I'm A Big 'Ole Nag

Antibodies flow through the bloodstream, encountering all sorts of foreign substances along the way. People do the same-- flowing through cities, encountering foreign sensations/objects/experiences as they do so. In an effort to put some meat on the bones of this blog post, I introspectively observed this process as I went about my routine, making note of the foreign things that "irked" me, for lack of a better term.

At Home:

-To kick things off, I opened my bedroom door and saw my roommate's hairdryer in the hallway. This felt foreign. For one thing, the hair dryer isn't mine. I don't recognize it, I have no use for it, I have no memories with it. For another thing, the house we live in is my childhood home-- a home I have a LOT of experience with. And for the vast majority of my relationship with this home, there hasn't been a hairdryer in the hallway. There's been a dog or two, a pile of my jackets, or the footstool that my very short mother uses to reach high cabinets. But no hairdryer. It felt foreign, and a little off-putting. Hairdryers don't belong in hallways.

-I came into the kitchen and opened the blinds, eager for the sunlight to wake my sleepy eyes. Immediately, I notice an orange, plastic hanger in the street in front of my house. My reaction was visceral disgust-- the hanger looked so alien against the otherwise scenic vista of my snowy yard. To make matters worse, I have a big thing against purchasing plastic... so this added salt to the wound. Finally, compounding on all of this, the hanger was broken. There's no use for it anymore, at least not one I can think of off the bat. I can't even adopt the ugly thing into my musty coat closet. It's 7:00 am and I'm already feeling irritable. 

At the Gym: 

-I head to my local climbing gym, only to notice more off-putting nuisances. The parking lot there is a big, fat nuisance, if I've ever seen one. For one thing, it's massively ugly-- not even a half-ass display of bushes can be found. For another thing, it's challenging to navigate. The gym shares a large strip mall with a dozen or so other popular businesses, which makes the parking lot crowded and bustling at all hours. This factor, mixed with the fact that the lot lacks clear signage and direction, makes for a gridlock, rush hour experience every time I try to park. Then, after exiting my car, I have the even more challenging task of walking through the lot as a pedestrian. Large banks of residual snow have made the lanes even more narrow than usual, and cars swerve in and out of the corridors, with little concern for people walking. Honestly, if I hadn't quickly leapt to the side, I would've been hit by two cars. Within two minutes. 

On Public Transit: 

-Since I'm coming straight from the gym to school today, I park my car at a Walgreens near the bus stop. (Usually I walk from my house to a different bus stop, but I didn't have time to drive home after the gym today.) Yet another frustrating parking lot! The Walgreens lot is only accessible from an obscure driveway off of a busy street. Meaning, as cars slow down drastically to turn into the lot, other cars behind them are stalled, creating a traffic clot. This also means that when cars are trying to leave the parking lot, they're congested all together out of this tiny driveway, all trying to turn onto the massively busy road. 

-As I'm waiting for the bus, conditions aren't great. The sidewalk is narrow and speckled with litter-- crumpled chip bags, crushed cigarettes, and soggy fluorescent advertising fliers. I feel like I'm forced right into traffic, with little refuge from the speeding cars. There's also nothing to look at. The street is a monotony of glaring, gaudy marquees and depressed concrete. 

On Campus: 

-Compared to other venues of the morning, campus feels pretty good. This is saying something, since normally I'm full of critique for the design/flow (or lack thereof) of this university. (Seriously, I have a page in my notebook full of things I would like to change... I know, I know, I should submit these ideas as SCIF projects.) Nonetheless, there are still some irritating factors. It feels like parking lots were a focus and sidewalks were an afterthought. Someone thought about all the most convenient places for people to park, where they could get direct access to buildings, and then tossed us pedestrians a bone by putting sidewalks in the remaining space-- effectively creating convoluted, inconvenient walking routes that lead to nowhere and are constantly being interrupted by cars. (The construction which further closes off sidewalks doesn't help.) 

-Sitting in Environmental Ethics, I feel claustrophobic, cooped up, and uninspired. This classroom is more of a closet-- it's one small window blacked out with what appears to be butcher paper, the wall painted a nauseating neon green, and the fluorescent lights buzzing. I know there are many things demanding attention and funding on campus, but it would really be wonderful to study and learn in a space that feels creative, inviting, inspiring, and welcoming. 

So, there you have it! I feel like a big 'ole nag for writing this post-- let me assure you there were happy things about my day too! (Saw a really cute chipmunk, enjoyed the view of my backyard, had a nice conversation with my neighbor, got maintenance done around my house, etc, etc.) In assessing these notes, I've realized a few things: I like feeling like I have a tie or a relationship to the spaces I inhabit. I like feeling like my personal values are represented and respected in my community. I like spaces that flow smoothly with clear instruction on how to use them as pedestrians and motorists. I like when citizens offer consideration and patience to those around them. I like when healthy/sustainable choices are encouraged and enabled by the design of a space. I like when spaces boost my mood instead of drain it. 

Now the challenge: how to design spaces like these. 

Samso for the Win!

Samso, Denmark is doing a lot of things right. In the video featured in Tuesday's class, we learned about their community-wide effort in becoming a sustainable community, with special focus on reliance upon renewable energy sources. Wouldn't it be incredible to see Salt Lake City make a similar transformation? I genuinely believe it's possible to bring about this kind of change. However, I also believe it's a different type of project than that of Samso, considering the size of community at question. Whereas Samso is relatively small, Salt Lake is considerably larger. This is difficult because it requires more people to get on board with sustainable development, but also beneficial because there are potentially more resources and creativity available to experiment with. (After all, successful planning really does seem to be one giant experiment.) I brainstormed a small list of ideas that could help Salt Lake City enact changes along the same vein as Samso's.


1. Community meetings: as evident in the Samso video, there must be discussion between constituents. Not only does this offer a chance to persuade those who are on the fence about making changes, it also allows people to share their ingenuity and desires for the community. I think it would be a good idea to hold these meetings both on the micro and macro scale.
2. Key figures changing the status quo about what's trendy: what's "in style" holds a lot of sway with public action. I believe that if we can make social edits regarding what's considered cool, we will see big changes in how people behave. We see this a little bit already with the trendiness of buying local and organic, using reusable water bottles, and biking, but it would be powerful to extend this to more stigmatized things like public transportation, composting, consuming less, traveling abroad less, etc.
3. Some sort of incentive: if I remember right, Samso was part of a contest of some type. I think competition (the friendly kind) goes a long way in encouraging action. I would propose a type of competition between neighborhoods with a reward for who successfully implemented the most sustainable changes.
4. Reliance on local experts: Samso utilized a lot of local talent in making their community changes. Not only does this contribute to the local economy, this also contributes to a concept mentioned in the video-- "make everyone feel like they're part of the project." I think when people feel needed and included, they're more inclined to make genuine efforts toward change.
5. A visual representation of the severity and urgency at hand: similar to how students are using SCIF to integrate an air quality display in the library, I would love to see representations of this type around the city. I think it could be really neat to convey the passion and anxiety many of us feel via sculpture,  art installations, etc. Using this method of communication over cut and dry facts and reports may appeal to a new demographic.

At Least Somebody Is Doing It Right

I woke up on Thursday morning with a hateful throb in the back of my throat. This initial hint was quickly met with deep body aches, a racking cough, and the constant battle of sniffing back drippy nose mucus. ("Drippy Nose Mucus"... Good band name.... Just saying....) Anyways, long story short: I didn't come to class that morning. And as such, I apparently missed a very cool movie on Curitiba, Brazil. Despite attempts to stream the video from home, I had no such luck. So, I chose to read up on on Curitiba instead, in an effort to still answer this blog prompt in a relevant fashion. So, let's start off with some fast facts that I garnered!

-Bestowed upon Curitiba are the titles of "the greenest city on earth," "green capital," and "most innovative city in the world."
-Its contemporary status as a green community can be traced to its 1970s mayor, Jaime Lerner, who largely focused on the revolutionary move of pedestrianizing the city.
-One of Lerner's major motivations in his work with Curitiba was to preserve the history and culture of the place.
-It is a city renowned for its high-functioning transportation system-- praised by Lonely Planet as being "easier to get around... than any other large city in Brazil."
-There is an abundance of green spaces which offer ecological merits in reduction of urban heat island, while also offering social merits in serving as gathering places and places of beauty.
-Curitiba has a varied history, rich with the different cultures which settled there in the 19th Century.
-On that note of cultural vibrancy, there appear to be many excellent restaurants in Curitiba. If I wasn't hooked before, Curitiba's got my attention now.

Perhaps what's most interesting to me about Curitiba is that its proficiency and prowess in sustainability is relatively new. Curitiba's status as a green community was one hard fought for. There was a time when Curitiba was right on track to follow in suit with other Brazilian cities-- automotive, sprawling, and cookie-cutter. However, at the insistence of Lerner, Curitiba took a different path. With help from the local business sector, Lerner opposed the proposed plan for Curitiba and implemented a different vision instead-- one with a prolific public transit system, a waste program that pays people for their trash, an excellent recycling sorting system, affordable housing, and with vibrant gathering spaces. The reason for Lerner's success in this endeavor is what I find most interesting-- in his words, "We had to work fast to avoid our own bureaucracy." A major factor in meeting his goals was resisting the flow of the status quo, despite the social sanctions that followed. He bravely proposed and fought for his vision, and in essence decided to seek forgiveness rather than permission. (His actual philosophy is "act now, adjust later.") I resonated with this piece of Curitiba's story because it feels especially relevant to this month, in light of the recent presidential inauguration. I feel that it's important to fight for what is ethical and sustainable, even if it's not what our government is fighting for. It's inspiring that young people with a vision were able to make these changes in a relatively short amount of time. I feel as though there may be hope for more Curitibas.


Fast facts gathered from: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/brazil/the-south/curitiba/introduction and https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/may/06/story-of-cities-37-mayor-jaime-lerner-curitiba-brazil-green-capital-global-icon

Observations of an Imperfect Citizen in Imperfect Cities

I don't have all the answers... even though my boyfriend will say that I act like I do. I don't have foolproof plans for solving the world's problems. But I do notice things. And I do think about change. And maybe that's a perfect place to begin.

Much of my observations occur on my commutes through the city-- to school, to work, and home again. Sometimes I'm a driver in a car-- a cushy place to be in a city. But often I'm a pedestrian, and a patron of public transit. It's during these latter modes of transportation that I notice the most. As evident in every discussion/reading so far, cities were largely designed for cars. So, as an operator of a car, there's little to gripe about. But as a pedestrian/public transit user, there's big room for change. Here are a couple of ideas I've thought about:

-Bigger sidewalks! Let's make room for people of varying speeds. Let's make room for people to walk side by side and converse, rather than opting for the stoic, sterile single-file style.
-More benches at bus stops! I think a huge factor of reluctance toward public transit is the decreased comfort level. People aren't too keen on standing up for 15+ minutes while waiting for the bus. Benches are nice. They allow for reading. Reading makes the time go by quicker.
-More shelters at bus stops! Along the same line as above, people are hesitant to wait outdoors in scorching heat and torrential downpours for their bus, if they could skip the inclement weather altogether by taking their car.
-More crosswalks! It's scary (and illegal) to jay-walk. But in trying to make up for lost time when walking rather than driving, pedestrians often opt to cross where they are, rather than walk farther to an intersection. More cross walks on busy streets would be lovely.
-More street art! Let's give the folks something to look at, something to draw them onto the sidewalks.
-More street lamps! I'm not a big fan of walking on dark streets, and I seriously doubt many others are either.

Okay, now onto some things I've observed in cities/loved. Pardon the fact that I'm in many of these photos. Feel free to cover me up with your hand and just focus on what's behind me instead.

This fountain is surrounded by courtyard space. It's a lovely spot to sit at an socialize. There are also stone steps across the fountain itself that encourage lots of jumping and playing. There's something undeniably beautiful about running water. It (in addition to the greenery) provide a refreshing solace from the stresses of the day.
(Newport Beach, California)

The buildings on this skyline are iconic and captivating, without being overcrowded. They don't obscure the trees or the sunset too much.
(Georgetown, Washington D.C) 

I liked these unique sidewalks! I'm not sure the durability/bike friendliness of the brick/cobblestone, but they were so much more interesting and inviting than solid cement.
(Georgetown, Washington D.C)

I loved this wall along the sidewalk. Not only is it an artistic element, it's also a greenery element. It adds so much personality to this neighborhood.
(Georgetown, Washington D.C)

These lilac bushes were on the side of an otherwise industrial, boring street. They provided a much needed softness to the harsh boulevard.
(Salt Lake City, Utah)

Georgetown has a lot of beautiful architecture and inviting street edges. I also like their incorporation of garden bed dividers within their streets.
(Georgetown, Washington D.C.)

Not only does this kayak spot/freeway ramp provide multi-uses in one spot, it provides beauty too! Freeways are so stark, ominous, and unfriendly. The lily pads and all the marine life living beneath them add an unexpected whimsy to the drudgery of concrete.
(Seattle, Washington)

This mural on the side of a business offers some serious interest to pedestrians! The bright colors and natural subject material give relief from monotonous scapes.
(Salt Lake City, Utah)

Here's an excellent place for pedestrians to walk in peace! No cars allowed! (I'm a little biased since I work here, but disregard that.)
(Salt Lake City, Utah)

This iconic street is varied, inviting, and unique. It beckons to the passerby, not to mention providing many local goods within.
(Seattle, Washington) 

Here's an excellent example of regional materials being used. Regional materials provide partakers with a sense of identity, history, and accountability for the resources they're using. Also, notice the sighting of endemic wildlife that flourishes in this refuge! (Again, I work here, and will never stop talking up Red Butte Garden)
(Salt Lake City, Utah)

This silly lobster (and the countless other sidewalk attractions) gives pedestrians a reason to slow down and survey the city from a new vantage point. Also, this shop had the best damn ice cream I've ever tasted.
(Bar Harbor, Maine)

This boardwalk allows visitors to enjoy the local bog landscape, without smooshing it with their feet. The boardwalk also features frequent plaques with information teaching visitors about the biota residing here.
(Bangor, Maine)

Benches are good for resting and playing! Shout out to my niece and brother-in-law for modeling!
(Salt Lake City, Utah)

This street art encourages people to visit the park, interact with the space, and laugh a little bit. It makes this place a "must-see" destination, rather than a forgettable common area.
(Boston, Massachusetts) 

These streets in Little Italy were some of the most varied and enticing I've experienced! The storefront façades were scaled to human proportions, the scant parking encourages walking, and the diversity of building materials keeps it interesting. (Not to mention the fabulous aromas of garlic bread, pizza, and canoli.)
(Boston, Massachusetts)

This walkway is open only to pedestrians, as are the others which careen off of it onto the beach front and the adjacent park. It allows for visitors to appreciate the beauty of the vistas, without gumming it up with traffic.
(Laguna Niguel, California)

Rather than being demolished for its small size and aging amenities, this little nook was turned into an excellent, captivating coffee shop. It's one of a kind, and adds so much character to this street corner.
(Seattle, Washington)

Well, there are my observations. I'm an imperfect citizen, and I visit imperfect cities. Perhaps with time, I can improve upon both of these shortcomings.

Thoughts on Gehl

Okay so I started typing this title, only to realize I know nothing about the author. So before I give my thoughts on Gehl's writing, I'd like to know this... who is Gehl? Hang tight while I Google this.

-Insert Jeopardy theme song here-

And I'm back! Turns out Gehl's first name is Jan, and he's a Danish architect and urban planning consultant. He's received multiple awards for his work on conscientious planning, and counts Jane Jacobs as a major influence of his.

Alright, with that taken care of, let's move on to my thoughts on chapters one and three from Gehl's book, "Cities for People." First and foremost, I like the title of his book. As I read into chapter one, I realized that this title is a major tenant of his work-- cities truly are for people, and should be designed as such. They should be designed in a way that honors citizens, and in turn, encourages citizens to honor the city. I truly believe, and apparently Gehl does too, that when people feel connected to their surroundings, they treat them better. If a citizen feels engaged and valued within their city, they're likely to in turn contribute positively to that community-- whether it's avoiding the nasty habit of littering, attending community events, contributing to the local economy by keeping their consumption within the city, encouraging their peers to also value their habitat, etc., etc.

So, what makes a city worth caring about and caring for? For Gehl, this type of city must be lively, safe, sustainable, and healthy. I was reminded of the "triple bottom line" concept when I read this part of the chapter. Although, I must say I like Gehl's quadruple standard better than the trio model. I think that the four categories offer more guidance and accountability than the traditional "society, economy, environment" do. Okay, so let's now touch on what to do in order to make a city meet these quota. Mainly, Gehl proposes making a city walkable! What a simple idea, with such complex repercussions! What does walking do for a city? Here's a nifty list courtesy of Gehl and myself.

-Engages citizens with their environment, as they see their surroundings at a slower, more intimate level than they would via automobile
-Encourages discussion and interaction between citizens as they socialize on the sidewalks-- even if it's just a smile
-Increases opportunities for citizens to participate in their local economy, as they pass local venues for groceries, clothing, gifts, etc. that they may not have noticed/been nearby otherwise
-Aids community discussion in what needs to change-- as people walk, they notice strengths and shortcomings of their community, which they can in turn advocate for/against
-Heightens safety of the city as there is increased citizen surveillance of the streets, and as people feel more attached to their space/less likely to deface and degrade it
-Contributes to healthy lifestyles for citizens-- walking is an excellent health benefit, and likely once people begin to engage in exercise, they're likely to seek it via other outlets as well
-Contributes to healthy ecology-- fossil fuel combustion generates nasty greenhouse gases, which among other negative results, contributes to a warming world by trapping heat. Walking/biking/public transit reduces these emissions.

So there you have it-- walkable cities may be the answer to the prayers of a community in distress. Moving on, I'd like to discuss Gehl's words on "edges." As prompted by Professor Goldsmith, this post should include thoughts on surprising facts and unlikely relationships within Gehl's work. For me, edges met this criteria. I'd never thought much about edges-- until I read this and realized I notice them everywhere. Within a city, an edge can take multiple forms. It can be the edge of a metropolis against more rugged, natural terrain. It can be the edge of one city against another. Or as Gehl focuses on, it can be the edges pedestrians encounter as they walk-- storefronts, façades, and corners. Edges matter! Edges that are interesting make people stop and notice. Edges that are inviting make people want to go inside and explore local shops and cafes. Edges that are comforting make people feel safe in their city. There is a directly positive relationship between well thought-out edges and a flourishing (lively, safe, sustainable, healthy) city. While reading this section, I was reminded of past readings I've done on edge habitats within woodland ecosystems. I believe it was in William Cronon's "Changes in the Land," that I first encountered the concept of edge habitat, and its merits. In a forest, there are two primary areas-- there's the dense, tightly wooded sections and the low, grassy meadows. But in between these two swaths, there's edge habitat. This transition zone provides a habitat for many creatures-- plant, animal, bacteria, you name it! Essentially, this area gives food, shelter, and water to beings that struggle to find it in the trees and in the meadows. In the words of Duncan McCollin, "Edge effects encompass a complex panoply of biotic and abiotic phenomena across woodland borders."

So, it appears that edges are important everywhere. Perhaps there are more similarities between cities and nature than we think.

Welcome, Friend.

Hi there-- I'm new here. And so are you! Welcome to this blog. I'm not sure what shape it will take. But I appreciate you, whoever you are, being along for the ride. This post will regard Richard Register's book, "EcoCities," specifically chapters three and four. But before I dive into my thoughts on Register's work, I want to offer a little introduction. There's a little blurb about me off to the right side of this blog... but it somehow feels wrong to jump right into analysis without any formal introduction. So, let's get this out of the way.

My name is Samantha. I'm a twenty-something climber, yogi, hiker, student, kayaker, daughter, sister, aunt, girlfriend, friend, and Seinfeld-addict. (The whole series is on Hulu. Thank me later.) I'm taking Green Communities because it fits in nicely (hopefully) with my Environmental and Sustainability Studies major and Urban Ecology minor. I'm also taking it because I'm interested in the role communities play in our lives, and the role we play in communities. I'm also taking it because I've heard glowing recommendations of Professor Goldsmith. (You'd better live up to them...) I think that being part of a successful community involves being candid and vulnerable with those around you-- real connection is one of the most beautiful things, and real connection is fueled by honesty and bravery. So, in an effort to be an active member of this online community, here are five things you should know about me. 

1. My favorite colors are black and grey. I don't like bright colors, and I don't like sunny days. This doesn't mean I'm not happy. 

2. I want to like black coffee, but unless it's loaded up with cream and sugar, I find my face twisting into horrible contortions as I fight the urge to spit it out. I will never be one of those chic, black coffee drinkers who brood in book stores. Although I am good at brooding, and I do love book stores. 

3. I have an odd love for doing laundry. It's one of the most relaxing things to me. No, I won't do your laundry too. 

4. I'm a die-hard fan of 90's chick flicks. Sleepless in Seattle is my favorite. This is the result of being the youngest of four daughters in my family. (I also have a brother, but he's irrelevant to this tidbit). 

5. I think people's hands say a lot about them. My callouses say that I climb. My jagged nail beds say that I bite my nails when I'm nervous. My scaly skin says that I never actually stick with my resolution to put on more lotion. I have gross hands. Get over it. 

Alright, now onto the reading! First off, I must say that I loved the pen drawings peppered throughout Register's piece. I'm genuinely considering framing some if it in my house. As far as the actual writing, I enjoyed that as well. I admire the ability to weave a diverse patchwork of thought while also sticking to a main point. I was especially captivated by the destruction of the city/nature dichotomy. As discussed in the reading, there's a status quo that poses cities and nature at odds with one another-- it's impossible to have a system that integrates both! Cities destroy nature, and nature keeps cities from thriving. At least, this is the case allegedly. But as Register asserts, this doesn't have to be the norm. There's potential for cities and nature to flourish alongside one another-- but this takes careful thought and planning on our part. And maybe part of that careful thought and planning is doing less, and letting nature do more. Maybe that's just a romantic, naive notion. I guess that's why I'm taking this class-- I want to find out how the two systems can be one.