Patterns of Incremental Transformation: Fostering Kinship and Generosity in Seattle Residential Neighborhoods

Abstract

The current practices of planning, design, and development of neighborhoods do not foster the creation of kinship in communities and do not sufficiently address the inherent nuances of place. Neighborhood ecosystems should be viewed through a lens of kinship, where the patterns of a place guide its incremental transformation and encourage the creation of generous places to live, for both humans and all other living beings that we share this world with. We must change the way we see neighborhoods, the way we plan and prescribe their design, and how we build them if we are to create lasting and resilient communities that truly foster connection and generosity in our world. This thesis design project examines the ecosystem of neighborhoods in Seattle, Washington, and searches for patterns of place that might inform their incremental transformation.