University of Pittsburgh

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U R BA N S T U D I E S A S S O C I A T I O N - A student organization INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

From the Coordinator

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Refugee's in Pittsburgh

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Cathedrals Design

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Brackenridge

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Discussion Board

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Guyasuta Fellowship

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Mass Transit

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New Website

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Who Are We? The USA is an organization of Pitt students with the common desire to interpret and understand the neighborhoods and cities that we live in. To that end, we welcome and embrace a wide range of diverse opinions and ideals. E-mail [email protected] Website www.pitt.edu/~sorc/urbansa

URBAN STUDIES STUDENTS IN PARIS BY CHUCK ALCORN Paris is a city that has great architecture, museums, attractions and historical sites. It is also a perfect city to get a hands-on observation of urban issues. Therefore, it was selected by Dr. Carson as the first field trip for the Urban Studies program. A group of six Urban Studies students, including myself, took the opportunity to accompany Dr. Carson on this educational trip that explored the urban fabric of the city. The trip was offered to students who had taken the course International Urbanism and occurred right after the Spring semester, lasting ten days. The Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe were among the many famous attractions our group toured, but we also explored sections of the city built by Georges Eugène Haussmann. Commissioned by Napoleon III to instigate a program of planning reforms in Paris, Haussmann laid out great new boulevards and is also largely responsible for

THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS Hey everyone,

Chuck Alcorn, Leah Socash, Stuart Crockelford, Adey Woldeamanuel, Jonathon Zuk, and Isaac slyder

the city's present appearance. Under the lead of Haussmann, a modernistic approach to development occurred by destroying a great portion of the city that would be rebuilt. A new water supply was also built by Haussmann with a gigantic system of sewers. We explored a small portion of the sewers that are now open for tours. Seeing the size of the sewers was very impressive, but the smell of the sewage helped keep the walk through them short.

A great museum for an Urban Studies major was the new Pavillion de l’ Arsenal. This museum includes exhibits that provide a look at how Paris developed throughout history and many other urban issues and projects. They had detailed models of the city and great exhibits on the history of Paris’ development and architecture. We also had the opportunity to see a small museum dedicated to one individual, Le Corbusier. I had learned about his strange Continued on Page 2

plex in Mt. Washington on October 30th to teach us about one of the earliest examples of planned urban development. We’re meeting every three weeks at Kiva Han on Craig St. to go over events and happenings. Check the website for dates or look for some spam in your inbox. Finally, I will be graduating this December and the U.S.A. will be having a general election on November 30th to decide who will take reign. Please show up if you have any interest in actively participating. Have a great semester. Hopefully we’ll see you at a meeting or just hanging around in the city. You can reach Chuck Alcorn or myself at [email protected] if you have any questions. We’d really love it if you checked out our revamped website at: www.pitt.edu/~sorc/urbansa

Thanks for picking the Fall 2004 edition of the Urban Studies Association newsletter. We’ve been working hard to build the framework for an active student organization over the summer and hope to see the fruits of our labor this upcoming year. Sean Capperis has totally revamped our website which allows us to communicate more effectively with our members and people interested in the organization. We’ve also been working hard on getting our name out to gain recognition for the organization by having search engines and our very own Urban Studies Department provide the correct link to our organization’s site. There are a couple of events happening this fall where we hope to see you. Sala Udin has expressed interest in coming to meet and speak to the U.S.A. Mr. David Vater, architect and Chatham Village resiJoshua Punchur dent, will be showing the U.S.A. around the Chatham Village com-

Thanks,

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PARIS TRIP Continued form Page 1

architecture and urban plans in a few of my past classes and wanted to see his work up close. The museum was in one of his houses that he designed, which consisted of three floors that are like nothing else. This was no surprise because this is the person that proposed to destroy most of Paris and build modern high-rise buildings in park-like settings.

Our group also learned issues that urban planners in Paris must deal with. We visited locations outside of the central city and met with French urban planners that have been very active in the development of various projects. One urban planner we met had a very important rule in the development of a Paris new town called CergyPontoise. On our visit we saw that this new town was established to provide housing out-

FROM THE COORDINATOR Welcome back! Last year was such a great year for Urban Studies. The highlight of the year was the field trip to Paris offered to the students in the “International Urbanism” class. Six students accompanied me to Paris at the end of the spring semester. For ten days we explored this famous international city, comparing it to other Western cities. Only by visiting a city first-hand are those similarities and differences made evident. Students declared the trip a great success. Not only did we visit some of the more common sites, such as the Eiffel tower, Montmartre and the Musee D’Orsay, but we explored the underground mysteries of the Paris sewer, designed by Haussmann in the nineteenth century. For some reason we were all surprised at the “fragrance.” I especially enjoyed the fact that they sold stuffed rats in the sewer gift shop. Via subway and on foot, we explored a number of neighborhoods, places and spaces, which exemplify specific urban issues. Many of these places were off the beaten path and far from the tourists’ realm. La Defense, the new corporate and office complex in the western suburbs of Paris, illuminates the role of Paris in the global economy, or at least its desire to be a big player. Other neighborhoods such as the Latin Quarter, Saint Germain and the Marais illustrate much of Paris’ past as well as current issues for particular ethnic or religious groups. Understanding the impact of Haussmann’s modernist ideology was a major focus of the trip. A guided tour of the Pavillon de l’Arsenal introduced us to the history of the city as well as current and ongoing plans to continue what Haussmann started. Walking down the Blvd. Saint Germain and the Blvd. Saint Michel, and touring the opera district gave us a much better sense of how Haussmann transformed the city than if we had just looked at pictures or read a book. Walking

side the central city for the growing population. While they were creating the new housing, they also started to develop plans for office buildings and retail stores to make the town mixed-use. We also visited a suburb of Paris, called Grigny, which included a large immigrant population living in deteriorating social housing. Dr. Carson was the perfect tour guide in Paris due to her knowledge of historical facts and landmarks. She organized the trip by devoting her time and researching intensively to provide us with a wealth of information dealing with urban issues. The city of Paris proved to be a perfect case study

that provided an educational and fun experience. There is a possibility that future trips could occur and in order to attend a student must take the course International Urbanism, which is held every Spring semester. Although funding still needs to be secured, you shouldn’t hesitate to take this course because it provided a great comparison between cities around the world. The trip was a great follow up on material learned from the course, plus it let the students see the similarities and differences of Paris compared to cities in the Untied States. The following article by Dr. Carson offers the perspective from the coordinator. Some highlights of the trip might be repeated but that only shows how great the trip was.

from the Arc de Triomphe to the Bois de Boulogne, one of Haussmann’s city parks, gave us all a sense of Haussmann’s impact on the city. Rowing boats on the lake in the park later in the afternoon was an added highlight that we all enjoyed, without anybody falling into the water. Most importantly, however, students learned first-hand that Paris, for all of its beauty and reputation as a cosmopolitan city, suffers many of the problems of population density, poverty and inadequate housing witnessed in cities here in the United States. After meeting with planners involved with Gennevilliers, a northwestern suburban industrial city and later meeting with planners in Grigny, a low income immigrant community, we all had a much better understanding of housing issues. Seeing firsthand the deplorable conditions of “social” housing in the Paris region, helped us to understand this universal problem of developing housing for low income populations. Understanding the differences in housing policy and the importance that history and cultural differences play in determining how housing issues will be addressed was enlightening for all of us. One of the highlights of the trip was the day that we spent in Cergy-Pontoise, one of the French New Towns designed and built after World War II to combat the rising population in the city. Following a tour and lecture from one of the original town planners there, we spent a delightful afternoon with an elderly couple who had invited us for lunch in their home. On many levels, the trip to Paris was extremely worthwhile. Academically, there is no substitute for field research. But experiencing language and cultural differences first hand is preparation for life in our ever-changing global world. I am hoping to offer the field trip again, pending funding availability. One of my future goals is to offer a comparative trip, perhaps between London and Paris. Dr. Carolyn Carson

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REFUGEE TUTORING PROJECT ENGAGES PITT STUDENTS By Eric Hartman Domestic conflict in Somalia over a decade ago is having a tangible impact on Pittsburgh’s cultural landscape today. Even in light of the regularly reinforced assertion that the world is more interdependent than ever before, a connection between Somali politics and the Steel City is rarely imagined. Yet over 180 Somali refugees have relocated to Pittsburgh over the past several months, challenging service providers and community members to respond to unprecedented circumstances. While the US State Department provides some limited funding to Pittsburgh’s resettlement agency, Catholic Charities, many needs continue to exist. From language acquisition to experiencing multi-story buildings for the first time, refugee relocation is demanding. Behind countless logistical concerns lurk opportunities for learning and understanding on the part of Pittsburghers, Somalis, and college students who choose to take part in a newly developed service-learning effort. The Public Service program at the University of Pittsburgh, in cooperation with Americorps, Amizade, America Reads, and the Pittsburgh Refugee Center, is recruiting 22 students for one-on-one tutoring relationships with elementary-age Somali children. Tutoring positions will be demanding, as the requirements include engaging in at least ten service hours with the children per week and working through the challenges that non-English speakers will face when suddenly thrust into the American educational system. Yet the rewards, for the tutors and tutees, will be considerable. The level of commitment required ensures real progress can be made, and children’s capacity to learn and adapt quickly is

unparalleled. In addition to the opportunity to be a part of a positive cooperative learning effort in Pittsburgh, students may qualify for work study monies or an Americorps award in exchange for their service commitment. Service-learning is an educational strategy that integrates community engagement with academics. At

the University of Pittsburgh, the Public Service program regularly offers courses that combine studies with community participation. The twenty-two students selected to serve with the Somali refugees will enroll in a spring Public Service course called Democratic Citizenship. The course will meet once a week, on Tuesdays from 1:00 ? 3:25. In that course students examine historical and contemporary approaches to citizenship in light of service experiences in Pittsburgh. Working with the Somali refugee will bring into focus many of the issues

challenging the notion of citizenship today. Theorists debate, for example, over the extent to which citizenship requires service and participation, as well as how genuine equality of opportunity is in the United States. Further, researchers interested in the notion of citizenship are increasingly troubled by a growing statelessness on the part of diverse populations around the world, and are challenged to better understand how identity affects individuals’ ability to become ‘full-fledged citizens’ in new contexts. Through review of academic content in the classroom and consideration of experiences in the community, students will confront these challenges and more in Democratic Citizenship. Aside from the course opportunity and the structured tutoring program, many Pittsburghers are seeking other opportunities to work with the Somalis. At the core of the Pittsburgh Refugee Center’s efforts is empowerment for refugees. While facing the complexity of a fully mechanized urban transportation system, finding a job in a region with an unfamiliar language, and sending children off into unfamiliar schools is daunting, many of the challenges can be ameliorated through the efforts of volunteers. The Pittsburgh Refugees Center, The Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, the Unitarian Church, and countless other faithbased and community organizations have organized blanket drives, coordinated furniture donations, and rallied volunteers to connect with Somalis on social visits and welcoming efforts.

Students interested in learning more about the service-learning course and tutoring program, or about other related volunteer opportunities should contact Eric Hartman at [email protected].

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VISION PAID OFF FOR CATHEDRAL'S DESIGN By Chuck Alcorn What do we know about the Cathedral of Learning? One fact that is taught every time a person is given a tour of Pitt’s campus is that the Cathedral is the second-tallest educational building in the world only behind a university building located in Moscow. Another aspect about the Cathedral is discovered when you have classes inside the nationality rooms; they are great to look at but horrible to have classes in due to uncomfortable desks and dismal lighting. Other aspects are less known, such as the history of the building’s design. At 535 feet with 42 stories towering over the urban landscape, the Cathedral catches everyone’s eyes when walking through Oakland. The history behind the design of the Cathedral is very interesting and starts in 1921 when John G. Bowman became the University’s Chancellor. During this time period the student enrollment had increased dramatically, which created a critical shortage of space. Despite the fact that the University was growing in debt, Chancellor Bowman focused on a plan to erect a monumental building on a 14-acre plot. A tower was envisioned to solve the problem of overcrowding and the building would also be visible to the city creating a landmark. The design of the Cathedral was in a state of constant revision. The Mellon’s financed the purchase of the land for the new building and had their own thoughts of what should be constructed. A few examples of their proposals include an artificial lake, dormitories, and departmental buildings. On the other hand, Bowmen had different expectations and hired architect Charles Z. Klauder. The Cathedral of Learning was the architect’s first skyscraper. Bowmen influenced the design of the Cathedral dramatically by throwing out many proposals in his search for a building in the gothic revival style. Funding was a huge issue in the construction of the building. As mentioned before, the building rises 42 stories in the air, but initial designs planned to make the building 52 stories high. The scale down was due to funding shortfalls. The majority of funds came from local industries that gave large gifts of steel, cement, glass, and other materials. In 1924, there was a campaign to collect funds from individuals

These are a few proposed renderings for a new academic building located in Oakland. They were ultimately rejected by Chancellor Bowman in his search for the perfect design.

in the community with over 100,000 adults and children making small contributions. A skyscraper would add publicity and generate the necessary funding. With such cramped quarters and mounting debts, only extended public interest could lead this project to fruition. Building a lasting landmark would evoke the participation of Pittsburgh's corporations and citizens. Chancellor Bowmen answered the question of building a skyscraper by saying “... A tower singing upward would tell the epic story of Pittsburgh. A tower. Why not build a tower?” This tower would create a symbol of Pittsburgh and today it is arguably the most distinctive classroom building. Construction began in 1926 with Bowman getting much of what he wanted with the design. A few examples include the gothic architecture and an appropriate height. He was also able to bring many people together to ensure that the Cathedral would be constructed. Bowmen even reached out to the ethnic minorities by promising to build nationality rooms. The Cathedral of Learning was dedicated in 1937 with 2,529 windows that are surrounded by a steel frame structure, overlaid with Indiana limestone, carved with Gothic ornamentation at each corner of the tower, and stone window tracery ending the alternately rising wings. Chancellor Bowmen had a vision of a spectacular landmark and made sure that every detail was achieved. Source: Brown, Mark McCullough. The Cathedral of Learning, 1921-1926: a history of an architectural design for the University of Pittsburgh. 1983

Did you know?

Graduated August 2004

A pizza shop located in the City of Pittsburgh, with no more than 2 tables for customers to eat on, does not have to pay the City's Business Privilege Tax (BPT). This is because it is considered to be a manufacturer of pizza and not a restaurateur. Under the State of Pennsylvania mandated exemptions for any banks and manufacturers (including pizza manufacturers) from paying Business Privilege taxes to any municipality. This means that while locally owned flower shops are paying the BPT, large corporations like PNC, Alcoa, US Steel, and also DOMINOES are exempted from this tax.

Melissa Dorn Courtney Ehrlichman Marc Lennon Adam Meyer Matthew Pfeiffer Daniel Stephens

Congratulations Graduates Good Luck!

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BRACKENRIDGE FELLOWSHIP ROCKED MY SUMMER By Kate Spaulding What does Accessibility, Comfort and Image, Uses and Activities, and Sociability mean to you? They are the four necessary components to a good public space. Don’t worry, until last summer, I didn’t know any of this either. Then I stumbled upon a summer research program known as the Brackenridge Fellowship through the University Honors College and decided to do a project on it. Besides the fuzzy feelings I get from researching and learning about something I’m passionate about, why would I spend my summer doing this? Well, I found my dream job with a nonprofit I want to work for, that’s why. I learned a whole lot from other people’s projects because it’s an interdisciplinary fellowship, all the more reason why. Coolest reason of all: they pay you $3,000. I recommend this experience to any student but especially urban studies majors because we have a bit of an advantage being a smaller department. Here’s the lowdown on the Brackenridge Fellowship: how to get one, what you do over summer, and a little about my project so my fellow urban studies majors can get 3 grand of their own! 1. Become familiar with the undergraduate research opportunities here at Pitt. Whether you find them through the Honors College, the Study Abroad Office, or the Office of Experiential Learning, our university is extremely supportive of undergraduate research so take advantage. You get paid and it’s major points on your resume. 2. Pick out the program that your idea of study is most applicable to. Some undergraduate fellowships/ scholarships/research are engineering, some business, some art, etc. Find the one that goes with something YOU WANT TO RESEARCH and make that program/s your main priority. In the case of the Brackenridge, it’s interdisciplinary, which means that people of any major on almost any topic can apply and if you’re selected they’ll fit you into one of three categories: Natural Science, Social Science, or Humanities. 3. Write a great abstract. The abstract is your idea that you want to research and your faculty advisor (simply ask any professor and they’re usually more than happy to be a part) will help you create a good one. Urban studies majors, we have a bit of an advantage here because they’re aren’t that many of us and so usually no one else applying has a project topic or abstract similar to yours. Try to have a bit of a specific part to your abstract. For instance, mine was on public spaces but specifically I heavily researched and criticized (he he) Market Square here and Lafayette Square in Buffalo, NY. Too broad of a topic makes a lot more work for you and it’s probably been done already by someone in one form or another. 4. Apply to your program. The Brackenridge abstracts are due in March, usually late March. Keep your eyes open and ask around about other programs tied in with your program which might have an earlier application due date. For example, I was in the Brackenridge program, but I applied to both the Brackenridge and something else called the US Steel/Toretti Fellowship that was grouped with the Brackenridge and they’re the nice people that actually selected my project and gave me money. So apply to both, it simply in-

creases your chances of getting a project and you’re still a Brackenridge Fellow. 5. Celebrate. If your project is selected, do a little dance! You deserve it! 6. BEGIN RESEARCH EARLY. This is not because there’s a certain amount that must be done or anything quantifiable like that. It’s simply less work for you in the long run. Also, first day of meetings there is a sign up on when you want to present your project and if you’re going earlier in the summer then you can say more than simply what you’re planning on researching. 7. Weekly Meetings. You and your Brackenridge pals will meet once a week all summer and have pizza and knowledge exchanges. Great on the mind, a little rough on the figure. 8. Presentation Time. Whenever this day comes, be excited, it’s your time to shine! Also, get to know power point. You don’t have to use this method but pretty much everybody does, it’s easy (I even figured it out), and they will provide a laptop for you. Just make sure your cd/disk works! Also, I’ve noticed that projects with a little more interactive approach are better because there are 3, one hour long presentations in a row and sometimes you need to get some energy back into the crowd. You’re fellow colleagues will love you for it, seriously. 9. Johnstown Retreat. At some point mid summer you attend a retreat to University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The campus is beautiful, you bond hardcore with your colleagues, and there’s food provided. Only downside: for some reason UPJ students hate “Pitt main” kids and think we’re dirty city trash so prove them wrong by constantly philosophizing about your awesome research project! 10. Paper. It’s the easiest paper I’ve ever written because you’ve become so familiar with what you’re talking about (unlike many other papers I’ve had to write in college – opps!). So don’t stress and send a copy to your advisor and they’ll help you revise it into glorious literature. Then you’ve got something great to send graduate schools, the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review, etc. 11. Poster. You make a poster about your project so you can talk about what you did with some visual stimulus during the next school year at small poster sessions. Finally, a chance to get to be in middle school again – so get crafty. 12. Cry. Ok don’t actually cry, but when it was over I honestly missed the people I got to know in the program as well as the stress free working lifestyle I had that summer. So enjoy it while you can, 3 months goes by REAL QUICK. All in all this experience was a great one and my research has already helped me numerous times in my urban planning classes. This is your chance to pick whatever you want to work on and that makes it far more rewarding. So, now that you’ve got this little guide to the Brackenridge, I expect to see some urban studies majors announced in April in the Pitt news as the Brackenridge Fellows of 2005.

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D I S C U S S I O N B OA R D On our website, we are developing a discussion board. If you have any thoughts, questions, or opinions that you would like to be posted, please do so on our website. We are working out some kinks right now, so in the meantime email your postings to [email protected]. This posting is from a Urban Studies alumni that is currently attending graduate school. If you want to respond, please do so!

Why Do Cities Matter? I have said before that I feel that the urban studies major is best described as a perspective. The major is really self-designed, and the students are free to explore the issues that most interest them. “Urban Studies” can be inclusive to nearly every facet of society. But at the same time, nearly everything studied under “urban studies” could also be more properly classified under another subject, such as political science, sociology, economics, architecture, etc. A definition that defines everything isn’t really a definition at all. Everything is urban studies, nothing is urban studies. Perhaps the only thing that really makes “urban studies” an entity onto itself is the shared perspective that cities are important, and vital to understanding the human experience. While this perspective is very real in our hearts and minds, its substance quickly dissipates like smoke through our fingers upon closer scrutiny. What exactly is a “city”? Just about everyone has a different definition of a city, and any one definition often excludes many other valid ideas about what defines a city. Are cities really vital to understanding the human experience? Don’t rural communities, and even a solitary wonderer have just as valid a claim to be appreciated as city dwellers? The creation of dense urban areas was undoubtedly an important step in history. The city brought together the population density necessary to support schools, museums, public services, subcultures, marketplaces, and specialized labor, amongst other things. In many ways, the cities were the command centers for the world. But was the city only the home to these institutions by default? Were cities really just the product of limitations in communication and transportation? If form follows function, and necessity is the mother of all invention, then do cities still serve the functions the did in the past? Are they still necessary? My real concern is, do cities really matter now, will they matter in the future. Advances in technology have made communication limitless. People no longer need to live in close proximity to each other to communicate effectively. The same largely goes for business transactions. Communities no longer need to be located on high ground for protection, or on a river for transportation. In many ways, the historical, founding necessities of cities are ceasing to exist. In my international urbanism class we learned about scholars who believe that globalization in concentrating wealth and power in a few “global cities” while urban conditions are deteriorating most everywhere else around the world. While wealth may be concentrating, I feel that the implications of globalization will be to deteriorate the importance of the city’s role in understanding and shaping society. Suburbanization and the increasing compartmentalization of employment, shopping, education, entertainment, and home life have for decades eroded the idea that the shared character of the city significantly contributes to the identities of those living in and near it. Are major league sports teams the last remnant of a person's identity being defined by their city? Many mourn the disintegration of the neighborhood. While I sometimes long for the support and familiarity of a small town or city neighborhood, I also realize that their social structure and interaction were often the result of limitations. Financial limitations, racial and ethnic segregation, and the general limitation that most people had to live within walking distance to the market and workplace, as well as each other for socialization. But if those limits are loosened, shouldn’t people have a choice in where and how they live their life? Many people view social and environmental problems through the urban studies perspective. I definitely understand the theory that Suburbanization and people’s disassociation with cities and old communities is a means of segregation and exclusion, as well as the role that certain industries had in Suburbanization. I think there’s a lot of merit to those lines of argument, but I don’t think that they even come close to fully explaining what I feel is the declining importance of the major city. I also don’t feel that re-urbanization is a necessary or even viable the solution to social conflict and inequality. Are we merely selling an aesthetic, a nostalgic way of life? If the limitations and necessities that created the cities are disappearing, and the role of cities in defining peoples lives is fading, then the perspective that cities are important, and vital to understanding the human experience is fast becoming outdated. Are we like the old fogy writers still clinging to their typewriters, over romanticizing the past and denying the future? D. Feller East Liberty

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GUYASUTA FELLOWSHIP EDUCATES & ENGAGES YOUNG PEOPLE By Joshua Punchur Crisis conditions in Pennsylvania’s older industrial communities have festered for years now. Our region is now blessed with an abundance of environmentally contaminated brownfields, abandoned communities, and wide chasms between communities that destabilize our social structures. The global economy now pits entire regions against one another instead of individual cities and yet our region has chosen the path of relative inaction as a competitive measure. This measure is not working. Metropolitan fragmentation has been identified as a hindrance towards economic competitiveness in the global economy. Fragmentation inhibits regions from acting comprehensively in terms of land-use planning and economic development. The Guyasuta Youth Policy Fellowship, sponsored by City Councilman Bill Peduto, is a civic engagement effort with hopes to spur action to address these problems through regional governance. By encouraging regionalism, it is hoped that communities will act in the spirit of cooperation to address these concerns instead of acting in the spirit of cannibalization. The program content is similar to discussions currently being held by non-profits like Sustainable Pittsburgh, but with a few distinctions. The majority of participants in the Guyasuta Fellowship is below the age of 40 and have committed to missing no more than two meetings. The Fellowship was marketed to this age demographic because many efforts thus far at regional planning have sought little input from young people to understand their desires. This is a particularly mobile demographic that has typically voted with its feet in the past by moving from the region altogether. It is viewed that any long term success will have to have more input from this age bracket if the region is to ever shift gears from the demographic trends that have plagued the Pittsburgh region since the 1950’s. No participant is receiving payments or even college credits. Over 90 participants are donating their free time out of a common concern for the future of the Pittsburgh region. While many discussions revolve around immediate budget-

ary problems, the Guyasuta Fellowship seeks to build a vision for what young people want our city to look like in ten years. Priorities are set and plans are devised for the purpose of turning today’s problems into future successes. Topics discussed have included the following:

•Regionalism in Action •Regionalism & Government Structure •Regionalism, Land-Use, & the Environment •Regionalism & Community Development •Regionalism & Social Equity •Regionalism & Fiscal Equity The fellows have been blessed to have had the opportunity to meet with political actors in the region who have shared their experiences in dealing with a system of fragmentation. No panelists have declined to participate thus far and have enjoyed the opportunity to talk frankly with a room full of young people. The Guyasuta Fellowship seeks to foster grassroots action for a movement already endorsed by many in the educational, non-profit, and business communities. The central lesson thus far from the Fellowship has been that communities will not begin to work with one another unless the State Legislature forces them to do so since cities are defined as “creatures of the state”. While a series of recommendations are expected be made to the City of Pittsburgh, it is hoped that this is only the beginning of a citizen’s movement to push legislators to address what is now a statewide problem. Fellows will be given the option to decide what actions they will want to take in response to the issues raised during sessions held at the City-County Building. There is already talk of forming a political action committee (PAC) and a possible barnstorming tour all the way to Harrisburg. The Fellowship ends in December, and action is expected to be taken after the New Year. Although registration to the Guyasuta Fellowship is now closed to new participants, it is hoped that you will take a moment to view their website and possibly get involved once the New Year begins. The Guyasuta Youth Policy Fellowship website can be found at: www.cmu.edu/cc/guyasuta Or you can join in their chats on their message board at: www.cmu.edu/cc/ Just look for the link to discussion groups and click on the Guyasuta link.

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SAVE OUR TRANSIT! THE FUTURE OF MASS TRANSPORTATION IN PITTSBURGH

We’re on the Web! www.pitt.edu/~sorc/urbansa

By Chuck Alcorn Yet again the Port Authority has threatened to cut service and raise prices. This is not just a little cut back or price increase. If the right amount of funds are not found, the Authority wants to end bus service after 9:00 PM on weekdays, end weekend service, and raise prices seventy-five cents. I’m not sure about you but my travel to and from campus does not end at nine and certainly includes the weekends. One fortunate aspect for students is that we only have to show our Pitt ID cards when using buses, but many people on fixed income with no other means of travel will be dramatically effected in their everyday lives. Governor Rendell has recently said that mass transit is under-founded by state and local governments. Allegheny county saved the Port Authority last year when they provided $10 million in funds. This year, however, like so many local governments, there is budget problems resulting in job cuts and no funds to save bus service. The state government is also under budget problems, but there is the House Bill 2687 and Senate Bill 1162 that would provide federal money. These Bills have been delayed until after the Nov. 2 election. To ensure that mass transportation has a bright future in Pittsburgh, actions must be taken by our politicians. So what can we do about this problem? The Port Authority has established a website that includes many ways in which you can help. The website, www.ridegold.com/funding/Default.asp, offers a section “take action to save public transportation” which has many links for people to help make a change. One effective way is to contact your local congressperson, it is easy to find their contact information and it is important to let them know that people do care about public transportation. In addition to your State Representatives and State Senators, also try to contact the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Transportation Committee members, and political candidates. What will the future of Public Transportation look like in Pittsburgh? At this time no one knows, but you have a chance to make your voice heard and let our elected officials know that this is a service that people depend on. Even if you don’t use buses for your commute to and from school it is important to know that you could help out people that are on fixed income

NEW WEBSITE FOR USA Earlier this semester the new website for the U.S.A. was launched. Many great features are now available by the click of a mouse. Some include, U.S.A. Events and News, links to websites worth checking out, past newsletters, a discussion board, information on the association, dates for future USA Meetings, and info on supporting organizations. Make sure to thank Josh Punchur and Sean Capparis for developing and updating the web site!

Check it out!

www.pitt.edu/~sorc/urbansa

Field Placements Summer Josh Punchur The office of Twanda Carlisle Melissa Dorn Steel Town Entertainment Project Marc Lennon The office of Jack Wheatley Chuck Alcorn Charleroi Main Street Program Sean Capperis Young Historical Preservationists

Fall Henry Pyatt City of Pittsburgh Dept. of City Planning Nickki Weyant Beverly Jule Walls Lovelace Community Program – Oak Hill David Simon The office of Doug Shields Dan Heryer Mon Valley Initiative Dan Smith Neighbors in the Strip Sarah Bruemmer Living Ministry

INVITATION FOR SUBMISSIONS Do you want to make an announcement? Do you volunteer for an organization that people should know about? Want to tell us about your internship experience? Do you have something that you would like to share? Do you have an opinion? We’ll post it if it relates to urban studies. This is your organization too and our goal is to foster dialogue about such issues so to interpret and understand the neighborhoods that we live in. E-mail: [email protected]