As the fastest growing city in the U.S. (grew 5.4% between 2011-2013) Austin is changing its urban environment and demographics in a pace that is quite shocking. During the five years I have been in this city, I have seen entire areas of downtown and the east side completely transformed by the emergence of new buildings, restaurants, coffeeshops, and even a F-1 race track. Construction cranes, massive holes on the ground, and condo developments keep appearing along with more cars, festivals, and young people from all over the country. The new immigrants are especially American millenials who move to Austin attracted by the promise of “weirdness,” “live music,” and opportunities for the “creative class.” Meanwhile, living costs keep rising and gentrification of neighborhoods is forcing local African-Americans and Hispanic/Latino populations to move to the suburbs. In the middle of rapid urban transformations driven mostly by private and commercial interests, it is crucial to advocate for a mindful development and conscious urban planning. Revisiting the work of urban thinker and writer Jane Jacobs, provides many clues and tips that can help the city of Austin to evolve organically, foster diversity, and support creativity and innovation.
In The Death and Life of Great American Cities (1961) Jane Jacobs stated that “old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.” (245) Jacobs argued that in order to evolve organically and gradually, cities and neighborhoods need “plain, ordinary, low-value old buildings” that are affordable to enterprises with low earnings such as galleries, art studios, and music stores. That is, spaces where creative types could exchange and discuss ideas, hang out, and build communities. Old buildings become an essential part of an urban mix that fosters diversity, dynamism, and density.
An example of such mixed use of infrastructure can be seen on the western edge of Austin East Side, next to the highway I-35 and the railroad tracks. While new condo developments keep sprouting along E 5th Street, old buildings are also being leveraged by private developers interested in the culture and entertainment sector. For instance, that is the case of 501 Studios, an enterprise who has appropriated two blocks of historic buildings to rent spaces for creative professionals and projects as diverse as talent agency, a photography studio, a DJ academy, a movie image archive, a visual effects company, and a brewery.
Among all the enterprises housed at 501 studios complex of old buildings, the one that I have become more familiar with is an events venue called the North Door. This space is versatile and can be used with many purposes such as a night club, a sound stage, a bar, and a theater. Juegos Rancheros, the local indie game community, has been using the North Door every month since 2013, transforming the space into an arcade, a stage for demo-ing new games, and a hang-out for a mix of talent from all segments of the local creative industries. The activities of the Juegos Rancheros meet-ups are a clear example of how new ideas, such as creating 21st century adult arcades and playgrounds, need old buildings and spaces.
