Mark Tirpak

Email: mark.a.tirpak@student.uts.edu.au

Twitter: tirpakma

Thesis Title: Not your neighbourhood taco truck?: learning from and preserving “Mexican” DIY urbanism in San Antonio, Texas USA

This research will examine aspects of DIY urbanism in San Antonio, Texas (USA); DIY urbanism can be defined as resident-initiated interventions into the public realm - including street vending, public art, creation of parks or gardens and other modifications or appropriations of streets, streetscapes and public or vacant spaces. The research will help document DIY urbanism practices in San Antonio (a majority Latino/Hispanic city) and explore how they connect with 'Mexican cultures of public space' and/or 'Latino urbanist' approaches to civic life—as well as how these practices influence and are influenced by the official planning culture of the city.

Other Research Interests:

  • urban design, development and management for public health, environmental sustainability and democracy
  • just cities / right to the city
  • preservation of urban cultural diversity / 'authentic' urban practices
  • informal economy and entrepreneurship
  • biophillic cities
  • design for extreme affordability
  • democracy and education / service-learning approaches to formal education (including in the teaching of urban planners, designers, and managers)
Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.