Dana Hogstedt • Project Tour

I arrived at this intention in part by mapping the development of the area surrounding the Fens.

In mapping Boston I explored the process that created the Back Bay and the Fenway areas that occurred through the filling of the former Great Bay. The making of land for the city in this area was facilitated by the construction of large industrial and transportation infrastructures such as mill dams and causeways from which these future neighborhoods of Boston would grow. These elements resulted in large tracts of stagnant marsh-land which were further divided by causeways for the streets of the newly planned neighborhoods that sprung forth in quick succession following the infill of these cells with displaced land. The development of the Fens ParkÌs neighborhood was induced (stimulated) by the act of many large institutions choosing to locate in this then remote area of Boston, giving them the role of land makers and city builders by influencing the design of the Fens Park and perhaps more importantly, serving as magnets for other institutions and businesses which led to the eventual creation of residential neighborhoods in this area.