PRES 6910 | Independent Study
Professor Edson G. Cabalfin
This independent study examined the influence of neoliberal mechanisms on historic preservation in three Gulf Coast case studies: Miami’s Art Deco Historic District, the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the Third Ward in Houston. Drawing on site visits funded by the Ann Frank Masson Travel Fellowship, I developed a comparative framework analyzing how deregulation, privatization, speculative development, and state withdrawal shape preservation policy, architectural integrity, and cultural memory in historically significant neighborhoods.
Under the supervision of Dr. Edson Cabalfin, I conducted a deep literature review (5,000+ words) on neoliberal urbanism, finalized an IRB application, and designed an interview protocol for stakeholder engagement. Fieldwork included archival research, photographic surveys, and informal interviews with preservation professionals, civic actors, and residents.
The final deliverable was a data-backed analytical framework mapping the material and policy effects of neoliberalism across the three districts. This comparative matrix is grounded in primary research, structured thematic coding, and supported by archival and photographic documentation.
Key skills developed:
Comparative historical analysis
IRB protocol writing and interview design
Field survey and documentation in preservation contexts
Thematic coding and matrix-based analysis
Integration of literature review with empirical research
This independent study served as a pilot for my thesis and laid the groundwork for further research on the political economy of preservation in U.S. historic districts.
