Reshaping Our Cities Through Urban Revitalization in Chicago

Project Lead/Organization Name: Theaster Gates, Rebuild Foundation

A potter become an urban revivalist in this talk by artist Theaster Gates. A man from West Chicago, now living in Southside Chicago saw buildings and houses that were thrown away — and decided to revive them as urban cultural centers. It started with a house being purchased in his neighborhood, a neighborhood that many would describe as “the hood” or “ghetto.” This house was purchased with the last of his savings, made beautiful, and turned into a space for cultural learning and sharing.

He continued to do this with houses and buildings throughout his neighborhood adding cultural value to an urban area that has suffered the fate of many cities. He reshaped the empty or unused spaces in his community to support and create a cultural core for the community. Where some saw poverty and uselessness, Theaster saw potential. Watch the TED talk below to hear about how he revived his Chicago neighborhood with arts, beauty, and culture.

Theaster Gates work is a testament to how important it is to create and maintain spaces of cultural value in urban communities. He shows how resourcefulness and reusing spaces to make multipurpose experiences reinvigorates a community that was always there. You do not need to bring in a new community to revitalize it. This talk is an inspiration for revitalization rather than gentrification.