Pat Mueller

Pat Mueller

Pat Mueller lives in the Martin Drive neighborhood adjoining Washington Park. We interviewed her because of her extensive knowledge of the historic architecture of the homes and buildings surrounding Washington Park.  

Pat's understanding of neighborhoods and the built environment help elucidate how the built environment impacts the social and political aspects of neighborhood life. Spatial contagion, spillover effects, or spatial interdependence are terms social scientists and geographers use to understand how one geographic area effects, influences, or shapes another geographic area close by or far away. As Pat describes the “compactness” and physical boundaries isolating Martin Drive – she explains how these features protected the neighborhood from crime while also facilitating identity and creating a neighborhood that “you can see”.


Pat Mueller, interview by Godson Mollel, June 2014
Photo Credit: Martin-Drive Neighborhood

Neighborhood identity matters.

A compact neighborhood.

Neighborhood traditions.

The old zoo used to have many activities.

Pat Mueller talks about how Washington Park used to be a place of gathering.

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