Ignorance is Expensive
When considering whether money or citizen involvement contributes to the overall evolution and design of a place, I think what I find most disheartening is the low value that people put on design in general. Many do not recognize the ways in which design affects daily life until far too late, only when the effects of bad design are an inconvenience, a scourge, or a nuisance.
I think back to when I saw an article about 5 cent architecture during a recession a few years ago. An unemployed architect went to a farmer's market and set up a booth in which he advertised ten minute consults for five cents. People laughed and joked at the Peanuts reference and visited his booth, and he was able to gain some employment from it. The story was meant to be light-hearted and show the creativity of an unemployed professional. To me, though, it was still rather disheartening.
The fact that someone had to stand amid a market, make a clever joke, and offer a free consult to get people to consider hiring a designer is a little bit absurd. I don't believe it is best if those in power or with capital drive the design of cities, but if the average person doesn't talk to or seek out a designer other than when one is right in front of him as he gathers groceries, how involved are most citizens really?
Citizen involvement, I would argue, needs to start with education about the community itself and the possible effects that design can have on such a community. The care and regard for the welfare of a place is still limited if a proper knowledge base isn't existent.
I think back to when I saw an article about 5 cent architecture during a recession a few years ago. An unemployed architect went to a farmer's market and set up a booth in which he advertised ten minute consults for five cents. People laughed and joked at the Peanuts reference and visited his booth, and he was able to gain some employment from it. The story was meant to be light-hearted and show the creativity of an unemployed professional. To me, though, it was still rather disheartening.
The fact that someone had to stand amid a market, make a clever joke, and offer a free consult to get people to consider hiring a designer is a little bit absurd. I don't believe it is best if those in power or with capital drive the design of cities, but if the average person doesn't talk to or seek out a designer other than when one is right in front of him as he gathers groceries, how involved are most citizens really?
Citizen involvement, I would argue, needs to start with education about the community itself and the possible effects that design can have on such a community. The care and regard for the welfare of a place is still limited if a proper knowledge base isn't existent.
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