SHIFTING CORRIDOR

2017 Fall   Hartford, CT

Instructor: Lee Altman

Partner: Ken Koomsiripithuck, Janki Shah

The economic growth of the city is governed by the industries, however the location of the industries is highly depend on the transportation infrastructural development. This research project focused on the analysis of Hartford's economic, industry, transportation, and demographic system to present the urban evolution of Hartford. 

Historically Connecticut River valley was considered as booming center of Tabacco farming due to the rich fertile soil. The agriculture industry export goods to Europe ports via sailing ships through Connecticut River during mid-18th century.

During the World War I, Industrial shifted from agricultural production to defense manufacturing. In mid-19th century alternative mode of Ground transportation started to develop resulting into the loss of shipping activities and manufacturing industries shifted their base to foreign countries for cheaper production.

The expansion of industries lead to that merchants were increasingly worried about the risks associated with their trade. This lead to establishment of insurance company in the city and made Hartford capital of insurance business. With the development of road network, the transportation corridor lost its position and insurance business along the railway and highway moved out of downtown.

In the present scenario, with the development of communication infrastructure, the geological transportation infrastructure: river, railway, and highway lost its presence. As per the global trend large companies are moving to more metropolitan city, Hartford, situated in the middle point of metropolitan cities: Boston and New York, is experiencing a series of economic crisis because of the tension.