In November 2022, the Urban Research Hub conducted its first ever photo contest, providing participants a chance to showcase photos of urban spaces near them. Participants submitted photos reflecting urban spaces that were either underused and in need of being revitalized or that had been revitalized and had benefited the community. Entries were judged by members of the Urban Research Hub and prizes distributed among 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The winning photos are posted below and can also be found on display at the Center for Social Science Research located in Research Hall, Suite 450-463.
The 1st place winner of the Urban Research Hub Photo contest is Karthik Balaji Ramanujam.
Wynwood walls represent an organic character of urban spaces, one that is shaped by human imagination. In 2009, the walls were established to recover the decaying landscape of Wynwood filled with abandoned warehouses. Artists took over the space and utilized graffiti to transform the space into a popular attraction that draws young and vibrant population into the area. Behind this optimistic story, lies the story of gentrification of the working-class districts of Miami, which was predominantly a space of economy and life of people of color. It is important to ask who benefits from the transformations of urban spaces.
The 2nd place winner for the Urban Research Hub Photo contest is Christian Beale.
This image is taken at Forest Haven Asylum in Laurel Maryland. I titled it Covid Forest. I took it at the end of the path before getting to the buildings. People would leave them behind as they come and go! Some of the masks had instagram handles on them. One even said hang in there. It's a popular urbex spot! Sadly it is difficult to explore now! It is run rampant with security! Also part of it has been turned into a Junkyard.
The 3rd place winner for the Urban Research Hub Photo contest is Deepika Hooda.
Junk can be pretty Afterall- An Historic eyesore to an iconic park!
Gas Works Park, Seattle, USA. A unique Post-industrial Landscape with a controversial history of turning from park to industrial site and back to park again! The site was a former coal gasification plant and after a decade in the making, the park was opened to the public in 1975. Richard Haag, landscape architect made an unusual decision to preserve the remnants of an old oil plant and construct a public park around it. The result was an iconic landscape contributing to Seattle’s urban culture. By reclaiming this industrial cite and turning it into a famous public park, Richard Haag set a precedent in the history of reclaiming brownfield lands. To learn more about the project visit: https://www.tclf.org/landscapes/gas-works-park, http://richhaagassoc.com/studio/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/GWP_HistoryBibliographyAwards.pdf
Urban Research Hub Photo Contest 2023
The Urban Research Hub looks forward to inviting participants for their second photo contest in 2023. Details regarding Urban Research Hub’s second photo contest will be posted on the CSSR website soon.
December 12, 2022