Tuesday, 1 May 2007
Simulation Games
My daughter bought a game today called Mall Tycoon 2, where you design and run your own mall. It's not a bad little game, but helping her play it got me thinking about these sorts of games. They have become very sophisticated, and I think we need one that is environmentally focused. Why not create a game whereby you have to run the world economy in such a way as to reverse the threat of global warming, for example? This would be a great way of communicating this concept to people in a non-threatening way, and would make people realize that driving a car, eating a lot of red meat, etc all impact the environment negatively when done en masse.
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Designing for Seniors
This topic has been on my mind quite a bit lately, because my Grandmother is here now and I am realizing the full impact of what it means to be her age. She can't drive anymore, and is suffering from various ailments that prevent her from being able to get around as much as she used to.
It amazes me that we are not doing more to create communities for older people that function on many different levels. let's take Sun City as an example. If you have ever been into one of the Sun City complexes, they are really enormous and nicely laid-out, with lots of walking paths, golf courses and paths, and all sorts of entertainment options for the residents. Often they are also sited near a Wal-Mart and a health center, as well, so that residents have easy access to amenities.
However, the biggest problem with this sort of community is, the day the resident can no longer drive, they have to leave. A Wal-Mart in "close proximity" is one thing if you can drive there. It's another thing if you have to walk, and you have a replacement hip or are partially blind. It's so sad to think that older people must relocate and make new friends, and become re-accustomed to a whole new life once they lose the ability to drive. They might still be perfectly capable of cooking, cleaning their house, and doing other daily tasks of survival. They might have friends and a social life in their community. But in this modern age, if they cannot drive, their life is basically over.
Why can't we create communities that allow older residents to switch to a transportation-assistance program when they stop driving, and then gradually as they lose the ability to do daily tasks, they can be transitioned into an assisted-living arrangement where they live? Is this such a hard concept for developers to grasp? Many of these people either have no family, or else their families are far away and don't see them often. Their friends and neighbors may be all that they have. And, the nice thing about this social network is that many of the older residents are still capable of driving, working part-time, etc so they are a great resource for house-bound residents. Not to mention, that higher functioning residents know their time will come when they need help too, so they are probably glad to help those who are already further down the path in terms of functionality.
Depression among seniors is high. Families are more disjointed and remote than ever. It's time we design communities to help alleviate this problem and create places where people can age comfortably and without fear of losing their home when they get to a certain point.
It amazes me that we are not doing more to create communities for older people that function on many different levels. let's take Sun City as an example. If you have ever been into one of the Sun City complexes, they are really enormous and nicely laid-out, with lots of walking paths, golf courses and paths, and all sorts of entertainment options for the residents. Often they are also sited near a Wal-Mart and a health center, as well, so that residents have easy access to amenities.
However, the biggest problem with this sort of community is, the day the resident can no longer drive, they have to leave. A Wal-Mart in "close proximity" is one thing if you can drive there. It's another thing if you have to walk, and you have a replacement hip or are partially blind. It's so sad to think that older people must relocate and make new friends, and become re-accustomed to a whole new life once they lose the ability to drive. They might still be perfectly capable of cooking, cleaning their house, and doing other daily tasks of survival. They might have friends and a social life in their community. But in this modern age, if they cannot drive, their life is basically over.
Why can't we create communities that allow older residents to switch to a transportation-assistance program when they stop driving, and then gradually as they lose the ability to do daily tasks, they can be transitioned into an assisted-living arrangement where they live? Is this such a hard concept for developers to grasp? Many of these people either have no family, or else their families are far away and don't see them often. Their friends and neighbors may be all that they have. And, the nice thing about this social network is that many of the older residents are still capable of driving, working part-time, etc so they are a great resource for house-bound residents. Not to mention, that higher functioning residents know their time will come when they need help too, so they are probably glad to help those who are already further down the path in terms of functionality.
Depression among seniors is high. Families are more disjointed and remote than ever. It's time we design communities to help alleviate this problem and create places where people can age comfortably and without fear of losing their home when they get to a certain point.
Tuesday, 17 April 2007
Architects and Landscape Architects can be friends!
Ok, it is almost finals week, I have two kids and a new puppy to chase after, and I have a gazillion projects due like YESTERDAY, so of course I am doing the natural thing here in my blog - procrastinating!
I wanted to comment about the gray area between the two disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture. I am a teaching assistant in an introductory architecture studio this semester, and I really enjoy working with the students. I also love it when they teach ME a thing or two about photoshop! Today we had an interesting discussion about the boundary between our disciplines. Often, landscape architects will suggest a structure's shape or design when designing the environment around it, if there is nothing there yet. These impressions can often stick in a client's mind, so I believe it is prudent for the designer to try and remain vague and neutral with such suggestions, in order to make the architect's job easier later. However, by the same token architects should tread carefully when siting trees, ponds, etc in a design because those elements may not be feasible in reality or may be countered by other (dare I say better?) ideas formulated by the landscape architect. So each discipline must tread carefully and take care not to project too dominant of a theme relating to the other's "territory" in a design. There's room for both of them to work together and even inspire each other, too, of course.
I wanted to comment about the gray area between the two disciplines of architecture and landscape architecture. I am a teaching assistant in an introductory architecture studio this semester, and I really enjoy working with the students. I also love it when they teach ME a thing or two about photoshop! Today we had an interesting discussion about the boundary between our disciplines. Often, landscape architects will suggest a structure's shape or design when designing the environment around it, if there is nothing there yet. These impressions can often stick in a client's mind, so I believe it is prudent for the designer to try and remain vague and neutral with such suggestions, in order to make the architect's job easier later. However, by the same token architects should tread carefully when siting trees, ponds, etc in a design because those elements may not be feasible in reality or may be countered by other (dare I say better?) ideas formulated by the landscape architect. So each discipline must tread carefully and take care not to project too dominant of a theme relating to the other's "territory" in a design. There's room for both of them to work together and even inspire each other, too, of course.
Sunday, 8 April 2007
Isolated wetlands
In recent years a supreme court decision took the power of designating isolated wetlands away from the US Army Corps of Engineers. This has resulted in many important wetland areas being developed. The Corps simply has to 'walk away' if there is no surface water connection to a wetland. States have the power to override this and designate isolated wetlands on their own. I will expand on this topic further later on, but it is important for us to all write to our congressmen and urge them to explore the issue. Development in my state is increasing at a very rapid pace, especially in coastal areas, and I have personally seen coastal wetlands disappear because of this loophole.
This photo was taken of a wetland in coastal South Carolina months before it was filled and townhouses were built on the property. The US Army Corps of Engineers could not protect it because of the issue I speak of.
Friday, 6 April 2007
Child-friendly neighborhoods
I live in a small college town, and purchased a townhouse to live in while I attend graduate school. The neighborhood is not bad, I would describe it as 'transitional'. There are a lot of students, and plenty of ethnic diversity. I have neighbors that are black, asian, hispanic, etc... and there are quite a few children on the street. The other day my seven year old was riding her bike on our street and someone who was driving past apparently said to her 'you shouldn't be riding here, little girl'.
Perhaps its for the best that I was not right there, or that person and I would have had words. Our street has no sidewalks, so I am fearful about my kids riding there, but what else am I supposed to do? Kids need a place to play outside. What is the world coming to when a child cannot ride a bike on their own street? It's not like this is a main thoroughfare with a lot of traffic; the only people who come down the street are residents and visitors. We are doing a huge disservice to our own children and society at large by denying children safe outdoor places to play. We wonder why they go and get into all sorts of trouble!
Perhaps its for the best that I was not right there, or that person and I would have had words. Our street has no sidewalks, so I am fearful about my kids riding there, but what else am I supposed to do? Kids need a place to play outside. What is the world coming to when a child cannot ride a bike on their own street? It's not like this is a main thoroughfare with a lot of traffic; the only people who come down the street are residents and visitors. We are doing a huge disservice to our own children and society at large by denying children safe outdoor places to play. We wonder why they go and get into all sorts of trouble!
Thursday, 5 April 2007
Habitat Restoration
Today I attended a water forum that included state and federal agencies, power companies and other utility providers, as well as academia. We had a breakout water quality session during which, among other things, the issue of wetlands restoration came up. I expressed an interest from a Landscape Architectural perspective, saying that our profession has a profound interest in this topic and this is an area where interdisciplinary work would be really beneficial. We provide the design experience as well as the cultural and economic facilitation, and the scientists help with technical details regarding how the ecosystem should be rebuilt. This cross-communication would also be very helpful in areas such as brownfield site restoration.
As one small first step in this endeavor, I make the following suggestion: (to be expanded upon ad infinitum...)
Biologists could provide us with lists of plant communities that function well together, and that provide habitats for sensitive animals. For example, if there is a type of bird that only likes to nest in a particular type of tree, and in addition this bird will not nest in said tree if it is located near a busy road...that would be very helpful information for a Landscape Architect. Perhaps that bird also requires food source plants nearby, such as a certain berry-producing shrub. How easy it would be for an LA to plant that particular combination of trees and shrubs, away from busy roads, and make a difference for an animal whose habitat is so specific.
This ties into my belief that it is not enough to simply plant native plants. I think we have a responsibility to carry this further, kick it up a notch and re-establish plant communities within developed areas. Why have the urban areas defined as for people only, and the wilderness for animals only? There should be room for both, at every level. Whether it is a residential yard or a large commercial campus, I think that we can shed this mentality of having separation between what is landscaped and what is natural simply by proper choice and location of plant material.
As one small first step in this endeavor, I make the following suggestion: (to be expanded upon ad infinitum...)
Biologists could provide us with lists of plant communities that function well together, and that provide habitats for sensitive animals. For example, if there is a type of bird that only likes to nest in a particular type of tree, and in addition this bird will not nest in said tree if it is located near a busy road...that would be very helpful information for a Landscape Architect. Perhaps that bird also requires food source plants nearby, such as a certain berry-producing shrub. How easy it would be for an LA to plant that particular combination of trees and shrubs, away from busy roads, and make a difference for an animal whose habitat is so specific.
This ties into my belief that it is not enough to simply plant native plants. I think we have a responsibility to carry this further, kick it up a notch and re-establish plant communities within developed areas. Why have the urban areas defined as for people only, and the wilderness for animals only? There should be room for both, at every level. Whether it is a residential yard or a large commercial campus, I think that we can shed this mentality of having separation between what is landscaped and what is natural simply by proper choice and location of plant material.
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
Frog Crossings
One of my professors told us that in parts of Europe (I want to say he told us the Netherlands, although I could be wrong) people have installed "frog crossings" under roads so that frogs and other small critters can cross safely. They are apparently gridded to allow some light through, and have fences on either side to direct the critters to the tunnel.
I am also interested in larger wildlife corridors across interstates. The fragmentation we are creating with major roads is severely impacting the distribution of wildlife, especially for animals that must try to cross these roads on foot. I think this is a very important step for us to take in reconnecting the currently isolated ecosystems.
(From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_crossing)
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