RECONSTRUCTION OF A DOWNTOWN: THE AFTERMATH OF THE GREAT BALTIMORE FIRE OF 1904
RECONSTRUCTION OF A DOWNTOWN: THE AFTERMATH OF THE GREAT BALTIMORE FIRE OF 1904
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Date
1993
Authors
Wingo, Amanda Jean
Advisor
Groves, Paul
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Abstract
Reconstruction following a major disaster has farreaching
impacts which can alter the functioning of a
city. Understanding this process is therefore vital.
The results of such a study add to the small body of
literature on reconstruction following disaster and thus
provides additional testing of the findings of
Bowden(l967), the critical piece of literature on
reconstruction to date.
Specifically, this thesis considers the process of
reconstruction by looking at the structural and spatial
changes predicted by one catastrophic event. Using both
Sanborn Atlases and Baltimore Business Directories
between 1902 and 1914, the Central Business District
(CBD) is examined through the analysis of concentration,
sequencing, and persistence processes. More important,
however, is the extent to which these processes impact
the spatial characteristics of establishments within the
Burnt District over a specific period of time (1902-
--- ·--·--
1914).
A significant finding indicates that in the pre- and
post-fire period Baltimore maintains a high degree of
consistency within the Burnt District. However 1 the
vertical dimension of Baltimore changes drastically from
1902 to 1914 allowing an increase in the availability of
space explained by the vertical growth of buildings. The
sequence of return of the "building block" establishments
occurred within a surprising two years following the
fire. Several defining situations fix or anchor
establishments to their locations 1 which act to mitigate
the variations in land-use patterns over time.
The findings of this study provide a spatial view of
the functional districts which play an important role in
the life of the CBD of Baltimore.