Posting a Comment

It was brought to my attention that you could not post comments on the blog.  I believe I have fixed the problem.  Let me know if anymore problems persist.  Sorry. Thanks.

COMMUNITY RESEARCH

http://www.class.uidaho.edu/communityresearch/

In the spirit of our designing efforts in Studio 3, I came across this website posted by the University of Idaho.  It looks like it could be helpful in making designing decisions.  There are definitely useful things hiding in there.  I hope you find it as helpful as I did.  Click on the link above.

WAL-MARTIANS

I noticed two blog posts critiquing Wal-Mart's existence so I thought I would indulge in the criticism of Wal-Mart and add this little piece of work that examines the "Mega-Store's" clientele.  It has nothing to with design or its effect on design but nonetheless I found it entertaining.  VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK.  ENJOY!!

New Urban Communities

New Urbanism At Its Finest

For a low low price tag of $1020.00 a month you may reside in one of the Coda Homes.  Is this an inclusive mixed income development that New Urbanism prides itself on?  Is $1020.00 a month standard for low income housing?  Are there two types of New Urbanism?  Looks like a great place to live from what I can tell from the video but it does not seem to promote diversity in any form.  Thoughts......anyone?

Here is the link to their website   .http://www.newurbancommunities.com/

Clark Retirement Group

As future designers, we should remember we design for them as well.  I saw this and couldn't  resist sharing with the group.  Although everyone seems happy in the video, I began to ask - Are they really?  As I was reading Native To Nowhere,  Beatley sparked 2 thoughts that I began to ponder.  First, he spoke of our elders in our communities and the advantages they could give to our future.  I hope this is not offensive to anyone, especially to any elderly people, who are biting at the bit to get online and read "Doling The Daily Grind" but typically, I view elderly centers such as these as prisons without bars.  Drastic you say?  The ones I have visited in the last 6 years have codes that you have to enter to get out.  In other words it is controlled entry and exit - state penitentiaries have the same system.  That is no way to live out the rest of your life. Is this something that our senior citizens desire or is this something they have been conditioned to accept?  There is a reason Sophia gasped anytime Dorothy mentioned sending her to "The Home".    Secondly,  urban sprawl destroys any independence that our senior citizens may have had due to the exclusive design around the automobile.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I like being able to get into my car and being able to go as I please; however, I believe as future designers, it is incumbent of us to remember our senior citizens when designing  - in 30 - 40 years we'll be in their shoes.  We can design for both car and pedestrian.  They should be able to have the goods and services available to them within walking distance in hopes that they will remain in our communities to offer insight for our future. Instead, our society as of now sticks them in a group home in the middle of pasture land on the fringe of town with nothing around them except a black top parking lot and well.....cows.  If they can drive, we force them to drive a distance to the nearest store or gas station.  We can do better than that as a society.  Our senior citizens deserve better than that.  Maybe that is why our senior centers have been conditioned to become prisons without bars - they do not want my grandmother to become a live game of Frogger.  The little green speck represents my grandmother.  Directly to her north is a nice representation of sprawl and the "American Dream" it proclaims it instills - wide lanes to get the cars through.  My grandmother can see her life flashing before her if she even attempts at crossing this type of street design.  It is suicide.

Disclaimer:  This is not to say that Clark Retirement Community is not a wonderful place to live.  I just wonder if this is what our senior citizens really desire.

Roots and Leaves Themselves Alone - Walt Whitman

Roots and leaves alone are these,
Scents brought to men and women from the wild woods and pond-side,
Breast-sorrel and pinks of love, fingers that wind around tighter
   than vines,
Gushes from the throats of birds hid in the foliage of trees as the
   sun is risen,
Breezes of land and love set from living shores to you on the living
   sea, to you O sailors!
Frost-mellow'd berries and Third-month twigs offer'd fresh to young
   persons wandering out in the fields when the winter breaks up,
Love-buds put before you and within you whoever you are,
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms,
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them they will open and bring
   form, color, perfume, to you,
If you become the aliment and the wet they will become flowers,
   fruits, tall branches, and trees.