Sometimes it's useful to take a larger view of things. The world can feel a very large, intimidating space, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed and lost.
I recently came across this:
http://memolition.com/2014/06/15/stunning-aerial-shots-that-that-give-you-a-new-perspective-of-the-world/
The world is a lovely place, one in which we - all of us - has a part.
I like looking at google earth - I'm a bit of a map junkie, anyway. It's fun to look at distant places and think about what it would be like there. I also like to look at places I've been, whether it's looking at that small inlet in San Diego where I spent nine weeks in boot camp or the zoo I went to in Korea or the gardens of Versailles.
I like looking for patterns - things that are only able to be perceived at a huge scale. I also like looking at the smaller scale, noticing how the individual houses and streets are laid out. It's very interesting also to consider the relationships between them - the large scale and the small scale. The juxtaposition of man-made and natural environments is also incredibly fascinating to me.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Planning in the Garden
Life is interesting. I've been here in Morgan for about six weeks now, and in that time I've come to start to appreciate some of the similarities and differences that exist between what's going on here and in other places I've been. The differences seem to only highlight the similarities, because human nature is similar all around the world.
The conflict in planning stems from the need to have good, quality development according to the rights of property owners. Contrasting that is the desire of property owners and residents who wish to retain exactly the same environment in which they formed their perception of the community.
As a case in point, I drove through the city where I lived when I was in high school. The place has changed dramatically, from a small-feeling, family-centered community to one where commercial development pervades everything. The thrust of the community seems to have changed from one focused on families and a small town kind of feel, to a bustling commercial destination where things feel frenzied and frenetic. I indulged in a moment of reflection as I drove the familiar streets, nostalgic for a community that was.
But I am not right in my nostalgia. It is not productive as a planner to be over-fond of the past. It is vital to balance the sense of character and history of a place, particularly those elements which make the community unique, and the vision of the future which must help guide the community as it grows. While I KNOW this to be the case, the reality is different, and I am as human as the next person.
Some of the changes are positive. I like that they've emphasized the multi-modal transit options, and have given active transportation a lot of attention. This speaks well to the goals and principles which guide the community. I also quite liked the natural surroundings, which draw me back to this place again and again.
Some of the changes were less desirable, though. I dislike the continued catering to the car/car culture. Streetscapes continue to be auto-oriented, particularly along major thoroughfares. And, while I found the pace to be frenetic, I did (always do) enjoy the energy that exists. It's invigorating. But I think it would become tiresome if I had to live in that kind of environment all the time.
These changes, positive or negative, are interesting because they're probably barely perceptible to those who live there. Day in and year out, these changes take place on a fairly gradual and subtle pace. Unless one is really looking closely, it's doubtful one would catch these changes. But, as I've been away for several years, I have the ability to notice these things as stark, glaring contrasts that have altered my hometown.
Looking ahead to the future of Morgan, I hope that I can carefully guide the steps that will keep Morgan an incredible place to live, work, and play.
The conflict in planning stems from the need to have good, quality development according to the rights of property owners. Contrasting that is the desire of property owners and residents who wish to retain exactly the same environment in which they formed their perception of the community.
As a case in point, I drove through the city where I lived when I was in high school. The place has changed dramatically, from a small-feeling, family-centered community to one where commercial development pervades everything. The thrust of the community seems to have changed from one focused on families and a small town kind of feel, to a bustling commercial destination where things feel frenzied and frenetic. I indulged in a moment of reflection as I drove the familiar streets, nostalgic for a community that was.
But I am not right in my nostalgia. It is not productive as a planner to be over-fond of the past. It is vital to balance the sense of character and history of a place, particularly those elements which make the community unique, and the vision of the future which must help guide the community as it grows. While I KNOW this to be the case, the reality is different, and I am as human as the next person.
Some of the changes are positive. I like that they've emphasized the multi-modal transit options, and have given active transportation a lot of attention. This speaks well to the goals and principles which guide the community. I also quite liked the natural surroundings, which draw me back to this place again and again.
Some of the changes were less desirable, though. I dislike the continued catering to the car/car culture. Streetscapes continue to be auto-oriented, particularly along major thoroughfares. And, while I found the pace to be frenetic, I did (always do) enjoy the energy that exists. It's invigorating. But I think it would become tiresome if I had to live in that kind of environment all the time.
These changes, positive or negative, are interesting because they're probably barely perceptible to those who live there. Day in and year out, these changes take place on a fairly gradual and subtle pace. Unless one is really looking closely, it's doubtful one would catch these changes. But, as I've been away for several years, I have the ability to notice these things as stark, glaring contrasts that have altered my hometown.
Looking ahead to the future of Morgan, I hope that I can carefully guide the steps that will keep Morgan an incredible place to live, work, and play.
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