Xinyi Cai

This thesis aims to address the spatial fragmentation of Mission Hill. Mission Hill is a microcosm of Boston's history. Four hundred years ago, Mission Hill was an ecological ecotone with a series of transitional landscapes. Today, Landfill, segregation, gentrification, and climate change have caused fragmented spaces, weak connections, and poor accessibility. The spatial spirit of the community is lost as a result.

Mission Hill's existing public open space reminds us of its history as an ecotone. Research on ecotones demonstrates that different species and substances can co-exist and will be transferred efficiently because of the excellent connectivity inside the ecotone. Through reconnecting fragmented open spaces, we can reactivate the history of Mission Hill and rewild Mission Hill to be a new ecotone. Returning to the ecotone, Mission Hill can reorganize fragmented spaces, activate hidden histories, evoke distant shared memories, and alleviate the emotional and physical trauma of the community.