Venturing Beyond The United States' Artificial Boundaries of Cultural Separation

Venturing Beyond The United States' Artificial Boundaries of Cultural Separation

Abstract

This project seeks to use music to inform people of some of the ways that our built environment influences cultural and empathetic connection. The default landscape associated with the United States is the suburb, with over 50% of the nation’s population residing in suburbs [33]. The way that many suburbs are designed encourages isolation, with areas designed around car-centric living neglecting the neighborhood’s own livability and accessibility. People living in car-dependent areas are shown to have lower social capital, engaging less with their communities [21]. Additionally, suburbs are highly racially segregated, historically on purpose [27]. Poor community design and the resulting lower social capital diminish the positive effect of cultural and social conductors such as music [18]. I composed four original musical pieces to portray themes relating to the suburb as a socially and culturally isolating environment, while contrasting them with musical themes inspired by more collectivistic living. The compositions are based around research of suburban history and statistics, as well as sociological and ethnomusicological research. The project’s approach of juxtaposing novel musical structures against a contrary theme of cultural isolation promotes a new way of understanding the societal effects of suburbanization.

Publication Date

7-1-2026

Campus

Boston Campus

Keywords

Urbanization; Music; Individualism; Suburbanization; Ethnomusicology

Venturing Beyond The United States' Artificial Boundaries of Cultural Separation

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