Working in multiple scales
In the realm of urban studies, Margaret Crawford's concept of Everyday Urbanism offers a compelling perspective. It emphasizes the significance of the everyday experiences and practices of city dwellers in shaping urban environments. Crawford argues for a shift in urban design towards prioritizing the needs and desires of residents, rather than relying solely on top-down planning approaches. By understanding the informal and spontaneous activities that occur at a small scale, we can create more inclusive and vibrant cities. This approach challenges conventional notions of urban planning and highlights the importance of bottom-up processes in shaping our urban fabric.
One
could argue that prioritizing the everyday experiences and practices of
residents may lead to a lack of long-term planning and strategic development.
By solely focusing on the immediate needs and desires of people, there is a
risk of neglecting larger-scale infrastructure and future growth. For instance,
if a city solely focused on the everyday activities of residents, it might
overlook the need for major transportation improvements or the development of
sustainable energy systems. Striking a balance between addressing immediate
needs and considering long-term urban development is crucial to ensure the
continued success and resilience of a city.
Zander, I see your point, focusing on the 'small-scale' everyday urbanism could overlook the larger scale infrastructure and city planning improvements. But, should we limit our urban designers to just one specialization? Should we not challenge them to design at both scales? Everytime?
ReplyDeleteI think the point you make is interesting regarding focusing on the small details, while potentially neglecting the large. To me, there should be a hand in hand dynamic with the small scale and large scale design that allows both aspects to be as efficient as possible.
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