Opening of Justice in Place

The opening of “Justice in Place: Design for Equity & Regional Currents,” a pop-up exhibition of Urban Design projects, at the Mid-Hudson Heritage Center, 317 Main St, Poughkeepsie, on January 28th from 2:00pm - 5:00pm, with remarks at 4:00pm.

The studio was centered on the relation of the city of Poughkeepsie to the county, the Valley and the multi-state Northeast. Drawing from the evolving discourse of spatial justice brought to the fore by scholars like Edward Soja as well as groups like Black Lives Matter, and responding to the shifting political climate that dominated the public arena in 2016 elections, studio projects identified various manifestations of injustice evidenced in, but not unique to, Poughkeepsie – social, economic, environmental, and others - and proposed design strategies to challenge them.

Working with local non-profits as well as planners from the City Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County, students examined on-the-ground conditions, and spatial and policy debates about redevelopment and urban change. Each team formulated specific research agendas, studied institutional actors, and selected sites for change and intervention.

The projects are the beginning of a conversation and the work promotes more collaboration and communication between all those seeking justice and investment in their communities across the Hudson Valley region.