American diversity and design discussion questions

1. American Diversity and Design Discussion
Questions (Online Discussion Questions)
Yunke Chen
ARC 211 Spring 2017
University at Buffalo -- State University of New York
(Picture source: http://www.lamar.edu/about-lu/diversity/conferences/diversity/)
May 16, 2017

2. Since Diversity and Design class is an online course, we have got plenty of discussion
questions. The most impressive influence that this course brought to me is showing me different
perspectives and making me more open-minded. Throughout the whole semester, I have learned
how designs are closely related to our life and society. I found that analyzing architecture and
relating it to social issues is compelling. Because it teaches me that design comes from our life
and it makes our life better. Before taking the course, I thought design or architecture are
separable from life. However, this course changes my viewpoint. Every design can relate to
anything, and they mean more than itself.
I choose this photo to reflect myself in Diversity and Design class. Like the water I
carried, there are things we all must carry when we design in the future, such as responsibility
and so on. Meanwhile, I think we should look forward.
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.

3. Week 1 Response 1 Introduction:
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. After posting
your introduction, take a look through and reply to some of the others. The purpose of this
exercise is to develop a sense of community. You might find that you share similar
experiences and can help each other in many ways throughout the semester.
Hello, my name is Yunke Chen. I am a second semester student and majoring in civil
engineering. One of interesting facts about myself is I did skydiving last summer in Hawaii.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/takabashi/1768152939

4. Week 1 Response to "What is design?" from Hello World:
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by Alice Rawsthron,
the author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin
empire, one of the most powerful and enduring empires I the history of China. She
explained how design innovation contributed to Ying Zheng’s success. For example, in the
development of weaponry, he resolved many problems by standardizing parts, and this
single innovation gave his armies great advantage over other armies. For this discussion,
let’s move away from 246 B.C. China, and into the U.S. 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? For example, the telegraph, developed and
patented in the United States in 1837 by Samuel Morse, permitted people and commerce to
transmit messages across both continents and oceans almost instantly, with widespread
social and economic impacts. This heightened communication speed allowed business
persons to make decisions with up-to-date information, often resulting in big profits. Those
without access had to rely on out-dated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
One of the greatest inventions that gave advantage to all humans I can think of is electromagnetic
telephones, which invented by Antonio Meucci, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson in
the late 19th century. This invention enables all the people far away from each other to
communicate easier. It also makes the communication faster, more effective. I think postmen
were negatively impacted slightly since more and more people were able to use telephone instead
of mailing letters.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/118008452706515494/

5. Week 1 Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design:
On “Introduction” from Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from both professionals
and public citizens alike, yields more equitable results.” This makes sense, but typically has
not been the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups have impacted design in ways
that have changed our visual and physical worlds as well as our systems, policies, and
institutions. For example, in the 1960s, disability rights advocates designed media events to
raise awareness about barriers in the physical environment. They persisted with their
efforts for decades, and, finally, in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. It
mandated accessibility in public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public
transportation, communication, and other areas of public life. This dramatically changed
our physical environment (from curb cuts to ramps to automatic doors) and the results
made public life more equitable.
Now it’s your turn. Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group. How and
why did it change form and/or circumstances? (Note that a design can be anything
requiring planning and development prior to the production of an action, system, visual,
material object, or environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a diversity
group is a group of individuals who are underrepresented in society in some way—
children, older adults, the economically disadvantaged, those with cognitive disabilities,
etc.)
Motion Picture Association of America's film-rating system1
is a system which used to rate a
film for certain audiences, especially for children and teenagers, based on its content. As children
are growing up, it is necessary to protect them from things are immoral and incorrect. Without
this rating system, children may learn and imitate whatever they watch. As time goes, the rating
system is more developed and protects kids from getting mental trauma as well.
http://www.mpaa.org/film-ratings/
1
(n.d.). Retrieved May 03, 2017, from http://www.mpaa.org/film-ratings/

6. Week 2 Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs:
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 Changesd the World into the part called "media
message or product" in Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled "Model of Media and the Social
World". One of the mass media photograph taken in my own lifetime that has served as an icon
of event is the photo of Einstein stucking out his tongue. This image shows a funny Einstein,
which is different from a serious Einstein we know as usual. The first time I saw this picture was
on a physics book. For me, it represents a genius in physics field. And this picture became as one
of the most recognizable images of Einstein.
https://phys.org/news/2015-10-years-einstein-theory.html

7. Week 2 Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design:
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass media or social media. However, the
two hats (red and pink) discussed in the articles certainly have taken on that role. 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?
Those two hats, as part of our clothing, are getting more and more important because people can
wear them to stand for and support their opinion, especially political opinion in this case. The red
hat has the slogan "Make America Great Again", which represents what Trump was
emphasizing. With the color of bright red, it gives a strong feeling. And the style can be
connected to an image of males easily, compared to the pink hat. The pink hat stands for females
with the color of pink and knitted style, which seems much softer than red hat. Even these two
hats have different meanings, both can be treated as a new form of media medium. People are
wearing them to show their opinion and make is clear what they are standing for.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/fashion/womens-march-washington-fashion-
protest.html?_r=0

8. Week 3 Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible Inventions
of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti:
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian John Heskett claims that the
methods of mass production introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S. involved new concepts
of the standardization and integration of the production line that were adopted across the
world. With Ford’s method, work could be completed by relatively unskilled workers; it
was more efficient and with this method, products were made more quickly and cheaply
than previously possible. 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?
Ford’s production made it more efficient, and led us into the industrial era. It enabled us to
produce plenty of same products as we wanted. This system, I believe, brought evolutionary
changes to U.S society, such as more efficient production process. For example, the ice-cream
industries or chocolate industries still use the production line system to operate. However,
nowadays, people more likely choose hand-made products because of the higher quality and less
quantity. I think this trend will keep going, those hand-made products are getting rare and more
expensive.
http://corporate.ford.com/innovation/100-years-moving-assembly-line.html

9. Week 3 Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video:
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 any products that
embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design? Please describe and cite your source.
I think the Rolls-Royce Dawn seems defy the Cradle-to-Cradle concept. As a vehicle, it is a little
difficult to go through neither of the cycle below. It cannot be recycled completely; it also
produces carbon dioxide and causes air pollution getting more serious. A good example I come
up with is plastic roads1
. It is made of recycled plastic. As shown below, the wasted plastic
cannot be biological degraded. Then it is being used as the material for roads.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216595063300183379/
1
A revolution in building roads. (n.d.). Retrieved May 03, 2017, from
https://www.plasticroad.eu/en/

10. Week 4 Response to All Module 4 Materials:
Your readings and viewings this week present different ways of thinking about
architecture. Mies Van der Rohe describes architecture as “The will of the epoch translated
into space.” Andrew Ballantyne describes architecture as the background for life. Jeanne
Gang describes it as the act of building relationships. All agree that architecture can
change based on context and culture. 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.)
In my opinion, one of the architecture works with sensibility about the past from this week
readings is Wainwright Building by Alder and Sullvian. Even this building was the first
skyscraper, it is not difficult to tell that this building shows a feeling that years and years have
been passed. It used the structure of classical column, which together with organic ornamentation
and carvings make this building look like old fashioned. The color tone and the design of stair
style do not break vicissitude that shown in the building. As the first skyscraper, it was pretty
challenged and open minded that to have such a tall building. One architecture work with
sensibilities about present or future I chose from reading is Dulles International Airport by Eero
Saarinen. With the use of graceful beauty, he makes this one of the busiest airports elegant. We
can feel a sense of present or future from every small detail, such as the using huge piece of glass
and metal. The curing and organic forms he used outside airport, with all lights on, produces an
illusion of a building come from future. It reflects the style of modern design.
http://www.zbaren.com/wainwright-building/

11. Week 4 Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles:
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present ideas about architecture that seem to value
the sensorial and material elements of life. How are Ballantyne’s and Zumthor’s viewpoints
on architecture alike? More importantly, how do they differ? (Use the SEE-IT method to
respond to this question.)
Both Ballantyne and Zumthor think that the architecture a part of our daily life, and a place
where we can put ourselves in. However, Ballantyne treats architecture as artworks, whereas
Zumthor designs it with relating to atmosphere and himself. For example, Ballantyne has
mentioned that the buildings in architectural book were usually being photographed before
people move in so that the artistic part of the building can be emphasized. He also quoted that Le
Corbusier's definition about architecture, which is “the masterful, correct, and magnificent play
of volumes brought together in light.” He summarized that architecture as organized being,
which is not only a shelter but also a piece of artwork. In Zumthor's article, compared to
machine-like architecture from Ballantyne's view, Zumthor prefers designing with memories. It
indicates more freedom rather than high standards. He thinks that architecture can be full of
emotion which brings people a feeling of warmth and familiar. In his design, he have put in his
personal experience, his own memories, what he likes, and so on. He sees architecture as a
puzzle of designer's different aspects.
https://www.dezeen.com/tag/mexican-houses/

12. Week 5 Response to Levy Article:
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?
The city I grew up is called shenyang, where located in the north eastern part of China. The city's
name is referring that the city is mainly on the south side of a river which passes through the city.
Due to the existence of river, we have about 18 riverside gardens. The central urban area is
surrounded by three artificial rivers. Shenyang is an important industrial city in China, so that we
can find plenty of architectures which has element of industrial products. More specifically, our
city focused on heavy industry, such as machine tools, automobile parts, and
electronics.Therefore, we have several large industries in suburban area. In recent years,
Shenyang has developed two-line subway. And city uses extensive network of streets and
expressways which are designed in ancient times, including the railway station. The ring road
system we use nowadays was proposed under control of Japanese government, which reflects a
little history of our city.
http://www.cnto.org/iconic/72-hours-in-shenyang/

13. Week 5 Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson:
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning and design firm working with Emily Talen
(author of “Design That Enables Diversity”) and Kent Larson (who gave the TED Talk
"Brilliant Designs to Fit More People In Every City" The thee of you have been tasked
with developing a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis. City officials told the three of you
that that they want to do it right this time. 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?
According to the readings and videos, Pruitt Igoe's urban planning is focused on the diversity in
social and economic aspects. For example, people from different classes could have a chance to
live together, which makes up a mixed community. One of the strategies that Talen would do to
rebuild would probably be more diversed with "integration and segregation". Another strategies
that Larson would do to rebuild would be rebuilding it with high- technology. Larson also
mentioned to apply a type of technology called robotic walls which enables people to get to
wherever they would like to go. For, instance, people can get to the mall in a minute from their
own house. For me, personally, I would rebuild it based on urban planning in nowadays, In
addition, our society has districts where most rich people live in. In other words, rich people
have a bigger chance to own more properties as their own land, which enables them to be
separated from the lower class. I think this can reduce the conflict between different classes. And
this will help population more distributed so that it is easier to manage for government.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/urban-planning-europe-united-states-paper-writing-services

14. Week 6 Response to F.L. Olmsted:
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 for Olmsted was to "blend" the city into the nature and look far to the future. With
plenty of designing of parks, we have got lots of color green take the place in the city.
Interestingly, those parks reflect the characteristics that its neighborhood has within it. The
combination of nature and urban is more widely accepted, which makes the city sustainable. And
we can relate this to the concept we have nowadays, which implies he takes the long view.
Olmsted mentioned, “In laying out Central Park, we determined to think of no results to be
realized in less than forty year,"1
while he was designing the Central Park in New York City. He
put what would happen to the city and park into his consideration, which is really remarkable. I
think that Olmsted will still makes that claim today. Nowadays, protecting our environment has
become a crucial thing that we all have to get involved. Having more and more "green carpet" in
city is a way of protecting ourselves, which can help us live longer.
http://www.arch2o.com/love-affair-contrasts-central-park-vs-city-new-york/
1
(2015, May 04). Retrieved May 03, 2017, from http://www.pbs.org/video/2365468061/

15. Week 6 Response to Walter Hood's Work:
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? (Either written or visual descriptions are acceptable).
In my hometown, there plenty of waterside parks by a river. If I am the person who will oversee
this project and using Walter Hood's "triad of investigations” as my approach to the project, I
would start it with the idea of combining those parks together. I am doing this in order to have a
long walking path along the river, which lies right next to the water. It is connected the first idea
of triad of investigations, which is daily life. People can use the path to walk their dogs, or take a
simple walk after dinner without getting in and out one park and another. Another thing I would
like to change is that make the park as sustainable as possible. For example, lead a small branch
of the river into the park to balance the ration of land area and water region area and raise some
different water plants. Another thin I would do is to set several wind turbines so that the park
would not use any extra energy, or even provide a little to neighborhood. I think it is how the
third point of triad of investigations relate to the life ways we have today.
http://www.tylin.com/en/projects/sanhao_bridge

16. Week 7 Response to the Brookes:
The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image that often is included in exhibits
that explore issues of race and power. It was commissioned by Thomas Clarkson in 1788,
and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used it to inform and shock the public.
While some consider the poster as an important component of the abolitionist campaign, it
recently “has been strongly criticized by some individuals and groups of African heritage
as providing a very limited view of the history of the transatlantic slave trade, resistance
and abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer sees an image is
dependent upon his/her social, economic, and cultural position. Keeping this in mind, 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?
The picture shows a "black" woman is drinking water from a water fountain labeled "colored".
As we can see, the one labeled "white only" is much cleaner and stronger than the one for
"colored". It implies the "colored" people were positioned in a very low social status. I am an
Asian growing up under the Chinese education. I would like to say if an African-American sees
this picture, s/he would be offended. S/he would get a feeling of discrimination and unfair. Both
racial and cultural background build up the environment we grow up. It decides what values and
standards we have to judge everything. When I look at the picture, I just feel it is part of the
history. However, if an African American looks at this, s/he probably has much stronger emotion
than me. For myself, I am not in the picture of the racial issue. And the African American is the
one who have been treated unfairly. Another point I would like to mention is that the Chinese
education teaches us to respect everything and everyone. I am not familiar with other culture. I
guess this can make little difference as well.
https://anoddmomentarythought.blogspot.com/2013/05/gabby-douglas-and-her-hair.html

17. Week 7 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. (Use the beliefs or
principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than all of them.)
According to equityXdesign, their core beliefs are knowing historical context, contributing
radical inclusion, and processing the product. I would like to say, relate these three core beliefs,
National Museum of African American History and Culture does a good job. First, the design
reflects optimism, spirituality, and joy, and also acknowledges and incorporates "the dark
corners" of the African-American experience. It can be seen with the frames leaning outward,
which gives positive feelings including optimism, joy, and so on. And the three-box structure
implies the past, present, and future. Second, the bold design of National Museum of African
American History and Culture are welcoming everyone, people from different races, genders,
and social economic status. It shows the radical inclusion. And last, there was a change made
during the process. Designers was using bronze-painted aluminum instead of bronze which in
their plan. Architect Witold Rybczynski also criticized the change: "The appeal of bronze is its
warm golden sheen and the rich patina that it acquires over time, but uniformly painted surfaces
lack these attributes, and over time they don't age, they merely flake". However, the African
American museum risks compromising its original intention.
http://inhabitat.com/national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture-opens-today-in-
washington-dc/

18. Week 8 Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter:
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or
outdoors) that you think of as representative of your own ethnic background and discuss
why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- 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?
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how
landscape architects develop a historical narrative that sifts through and interpets the
culture and material of underrepresented groups. Think about the community where you
grew up. 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?
In my own home, the place represents my own ethnic background is the corner with a plant on a
wooden shelf. As a Chinese, I feel proud about the Chinese culture. One of those great things
from Chinese culture I like the best is carvings. We have got great varied carvings on different
materials. For example, we have carvings on bricks, bamboos, or even writing bushes. In my
home, I think it represents my ethnic background. When I establish my own home, I will try to
find something similar. Because, some of those carvings are extremely detailed and seem like
they are telling small stories.
In the community where I grew up, there is a famous place called Forbidden City. It is a place
has plenty of old buildings, which were used by the emperors. It is the evidence of cultural
influences on the physical environment because it extended the ancient design style. It is a great
representative of Chinese ancient architecture. Besides the Forbidden City, we also have some
designed gardens have the same design style. I believe that this cultural influence is being
acknowledged and preserved. Since more and more design in China are using the same style or
combining it with European style.
http://www.tour-beijing.com/china-tours/northeast_china/shenyang/

19. Week 8 Response to Article on Sports Branding:
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?
In my opinion, sports team branding designers should not use ethnic references. We have to
admit that sports teams have certain influence on the whole community. So when the designers
use ethnic references, they are bringing some stereotypes or discriminations into the community.
It implies separatism, which might lead to a serious conflict. From my point of view, mentioning
the race or ethnic on purpose is separating people into different groups. Therefore, when
designers use ethnic references, it means more than what they want to express. Meanwhile,
ethnic references can mislead people who do not know about that one specific ethnic.
https://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/r/racism_in_sport.asp

20. Week 9 Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter:
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye discuss two
primary visual advocacy approaches: 1) get the idea, and 2) stories in data. Find a new
example of either of the two visual advocacy approaches to gender issues, and post it in this
thread. Cite the source.
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?
This is a picture from UN Women organization. It uses "getting the idea" approach to
communicate the gender issue. As we can see, the designer is trying to emphasize inequality for
females. The designer uses the idea of popping out related words when putting different words
with females. And the searching part also covers the mouth of woman in the portrait. It can be
seen that women's freedom of speaking is taken away and they could not speak for themselves. It
is effective since it clearly shows the discrimination for females. And the messages of "women
shouldn't" are so discriminated which makes people want to fight for females. It can be improved
by making the sentence "women shouldn't suffer from discrimination anymore" bigger and more
visible.
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2013/10/women-should-ads

21. Week 9 Response to Bathroom Bill:
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed local
LGBT anti-discrimination laws, and required people to use the bathroom that
corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This prompted
massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make adjustments in life.
And we’ve had the proper etiquette situation for decades in our country, and all of a
sudden through political correctness we’re throwing away basic etiquette.” Just this past
Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill to repeal the law while
placing a moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
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? Use the SEE-IT method to respond
to this question.
Why: People should be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender
written on their birth certificate. In our daily life, the restrooms are usually separated into
women's and men's. Let's imagine there is a male who is a trans gender who thinks himself as a
female. If he walks in a women's bathroom, it will be rude for the women in the room.
Why not:People should not be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological
gender written on their birth certificate. It will be unfair for the people who does not have the
same gender as their birth certificate. They might feel awkward and being isolated from other
people, and their feelings matter.
Solution: As a designer, I would design an area of bathrooms and washbasins. Every gender are
welcomed to walk in. However, the bathrooms are designed as separated space for one person or
a family.This can ensure that everyone has their own privacy protected. Therefore, there should
not be any sign for women or men. Instead, we should have a shared area with all other people.
http://www.adasigndepot.com/all-gender-restroom-gender-wheelchair-baby-symbols.html

22. Week 10 Response to Hidden Ways:
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. Identify the location where you took the photograph, and
make certain that you are in at least one of the two photographs.
I took both two photos on campus. The first photo I took is a jittery place, which is open and
unfettered. The security camera above and the emergency phone work together to ensure the
safety of everyone in that area. It might discriminate against people who do not like cameras.
Camera can be a tool used to make sure others' safety, but it also can be used monitoring. For
those who do not want to be in the camera, they might feel uncomfortable. The second picture I
took is a crusty place. It feels like a huge backyard, which is open to everyone and easy to
access. I do not think this place might discriminate any specific population. Because this place is
not difficult to spot or get access to.

23. Week 10 Response to People Like Us:
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her family
off the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King barely paid the
bills. Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and become a teacher.
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?
I would like to say that Tammy Crabtree is a hard-worker for sure, and she wants to make her
like better. However, she does not realize the importance of time-management and self-
investment. And I believe that there are plenty of people are in the same situation, and they are
not using the efficient way to make their life better. If I am a designer, I would select an area that
close to center of urban area to build some special houses or apartments. Then I would come up a
policy such as discount or renting at lower price for the houses or apartments, which benefit for
people who need welfare. I think this will enable them to live in a better environment and get
more involved in the community. Another thing I would suggest is that invest more money for
them to make sure they can get higher education. For Tammy Crabtree's situation, she wants to
be a teacher. So she needs time and money to invest herself for her dream. I think living in a
better environment and higher education could bring them a better life.
https://povertyandyou.wikispaces.com/Relationship+between+Poverty+%26+Education

24. Week 11 Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not
Equal Practice”:
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?
According to the book, it says "studies show that the opportunity for contact between people is
most likely to occur along main pathways that users travel," so, in order to ensure more
social integration for the older people. I would suggest to create more space so where the elders
can have a chance talk to other age levels. And I would suggest that rearranging rooms in case of
the segregation by income and age. It might be better to have all ages mix in the whole building,
even their community. Some other actions can be promoting the younger people to take care of
the elders and holding some events for the older people periodically and inviting younger people
come.
http://theelders.org/eldersyoungers

25. Week 11 Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”:
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?
First, I think artificial extended life spans will have negative effects on our society and built
environment. As we can see nowadays, the life spans of human beings are increasing gradually
due to the development of technology. And it is leading to more concerns about the earth where
we live and more conflicts to the society. Since we have not find any other planet we can live on
so far, we have scarce resources and space, which might run out under that situation. On the
other hand, extended life spans is against evolution. Therefore, it probably will bring negative
influences to other species and break the balance in the nature. Other new issues that designers
might face can be finding or inventing new resource. There might be other side effects on
humans' body because of extended life span. Designers might need to consider those to design
new staff for living.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/11/mouse-lifespan-heart-health-extended-by-common-
chemical/

26. Week 12 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.
I selected "equitable use" from the seven universal design principles.
Positive:
This elevator is accessible for everyone, including kids who are not that tall and people with
disability. One way it could be further improved is to increase the space inside elevator, which
makes sure it can hold one and more wheelchair.
Negative:
This elevator excludes anyone with a mobility issue because it is not big enough for a wheel
chair nor people who have gigantism or other disabilities. For instance, people without arms are
not able to use this elevator.
http://www.amsvans.com/blog/innovative-wheelchair-elevators-rise-in-the-21st-century/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3105780/Beam-stairs-Scotty-Star-Trek-style-
elevator-replace-stairlifts-homes.html

27. Week 12 Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc:
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?
In my opinion, when thinking about emerging enhancement technologies and reproductive
technologies, we should learn that it is essential to consider every aspects of the consequences,
such as moral issues, the influence on the whole society and so on. From history, when the
technology of cloning first came out, there were many serious arguments and conflicts about this
issue being mentioned. Most people are against it because they thought it should not be used on
humans. One of possible positive consequences I can think about is that we have the freedom to
choose whatever we like for our children. Further more, it might relax the tension of race issue in
the society. However, one of the possible negative consequences could be that the generation of
our children will be all the same or less diverse. According to the survey, the traits which less
people like will be eliminated after couple of generations. It could make human beings more like
products.
http://www.businessinsider.com/experts-explain-the-biggest-obstacles-to-creating-human-like-
robots-2016-3

28. Week 13 Response to Titicut Follies
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?
Wiseman should have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts
Correctional Facility with permissions. Even though those residents have mental illness, they still
have their rights as what we have now. And their rights should be respected as how our rights are
respected. However, it is a tricky situation to get permissions from residents themselves.
Therefore, it is understandable for Wisemsn to have consent from their legal guardian, the
institution. Designers are meant to make humans' life better. This film can help designers to care
more when they design. It gives us a closer view from a perspective of people who have mental
illness. Designers can take advantage of the film to design and help them get involved into our
big community.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titicut_Follies

29. Week 13 Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our Institutional
Models" posited that society characterizes people with intellectual disabilities as sub-
human and burdens of charity, He argued that this dehumanization, and the segregated
institutions that result from it, ignored the potential productive contributions that all
people can make to society. He pushed for a shift in policy and practice that recognized the
human needs of those with intellectual challenges and provided the same basic human
rights as for the rest of the population. 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”?
In my opinion, I would support this proposal as a resident of the neighborhood in this scenario.
First of all, they are intellectually challenged adults, which means they just have difficulties in
learning and performing daily life skills. From this point, it might be tough for people who are not
professional enough to take care of them. I think they deserve better treat just as how we are
treated when we are sick. This would not change my opinion about the construction of the group
home in the neighborhood. Even I agree on constructing the group home, I do not think it would be
a good idea to separate them from our little community. I think staying in the community would
help them to overcome the difficulties. 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” are
inviting professional groups of doctors and nurses to live with them, having other people to help,
visit, and love them by making friends with them.
http://crownmentoringgroup.com/category/mental-health-care-faq/

30. Week 14 Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David
Engwicht
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?
The place of worship which I am somewhat familiar with is the church in my hometown. This is
a Catholic church called Shenyang Nanguan Church. From the picture, we can see that, it is
gothic style architecture which came from European Revolution. It is the biggest church in the
city. Besides its main function as a church, it also recorded part of history of the city. It was put
on fire once in 1900 and rebuilt in 1912. For me, I am not a Catholic and I have never been there
for any mass. However, it is an important place for all Catholic from all over the world. They
have mass in Chinese, Korean, and English every week. Nowadays, some buildings around it are
brand new, some are from the same era as the church. I think this church will remain as a
gathering place for Catholic christians in the future.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_Heart_of_Jesus_Cathedral,_Shenyang

31. Week 14 Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
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?
I am majoring in civil engineering. I think there are lots of challenges in civil engineering, like
the tallest skyscrapers, or the longest bridge. However, I think the biggest problem in civil
engineering that needs to tackle right now is to build and maintain buildings with the protection
of environment. As we know, the earth is not in a good condition now due to population growth,
greenhouse effect, and so on. Therefore, we need to design and build more buildings.
Meanwhile, we have to consider limited space, cost of process, and other factors. To address this
problem, I would try to find special building materials. For example, the news says the plastic
can be used in paving. From that point, I think we can do something for the building materials.
So that we can do less for maintaining the building. Except the point I said above, I would like to
relate construction process to 3D-printing, which I think might decrease the pollution produced
in the process of construction.
http://www.cectexas.com/