small town growth gone wrong due to marketpressures. Parshall would be well served by inacting a vision thatdoes not have a place within it for this style of infrastructure. Asstated previously, sprawl style development is more economically

and socially damaging to the rural town than the suburb is to thecity.



Goals for the Thesis Project

To create a functional document and visualizationfor parshall and its future.

To form a couple novel concepts related to thefuture of development on the reservation and ruralareas.

To find a workable version of TND / New Urbanist

style developmental design for Rural areas.

To eventually make catherine proud of me and revelin the glory of successful albeit delayed achieve-ment which will slightly soothe current woundedpride.



site analysis

SITE OF EXPANSION

IMAGE LOCATIONS



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programmatic requirements

not sure yet. not sure if I will ever be as a strate-gic plan / design visualization is sort of a ‘livingdocument’ much like the constitution and myconstitution.



references

‘Architecture choice or fate’-leon krier

‘Beginning Again North DakotaAn Asset Based Development Program for Rural Communities

Using a Community Capitals Framework’-Gary A. Goreham, Kathleen Tweeten, Coutney D Taylor andBrian FierNorth Dakota State University

‘A New Look at Urban Alienation: The Effect of Neighborhood Disorder on Percieved Powerlessness’-Karlyn J. Geis, Catherine E. RossThe Ohio State University

Creating Great Neighborhoods: Density In your community -US EPA

Smart Growth & Conventional Suburban Development:

Which Costs More? An infrastructure case study completed for the EPA-Johnathan Ford, PEMorris Beacon Design

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder -Richard Louv

Skinny Streets and Green Neighborhoods: Design for Environ- ment and Community

-Cynthia Girling and Ronald Kellett



program appendix



design documentation

parshall thesis document2 12.16.10

Documents

Transcript of parshall thesis document2 12.16.10