Urban Architecture, planning and design. Essay

One of the most valuable things I have brought away from working on design (Creativity, Innovation and Change, University of Pennsylvania) projects is the realization that I have become more aware of the need for good, sensible, realistic design; design as it is applied to so many of the common things I see and make note of every day in my little town (population @ 6000). I see it in controls, signage, landscape elements, traffic patterns, safety devices, tools, etc. My involvement in “design and creative thinking” has made me more aware, but at the same time more frustrated with the abundance of poor, mediocre, and shoddy design that may cost even more money than good and sensible design.

I think that my fellow students should be thankful, as their studies having opened their eyes to possibilities and hopefully to the willingness to share some of their personal and newfound knowledge, by volunteering to solve a problem they notice in their immediate environment. We can write letters to our newspaper describing a problem and offering some aspect of a solution. We can volunteer to speak to a group to offer solutions, show and describe some local examples of things that need to be modified, improved, or disposed of. What are the obvious things that can be done to improve the look and utility of this typical alley in my town? [Image above.] 1. Awareness of the problem, some simple approaches to prototype or diagram a change, multimedia examples of shoddy design, finished and improved designs, and an effort to help citizens become aware of the rewards for this knowledge and skill. In so many ways, Education is the key and probably the least expensive way to bring about change in people’s minds and ultimately in the creation and use of things we are surrounded with in our homes, workplace, and public spaces.

The picture of the mailbox post on the street is how some local’s dealt with the new paving on the street. The posts were covered or removed for their mailboxes and the new asphalt paving did NOT cover the earth completely to the concrete sidewalk, so the weeds grow between the sidewalk and the new street paving. Inclined to remove or discourage weeds, citizens use noxious weed killer, etc., which finds its way into the storm sewer system. A shoddy job of paving is thus extended and magnified by poisoning the water that finds its way into the nearby strait.