Remaking Post-Industrial Aesthetics through Community Engagement

Abstract

This thesis proposes the use of an aesthetic lens to understand the post-industrial landscape and public engagement on the site. Remediation is often focused on the post-industrial landscape which rarely results in specific aesthetic quality attached to the site. Public engagement and their aesthetic experience with these sites are found to be less documented. This thesis aimed to bridge the gap between public engagement and the aesthetic decision made on the site from the traditional understanding of engagement during the design process, as well as the engagement during the everyday use of the park. Three case studies from the US and international context to understand the public engagement through the aesthetic experience to formulate the proposal. This thesis aims to further the awareness of aesthetic decisions during the design process and provide designers a channel to look at aesthetic education to the public on the disturbed site.