American Diversity and Design spring 2017

1. University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211 - American Diversity and Design – Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Ivette Guerrero
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/290743

2. The diversity and design class has influenced me a lot. It makes me want to relay contribute more to my
community. No contribution is too little. Opinions do matter because it can cause for you community to change for
the better. I learned more in depth about what diversity and design really is. There is a much bigger picture behind
those two words. Anyone can become a designer. A designer is someone who not only plans on designing
something, but someone who also contribute to community needs and the needs of humans as a whole. Diversity
not only has to do with race and gender, but also people with special needs. What I found most compelling about
the course was different readings and videos we had to view. Most of them were pretty interesting. I have a
different viewpoint from when I started this course. I started to look at things differently. For example when I see
communities, I think of ways as to why the community was built that certain way. The following pages document
my responses to the online discussion questions in the Spring 2017 version of ARC 211 American Diversity and
Design at the University at Buffalo – State University of New York.
(Taken by me)

3. Introduction
https://www.123rf.com/photo_
This thread provides you with an opportunity to "meet" each other and initiate a
connection with participants in your group. In responding to this discussion
thread, please introduce yourself and provide us with one interesting fact about
yourself.
Hello! My name is Ivette Guerrero and I am currently a junior at UB. I was born and
raised in the Bronx which is near NYC. I have an older sister graduated from college
with a medical billing and coding degree and I have a younger brother who is currently
going to school for culinary arts. I myself am majoring in speech and hearing. I
became interested in speech and hearing my sophomore year after I learned more about
it. One thing that I like to do is travel. I added this class to my schedule because it
seemed pretty interesting and also because I needed an American pluralism course.
When it comes to thinking about diversity and design I think of communities and the
people in them. I am really excited to see how much more I learn this semester with
taking this class.

4. Response to "What is design?" from Hello World
http://www.freepik.com/free-
vector/computer-evolution-
design_940460.html
Describe an innovation or invention (can be current or historical) that gave
advantage to a group of people in the U.S. or to the population as a whole. What
were the social impacts of this innovation? Were any groups negatively impacted
by this innovation?
Computers have been around for quite some time now. The first computer ever made
was a desktop. Those were often in offices, homes, and libraries. The desktop
computers were made to stay in one place. The first laptop was invented in 1981. What
made the laptop different from a desktop was that it was portable. That allowed many
people to be able to take their work home or whatever they were working on at home
to work. It also allowed college students to be able to work on assignments anywhere
they went. The name of the laptop was called the Osborne 1. This was an advantage for
those in the work field and over time became an advantage of those who were
attending school. Today, laptops are used mostly by students going to school. It’s
easier to follow online class lectures and take notes as you go. A lot of people type
faster than writing things manually with pen and paper. It is also easier to organize
notes on a laptop. One slight disadvantage of a laptop is distractions. Although a
student may be able to follow online lectures, they can also go on other websites and
distract their self from learning.

5. Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group. How and why did it
change form and/or circumstances?
Stop signs and speed bumps are part of safe driving. Without them, accident rates
would rise instantly. I live right in front of a school back home in the Bronx. There
were always accidents near the school due to the fact that drivers would try to speed
through yellow lights and the intersections. A lot of parents complained to the school
and to the school district about having a safer area for their children to go to school in.
Within a couple of months, the school was able to contact the school district and get
them to make the area safer for children and parents as well. A stop sign was put at the
intersection, two speed bumps were put in the area, and a school zone sign was put up
as well. These signs will make it aware for drivers to slow down and keep an eye out
for children and pedestrians. The school area since then has become a much safer place
for children to go and learn.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/93569550@N02/8510988333

6. Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
http://www.npr.org/2017/01/21/510997
192/with-pussyhats-liberals-get-their-
own-version-of-the-red-trucker-hat
Why are the two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles vehicles of
communication design? What meanings do each of the two hats carry? In terms
of communication design, how are they similar? And how are they different from
one another?
These two hats are mentioned as vehicles of communication design because they both
represent something. The hats both symbolize something greater either with the color
or the wording. For example the red hat is part of Trump's presidency campaign to
"make America great again" while the pink one is for people against trump's comment
on grabbing women's genitals in public. Both hats are similar because they send out a
message to large groups of people. For people who support Trump, the red hat
symbolizes his campaign for presidency. The pink hat is for the people who don’t
support Trump because of how he has treated women in the past/how he is treating
women currently. With that message people can decide if they want to support the
cause. They are also different from one another. The pink one has more to do with
women standing up for their selves. Although it’s for women, men can also support the
cause. The red hat has more to do with what trump wants for himself. He talks about
making America great again but is targeting a specific race or races. Trumps campaign
is more controversial.
https://shop.donaldjtrump.com/products
/

7. Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/201
70116/news/170119317/
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into
Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled “Model of Media and the Social World”?
Identify a mass media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as
an icon of an event. (Feel free to add an attachment.) What roles does this photo
play in the communication of the event?
I would place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World in the media
message or product section. All of those images were from negative or positive
memorable moments that happened in the world. Not only did it show the realities of
some gruesome events it also gave the people who viewed these images a different
perspective to what's really going on in the world. The image in which there was an
African American child with no clothes on is perfect example. Many people aren't
aware of how poor third world countries can be. In many of those countries it's hard for
people to find funds and resources to feed their family. A mass media photograph I
want to talk about is one where Martin Luther King Jr is making his famous "I Have A
Dream" speech. Dr. King is a very important person when it comes to the rights of
African American people. This picture is so powerful because it shows how much
support he had from the African American community. They were willing to fight for
what they believed was right. Not only did he have the support of African Americans,
he had the support of other people with different ethnic background as well.

8. Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
http://riverheadlocal.com/2014/03/24/st
arbucks-opens-doors-and-drive-thru-
window/
What were some of the social consequences of Ford’s production line? In other
words, how did this system change our U.S. society? Do any of those changes
remain with us today? Now consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the
predictions he makes about production. How do you think manufacturing
processes will change in the next twenty years? How do you think these changes
will affect our U.S. society?
Henry Ford's method of mass production changed how the U.S. manufactured products
forever. If it wasn't for his method, the U.S. wouldn't be where it is today. Although the
U.S. is popular for manufacturing goods, it also comes with its negative aspects. Ford's
method allowed for multiple products to be made at a time through machines which
meant manual labor wasn't really needed. They wanted more people to help design,
create, and sell these products. These changes are still present today. For example,
most fast food restaurants have drive-thrus which means the company won't be
needing as much people taking orders inside of the restaurant. Also there are fast food
restaurants where you can order through a machine. That's worse than the first example
I mentioned because that means the restaurant will only be needing cooks. Companies
do what's best for them in terms of making money which can sometimes be harmful to
people in societies. I think manufacturing processes will change a lot in the next
twenty years. These changes will affect our society in a somewhat bad way. I believe
companies will replace people with machines who do the jobs "more efficiently" and
faster. Also I believe the prices of these products will go up because of how they're
being made. Because we live in a world where people have to have the latest gadgets
and technologies, they will find a way to buy it which will make these companies
produce more and more of those products.

9. Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
https://redmart.com/product/reusable-
spray-bottle-500ml
https://www.behance.net/gallery/49355
555/SUNcubator
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the Cradle-to-
Cradle concept developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr.
Michael Braungart? How does this product resist or disregard the concept?
Provide an example of any product that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design.
Please describe and site sources.
The Suncubator concept seems to defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept. The only way it
can be reused is for another infant, other than that you can do much with it. Also it
seems to be made out of plastic. Plastic can be put to good use in some circumstances
and it others it can be bad for the environment. For example plastic bags have become
harmful for the animals that live in the sea because it isn't digestible. A good example
of a product that embraces the Cradle-to-Cradle design is the Method All Purpose
Cleaner. This can be used to clean multiple things such as dirt, grease, and grime. After
the cleaning product is done, you can use the bottle as a spray bottle to water plants or
even to style your hair.
Not all plastics are bad for the environment. Reusable plastics such as bottles can be
used in many ways. For example I saw a video on YouTube on how a flower pot was
made completely out of a bottle. I also saw people using it for arts and crafts.
Something like the Suncubator can't really be reused because it’s made specifically for
infants. Infants tend to grow at a significant rate during their first year of life.

10. Response to All Module 4 Materials
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_
State_Capitol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyscrape
r
Choose two works of architecture from any of your materials this week—one with
sensibilities about the past and one with sensibilities about the present and/or
future. How do each of these buildings either reflect or challenge their cultural
contexts? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
The Virginia State Capitol building is a building with sensibilities about the past.
Thomas Jefferson was the creator of this building. A little bit of Greek and Roman
structures in it. Greek and Romans built their building in certain ways which included
a set number of measurements, certain details, and even space. There are still buildings
that have those features today. For example the library on south campus looks like a
building that was made with those features. Skyscrapers are very common buildings in
the city. Very tall modern buildings that are slightly "updated" to what people are
interested in today. Skyscrapers are very tall buildings that let you look down at the
city. Some of them are more modern which means they include the latest architecture
strategies.
The Virginia State Capitol building challenges the cultural context of today's world by
not looking like buildings that were recently made. Many will look at that building and
look at it and see how far back it was made. There is a lot of history as to why they
building was made the way it was that people won't understand. This would make it
reflect on the cultural context of the time frame for when it was built. Skyscrapers
reflect on today’s cultural context because it’s what people are used to seeing. Tall
buildings, with balconies or even glass windows is what we consider to be normal
now. It challenges the cultural contexts of something like the Virginia State Capitol
building because it has nothing cultural in it.

11. Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architect
ure
How are Ballantyne’s and Zumthor’s viewpoints on architecture alike? More
importantly, how do they differ?
Both Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor have similar views on architecture. For
example they both mention the connection between the human body and the structures
itself. They both say how the human body relates to structures due to experiences.
When you experience something, not only does your mind react to it, your body reacts
to it as well. When you see a structure you like not only will you look at its details, you
would want to touch it as well. They both differ as well. Ballantyne's perspective has
more to do with the person’s influence after looking at a structure and how they view
it. After you see a structure, you might think to yourself on how nice or ugly it was.
Zumthor's perspective is more personal and poetic. For example when you look at
structures it might bring up old memories or even cause you to think deeper as to why
and how it was made the way it was. For example, the picture on the left reminds me
of the Mickey Mouse castle in Orlando. Whenever I see buildings that look like that I
automatically think of a castle or the times I’ve been to Disney World.

12. Response to Levy Article
https://www.razoo.com/story/Newsettle
mentapartments
http://www.settlementhousingfund.org/
new_settlement_community_campus.ht
ml
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for Planning,” discussed ways in
which planning can determine the characteristics of a place. For example, some
smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to maintain a certain scale. How
did planning define the character of the place in which you grew up?
I didn't know all these things went into building a community. Planning, building
structures, the government, etc. This article made me really think about how all those
characteristics are related to each other, without one the whole thing won't work. I
grew up in The Bronx. The Bronx is known for having mostly "low income" housing
and families. There are actually communities in The Bronx where it is really expensive
to live in. Where I live, the New Settlement Housing Company owns most of the
buildings. They recently built a school a year or two ago which expanded the amount
of land that they actually own. Most of these buildings have 5-6 floors and are almost
the same height. You can say that the buildings in my community are leveled. The
company hires people to clean the buildings Monday-Friday, they also hire security to
make sure there is no trouble and that the laundry rooms are secure. These buildings
and apartments are very presentable and make people want to live in them. The
company is income based which helps those with low incomes. There has been many
new changes to my community for example it became very kid friendly. The company
also added a park and made the streets safer. Because of the new school, more road
signs have been added.

13. Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruitt%E2
%80%93Igoe
Imagine that you are part of an urban planning and design firm working with
Emily Talen and Kent Larson. The three of you have been tasked with developing
a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis. Identify three strategies for rebuilding
Pruitt Igoe in ways that promise to be more successful. What would Talen do?
What would Larson do? What would you do? How would your strategies differ
from those of the original urban planners/designers of the project? Why would
your strategies be more effective?
The Pruitt Igoe housing was very beneficial to the low income families. It helped those
who really needed it avoid poverty. I believe that it could've been more successful if
more time was put into it. People sort of just gave up on the project over time and let it
deteriorate. Larson spoke about fitting more people in the community. He spoke about
how Paris had towns twenty minutes apart from each other and how each town had
everything they needed in walking distance. All those towns today became one and are
doing well. Very diverse when it comes to the people and the different shops. If Larson
was to fit more people in Pruitt Igoe, that would allow for the community to make
more resources available to those who live there. More shops and jobs would've helped
the project become more successful because there wouldn't have been a reason for the
project to become vacant. If Talen was to help, she would want the project to become
more diverse. By having diversity that allows for the people who live there not be
stereotyped. She also spoke about having more transportation. If people have
transportation to travel back and forth between their job and home, more people would
consider living there. My strategy would be to make sure the project stays the same it
was when it first opened. When you start to neglect a project as big as that, it is hard
for people to come back and keep it running. I would also eliminate the restriction to
male figures not being able to live in the housing. My strategy differs because it’s all
about family and presentation. Someone won't want to live in a building that’s broken

14. down and smells like urine. The more
people you can bring in the more
successful it can be because that would push you to keep building more projects like
that.

15. Response to Walter Hood's Work
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/431
39/photos/108686
https://www.dnainfo.com/new-
york/20130107/concourse-village/as-
merchants-fight-concourse-plaza-
overhaul-some-shoppers-welcome-it
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your
hometown. Imagine that you are the person who will oversee this project, and
that you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the
project. What would your landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize?
How will you use Hood's 'triad of investigations' to design a new landscape
intervention? What do you imagine that the design will be?
Something that should be memorialized in my hometown is a small mall near the
Yankee Stadium. Growing up, everyone used to go there. Literally everyone in The
Bronx has been there a few times. They had a food court, a movie theater, and some
stores that people would go and shop in. In the 1990's and even the 2000's going to the
movies with your friends was the cool thing to do. This brought a lot of sales to the
stores and the movie theater that was there. If I was to use Walter Hood's approach, my
landscape intervention will memorialize the old times where people would just go hang
out, have fun, and socialize. Socializing is something that people rarely do today. I
would use Hood's 'triad of investigations' to design a new landscape intervention by
making the area look more attractive. I would add activities that kids and teens might
want to do like bowling, laser tag, and even indoor paint balling. Bowling and paint
balling would attract everyone to the area. Would also add a small park like area just
outside of the movie there where people can sit and socialize if they don't feel like
going home.

16. Response to F.L. Olmsted
http://cuhmmc.org/wp/niagara-falls-
attractions/
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/the-
new-buffalo
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Frederick
Law Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best planned city, as to its streets, public
places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the world." What was the
basis for this claim? Would Olmsted still make that claim today? Why or why
not?
The basis of this claim is what was built around it. Olmsted was able to build a park
and have a society built around it. Unlike Central Park, which he also built, there were
already people living in the area when it was being created. People could easily walk
across the street from their homes and relax at a big park with their families. NYC
didn't have anything like that. In buffalo the park was built first. Years later, slowly but
surely, homes started to be built around the park. More parks were also built in Buffalo
which lead to more societies just like Central Park being established. Most public
places in buffalo is built around something major. For example, it's like building a city
around the Statue of Liberty. The only thing Olmsted didn't like was that people would
go to Niagara Falls just to take pictures and make their way to Canada. I believe that
has tremendously changed over the years. Every time I go to the Falls, there are
hundreds of people there with their families admiring the falls and the whole park area.
Olmsted would still make the claim the Buffalo was the best planned city. There are
more parks just like Niagara Falls minus all the water, public places that are well built,
and amazing streets. I've noticed that there are a lot of fountains in Buffalo which is
new to me because I live in the city. There are way more public attractions that are not
surrounded by buildings unlike NYC.

17. Response to the Brookes
http://www.startribune.com/black-
lives-matter-group-to-rally-disrupt-
operations-at-minnesota-state-
fair/322479171/
(This was from my original response, I
couldn’t find the link to the photo)
Find another iconic graphic that addresses racial issues and post it for others in
your group to view. (Add it to your response by clicking on the picture in the tools
section. Do not add it as an attachment that needs to be opened.) How do you
interpret the graphic? What is its meaning? Now imagine that someone from a
racial and cultural background different than your own is looking at the same
graphic. Briefly describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How
might this differ from your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for
these differences?
Black Lives Matter has been a movement that was created in 2012 after a young
innocent teenager was shot and killed for looking "suspicious". In the picture, you can
see other protesters holding up BLM signs. You also see a guy whose back is turned
and on the back of the sweater the names of those people who were killed for being
black. The meaning of this photo is that black people won't stand down until something
is done about the innocent black people being killed. If a person who wasn't part of the
minority group was to see this picture, they would think otherwise. They might see the
same meaning as I do but would think about the situation differently. The person might
say something like "all lives matter". Yes if all lives matter, why is it that a certain race
(or even minorities in general) are being killed? There are people who aren't part of
that minority group that do support the BLM movement. Most likely those people do
have many friends who are part of the minority group or even grew up around it. It all
depends on how you were raised or how you grew up. People can be raised a certain
way and grow up to see the rights and wrongs on how their parents raised them. It all
reflects on you at the end of the day and how you choose to see things.

18. Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American
History and Culture using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or design principles.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is located in
Washington D.C. This museum shows the world about African American Culture and
the history of it. This museum includes a historical factor by having two floors based
on the history. All museums have a historical aspect to it. This is important because
you can't just know about a topic without learning the history. The museum also
contains a futuristic side to it as well. Although African Americans suffered in the past,
they continue to strive and prosper today. Some of our future doctors and lawyers are
still out there learning and getting ready to be successful. Although some people may
complain about the museum not showing how much African Americans have suffered,
everyone is aware of that. We learned about these things at a young age so that when
we get older we are aware of everything.
http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/11964-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture

19. Response to Article on Sports Branding
http://www.totalprosports.com/2013/09
/20/mashup-north-america-major-
sports-team-logos-picture/
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on ethnicity. The Washington
Redskins team is just one example of the larger controversy, but it receives the
most public attention due to the name itself being defined as derogatory or
insulting in modern dictionaries, and the prominence of the team representing the
nation’s capital. Should sports team branding designers use ethnic references
(Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc.)? Why? Why not? What are
some of the complexities of this issue?
I believe that sports teams should be able to use ethnic references for team branding.
When people hear these names they think of the first thing that comes to mind. For
example when you hear the Atlanta Braves you think of a team from Atlanta that can
potentially be brave and powerful. When branding teams they think of names that will
attract people's attention. Not a lot of people will misinterpret these names because it’s
basic words. There are complexities with this issue. The true meanings of these names
does go back to when it was being used negatively. Natives may not agree with the
branding name because it would bring back hardships to when Native Americans were
being mistreated. Although it happened a long time ago, it still has to be
acknowledged. Changing the names of the teams would also cause a complexity
because it is something that has been used for years. It would take years for people to
start calling teams by theirs new name.

20. Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
http://www.honduras.com/traditional-
honduran-food-machuca/
Describe an object in your home that you think of as representative of your ethnic
background and discuss why this object is considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible,
add photo/s.) Is this object or place something that you will keep or continue
when you establish your own home? Why or why not? Describe and discuss any
evidence of cultural influences on the physical environment in your community. If
possible, describe evidence of the cultural influence of an underrepresented
group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this cultural influence being acknowledged or
preserved from future generations? Why or why not?
One object that represents my ethnic background is a food instrument called a "hana".
My family is from Honduras and are very in touch with their culture. The hana is
brown and made from wood. We use this to mash up boiled plantains. The plantains
are then used is a traditional soup called "machuca". In everyone Honduran house hold
you will surely find a hana. This object is considered ethnic because it is used for a
traditional food that every Honduran eats. This object is something that I would
definitely keep in my own home. My parents taught me to be in touch with my culture
not only with the food, but the music and language as well.
In my community there are a lot of cultural influences on the physical environment. In
my community there are a lot of Hispanics that live there so there a lot of food places
that serve Hispanic food. Also a lot of the people that work in the stores in my
community are bilingual. I believe cultural influence is being acknowledged. I'm from
the Bronx where there are mixes of different cultures. Each culture has their own way

21. of showing their self to the community
either with traditional food or clothing.
There are many Hispanic, African
American, Indian, and even Authentic
Chinese food places in the Bronx. The
Bronx is also a place where cultures collide. No one is really afraid to show off their
culture because most people already know about it.

22. Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
faminbusiness.com/gender-issues-
family-business/
First, identify the approach. Then explain how the designer uses the approach to
communicate a gender issue. Is the approach effective in this example? Why or
why not? How could this graphic be improved?
The approach for this images is get the idea. This designer used the approach to
communicate a gender issue by having a male and a female on a balance type scale.
That scale represents who will have more power. Some work places believe that men
should get the big office instead of women. The image is very straight forward and to
the point. You can also tell that the man and women in the photo will be competing for
that office space. The approach is very effective in this example because it’s something
that many people all over the world have been arguing about. It is very self-
explanatory as I mentioned before. This graphic should be improved by having the two
individuals in the picture actually look like they're actually competing for the office
space. Maybe having them carry some type of work load and experience to weigh them
down so they could easily just walk over to the desk.

23. Response to Bathroom Bill
https://www.burnhamnationwide.com/f
inal-review-blog/gender-neutral-
bathrooms-code-conflicts
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/gen
der-neutral-bathrooms-issue
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the
biological gender written on their birth certificate? State why AND state why not.
In other words, to receive full credit for this question, you need to present an
argument for both sides of the issue. As a designer, how would you solve this
gender dilemma?
I think people should use the bathroom according to their biological gender. Yes I
understand that people should be able to make their own decisions when it comes to
those things but not everyone is accepting of that. I feel like people would be
uncomfortable if they see a transgender female or male in the same bathroom as them.
Safety can/can't really be argued on this topic because it can go wrong in either way.
Safety is the why and why not part of the question. For example a male may feel
uncomfortable with a transgender female or male being in the same bathroom and can
try to assault them. Same thing can happen in a woman’s bathroom with them being
uncomfortable around a transgender male or female. Transgendered people would feel
more comfortable and safe in bathrooms according to the gender they associate their
self with. Not a lot of people have open minds when it comes to sexuality and the
LGBT community. We live in a society where "majority rules" most of the time. As a
designer I would solve this dilemma by making more gender neutral bathrooms.
Gender neutral bathrooms would solve the problem by having people use the bathroom
one at a time. With that they shouldn't be worried about what gender is using the
bathroom at the time.

24. Response to People Like Us
http://usdotblog.typepad.com/secretarys
blog/2010/03/public-transportation-in-
the-spotlight.html#.WQyKaPnyu00
http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/mo
nroe-county-commissioners-expand-
rural-transport-35911/
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD
(Integrated Planning and Design). You work on a team with planners, urban
designers, policy designers, architects, and social designers. You have been tasked
to develop/design a way for Tammy Crabtree and her family (and others with
situations similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves out of poverty. What will your
team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach
will your team take to address this difficult problem?
There are a lot of people like Tammy in the world believe it or not. A lot of people
who are in the lower class barely make enough to cover all their living expenses yet
alone provide for their families. If I was a designer working for the well-known firm
iPD, I would provide Tammy with a car. Not having transportation seems to be the
root of her problem. She can't find a better job if it's not walking distance from where
she lives. A car will help her find more job opportunities that will pay her more. I
would also look into public transportation because she isn't the only one going through
this struggle. That can allow her kids to have after school jobs or find paid internships
that will allow them to help with providing. In regards to her wanting to go to college,
I would help her look into colleges that have programs for low income families. For
example there are a lot of programs that helps with paying for your education if you
come from a low income family. And with the car she would be able to go to work and
attend the classes she needs in order to pursue her career.

25. Response to Hidden Ways
http://buffalonews.com/2014/05/01/ma
y-1-1989-walden-galleria-opens/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed-
circuit_television
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that
perpetuate what he calls urban spatial injustice: 1) stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty,
4) prickly, and 5) jittery. Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two
examples from the list of five. Identify what type of space you've photographed
and why it might discriminate against a specific population.
I've noticed Buffalo has a lot of slippery places. My friends and I went out to a party a
couple weeks ago and we were confused on the entrance. There was a door that was
very noticeable but as we walked in we noticed it was just a bar where people also pay
pool at. We had to ask one of the workers to help us find the party venue. Turns out
that we had to go through a door next to the restaurant which lead us to stairs. The
venue was on the second floor. I'm not familiar with Buffalo and I forgot where the
venue was located. There are a lot of places in Buffalo that is "jittery". For example,
many parking lots have surveillance cameras. Even though parking lots are part of the
"public space" category, cameras were still installed. The galleria mall has cameras in
their parking lot. Even though some people might be confused because it’s a public
place, those cameras can also have a good meaning. They can catch accidents
involving other cars or even altercations with people. Cameras in a public place can be
a "curse" and a blessing at the same time.

26. Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
https://www.pinterest.com/trackyc/100-
years-poster/
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/5523
16586996793345
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which
alters fundamental aspects of the body. We are living longer than ever before in
human history. Enriquez argues that, because of advances in bio-medical
technology, the possibility of living to 120 years of age and beyond is quite
possible for many of us in this D+D class. Assuming that his assertion is accurate,
how do you think extended life spans will change our societies and built
environments? What new issues might designers face because of extended life
spans?
I feel like extended life spans would change our societies and built environments for
the better. With people living longer lives, that would improve relationships if
technology isn't too involved. More people would be out having conversations or
finding ways to make the world better. That 40 year gap from living to 80 years old to
120 years old can change a lot in the world. Although we may be old, we can still do
something great. Maybe one day it would be a 90 year old who finds the cure to
cancer. Issues that designers might face from a longer life span are having to
accommodate the elderly in the community. Not only would they be building the
community for the future, but also for those who have helped them get to where they
are today. Maybe making certain stores or public places more accessible for the
elderly. Another issue that might arise from longer life spans is the crowding of
communities. Since lives are being expanded, that means deaths rates would be lower
and birth rates would either stay the same or increase. Over population can lead to
scarce resources for families to live off of.

27. “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not Equal Practice
https://nextcity.org/features/view/baby-
boomers-city-living
http://www.orangecountync.gov/depart
ments/planning_and_inspections/orang
e_public_transportation/index.php
The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to
the project. What actions could be taken to ensure more social integration for the
older people living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
Many actions could be taken or the social integration for the older people. For
example, making Regent Park more accessible for them. Making it easier for the
elderly to leave their house and return home would make them want to come out more
often. They can possible have shuttles that take them to nearby places or even to the
nearest bus route that might seem far for them. Most elderly people are easy to get
along with to having events in the community would help with everyone's
communication. Nearby stores can also provide delivery/drop off services for them as
well. It’s harder for you to move around as you get older so it'll be easier for people to
help them by bringing them what they need. More elevators should also be put in place
so that the elderly can avoid the stairs as much as they can.

28. Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/tal
king-back/action-plan-making-brain-
controlled-prosthetics-that-can-open-a-
clothespin/
https://www.pinterest.com/explore/crea
te-cartoon-character/
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about
emerging enhancement technologies and reproductive technologies? What are
some of the possible consequences (both positive and negative) of being able to
design our bodies and the bodies of our children? What ethical quandaries do
these technologies pose?
A lesson that we should learn from history is that nothing goes as planned and that
nothing lasts forever. When emerging enhancement technologies and reproductive
technologies we need to remember that that takes away from being natural humans.
These technologies may be successful for a couple of years but what if it gets too
expensive for some people or they decide on going back to their natural ways? Not
everything is meant to be altered. A positive thing of designing our bodies and the
bodies of our children is that we would be happy with our selves. If you get to design
what you want your children to look like, you would have your ideal child. A negative
thing of designing our bodies and the bodies of our children is that the whole aspect of
genes and looks would go out the window. If you design what you or your child look
like, you won't inherit any past genes from family members. Also there can be a
chance where your child doesn't like the way you designed them and they might want
to change how they look the same way you did. Genes are what makes who we are.
You carry a little bit of past ancestors in you. Designing how you look would change
that. Ethical quandaries of these technologies can cause people to do what they want.
Since they are in control of what they look like, they may feel as if they are in control
of things they are not in control of.

29. Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design
principles, and post photographs that show both a positive and a negative
example of the principle. Then address the following question: How do your
examples empower or disempower various people? Describe the specific features
of the positive example and the specific features of the negative example. Discuss
ways that the positive example could be even further improved.
The universal design principle that I chose was the size and space. The first picture
shows a public bathroom sink with no space under it. That would make it hard for
someone with a wheelchair to wash their hands. There is no space for them to
comfortably wash their hands without being in a certain angle. This is a negative
example of space and size because only people who can walk are able to easily wash
their hands. In the second picture, you see a public bathroom with space under the sink.
That would make it easy for anyone in a wheelchair to roll under the sink and wash
their hands. They won’t have to be uncomfortable or wash their hands at an angle. This
is a positive example of size and space because anyone can use this sink to wash their
hands. I never really noticed the space under the sinks in public bathrooms but it makes
sense as to why they design it that way. The same way they have bigger stalls for
someone with a disability they should have sinks as well. The positive example could
be improved by having it low enough for everyone to use in all bathrooms. Although
they have the space under it, it should be low enough so that the person in the
wheelchair won’t have to scooch off their seat. The way it looks in the picture is a
perfect example.

30. Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-
services/housing-and-community-living
http://www.istockphoto.com/in/photo/n
ew-home-construction-in-golden-
colorado-neighborhood-gm470765852-
63144791
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New
York in a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-sac on the edge of a ten acre
woods. The town has purchased a one acre lot three houses away from yours, and
plans to build a group home for ten intellectually challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this proposal and
why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group
home in your neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten intended residents exhibited
challenging behaviors including screaming, public masturbation, repetitive
rocking, and echolalia (elective incontinence). However, these behaviors have not
occurred since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group home in
your neighborhood?
The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s
proposal to build a group home in the neighborhood. Town officials agreed that
the home would not be built in your neighborhood if you and your neighbors
could develop a workable alternative.
What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be
provided with “the same basic human rights as the rest of the population”?
If the town wanted to build a group home for ten intellectually challenged adults in my
neighborhood I would support it. It’s clear that those ten adults live in the
neighborhood or nearby and need some kind of assistance. All my life I've seen kids
and adults who were intellectually challenged get the help they need. I feel like it
would be hypocritical of me to say no to such a great thing. Even if I heard of the

31. challenging behaviors, that would not change my opinion on anything. You can't
expect normal like behavior from everyone who is intellectually challenged. They
might not know what’s right from wrong at times. A possible solution that would allow
the residents of the home to be provided with the same human rights is hiring special
aids that have experience working with intellectually challenged people. The aid would
able to help with the person's everyday needs. A group home can also be built in
another neighborhood where people are more open minded to new ideas and helping
the mentally challenged.

32. Response to Titicut Follies
http://www.video-
dogs.com/catalog/product_info.php?pro
ducts_id=165095&osCsid=4e47a8bbce
19ceb9cf758724137aa27d
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies,
arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated the patients’ rights by not
getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and Wiseman
argued that he had consent from their legal guardian, the institution. After a
judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several years: in
1969, Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers, and health
care professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge ruled it could be released for
the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue, so many years
later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater
Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why or why not? How might this film be of
value to designers (communication designers, product, designers, architects,
interior designers, planners, landscape designers, systems designers, and/or social
designers)? In other words, what might they gain from this film that they could
use in their work?
I believe Wiseman should have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater
Massachusetts. I believe this because he did ask permission from a legal guardian. If
the individuals in the film were uncomfortable with being filmed, they are allowed to
speak up and tell someone (for those who were able to communicate verbally). This
film can be a value to designers by showing them what really goes on in that
correctional facility and what it looks like from the inside. With them knowing more of
what goes on, they can change the way they want to design something. It may even
encourage designers to design a new building specifically for those who are criminally
insane. Designers can gain new ideas and perspective from this film. For example, they
might have not known that the facility was in such bad shape and may want to help fix

33. http://www.indiewire.com/2012/03/gre
y-matters-the-lunatics-are-in-the-hall-
its-the-top-10-films-about-mental-
illness-132287/
that one up. They can help make it a better place for the inmates to live at by adding
warm colors and better looking cells. Although the inmates are criminally insane, they
are still people and deserve a decent place to stay at. This can lead designers to have an
open mind because not everyone one in the world is "normal" or mentally stable.

34. Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ed
ucation/clinical/graduate/grad/speech
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J. Shannon: “Design,
as vision in action--the intersection of understanding and creation--is a universal
human capability that can play a fundamental role in social evolution, in the
process that transforms resources, energy, and information to make our world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers
regardless of our profession or field of study. We’ve asked some big questions
along the way, and the conclusion section of our textbook raises additional issues
that require input from people who might not consider themselves to be part of
the formalized design professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the biggest
challenge, problem, or question that your field needs to tackle right now? What
do you plan to do to address this challenge, problem, or question either as part of
your studies or professional life?
My major is speech and hearing science. With that I can either become a speech
pathologist or an audiologist. We can work in a school setting, a hospital, or even at a
private practice. The biggest challenge for people in my field is finding a job. Although
this career is becoming more popular, it's hard to find a job in New York with a decent
pay. Most speech or audiologist jobs are outside of NY. People who have been living
in NY would find that difficult because NY is all they know. Having to move to
another state for a job may be difficult but you have to do what’s in your best interest
career wise. Also because this occupation is becoming more common, many people
will be competing for job positions. In order to address this challenge, I want to put the
word out there on what speech pathologists do. Most people know what an audiologist
do but have questions to what a speech pathologist does. Maybe this will open more

35. jobs in NY. Most parents don't know their child has a speech problem until they are
told by someone else. All schools, especially elementary schools, should have a speech
pathologist working with kids. More speech and hearing centers can also be added in
NY because it'll be easier for people with speech problems to get the help they need
and it would also keep a speech path employed.
http://www.citysoundsny.com/contact.html

36. Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
http://www.nycago.org/Organs/Brx/ht
ml/ChristTheKingRC.html
http://bronxcatholic.blogspot.com/2009
/01/christ-king-grand-concourse.html
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have
played major roles in the development of our cities. Today, places of worship are
primary components of almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes
“From their often active role in supporting people who live in city centers to their
iconic influence on design and use of space, religious structures tell us a lot about
our history, our current needs, and where we might be headed in the future. This
is an aspect of our urban future that planners and urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not
familiar with any places of worship, do a bit of research on one in your own city
or town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use
photographs from the web.) What roles has this place served in the development
of your city/town? How has it influenced the design of the area around it? How
has its role changed over time? What roles could this place of worship play in the
future development of your city/town?
A place of worship that I am familiar with is the Christ The King Church in my
neighborhood. This is the only Catholic Church that is close enough for people to walk
to between two train stops. This means a lot of people attend this church. This church
plays a big role in the community because it brings positivity. The church brings
everyone together as one and show us how we all have one thing in common which is
God. The church is attached to a school. The area around the school and church is very
well put. There are a lot of buildings where people live and a couple of stores when
people can shop at. Over time the role hasn't really changed much. A lot of people still
attend the church. In the future, having the church so close by will keep encouraging
people to keep God close to them. It may also lead to the development of different
churches for people with different religions as well so that they can pray to their God.