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Publication Date

2010-01-01

Availability

UM campus only

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Latin American Studies (Arts and Sciences)

Date of Defense

2010-04-13

First Committee Member

J. Miguel Kanai - Committee Chair

Second Committee Member

Jan Nijman - Committee Member

Third Committee Member

George Y?dice - Committee Member

Abstract

Miami is no longer just known as the playground for Latin America's wealthy, rather, it has become increasingly identified as the business, commercial and cultural center of South Florida and the Americas. This increasing importance and global scope has led to the idea of making Miami into a "new" world city a development priority. The city's geographical proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean makes it an ideal city within the United States to form transnational ties and to attract more business from the region and hopefully the rest of the world. How does the idea of being a "world city" affect the types of projects that have taken place or will be taking place in recent years? Does this idea cater only to Latin American elites and the global sphere while ignoring the needs of local residents in adjacent areas? Megaprojects such as Museum Park and the Miami World Center are set to solidify MiamiÕs position as a global node and a greater regional hub. These projects will be built in the two areas of Downtown that do not enjoy the same cosmopolitan lifestyle as the Central Business District and the Brickell areas, in hopes of creating a different identity or a brand for these generally lower-income areas. Adjacent Overtown does not receive this kind of attention. This paper will examine how Downtown Miami is aiming at "world city" status, attempting to attract foreign capital--both economic and social--while neglecting to place a greater importance on homegrown talent and low-income locals living in neighborhoods adjacent to "developing" areas.

Keywords

Megaprojects; Latin Americans; Low-income; Redevelopment; Gentrification; Downtown Miami

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