After 1.5 weeks time, a detailed look at Tremont was taken in terms of 2 primary scholarly sources: 1) Richard Florida’s The Rise of the Creative Class bookand 2) a University case study on Spatial Syntax mapping and ‘Movement Economy.’ Prior to mapping and analyzing the surrounding site, my partner and I read select chapters from Florida’s book as a way to achieve a deeper understanding of economy and the effects it can have on urban areas. In addition to being a very informative read, it helped instill a realization of the areas of creativity that can exist behind economy, rather than simply being understood as numbers and cash flow. Being that the subject of Florida’s Creative Class was directly applicable to the user groups of Tremont past, present, and future, we were able to gain a drastic amount of insight on how to begin an approach to analyzing and mapping the region. Taken one step further, we then discovered a case study of Spatial Syntax and the Movement Economy which we found rather fascinating. As seen in the presentation above, it essentially is a method of quantifying how the spatial layout of buildings/cities can highly influence economic, social, and natural environments/values. By combining notions of Florida’s indexes/rankings with the Spatial Syntax case study, we developed our own thesis of analyzing Tremont’s Economy by creating a ranking system for GIS mapping (that is diagramed above). Ultimately, we were able to develop varying values of success/decline at several different scales within the Tremont area in order to rationalize which districts were currently in need of help versus ones that have successfully developed over the past years. By creating this intuitive data, I will now be able to decisively focus my efforts over the next 5 weeks on specific sites/scales in order to create a design that encompasses all of the past urban systems we have investigated thus far in the semester.
While my partner and I were not fortunate enough to receive a professional critique during the past week, several lessons were learned by witnessing 3 other similar partner-project presentations. The most significant feedback was concern about how the Creative Class can be considered simply as a current trend/fad, and not necessarily a long, sustainable method of urban design (i.e. a region can only have so many art galleries, cafes, and bars). Although this was a sort of snap-back-to-reality kind of feedback, I think it really helped to keep things in perspective. As designers, I believe it is very easy to get caught up in designing with current fads due to the success and creative outlet it supplies; however, this is not always the BEST answer. As designers, we have certain responsibility to use our intuition, knowledge, experience, and intellect to create the most effective, successful, and progressive solution to certain issues. This is precisely why I am deciding to stick with Tremont as the locale for my final 5-week project. I truly believe it is an area with unlimited potential for the future, in terms of historic value, location, demographics, and perhaps most importantly a vast ‘sense of place.’ While I realize this last characteristic has not direct quantifiable data, it is something that is impossible to neglect while in the Tremont area. As a designer, I believe myself to have a certain ‘knack’ for being able to realize these notions, and once it occurs it is almost impossible to kick to the curb. As I see it now, the rest of my semester will be strongly dedicated to furthering the progress of the 5 districts of Tremont. Additional mapping (both graphical and GIS), analyzing, and investigative efforts will be directed towards locating 2 primary site areas. which will be determined using the past Spatial Syntax data. Also, strategic layering of our past urban systems will aid in realizing other unique relationships within the region as a way to create further opportunities of successful and sustainable urban design.
While my partner and I were not fortunate enough to receive a professional critique during the past week, several lessons were learned by witnessing 3 other similar partner-project presentations. The most significant feedback was concern about how the Creative Class can be considered simply as a current trend/fad, and not necessarily a long, sustainable method of urban design (i.e. a region can only have so many art galleries, cafes, and bars). Although this was a sort of snap-back-to-reality kind of feedback, I think it really helped to keep things in perspective. As designers, I believe it is very easy to get caught up in designing with current fads due to the success and creative outlet it supplies; however, this is not always the BEST answer. As designers, we have certain responsibility to use our intuition, knowledge, experience, and intellect to create the most effective, successful, and progressive solution to certain issues. This is precisely why I am deciding to stick with Tremont as the locale for my final 5-week project. I truly believe it is an area with unlimited potential for the future, in terms of historic value, location, demographics, and perhaps most importantly a vast ‘sense of place.’ While I realize this last characteristic has not direct quantifiable data, it is something that is impossible to neglect while in the Tremont area. As a designer, I believe myself to have a certain ‘knack’ for being able to realize these notions, and once it occurs it is almost impossible to kick to the curb. As I see it now, the rest of my semester will be strongly dedicated to furthering the progress of the 5 districts of Tremont. Additional mapping (both graphical and GIS), analyzing, and investigative efforts will be directed towards locating 2 primary site areas. which will be determined using the past Spatial Syntax data. Also, strategic layering of our past urban systems will aid in realizing other unique relationships within the region as a way to create further opportunities of successful and sustainable urban design.
