POSTINDUSTRIAL CHANGES:  live/work warehouses as a focal point for

SUSTAINABLE URBAN RENEWAL

Think local/global: An analysis of globalization provides clues to unravel the causes of our urban deficits.

A warehouse is most typically an ex-factory, infrastructure left over from former periods of industrial development. In our contemporary post global era, large-scale manufacturing production has been outsourced to industrializing 3rd world nations. As a result, previous industrial districts face at least 3 major challenges in transitioning into the information economy: loss of jobs, a crisis of infrastructure and environmental toxicity.

Over the last 8 years, private redevelopment of ex-industrial spaces for residential, commercial or mixed uses has been massively undertaken in the city of Oakland. While having had some success in attracting more affluent renters to relocate, this model has excluded local communities from participating in and benefiting from decision-making processes. In West Oakland in particular, there is a vast chasm between existing local needs and slated redevelopment in the form of “mixed use” luxury lofts (zoned as live/work but functionally nothing more than private apartments).

We have an alternative proposition: to distribute social benefits broadly and catalyze investment and innovation in environmental sustainability and social justice. Revising our understanding of value to include our collective or shared wealth is the key to unlocking urban renewal efforts: estimating our local richness not simply in dollar figures but in terms that include and defend ecology and culture, education and the arts.

We advocate for functional mixed-use live/work development that meets real needs, including:

• low income housing:

• employment and specialized/technical job training

• spaces to gather and interact: art/culture/expression

• holistic and preventative healthcare

• fresh and healthy food

• abatement of environmental toxicity: restoration of air, water, soil, plants and animals for healthy ecosystems

The arts can serve as a useful tool in promoting the cross-cultural understanding and imagination required to collectively address the challenges facing our city. Warehouses are focal points that bring us together to create, express and share. Strengthening our ability to communicate and understand one other, to cooperate and to build consensus.

Creative live/work development can play an important role in establishing livable communities and stronger local economies. Local production provides jobs and spurs off-growth in distribution and services. Energy is saved (and pollution minimized) by avoiding costly transportation. Being selective about what we consume doesn’t have to be elitist or isolationist, but a shift in priorities to address local needs. Instead of being dependent on outside markets, we can be poised to trade fairly for the things we really need by offering strategic local goods and services to state, national and international markets.

Savvy consumers prefer local and sustainable goods. Consider the booming market (throughout California, the US and world) for organic products. Locally, the Grand Lake Farmer’s Market and the Oakland Art Murmur are examples of successful economic innovation.

What can we produce or provide?

• art: fine, performing (music, dance, theater, martial) and industrial arts (facilitate specialization)

• artisan goods/crafts: sole producers or cottage industry organized in cooperatives

• media: print, radio, video centers (with networks/distribution)

• goods: small multi-faceted teams leveraging technology can be competitive and innovative producers

• organic food/farms: to provide for local health and nutrition needs and begin environmental cleanup

• education/job skills: collaboration, skill-sharing, classes & apprenticeships

• services: labor, tech support, etc.