Ben's Portfolio Homie

I'll be talking about the Twin Cities...

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I cannot get enough of Kevin Cannon’s awesome illustrated maps of Minneapolis

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This is an awesome illustration!

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Portfolio 8: Racial Divides in the Twin Cities

Ben Johnson 5/28/14 Portfolio/Journal Submission 8 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

                There is no doubt that the socio-spatial production of “difference” is alive and well in the Twin Cities. Differences of class, family/household status, and race/ethnicity have been thrust into the forefront of the policy agenda for lawmakers in the area as of late. Among the differences (re)produced spatially in the city are unemployment and segregation of housing, both with regard to race.                 As of 2011, the Twin Cities is home to the nation’s “largest unemployment disparity rate between black and white people” (Yuen 2011). That is astounding, considering it is occurring in the state of Minnesota that “seems so welcoming” (Yuen 2011). The city’s policy makers have recently been forced to look at solutions to these divides. As the head of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce put it: “‘We cannot afford, as a state, as a region, as a city, as a county, to leave a single worker, who wants to be employed and is capable of employment, sitting on the sidelines’” (Yuen 2011). Coalitions such as the Blue Ribbon Commission have formed in an attempt to solve such pertinent issues, providing suggestions to lawmakers on how to reduce the racial unemployment gap. Such recommendations include passing “legislation preventing employers from rejecting job candidates based on criminal backgrounds or credit scores, and also that employers and government agencies strengthen programs that prepare students for the workplace” (Yuen 2011). Although the roots of the unemployment divide are complex and difficult to discern, one fact is clear: the Twin Cities must close the gap for obvious moral reasons and also for the overall health of the economy.                 However, not only is there a racial divide in unemployment, but there is also a divide where minorities fall behind white people “in such areas such as education, income, economic vitality… and imprisonment” (Yuan 2011). Education is invaluable for the attainment of employment, which obviously correlates with income and economic vitality, as well as one’s position and role within the system of production of the Twin Cities. According to twincities.com, “‘In the early 1990s, there were very few segregated schools in the Twin Cities… Today there are more than 130. … Highly segregated schools are also nearly always high-poverty schools” (Melo 2014). So, why are the minorities living in the Twin Cities segregated into high-poverty zones? And why the significant increase from the 1990s to now? Housing policies in the area might provide the answer.                 Furthermore, taking a Factorial Ecology Perspective on the following issue, the urban “ecology” captured statistically illustrates the racial segregation of the city as a result of housing policy. In a report published by the University of Minnesota, an assertion that “housing policies have concentrated low-income minorities in just a handful of St. Paul and Minneapolis neighborhoods, with a  dramatic impact on the racial composition of neighborhood schools” (Melo 2014). Thus, low-income housing is designated to be built in certain, traditionally poorer neighborhoods such as Frogtown, Minneapolis, and as a result, minorities are concentrated in those areas, producing difference in school demographics. The factorial ecology perspective allows one to analyze spatially the impact this has on socio-economic status, family status, and ethnicity. This sort of ongoing discrimination in housing produces and reproduces race/ethnicity spatially in the city. Patterns of continued racial/ethnic segregation and regional variations will continue to be produced by these socio-spatial processes, unless policy makers can come to a solution.

References:

Melo, Frederick. "Twin Cities housing policies contribute to segregation, report says." . St. Paul Pioneer Press, 2 Feb. 2014. Web. 25 May 2014. <http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_25105588/twin-cities-housing-policies-contribute-segregation-report-says>.

Yuen, Laura. "Twin Cities unemployment divide for black, white people is nation's widest." . Minnesota Public Radio, 12 Oct. 2011. Web. 26 May 2014. <http://www.mprnews.org/story/2011/10/12/twin-cities-unemployment-racial-divide>.

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Portfolio 2: Settlement and Urbanization of the Great Lakes

Ben Johnson 5/28/14 Portfolio/Journal Submission 2 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

                For this week’s journal entry, I will discuss the urbanization of the Great Lakes region of the United States. First inhabited about 10,000 years ago by native people from either Asia or possibly South America, the shores of Lake Superior provided “abundant game, fertile soils and plentiful water” ("People" 2012). Much aligned with the P.O.E.T. hypothesis about the origin of cities proposed by V. Gordon Childe, the native people were organized in widely scattered villages proficient in growing corn, squash, beans, and tobacco.                 Early settlement by Europeans in the region began in the 1600s, when French fur trappers began to explore the area. From the lower St. Lawrence Valley, the French began to build forts such as the Mission of St. Ignace and Fort Frontenac that protected the fur trade. Eventually, the simultaneous expansion by the British forced the French to lose their dominance of the Great Lakes region, a shift marked by the “British capture of Quebec in 1759” ("People" 2012). Firmly under British control, the Great Lakes became an escape for British Loyalists looking to flee the yankees on East Coast during the American Revolution. This cumulative causation resulted in a population increase from 20,000 (in 1792) to 60,000 (in 1800). Eventually, however, battles for territory would give way to urbanization and industrialization ("People" 2012).                 Furthermore, as evidenced by the article, development in the region proceeded in ways that exploited the abundant natural resources such as fish, furs, other game, lumber wheat, iron ore, and coal. To begin with, agriculture proved to be the major attraction during the 18th to 20th centuries. According to the EPA, “by the mid-1800s, most of the Great Lakes region where farming was possible was settled. The population had swelled tremendously” ("People" 2012). This is quite characteristic of many regions during this era. The clearing of land to make suitable space for agriculture permanently changed the ecosystem of the region. As a result, “soils stripped of vegetation washed away to the lakes…fish habitats and spawning areas were destroyed” ("People" 2012). In short, much of the agricultural development in the region proved to have quite negative consequences on the environment.                 In addition, urbanization and industrial growth in the Great Lakes region was characterized by settlement along important waterways that “transported people, raw materials and goods” ("People" 2012). Formed at strategic locations at the mouths of tributaries, large urban centers sprung up. Detroit, Cleveland, and Lorain built steel mills, while other cities such as Chicago took advantage of other resources. Despite of the significant, detrimental impact on the environment, “use of Great Lakes resources brought wealth and well-being to the residents of Great Lakes cities” ("People" 2012).                  Upon reflection, the settlement, development, urbanization, and industrialization of the Great Lakes region tells a unique story unlike any other. A frontier for a while, the Great Lakes provided settlers with ample opportunities through game, timber, and water. The eventual shift from “gateway cities” characteristic of colonial-era urbanization to major urban metropolises was dependent on the natural resources of the area. Eventually, the region was thrust into Capitalist Urbanization.

References:

"People and the Great Lakes." . United States Environmental Protection Agency, 25 June 2012. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.epa.gov/greatlakes/atlas/glat-ch3.html>.

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Portfolio 3: Creative Destruction in Minneapolis

Ben Johnson 5/28/14 Portfolio/Journal Submission 3 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

            The rapid growth of the economy of Minneapolis and Saint Paul preceding 1991 was characterized and ignited by creative destruction. For this week’s journal entry, I chose to incorporate an interesting source to illustrate the economic “churning” that occurred in the emergence of the Twin Cities, the relationship between Minneapolis/Saint Paul and its hinterlands, and the impact of large-scale unemployment in small towns in the surrounding areas.             According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, the late eighties and early nineties proved to produce a turbulent yet productive economy in the Twin Cities. Because “jobs [were] created and destroyed fast around the Twin Cities,” it allowed the economy to “renew itself and retain its vibrancy, but often [inflicted] hardships on the people whose lives [were] disrupted” (Beal 1991). Some of the social consequences of this specific creative destruction included job loss, redevelopment/gentrification, and destruction of community. Beginning in the 1970’s after the Stagflation Crisis, neoliberalism assumed a dominant global economic role. Along with neoliberalism came “new technologies, commodities, products, processes, sources of supply and organizational arrangements… which in turn [fueled] economic upheaval. Some people win. Others lose” (Beal 1991). Thus, the chaotic neoliberal upheaval of Minneapolis in the late eighties proved to replace value through reinvestment, which in turn benefitted the interests of specific key players, while simultaneously causing many workers to lose their jobs. This is the bread and butter of capitalist urbanization. With such dynamic forces at work constantly threatening the very fabric of the urban landscape, creative destruction influenced Minneapolis heavily.             Compared to other cities, Minneapolis was regarded as having one of the most turbulent economies according to the article. In 1990, an estimated “5,308 Minnesota workers lost their jobs in large-scale layoffs… that number ranked the state second highest in the country” (Beal 1991). Many of these layoffs in the 1980’s came from a decline in the computer industry. Control Data, a company based in Minnesota, saw their market value cut in half in the 1980’s. This meant heavy job cuts. Computer manufacturing employed 38,000 Minnesotans in 1984, and fell to 23,000 by 1990 (Beal 1991). These sorts of cuts affected people in the Twin Cities as well as its hinterlands. The decline in this industry, however, gave way to the rise in medical technology ventures. Another large company shutdown in Minnesota produced by creative destruction was the computer industry closings at Unisys “in rural Jackson, Minn., and at supercomputer maker ETA in St. Paul” (Beal 1991). Although many of the workers were “highly paid and well educated,” they were out of jobs (Beal 1991). Thus, not only was the metropolitan area of Minneapolis affected by the economic upheavals characteristic of the 1980’s, but also was the surrounding, rural areas.             As the Minnesotan-based Control Data and Unisys spun off, the rise of Medtronic was realized. Saint Jude Medical also went from a market value of $75 million in 1982 to $2.29 billion in 1991. This was largely due to the attraction of “millions of dollars of investment by Twin Cities venture firms” (Beal 1991). The article notes that “the med-tech and computer hardware trends are the most obvious signs of ‘creative destruction’ today in the Twin Cities area” (Beal 1991). I am interested to see how creative destruction has continued in the Minneapolis area through the 1990’s into modern day. I have a hunch that the capitalist urbanization trends continued, producing commodities for exchange and profit and subsequently producing inequality during the boom and bust cycles of different sectors.

References:

Beal, David. "Creative Destruction: The Underlying Force in the Area's Economic Turbulence." . The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, 1 Sept. 1991. Web. 28 May 2014. <https://www.minneapolisfed.org/publications_papers/pub_display.cfm?id=3764&#top>.

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Unit 5 Concepts at Work in The Warriors

            A  bona fide cult-classic, The Warriors is an illustration of many concepts covered in Unit Five of lecture material. The film follows a band of gang-members, known as the Warriors, on their journey home to Coney Island. The unfair assertion that they were the perpetrators of an assassination of Cyrus, the leader of the most powerful gang in New York, at the beginning of the film spurred their chase through various urban landscapes of the city. Along the way, the Warriors evaded and confronted gangs such as the Turnbull ACs, the Orphans, the Lizzies, the Punks, the Rogues, and the Riffs. Finally, after reaching the shores of Coney Island in the morning, they are challenged by the Rogues, who when help arrives, are taken care of, allowing the Warriors to be free.             To begin with, the concept of territoriality is present throughout the movie. Each of the over 100 gangs in New York staked their claim to space, protecting their turf with unique methods of violence. Much like the operation of gangs in today’s world, the gangs in the movie were willing to put up a nasty fight if any rival gang were to enter their territory. This is illustrated first by when the Warriors, on their way to Coney Island, take a detour through the Orphans’ turf. The Orphans, not wanting to appear soft, challenged the Warriors in an attempt to defend their urban space. Because the Warriors did not identify with the community, they had no sense of belonging, no gemeinshaft, and were forced to fight their way out.             Furthermore, the Warriors were additionally compelled to disobey their personal mental maps. Being hunted by every gang in the city forced the Warriors to re-assess and re-evaluate the portions of the urban environment that would pose the least threat to them. This process of actually doing territoriality proved key in the success of the Warriors.             Upon reflection, it is important to note the importance of territoriality in today’s urban landscapes. Feelings of fear can arise from such  violent forms of territoriality that are very real in today’ world, both in large metropolises in the United States and in the frontiers of developing countries. If one day we are free to live without having to assess the risk of being in a certain area, the world will be a much more peaceful place. 

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Portfolio 7: Minneapolis Postmodern Architecture

Ben Johnson 5/21/14 Portfolio/Journal Submission 7 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

                Architecture in the city of Minneapolis reflects an obvious community interest in how the city looks. Many buildings in the city, especially in the central business district and the North Loop Neighborhood, reflect a post-modern emphasis in architecture in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Because this unit has a focus on design, I felt that using a video as a source would be the best possible medium to assist me in my writing. Thus, I will write about the video titled “Minneapolis Architecture” found on YouTube and the significance of the types of architecture found in the buildings presented in the video.                 Right off the bat, the McNamara Alumni Center on the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota is displayed. The outside of the building looks to be an abstract representation of a shell of some sort, with both glass and metal covering the exterior. This design choice echoes the “unpresentable, the unfixed, the uncertain” aspects of postmodern architecture and design. Additionally, this building, along with the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and the Weisman Art Museum, illustrate the kinds of buildings known as “Prestige Buildings,” which are truly marvels of postmodern architecture. The Weisman Art Museum in particular looks very similar to the EMP building in Seattle, possessing a sort of wavy, shell-like, industrial-looking exterior. In the video, the narrator states that this building “[brings] an emphasis back to architecture… in the Twin Cities” (Cool 2008). In the words of Jean-Francois Lyotard, it “refuses the consolation of correct forms… and inquires into new presentations” (Unit 6). The exploration of new realms of design was stressed, as illustrated in the video by the Minneapolis Public Library, said to hold one of the “most extensive library systems in the country” (Cool 2008).                  Because most of these important buildings are located within a relatively close proximity to each other, the Mid-Century Modernist view of “Usonianism” is refuted (Unit 6). Thus, the planned decentralization proposed by Frank Lloyd Wright was never realized, as is the case with many other metropolises both in the United States and worldwide. Such a decentralized realization of modernism would promote the production of varied forms of transportation for the middle-class, who, in this form of modernism, are emphasized. However, some aspects of modernism are held to be true in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities. The trend toward future-oriented, optimistic views is held by many, and is illustrated in the video when the narrator discusses how coupled with the development of the Twin Cities for centuries has been an emphasis on the advancement of architecture and the exploration of possible new design techniques to be used on buildings in the area.                 Minneapolis truly is a city that can be represented by text. It reflects and serves the interests of the people, which in this case, are the arts (new theaters) and knowledge (new library). Surely the modern story of Minneapolis is not what it has always been, as its story has been made and re-made through architecture and design, thus contributing to the socio-spatial dialectic.                 My further thoughts on the issue... These sorts of architectural designs in Minneapolis invoke mental maps insofar that each neighborhood carries distinct place meanings. Each individual in the city is subconsciously disciplined as to where they go because of the architecture. Newer neighborhoods such as the North Loop may attract businessmen and upper class residents, while simultaneously dismissing those of a lower socio-economic standing. Architecture has a massive influence on mental maps, because they allow each individual to visualize specific buildings that form the nodes and paths of every part of the city. 

  References:

Cool Hunting Video. “Minneapolis Architecture.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 8 July 2008. Web. 20 May 2014.

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Portfolio 6: Shaughnessy vs North Loop

Ben Johnson 5/14/14 Portfolio/Journal Submission 6 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

                Much like the strict zoning happening in the Shaughnessy neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada, the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis is also affected by the manipulation of political processes. According to the Star Tribune, a tall office building was proposed to be built in 2012 in the North Loop neighborhood right across from the baseball field of the city, Target Field. It is part of a changing dynamic in the neighborhood, marking a shift in development from “hipster lofts, condos and restaurants” to “top of the line office spaces” (Moore 2012). Jim Montez, the senior director of the company involved in leasing the space, comments: “There’s a vibrancy to that neighborhood, a vibe with a little bit of an edge” (Moore 2012). Although the zoning may not be as strict as the Shaughnessy neighborhood of Vancouver, Montez was likely influenced by the obvious shift toward luxurious office spaces springing up all over North Loop. Located in the heart of downtown, this space is valuable real estate for the business elite, who want nothing more than to attract more money toward the area.                 It is here that one clear connection between the Shaughnessy neighborhood and the North Loop neighborhood can be made: they both have neighborhood associations. Existing since the 1930’s, the homeowners association evolved to assume control over zoning in the neighborhood, backed up by the police. This sort of local control over zoning is extremely rare, and can often carry negative consequences. David Frank, the president of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, has a clear stance on how spaces should be used, as made clear by the article. Frank noted, “‘The reason we like office development is because we’re all about bringing more people to the neighborhood – they’re spending money, they’re walking around” (Moore 2012). Representing a neighborhood association that has “tripled since 2000,” Frank and the other 4,300 residents are obviously interested in the money. They want office spaces that bring people, and subsequently money, to the area. While “Class A” space in the North Loop neighborhood “represents the highest-quality buildings in the market,” Frank said that in relation to smaller-scale development, Class A space conversion is “definitely a new development” (Moore 2012).                 While the struggle for land use in the North Loop neighborhood may not be as prevalent as in the Shaughnessy neighborhood, there are always struggles between ideologies of how neighborhoods should develop. While the North Loop neighborhood “differs from the city’s central business district because many of the area’s buildings are unique… millennials generally prefer open and collaborative work spaces” (Moore 2012). Thus, the struggle to appease both residents in the area, the best interest of the community, and the new generation of workers is spawned.                 One other interesting note about the Ford Center, the space on which the new office is proposed to be built, is that it is “a former Model-T plant” (Moore 2012). Creative destruction has evolved the community from an area with many factories, to residential spaces, to now fancy office buildings. The urban landscape of the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota is truly interesting and draws many comparisons to the Shaughnessy neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada.                 My further thoughts on the issue... the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis demonstrates territoriality. The residents and key players in the neighborhood claim this territory as theirs and subsequently inherit a duty to promote their own interests within the community. By claiming this urban space, they change the mental maps of each citizen that interacts with both this urban space and the other urban space of Minneapolis.

  References: Moore, Janet. "Towering plan for Minneapolis' North Loop." . Star Tribune, 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 May 2014. <http://www.startribune.com/business/179037441.html>.

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Portfolio 5: How Governments Deal with Big Business

Ben Johnson 4/30/14 Portfolio/Journal Submission 4 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

                In today’s society, environmental awareness has gained steam as of late. Our actions as human beings have profound impacts on humans and non-humans alike. Corporations, with specific regard to their factories, have been the source of many pollutants present in water, air, and soil around the globe. In this journal entry, I will expand outside of Minnesota and discuss a US-Canadian agreement to help reduce acid rain that comes as a result of air pollutants. Also included in this discussion will be an analysis of the effects of factory pollution in the documentary “Maquilapolis.”                 In the article titled, “U.S.-Canada Cooperation: The U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement,” concerns over acid rain were increasing in the 1980’s in the border regions, forcing both the American and Canadian governments to work to try to reduce the sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. In order to do this, the Air Quality Committee, comprised of an equal number of Americans and Canadians, were tasked with “implementing the commitments, measuring and reporting progress, and identifying evolving areas of concern in transboundary air pollution” (McLean 2008).  Specific factories discussed include power plans in Michigan and Saskatchewan, and additionally a steel mill in Ontario. The good news for the environment and the citizens affected by acid rain in those areas is that the U.S. and Canadian governments have the ability to act quickly and effectively. According to the article, “this relationship has built a capacity to deal with common problems” (McLean 2008). However, this capacity to solve environmental problems is not present everywhere in the world.                 Imagine living in a community down the hill from an abandoned lead processing  factory, a place where you are sick from factory pollutants, your neighbors are sick from factory pollutants, and there is no hope to leave. Unfortunately, this was the reality of the people living in a small community in Tijuana, Mexico. Although the point of view of the factories is not included in the documentary, it provides insight into the destitute lives of the maquiladora workers in Tijuana. What is most disturbing to me about the film is the inability of the Mexican government to crack down on the corporations because their hands are tied by the loans they had to accept from the IMF and World Bank. The Mexican government is put in a position where they simply cannot fund the public sector or ensure simple rights to its citizens. In the documentary, much like the acid rain problem described earlier, factories caused health problems. However, only after 10 years of battle, the Mexican government finally agreed to clean up the pollutants (which were already in the ground and water supplies). In America, corporations to a large extent are held more responsible for their actions, as evidenced by the U.S.-Canadian Air Quality Agreement.                 Those affected by the negative environmental impacts of factories, though they may face an uphill battle for justice, much band together and demand reparations Beyond this, agreements much like the U.S.-Canadian Air Quality Agreement must be implemented before the effects are felt. This way, although the profits of corporations may dip slightly, humans, non-humans, and Mother Earth will be much happier.

    References:

Mclean, Brian, and Jane Barton. “U.S.-Canada Cooperation: The U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement.” Journal Of Toxicology & Environmental Health: Part A 71.10 (2008): 564-569. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 May 2014.

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Portfolio 4: Minneapolis Zoopolis

Ben Johnson 4/30/14 Portfolio/Journal Submission 4 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

                The land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota is full of diverse wildlife. Whether you are talking about birds, ducks owls, wolves, elk, salmon, or bears, the average citizen of Minnesota is no stranger to encountering a wide range of animals. In this portfolio submission, I plan on discussing some unique instances of animals and their impact on the city, as discussed in lecture.                 To begin with, my first article discusses a lion being discovered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The “535-pound lion named Mustafa” was found in the backyard of a local church. Mustafa was rented for five days in order to provide an illustration of a passage from the Bible describing a lion and a lamb. Related to lecture is the fact that this animal is ‘wild.’ With regard to the urban zoo, originating in the early-mid 19th century, the small, rural town of Eden Prairie likely was not in close proximity to any zoo with foreign, exotic animals. Thus, this sort of appearance must have created a substantial impression on the parishioners of the church. Getting the lion to the rural community was no easy task, however. The pastor of the church notes, “‘… we thought we had all our ducks in a row, but we missed one little permit… we’re going to be working with the city once again…’” As illustrated by this quote, it becomes clear that the city can control what animals can enter its boundaries. According to this article, “Eden Prairie residents are prohibited from keeping exotic animals.” In cities such as Eden Prairie and other cities in Minnesota, urban economies and trade are affected by this feature of the post-industrial city.         Furthermore, as a result of the early industrial capitalist city, the proliferation of slaughterhouses was experienced in America. Farmed animals and the conditions to which they are subjected is a hotly debated subject in discussions of urbanization and animal rights. Slaughterhouses for cattle can be found nationwide and animal rights abuses occur in certain cases. In another one of my articles about the USDA written by Friedrich, a report done on the slaughterhouse revealed gruesome details about the practices performed there. Friedrich notes, “The plant manager in this Minnesota slaughterhouse shot a cow through the head, and then tormented the animal for more than 10 minutes” (Friedrich 2014). The abuses did not stop there, as USDA officials documented the slaughterhouse 13 more times over the next eight months. These are clear violations of not only USDA regulations but of also basic animal rights. In reference to the lecture, the slaughterhouse’s location is the result of the exclusion of live animal markets to areas surrounding rail and large urban areas, and also the subsequent exclusion of cattle from streets.                 In conclusion, the last article in particular brings up broader questions about the ordering of the ‘natural world.’ Who are we as humans to exercise our power of those we view as lesser? In today’s world of increasing population and simultaneous expansion of urban areas, interactions between humans and non-humans will become more prevalent, forcing this issue into the forefront of urbanization discourse. 

References:

Friedrich, Bruce. "USDA needs to take steps to stop abuse of animals." . Star Tribune, 25 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. <http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/256767211.html>.

Keller, Bill. "VIDEO: Why is a lion lying around in Eden Prairie, Minnesota?." . Fox Television Stations, Inc., 24 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2014. <http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/25336518/video-why-is-a-lion-lying-around-in-eden-prairie-minnesota>.

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This is an awesome illustration of proposed improvements to infrastructure in Minneapolis. The street pictured, France Avenue, is illustrated here with proposed improvements including: median refuge islands, landscaping, signal improvements, lighting, removal of free right turns, and narrow existing lanes. Pretty cool stuff, and it goes right along with last week's theme of capitalist urbanization! 

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University of Minnesota 

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Portfolio 1: Choosin' a Theme

Ben Johnson 4/9/13 Portfolio/Journal Submission 1 GEOG 277 McKeithen AC

            The urban area I will be focusing on for the remainder of the quarter is the Twin Cities. Encompassing the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, this unique urban area should provide plenty to write about in relation to the material covered in the class. I plan on gathering information about the Twin Cities through Tumblr, UW libraries, and other searches with appropriate material incorporating concepts learned in lecture.             To begin with, because I am required to use Tumblr for this class, I plan on following several blogs that discuss the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. On Tumblr, I should be able to find plenty of potential blog posts that I can link to my Tumblr profile. Although I am new to this website, I plan on creating a vibrant blog with resources from several sources. Furthermore, I plan on gathering information from scholarly articles on the UW libraries internet page. Hopefully there will be articles discussing the urbanization of the Twin Cities. I believe this resource will enable me to complete my portfolio assignments with accurate data backed up by credible sources. Maybe I will even be able to find a way to link the articles to my blog, if that is possible. Moreover, one other way of gathering information about the Twin Cities that I will explore is using search engines such as google by searching for keywords from the material. This will give me an understanding of everything that’s out there on the internet containing information about the metropolis.             Additionally, the material from week 1 did have somewhat of an influence on my decision to choose this urban area to study throughout the quarter. Based on material from the first week of class and my insight into what we will be studying, I chose a heavily urbanized area so that I can discuss the development of the metropolis as the material of the class progresses. I did not choose Saint Paul and Minneapolis for a specific reason relating to the material covered in the first week, rather I chose those cities to give me a lot to talk about. With regard to the material already covered in week one, I will be interested to see through my research how neoliberal globalization in particular has affected the Twin Cities. I have studied this topic in other geography classes this year, and now I have the opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of how it has affected this metropolis in particular. When discussing industrialization and urbanization, the Twin Cities do not automatically come to mind. Big cities such as New York, London, and Paris instead come to mind more often. However, this research should augment my base knowledge of this topic that we will cover more in depth in the coming weeks.             Finally, if I wish to change my focus because of a lack of information or interesting things to write about, I will most likely shift my focus toward cities in the greater Great Lakes region, such as Chicago and Detroit. Thus, if change is necessitated, writing about the cities in this area will promote dynamic discussions of urban geography. 

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in case anyone is wondering why minnesota is so dang great.