SOCIOLOGICAL THINKING & RESEARCH

Summary

Dr. William Kornblum and colleagues explore the impact of renewal plans for Times Square, New York City. Funded by the city and state, their research focuses on interventions that could positively affect the area and its diverse users. They investigate natural city areas, like entertainment districts, often overlooked in research. Employing methods like ethnography and surveys, they examine how changes influence the city's social ecology and future, engaging with residents and stakeholders to understand and document Times Square's transformation.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ The research focuses on the social ecology and politics of Times Square, aiming to understand how urban interventions can positively impact the city and its diverse user groups.
• 🌳 The concept of 'natural areas' in cities, as introduced by Robert Park, is used to frame Times Square as an area shaped by underlying economic and cultural forces.
• 🔍 The research delves into understudied areas like entertainment districts, which are becoming increasingly important for city futures.
• 🚫 A hypothesis confirmed was that pushing pornography out of certain areas led to its emergence in others within Times Square, following market concentration patterns.
• 🏢 Another hypothesis suggested that improving entertainment options and reducing seedy elements could attract the public back to Times Square.
• 👥 Methodologies used in the research include ethnography, life history approaches, and surveys, tailored to different populations like street hustlers and theatergoers.
• 📊 The research involves quantitative data on population size and movement, participant observation, and historical data to understand usage patterns over time.
• 🎭 Times Square's transformation is significant for the theater industry and the city, shifting from a deteriorated area to a beloved entertainment spot.
• 👮‍♂️ The theater district took initiative to combat social deterioration when government efforts were insufficient, leading to a renaissance.
• 🏛️ The research has been used in legal battles over property rights in Times Square, as well as in environmental assessments and cultural studies of city changes.
• 🌐 The study's findings suggest that public perception of an area's hope and value can influence its potential for improvement and development.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Dr. William Kornblum's research on Times Square?

The primary focus of Dr. William Kornblum's research is to understand how interventions in Times Square can improve the environment for the city and its diverse user groups.

Who sponsored the different phases of the research on Times Square?

The different phases of the research on Times Square were sponsored by the city of New York and the state of New York.

What is the significance of Times Square for the city's future?

Times Square is significant for the city's future because it represents an area where entertainment and culture are becoming increasingly important, and its transformation can have a substantial impact on the city's development.

What is the methodology used in Dr. Kornblum's research for studying street hustlers?

For studying street hustlers, Dr. Kornblum uses ethnography, which involves participant observation and life history approaches, including lengthy interviews over months or even years.

How does the research approach the study of theatergoers in Times Square?

The research uses a survey method for studying theatergoers, administering questionnaires as they exit theaters to gather quantitative data.

What was the hypothesis regarding the displacement of pornography in Times Square?

The hypothesis was that if pornography was pushed out from the 42nd Street corner, it would reappear in other parts of the Times Square area where the market for adult entertainment is concentrated.

What historical building in Times Square is associated with Enrico Caruso?

The old Knickerbocker Hotel is the historical building in Times Square where Enrico Caruso sang 'God Bless America' after World War I.

What is the 'chess game' mentioned in the script?

The 'chess game' is a street game in Times Square where people bet against chess players, with the professional chess players usually winning but not always.

What is considered the most popular entertainment spot in New York City according to the research?

According to the research, the most popular entertainment spot in New York City is Shubert Alley and the Broadway stage.

How has the perception of Times Square changed over the years, and what role has the theater industry played?

The perception of Times Square has changed from being an area of deterioration with prostitution and drug dealing to a renaissance led by the theater industry, which has worked with the private sector to revitalize the area.

How does Dr. Kornblum ensure that his research is authentic and includes the participation of the people he studies?

Dr. Kornblum ensures authenticity by allowing the people he studies to read and comment on the material, providing feedback, and including their responses in the final narrative.

What types of data does the research on Times Square analyze?

The research analyzes quantitative data about population size and movement, participant observation data, lengthy interviews, and historical data to understand patterns over time.

How has the research been utilized in legal battles and cultural documentation?

The research has been utilized in legal battles around Times Square, particularly in property disputes for redevelopment. It has also been used by historians and cultural analysts to document the changes in Times Square.