Martineztown
landscape represents people
UNM
architects commemorate events, residents’ donations
By Carolyn
Gonzales
In
the 1960s, Martineztown was considered blighted, a slum
area slated for total relocation. Today it stands out
as a strong example of urban renewal. The neighborhood now looks
to imprint its history, culture and tradition on the landscape.
Alf Simon,
director of the landscape architecture program in the UNM School
of Architecture and Planning, received an $18,000 grant from
the UNM Center for Regional Studies to develop an urban landscape
framework for the Albuquerque neighborhood.
We
dont want a reflection of what Martineztown is or has
been, but rather a representation of the events and people of
the area that helped shape it. We want it to show how the neighborhood
is evolving and whats important to its residents,
said Simon.
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Program
accredited for full six-year term
This
spring, the Landscape Architecture Accrediting Board (LAAB)
reviewed the School of Architecture and Plannings
master of landscape architecture program. The board recently
announced the program is granted formal accreditation
for a full six-year term.
Program
Director Alf Simon said, We are absolutely delighted
to receive a full six-year accreditation as we enter the
fourth year of the landscape architecture program.
This clearly establishes our national position as a program
of quality.
UNM
joins a select group approximately 30 institutions
offering an accredited professional landscape architecture
degree at the graduate level. Even as a relative newcomer
on the academic landscape, more than 40 graduate students
are enrolled this semester.
Given
the critical needs of this profession and New Mexico,
the landscape architecture program plays a pivotal role
in enriching and broadening interests of both the architecture
and planning programs bringing a common educational
focus to the school in the planning, design and sustainability
of our built and natural environment, said Roger
Schluntz, dean, UNM School of Architecture and Planning.
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Working
through summer and continuing now in the fall, Simon, Chris
Wilson, J.B. Jackson Professor of Cultural Studies and research
scholar Frank Martinez, both in the School of Architecture and
Planning, are working with students Suze Green and Tawny Allen
to become familiar with the history and details of the areas
revitalization process. Another element is to identify themes
to be translated into the landscape.
By
understanding the history we will be able to punctuate the landscape,
establish the neighborhood as an entrance, a gateway to downtown,
said Simon.
Simon said
that Martineztown has improved significantly thanks to urban
revitalization, and it is unique to the city and country. Martinez
said that the residents themselves are to be commemorated for
claiming, retaining the area. For that reason, those who stood
firm against relocation will be one of the themes.
It
didnt become gentrified or made a trendy area,
Simon said.
South Martineztown,
defined as Martin Luther King to Lomas and Broadway to the Regional
Medical Center, is the focus of the project.
This
area is one of Albuquerques oldest and has gone through
historically difficult times with regard to land use,
said Martinez, who indicated they have documents establishing
the neighborhoods existence back to 1832.
The School
of Architecture and Planning, primarily through the Design Planning
Assistance Center (DPAC), has a lasting relationship with Martineztown.
DPAC did a study on the area and maintained a dialog with
the community while work went on at the hospital and at Longfellow
Elementary School. DPAC provided the base material to help formulate
the ideas, he said.
The hospital
and the school are two other themes. The community is
committed to commemorate the Sisters of Charity for 100 years
of service to the community through St. Josephs hospital,
said Martinez.
The roads
that help define the neighborhood will also be themes. Edith
was part of the old Camino Real, Martinez said. Tijeras and
Martin Luther King used to be the old Tijeras Canyon Road while
Mountain Road was previously Carnuel Road, he said.
I
make the argument that the original north-south, east-west crossroads
passed through Martineztown, said Martinez.
Another
artery, the Acequia Madre de Barelas also went through the neighborhood,
Martinez said. It will also be a theme used in the project.
Each theme
will have a location and design.
The
challenge is to bring the history into the landscape without
turning it into a museum. No one wants to live in a museum,
Simon said.
It will
not be the decision of the design team Simon, Wilson,
Martinez and the students to decide ultimately what is
put in place. We generate ideas. We help clients understand
what they want and help them through the stages, such as securing
grants. This way, when they meet with a consultant they can
articulate better what they want, Simon said, adding,
We are not in competition with area professionals. They
are our friends and graduates of our school.
Martinez,
who was a fellow at the Harvard School of Design, said, The
School of Architecture and Planning is developing extraordinary
talent. They are making a significant contribution to the context
of New Mexico. I am excited to work and interact with them.