Tacking against postmodernism : Gloucester's working port holds it course

Abstract

Gloucester, Massachusetts has long been regarded as the quintessential working port in the Northeast and the home of commercial fishing in America for several hundred years. Today, Gloucester's working port is threatened by dwindling fish stocks, strict land-use regulations and development pressures. The expansion of the tourism sector is spurned because 1) it is not fishing 2) it is not to be trusted, that it could turn against Gloucester and degrade the unique, authentic character of the city. I argue that managing Gloucester's waterfront as an attractive, appealing destination and protecting the working port are not antithetical concepts. In fact, combining both of these notions might be the best way to protect Gloucester's identity and preserve its living heritage. Planning should endeaver to mitigate any potential conflict between the two, and wherever possible, bind their fates together to create a sustainable, authentic place. This thesis is divided into analysis and recommendations. The analysis covers Gloucester's present situation through an exploration of the city's history and culture, and is paired with a review of the global waterfront revival movement and discussion of a number of postmodern trends as they relate to Gloucester. The combined findings of this local and cultural analysis form the basis for the urban design recommendations in the second part of the thesis. The recommendations are divided into three categories: policy issues, physical improvements and institutional reforms.