When Hope and Skepticism Collide
The East St. Louis community's skepticism about Fuller's utopian dome being a realistic solution for economic revival doomed the project before it even began production. Although there was initial encouragement from prominent community leaders, local government and business entities, the project never gathered the support it needed to proceed with development. There were several mitigating factors that stalled the project.
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As was discussed in the background section of this digital exhibit, East St. Louis had a history of having outside interests and big business concerns dictating the laws and regulations of the municipality with very little input - if any, from the residents. In addition, the local government, once they were given some autonomy did not have a sound foundational infrastructure to cope with the many issues that were facing the struggling community.
Local state representative
Wyvetter Younge and concerned resident Katherine Dunham were supportive of Fuller’s design and plan, however, he made the same critical error that had continually plagued the ailing community. He presented a concept that had no community involvement and did not take into consideration the specific problems facing the residents. Buckminster Fuller was an idealist with a utopian vision that did not coincide with the immediate needs of the community.
When one concerned citizen stated that they needed jobs not housing, Fuller’s response was that in the future there would be no need for jobs. Clearly, this was an unrealistic expectation and did not address the needs of the community.
Wyvetter Younge and concerned resident Katherine Dunham were supportive of Fuller’s design and plan, however, he made the same critical error that had continually plagued the ailing community. He presented a concept that had no community involvement and did not take into consideration the specific problems facing the residents. Buckminster Fuller was an idealist with a utopian vision that did not coincide with the immediate needs of the community.
When one concerned citizen stated that they needed jobs not housing, Fuller’s response was that in the future there would be no need for jobs. Clearly, this was an unrealistic expectation and did not address the needs of the community.
As is clear from the interviews with the men from Washington University who participated in the various design stages during the project development, once the design was revised the environmental efficiency of the project was compromised. If you look at the various news articles covering the Old Man River Project, there is no consistent reporting on either the projected cost of the project or the number of residents the complex could house.
Buckminster Fuller had a unique vision and an innovative concept that would have been exciting to have come to fruition. However, it wasn’t the right vision or the right time to have been the right solution for East St. Louis.
Do you think the Old Man River's City Project design concept would work today? Click here to fill out our Exhibit Feedback form and let us know. We would like to hear from you.
Do you think the Old Man River's City Project design concept would work today? Click here to fill out our Exhibit Feedback form and let us know. We would like to hear from you.
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