Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 5.04 Environment and Ecology
Presentation #1 Title
Appalachian Purpose-Built Towns in an International Context
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Using a comparative methodology this visual presentation places Appalachia’s purpose-built towns in a global historical and geographic context. Not all towns develop “organically” over time; some are intentionally constructed to serve specific purposes. Such purposes include, but are not limited to, alleviating population pressures; as social experiments or religious refuges; to attract labor, provide raw materials, or serve as transportation nodes for industry; to serve governmental policies of urbanization, economic development, or military security; and in response to environmental impacts or political unrest. This presentation begins by setting the global context for purpose-built towns by briefly reviewing historical and contemporary examples from Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, and the Middle East. It then turns to planned towns in Appalachia such as Norris, Kingsport, Alcoa, and Oak Ridge, TN; Benham, Lynch, and Wheelright, KY; Arthurdale and Huntington, WV; Vandergrift, PA; and Peachtree Corners, GA. The research indicates that the forces behind purpose-built towns in Appalachia are part of larger, international trends in urbanization. The physical, environmental, ecological, social, and cultural aspects of these communities will be discussed as well as their historical legacy.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Thomas E. Wagner is University Professor Emeritus of Planning and Urban Studies retired from the School of Planning, University of Cincinnati.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Phillip J. Obermiller is Senior Visiting Scholar in the School of Planning, University of Cincinnati, and a Center Fellow at the University of Kentucky's Appalachian Center.
Appalachian Purpose-Built Towns in an International Context
Smith Music Hall 110
Using a comparative methodology this visual presentation places Appalachia’s purpose-built towns in a global historical and geographic context. Not all towns develop “organically” over time; some are intentionally constructed to serve specific purposes. Such purposes include, but are not limited to, alleviating population pressures; as social experiments or religious refuges; to attract labor, provide raw materials, or serve as transportation nodes for industry; to serve governmental policies of urbanization, economic development, or military security; and in response to environmental impacts or political unrest. This presentation begins by setting the global context for purpose-built towns by briefly reviewing historical and contemporary examples from Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, and the Middle East. It then turns to planned towns in Appalachia such as Norris, Kingsport, Alcoa, and Oak Ridge, TN; Benham, Lynch, and Wheelright, KY; Arthurdale and Huntington, WV; Vandergrift, PA; and Peachtree Corners, GA. The research indicates that the forces behind purpose-built towns in Appalachia are part of larger, international trends in urbanization. The physical, environmental, ecological, social, and cultural aspects of these communities will be discussed as well as their historical legacy.
