Compare and contrast the proposed contemporary state of social, cultural and economic development of Lithuanian rural settlements, the major reasons for decaying historical buildings, and the proposed benefits of historic site restoration in Lituana to what you observed in Mart, Texas.
Karvelytė-Balbierienė, V., Mlinkauskiene, A., & Gražuleviciute-Vileniške, I. (2009). The Present State of the Built Historic Environment of Lithuanian Rural Settlements and Its Potential for Sustainable Socioeconomic Development (Case of Sudovia Region). Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference: Rural Development; 2009, Vol. 4 Issue 1, p61-67, 7p
There are actually many similarities between Lithuanian rural settlements and Mart, Texas, in regards to the topic of built historic environment of rural settlements and their potential for sustainable socioeconomic development. Socio-economically, both are experiencing an "ageing of the population". Economically, both communities are experiencing a "lack of diversification of businesses", unemployment, and poverty. Both communities are also struggling to thrive culturally. The article cited above mentions the deagrarization of rural Lithuanian rural settlements as a major reason for a decrease in inhabitants and thus increase in socioeconomic and cultural problems. At this point, I don't know if the same is true for Mart, Texas...if it was once a booming agricultural community. This is something we can learn more about during a subsequent trip there.
I would also guess that the reasons for decaying historical buildings are also similar in comparison. The above cited article mentions 5 major reasons for decaying historical buildings in rural Lithuania:
1) abandonment, lack of maintenance, and low quality repair works 2) preservation problems of wooden buildings 3) inappropriate use 4) inaccessibility to society and 5) ownership problems (Karvelytė-Balbierienė et al., 2009).
Our whirlwind tour of Mart during our initial visit provided me with some background understanding of ownership problems that are comparable to rural Lithuanian settlements. The article explains that ownership problems are apparent in most post-soviet countries because private ownership was abolished and then restored. It describes one property that is owned by two main and several minor owners. This poses a challenge because it is difficult for all owners to agree on what should become of the property. Conversely, in Mart, we learned that several of the historic buildings are owned by the same family which creates a monopoly regarding the possible restoration of the buildings.
The proposed benefits also mirror eachother. "Renewal and reuse of the built historic environment can lead to socioeconomic rehabilitation of previously declining depopulated areas" (Karvelytė-Balbierienė et al., 2009). What is true for rural Lithuania is also true for Mart: the preservation "can contribute to and enhance the entrepreneurship, sustainable tourism, diversification of economic activities, and innovation" (Karvelytė-Balbierienė et al., 2009). Developing the Co-op in Mart to become a place where artists and crafts people can gather to CREATE can also become an economic opportunity by showcasing art. With the support of micro financing, the efforts of the artists could even reach beyond art openings and become a viable opportunity for income. I can't help but compare the up and coming art community in Mart to that of Marfa Texas. What was once a sleep little town in West TX is now a sleepy little town with an undenialbe constant creative buzz...It is still a quiet little town, but there's something in the air. I can imagine Mart becoming an artist destination too!
This study examined whether or not urban community gardens are perceived as spacess in which people of different races can successfully integrate and benefit from community gardens, using a case study in St. Louis. Compare and contrast how this concept applies to a poverty-stricken, racially-divided southern, rural location such as Mart, Texas.
Glover, T.D., Parry, D.C., Shinew, K.J. (2004). Leisure Spaces as Potential Sites for Interracial Interaction: Community Gardens in Urban Areas. Journal of Leisure Research. Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 336-355.
This concept also applies to poverty-stricken, racially-divided, southern, rural areas such as Mart, Texas. The study asserts that "finding ways to improve race relations is an important societal issue" (Glover, T.D., et al, 2004). One approach posits that an increase in positive contact between different racial groups will have a positive impact on their attitudes and behaviors towards one another. The study goes on to say that while little empirical work has been conducted to test the theory that community gardens are effective sources for bridging the gap between racially diverse groups...those conducting the study "on no accession" witnessed the interracial contact actually "leading to more negative racial attitudes" (Glover, T.D., et al, 2004).
The message I take from this, keep working together!!! From our limited time in Mart, it was pretty evident that it is still a racially-divided community in many ways. For example, we met with board members of the public library during our visit, all of whom were white. With that being said, I think any type of community activity that offers the opportunity for integration and improvement of community spaces is positive.
The author discusses how the “Barbie” image serves as a global agent in shaping women’s ideas of beauty and presents the particular interpersonal and socioeconomic consequences of this image in Nigeria. Compare and contrast this to the particular needs of young African American girls in Mart. How does the “global” discussion mask the intra-country need for discourse on the topic?
Okafor, Chinyere G. (2007). Global encounters: 'Barbie' in Nigerian Agbogho-mmuo mask context. Journal of African Cultural Studies, Vol. 19 Issue 1, p37-54, 18p
During our initial visit to Mart, we didn't interact with any of the children and adolescents, but I imagine their needs are similar to young people anywhere. Cultural enrichment programs set the stage for young people to tap into their roots for greater understanding and appreciation for where they came from. This project pulls from the curriculum of "Sisters of Nia", which is all about cultural enrichment, leadership, building self-esteem, and providing the opportunity to work with positive role-models. From a very young age, we are bombarded with images of what women should look like and behave like. While Barbie is an iconic symbol related to many of our childhoods, she too provides young girls with an unrealistic image of what women should look like. I'm not sure that I understand the final question, because I don't think that the global discussion really obscures the discourse within our own country on this topic. (???) I think that there is a discourse regarding the affects on young girls that such a depiction fosters. In the states, we have so many Barbie-like figures shown to us through various types of media everyday. So, the intra-country discourse goes beyond the detrimental affects of Barbie.
This study examined 2 different approaches to participatory rural development in terms of effectiveness, efficiently and sustainability in North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan. Compare and contrast the types participatory rural development in this province to what we can expect in Mart. While the article in based more on wide-scale initiatives to capital formation and capacity building, you should focus on the participatory elements. How are we going about involving Mart citizens in terms of institutional and capacity building?
Shah, Iqtidar Ali (2009). People's Participation in Rural Development Projects in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan: A Comparative Review and Analysis of Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) and Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP). African & Asian Studies; 2009, Vol. 8 Issue 1/2, p175-184, 10p
What I was able to take from this article were several "keys to success" noted as successful vehicles in participatory rural development in NWFP Pakistan. These elements also translate to how we might go about involving the citizens of Mart. The first key is to remain FLEXIBLE. "Flexibility of design and implementation" is crucial (Shah, Iqtidar Ali,2009). A rigid approach towards participatory development will not serve the project well, and we should keep this in mind during our time in Mart. The citizens are the experts (much like in social work when we say 'the client is the expert'), and in order to be successful, we have to have some faith in the process. By this I mean that, it's okay to make mistakes along the way. The process of development might get "messy", but so long as we are able to take something from these experiences and continue moving forward, we're headed in the right direction.
Another "key to success" from the article which is that, "a process oriented model is more compatible to the local socio-cultural environment" and can more readily lead to "good institutional development" compared to a "blueprint approach" (Shah, Iqtidar Ali,2009). A process oriented model is more likely to tap into local norms and values than the blueprint approach. This is an important element for sustainability. A question that I had after reading this article was, How do we sustain participation?
This article presents findings based on fieldwork, and individual and group interviews in a rural community that has succeeded in turning depression into optimism and vitality through processes of image construction whereby Fjærland, Norway was re-created as an image of being a small, quiet and picturesque book town. Compare and contrast both the process and the results to what is happening and could emerge as a result of the new income generation projects and community rejuvenation projects at the new Co-Op in Mart or as a result of the Mapping Project.
Jostein, V. & Villa, M (2010). Books, Branding and Boundary Objects: On the Use of Image in Rural Development (Norway). Sociologia Ruralis; Apr2010, Vol. 50 Issue 2, p156-170,(15p)
Expressions of new realities... this is what the rural community in Norway and Mart have in common. New realities are being shaped through visual art. Through the visual art projects in Mart, people with different interest, identities, and ideas are working together. The article asserts that this mobilization of such cooperative efforts is at the heart of rural community development.
The article is also very honest in stating that it is often the images that shock and awe us that gain attention. With that in mind, it also mentions that it's important to consider the effects that the images could have on future realities. While the image should be clear, it should also be open to multiple interpretations in order to speak to a broad range of people.
The community in Norway includes a success story of a town that re-branded itself to increase optimism and rejuvenate the citizens of the floundering fjord. Similarly, the citizens of Mart could experience a revitalization through projects such as the new income project at the Co-op. Providing a space where artists can exercise their entrepreneurial spirit is a very exciting prospect! In addition, the virtual mapping project could entice potential visitors by highlighting various sites and businesses in Mart.
And finally, the article reminds us that you can't please everyone all the time. The example from the article includes mention that though some citizens didn't "really care too much for the book town as a concept, as such it was considered a good thing" (Jostein, V. & Villa, M 2010). Ultimately, it attracted people and activities to the community. The same may be true in Mart. For example, during our visit we learned that not many people were excited by the prospect of a mosaic mural on a business front, but once they saw the finished product (at the Mart Co-op), many wanted to learn more about how they too could get involved and maybe even create a mosaic of their own!
Expressions of new realities... this is what the rural community in Norway and Mart have in common. New realities are being shaped through visual art. Through the visual art projects in Mart, people with different interest, identities, and ideas are working together. The article asserts that this mobilization of such cooperative efforts is at the heart of rural community development.
The article is also very honest in stating that it is often the images that shock and awe us that gain attention. With that in mind, it also mentions that it's important to consider the effects that the images could have on future realities. While the image should be clear, it should also be open to multiple interpretations in order to speak to a broad range of people.
The community in Norway includes a success story of a town that re-branded itself to increase optimism and rejuvenate the citizens of the floundering fjord. Similarly, the citizens of Mart could experience a revitalization through projects such as the new income project at the Co-op. Providing a space where artists can exercise their entrepreneurial spirit is a very exciting prospect! In addition, the virtual mapping project could entice potential visitors by highlighting various sites and businesses in Mart.
And finally, the article reminds us that you can't please everyone all the time. The example from the article includes mention that though some citizens didn't "really care too much for the book town as a concept, as such it was considered a good thing" (Jostein, V. & Villa, M 2010). Ultimately, it attracted people and activities to the community. The same may be true in Mart. For example, during our visit we learned that not many people were excited by the prospect of a mosaic mural on a business front, but once they saw the finished product (at the Mart Co-op), many wanted to learn more about how they too could get involved and maybe even create a mosaic of their own!
"I can't help but compare the up and coming art community in Mart to that of Marfa Texas. What was once a sleep little town in West TX is now a sleepy little town with an undenialbe constant creative buzz...It is still a quiet little town, but there's something in the air. I can imagine Mart becoming an artist destination too!"
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the exact same thing about Mart and Marfa! It was hard for me to imagine how we were going to get the Mart community to rally around the idea of Mart as an art center because of its rural setting, then I remembered Marfa and thought "well, I guess anything is possible!"
"A question that I had after reading this article was, How do we sustain participation?"
ReplyDeleteThis is a compelling and difficult question central to our project. One place to look would be the demographic breakdown of the city per the 2000 census.
"In the city the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older."
In a very informal and unscientific comparison aided by Wikipedia, the demographic breakdown of a non-distressed, rural Texan community, Dripping Springs, reads: "In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. "
One stark contrast between the two is the amount of people aged 22 to 44. In Dripping Springs, nearly a third of their population falls into this bracket; whereas, in Mart, only a fifth of the population is aged 22 to 44.
This lines up with anecdotal testimony that many youth leave Mart to larger cities in order to pursue education or trade. They pursue employment elsewhere, and do not return to Mart. This is also a consisted trend expected of a distressed community. Perhaps engaging minors aged less than 18 and youth in their twenties, could long-term sustainability be progressed.
One common response we heard when our group asked local community members, "Why have things not changed since desegregation?" One simple answer, "Many of the people from that time have died." Educating youth regarding the importance of their local community could generate interest at an early age and perhaps bring educated and talented individuals back to Mart who would otherwise leave. One clear example of this theory put into practice are the technology workshops implemented in Mart schools over the summer where local teens created movies highlighting important historical sites in their community.