Nature: Elevated
If congestion is a good thing, why do we try so hard to escape it? Rem Koolhas seemed to see congestion as beneficial, but while coming to this conclusion he provided countless examples of the opposite. I will not be picking one side or the other in this blog, per se, but rather highlighting some of the concerns mentioned regarding congestion. Rem Koolhas saw the elevator as a means to become closer with the natural world. “The greater the distance from the earth—the more unnatural the location—the closer the communication with what remains of nature (i.e., light, air, views, etc.)” In regards to Coney Island, he mentioned that the physical area of shoreline on the island was not great enough to accommodate the one million plus beachgoers at the time, so much so that artificial lights were installed so that those who could not fit on the beach during the day could sunbathe at night. While this avant-garde was certainly enjoyed by some, so much so that it became an attraction in its own right, it still begs the question: if congestion, i.e. metropolis, is such a good thing, why must we go to such extreme lengths to escape it? I believe that humans have an inner need to be connected with nature, and a metropolis as dense as Manhattan obstruct this. Is congestion beneficial to innovation? Sure. Is it beneficial to those enduring it? To their mental health? I’m from central Missouri, I’m not the one to ask for a definitive answer… but it’s hard to believe so.
Zander, I think we have to look at congestion in a different way. Certainly, there are areas in big cities that feel overwhelmingly congested in a way that feel dangerous and abnormal, but going back to our tribal ancestors, being together is one of our basic needs. Jan Gehl talks about this in his book Cities for People, using the example of a crowded concert, there is something electric and exciting about it that wouldn't be the same if it were sparely attended. Same goes for a lecture, if you attend a lecture that is almost empty you start thinking that maybe this isn't that important or interesting of a lecture if people have better things to do vs a lecture that is packed feels like it must be important.
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