The Ephemeral Anatomy of the Starlite Swap Meet
2009
2009
Featured on the American Planning Association's website and resources archive, The Ephemeral Anatomy of the Starlite Swap Meet documents the workings of Starlite Swap Meet and comments on its relevance to contemporary urban planning and community development. The diagrams created communicate findings illustrating the swap meet’s many components and its relationship with adjacent and nearby and comparable entities.
Occupying what otherwise would be a vacant lot, the swap meet is a "place" upon the arrival of the people who occupy it on its weekends. It also houses what can be considered a true shopping center, whose "retailer" variation and livelihood are perhaps nearly comparable to that of the brick and mortar establishments located in nearby neighborhoods. Despite only being occupied two days out of the week, the space sustains a strong following, and attracts many to its temporary "streets" and lively "public" sphere. It has continually retained such a large following that opposition from health and safety officials with legitimate and justifiable concerns, has been relatively easily overcome.
A copy of the paper can be found here.
More images documenting the Starlite Swap Meet can be found here.
Occupying what otherwise would be a vacant lot, the swap meet is a "place" upon the arrival of the people who occupy it on its weekends. It also houses what can be considered a true shopping center, whose "retailer" variation and livelihood are perhaps nearly comparable to that of the brick and mortar establishments located in nearby neighborhoods. Despite only being occupied two days out of the week, the space sustains a strong following, and attracts many to its temporary "streets" and lively "public" sphere. It has continually retained such a large following that opposition from health and safety officials with legitimate and justifiable concerns, has been relatively easily overcome.
A copy of the paper can be found here.
More images documenting the Starlite Swap Meet can be found here.
