From The Peopling of New York City
Please enter your name and a brief paragraph summarizing the focus of your research on your neighborhood.
For example: John Doe (Flushing) - I'm researching the growing number small businesses on Main St., what kinds of businesses they are, and how long they have been operating. I have interviewed several store owners, etc.
my comments are in italics below (Aaron)
Priya Puliyampet (Flushing)- In Flushing's branch of the Queens Public Library, I met a librarian who told me of her experiences as a child in the New York Hall of Science. Thus, I was inspired to study Flushing's cultural institutions. I will be looking at a variety of such centers, from houses of worship to museums, and their role in the neighborhood resident's life. Moreover, I am in the process of collecting interviews from others who visit these venues. Priya, which places have you visited so far?
Answer: I wasn't sure if I should be answering on this page but, this is what I have visited so far. I went to the New York Hall of Science, most of Flushing Meadows Park,the Hindu temple on Bownie street and the Queens Zoo. I am interested in the role of these institutions in creating a safe haven for children in this neighborhood. I informally interviewed many Queens natives in the Hall of Science on their experiences of going there as children (most of them were there with their children). I realize that I am going to have to narrow my topic; this is way too broad. I think that I will focus on the effect of the ease of access to parks and museums to families raising children. Also, I will have more formal interviews coming up.
John Ettikkalayil (Chinatown)- I'm researching the relevance of the underground economy and its effect on Chinatown and Chinatown's economic growth. I would also like to look into the relationship between the NYPD and people of Chinatown and the recent counterfeiting bust, where millions of dollars of counterfeit items were confiscated. Interesting, John. How do you plan on researching the counterfeiting scheme?
Farhana Hoque (Williamsburg)- I am looking at the influence of art within Williamsburg, Brooklyn and how it has changed over the years. Farhana, please give more detail in which art you plan on looking at and tell more about how you plan on studying how it has changed. What will be your research methodology?
I will interview owners of Art galleries in Williamsburg and ask their views on how they think their neighborhood has changed, and how it's changing today. I won't look at any specific art since young upcoming artists vary in the kinds of art they wish to express. Therefore, I want to simply look at the kind of art they chose to display, and what impact that has on them. At the same time, I'm looking at factors that are forcing artists to move out of Williamsburg (i.e.: high rent) and how that's affecting the neighborhood.
Leandra Dunn (Roosevelt Island)- I will be studying businesses on Roosevelt Island. The Island is very small but it still has its varied assortment of restaurants, entertainment hangouts, stores (both chain stores and those unique to the island, and private practices. Leandra, which businesses will you focus on and what kind of information will you present?
Farah Ahmad (Chinatown)- I will be studying the people of Chinatown- how they came to migrate here, how an ethnic enclave was formed, and perhaps its impact on society. Farah, the "impact on society" is pretty general. Are you taking photos? Interviews? Where will you go to study the people? Answer: We will be doing direct interviews with the people in Chinatown- both pedestrians and vendors. These interviews will be all over Chinatown so that it is not geographically biased. Questions to be asked include date of migration, their observations on social/historical trends in Chinatown, their relevance and ties to Chinatown, and their personal experiences within the area.
Zareen Tasneem (Williamsburg)- For the final project, I'll be researching the different groups that have settled in Williamsburg over the years and why they settled there. Zareen, this is another big topic. How will you research this? What specific research have you done so far? I decided to change it to covering real estate and housing in Williamsburg.
Jae B. You (Flushing)- My research will focus on the economic competition between different ethnic groups in Flushing. This is interesting. How will you get your information? Whom have you interviewed? Here is a link to your uploaded podcast: Media:Final1.m4a.
Michael Luboa (Hell's Kitchen) - Looking at how transportation has affected Hell's Kitchen. (tentative) Make it firm at this point, if you have no other topic, and begin collecting data.
David Engelman (Roosevelt Island)- I will be looking into the history of the island, especially at the various hospitals (mental, smallpox) that have existed there. Good topic. From where will you get your info about these hospitals? Have you visited them yet?
Wei Pan (Chinatown) - i will research the business industry of Chinatown and concentrate on various restaurants including their distribution and their targeted market especially those that are lesser known to the general public. Wei, what kind of information about the restaurants will you present? If these restaurants are lesser known to the general public, perhaps you could talk about why that is and how they stay in business--maybe there's a story behind those restaurants. Make this your topic and provide more info here.
Townes Wang (Flushing): My research will focus on the effects, the foundation, and the consequences of religious pluralism in Flushing, New York. The primary means by which I will gather information concerning this topic will be from academic articles and studies done by previous researchers and from interviews that I will conduct with the local inhabitants.
