Heterotopic Landscape in Antebellum Charleston, South Carolina

Abstract

This study explores the public building block of antebellum Charleston in the spatial context. By collaborating with the recent spatial studies and historical documents to unveil the issues surrounding the power of place, and the natural and urban landscape, this study reveals that Charlestons public building complex was a distinctive example of Michel Foucaults notion of heterotopias. Through the lens of heterotopia, the story of Charlestons public building block—Poor House, Work House, Jail, Medical College of South Caolina, and Roper Hospital—reveals the ways that the colorful social and cultural fabric was woven by both desirable and undesirable layers of threads. By embracing incompatibilities, the public building block in a designated site emulated a realized utopia in the context of healthy city.