Observation Of Homelessness

Data and Analysis

My main focuses were on the types of people walking about (e.g. I observed homeless people walking with shopping carts), the amount of maintenance (trash piling where trash cans should be), and the surrounding structures. This allowed me to see a general demographic of people and the present economic class . From my observations, the streets are not well-cared for, having uneven pavement and depressions. Graffiti is also a prominent feature and is all over buildings, ATM machines, signposts, parking meters--almost any available flat surface.

I have also observed strong evidence of minorities shown by the variety of languages that can be found along restaurants and on storefronts, such as Chinese (Shu Jiao Fu Zhou), Vietnamese

The lack of upkeep shows the low funds of the local economy, and it’s lack of security. Sightings include: several broken fences and doors that don’t lock completely. Other aspects of the Bowery’s lack of maintenance include overflowing trash cans, or trash placed where a trash can should be. There’s also many parts of the Bowery still under construction, denoted by the ever-present scaffolding and construction barriers. Since these buildings are incomplete, that makes it easier for storms to demolish them.

To test to the Bowery’s rain and flood tolerance, I visited the area after a small rainfall. Upon entering the Bowery subway, there were pools of water, and some of water dripping from small holes in the ceiling. On the same day, I noticed water collecting in tree beds on the sidewalk, and water in road depressions. This goes into another issue: ventilations shafts, entrances and exits are at low elevations. They will easily

Maintenance won’t be an issue any longer. Things will get better for the locals, and the security will improve along with the streets. There’s already a Whole Foods, the shiny Avalon Bowery Place, the white New Museum, and upcoming plans for the Ace Hotel (which succeeded a Salvation Army). The introduction of all these corporations and businesses will help bring funds into the community. However, they will not benefit lower income peoples. They’d hurt. Despite the sights of the Bowery, the grime, and the rust, the oddest part is: Whole Foods. A Whole Foods, a giant corporation with overpriced commodities, is in a lower income neighborhood. Yuppies were walking out of the store with bags of groceries. Yet, the most interesting piece is how the homeless are taking shelter in the store. Since it’s a cleaner area than the streets, and equipped with bathrooms, it makes sense for them to gather there--especially during rainy weather. The economic and social divides are becoming clear in the cafe area. While women are holding their designer bags, the homeless hold cheap coffee cups and sit in their own groups. The divides between classes are not only emphasized by the building facades, but are visible in social situations. Thus, is demonstrates a lack of community, and social bias towards disadvantaged people while showing isolation in what is supposed to be a communal space. Although one may say that