Pastoral and political nature: Historical planning and the environmental justice of parks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

摘要

This dissertation explores the history of park development and urban planning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It begins by situating the work of one planner, Charles Whitnall and his designs for Milwaukee's parks. As Milwaukee's chief proponent and advocate for parks in the early to mid-twentieth century, Charles Whitnall responded to the various underlying ideologies of the period within which he worked. In addition, his preference for parks was envisioned as a planning response to, and remedy for the industrialized and heavily congested city he called home. By examining the Progressive-era discourse associated with planning more broadly, this research examines Whitnall's work within the political, aesthetic, and environmental contexts of Geographic thought that influenced his plans for Milwaukee.;Building off the foundation established by examining Milwaukee's early planning history, the historical evolution of various wards during the rapid period of growth between 1880 and 1920 is explored. Industrialization and the increased need for workers posed challenges to the civic drive for improved morality and urban value that was simultaneously promoted by (elite) park advocates throughout the nation, and locally in Milwaukee. Using historic census data and maps, this analysis looks beyond 'traditional' environmental justice scholarship to focus instead on the structural conditions that have led to such inequities.;The dissertation concludes by situating children's use of park-space within the broader discourses associated with environmental justice and equity. Through the use of a Diary-Interview Diary-Photograph method, a group of 21 children were asked to share their experience in accessing and engaging with urban parks in the city. This method was employed in an attempt to truly excavate the perceptions held by this particular group of urban citizens. Regarding the general framework of environmental equity, their responses evoked considerable deviation from 'traditional', adult-held conceptions which place park distance as a primary factor in park use. Instead, these children cited such concerns as fear and facility condition as a primary impediment in their ability to 'perform and play' within the urban milieu.