ARC 211-American Diversity and Design Discussion Questions

Online Discussion Questions

Yashaswi Sharan
Spring 2017
.

Figure 1:https://www.pinterest.com/explore/diversity-bulletin-board/
 Hello!

I took American Diversity and Design Spring 2017 and this

course has helped me gain perspective on roles, impact,
portrayals, perceptions, contributions and challenges of diverse
groups and individuals and their influence on designed
environments around us. This course helped me understand the
importance of design in our lives and how diversity impacts the
design of tiniest details spaces around us. Example: gender
neutral bathrooms to eliminate division based on gender.

Design is in everything, in lines of code, circuit design and in

architecture of buildings. American Diversity and Design has
helped me develop a great understanding on issues of U.S.
diversity: race, ethnicity, gender, class, age, physical ability,
cognitive ability, and religion and how they have affected
environments.

I believe differences give rise to creative ideas and unique ideas

and thus design has a lot to offer. This course presented me
various examples of unique designs developed to promote
diversity.

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.

Figure 2:By Yashaswi Sharan

 Response to 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 Yashaswi Sharan. I was born and brought up in Mumbai, India. I
am currently in my junior year pursuing an undergraduate degree in Electrical
Engineering. I transferred from Manipal University to UB in Fall 2016. I came to UB
with an intention of being able to interact with students and faculty from all over the
world. I enjoy playing lawn tennis, swimming and reading. I work part time at the
Cross Road Culinary Centre in Red Jacket Quadrangle of the Ellicott Complex on the
North Campus.

Figure 3: By Yashaswi Sharan

 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 in the history of China. She explained how
design innovation contributed to Ying Zhengs 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, lets 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?
Figure 4:http://www.kinibiz.com/story/issues/199888/the-
taxi-uber-war-a-tale-of-two-drivers.html 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.

The innovation of Uber has taken over the regular taxis because it is way cheaper and is convenient to pick up and drop off for drivers
due to GPS tracking. The Uber app has also introduced services like uberPOOL which basically enables riders going the same way to
share the trip together. The advantages are that the cost of the trip per person reduces and the traffic jam decreases during rush hours.
The traditional taxi drivers have been deeply affected by the invention of Uber because most of the people who own a smartphone
prefer Uber over a taxi due to its reasonable pricing and convenience to request a ride. The regular taxi drivers are at war with Uber
due to the decline in the business of the taxi industry.

He, Jason. "Why Use an Uber over Taxi?" Web. Accessed on 3 May 2017.https://www.quora.com/Why-use-an-Uber-over-a-taxi
 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
Figure mandated accessibility in public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public
5:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/us/politics/obama-
trump-protections-lgbt-workers.html 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 its 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 waychildren, older adults, the economically disadvantaged, those
with cognitive disabilities, etc.)

The Obama order was designed to prevent discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees. The
administration order banned companies from doing federal work against the L. G. B. T. Q. community. This was the first time that a
government exclusively protected federal workers from discrimination based on gender. This order was designed to protect this
diversity group so that they do not get denied jobs solely based on their gender identity.

Jackson, David. "Trump to Keep Obama Executive Order for LGBTQ Workplace Protections."USA Today. Gannett Satellite
Information Network, 31 Jan. 2017. Web. 03 May 2017.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/31/donald-trump-barack-obama-workplace-protections/97275366/
 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 Changed The World into the topmost box
i.e. Readers or audience and the box to the left i.e. Media message or product. " A picture is
worth a thousand words" is one of the most common clichs which means that images have the
power to tell us a story without using any words. Each picture conveys a message that can be
Figure 6:http://twistedsifter.com/2011/10/picture-of-the-day- interpreted in a number of ways. Pictures are a vital source of communication between the media
the-giant-well-in-natwarghad-india/
industry and the audience. With the help of visuals, the media industry provokes the readers to
derive meaning out of the images thereby influencing their opinions and reactions. The media industry constantly works towards
shaping the views of the audience thus creating awareness and a better understanding of an image being used to depict an event.

According to me, a picture that served as an icon for an event is "People gathered around a huge well in the village of Natwarghad in
the western Indian state of Gujarat. More than 1 billion people still lack access to clean drinking water. [2003]." Seeing this photo had
a huge impact on me. It opened my eyes on how real the problem of water scarcity is. It is heartbreaking to see the number of people
collected near the well, waiting patiently for their turn to fill water. These people do not get a supply of clean water in their homes and
walk miles and miles to seek clean water. We assume water to be and everlasting commodity, however, this photo helps us understand
the issue and repercussions of the lack of clean water.

"Picture of the Day: The Giant Well in Natwarghad, India." TwistedSifter. N.p., 27 Oct. 2011. Web. Accessed on 03 May
2017.http://twistedsifter.com/2011/10/picture-of-the-day-the-giant-well-in-natwarghad-india/
 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?

Figure
7:http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/miranda/la-ca- The two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles served as a vehicle of communication
cam-anger-donald-trump-make-america-great-again-hat-
20160706-snap-story.html design during Trump's presidential campaign as they are promoting an idea and how it was
received by the audience. People wore red caps indicating their support and pink caps
demonstrating their frustration against the controversial candidate, Donald Trump.
The Trumps presidential campaign made use of a red baseball cap inscribed with the slogan
"MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN". The red color of the cap stood out in the audience and
captured the spirit of the times Ronald Regan made use of the slogan "Make America Great
Again" in his presidential bid in 1980. The hat became an instant hit on all media platforms that
Figure 8:http://www.glamour.com/story/the-story-behind-the-
pussyhats-at-the-womens-march was ridiculed as well as loved at the same time. The hat was sold in the Trump stores and made
several appearances during his campaign. Making use of the red cap, Donald Trump's campaign
promoted simplicity. The women donned pink caps with cat ears and marched in protest against Trump as a reference to Trump's
statement about grabbing women by their genitals which were leaked in a video.
In terms of similarity both the hats represent similar kind of responses from the audience, one from a group of people who regard
themselves as ignored political outsiders and the other who just suffered an election defeat. Both the hats represent a strong political
message.
Trump's red cap was not designed with motive however, the pink caps were designed with the purpose of conveying a message i.e.
their retaliation against Trump's presidency.

Budds, Diana. "The Worst Design Of 2016 Was Also The Most Effective." Co.Design. Co.Design, 03 Jan. 2017. Web. 03 May 2017.
https://www.fastcodesign.com/3066599/the-worst-design-of-2016-was-also-the-most-effective

Rogers, Katie. "Fashioning Protest for the Women's March on Washington." The New York Times. The New York Times, 18 Jan.
2017. Web. 03 May 2017.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/fashion/womens-march-washington-fashion-protest.html?_r=0
 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 Fords 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 Fords
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 Contis 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?

Figure
9:http://www.ted.com/talks/maurice_conti_the_incredible_inventions_of_intuitive_ai?languag According to me what he means by talented people are the people who
e=en
lost their jobs because of the decision of replacing humans with
machines. we have to understand that you won't get a job if you are not perfectly skilled and talented for that. And if, after so much
investment in education for that job if someone would ask you to leave that, it would be devastating. It is not possible to completely
replace all the humans with machines in a setup. But, if after introducing machines if there's only 20% of the people who can keep
their jobs, what about the other 80%? Also, I understand that there will be other new jobs introduced but, they are perfectly skilled to
working in their old jobs. They have earned that and it's never easy to let go of that.

Conti, Maurice. "The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI." Maurice Conti: The Incredible Inventions of Intuitive AI | TED Talk |
TED.com.Web. 03 May 2017.http://www.ted.com/talks/maurice_conti_the_incredible_inventions_of_intuitive_ai?language=en
 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 of any products that
embrace Cradle-to-Cradle design, please
describe and cite.

Figure 10:http://www.bluehair.co/2009/12/cradle-to-cradle-hype-or-hope/
The VARD Offshore Subsea Construction
Vessel (OSCV) Concept defies the C2C concept.
The Cradle-to-Cradle concept developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart aimed at developing
products and energy efficient processes which eliminate waste i.e. bringing back the waste into the technical or biological cycle. The
OSCV makes use of a non-renewable and diminishing source of energy i.e. oil and gas which is the exact opposite of the goals stated
by the C2C concept.
The Ford C-MAX Solar energy concept is a solar powered car is an example of a product that embraces the cradle-to-cradle design.
This solar powered vehicle is estimated to reduce the annual greenhouse gas emissions. This car also does not depend on electric
power outlets for fuel and uses a special solar concentrator lens similar to a magnifying glass directing the rays of the sun onto the
solar panels located on the vehicles roof.

"IDEA Gallery." Industrial Designers Society of America - IDSA. Web. 03 May 2017. http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/gallery

Figure 12:http://architecturerichmond.com/inventory/virginia-
state-captiol/
Figure 11:http://studiogang.com/project/aqua-tower
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 weekone
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 is a work of architecture with sensibilities about the past. This building
was built by the architect Thomas Jefferson that signified America's independence from
Britain. The government building's architecture was inspired by an ancient Roman Temple that
was far removed geographically and historically from the British colonial architecture. Thus, the
Virginia State Capitol was a symbol of Jefferson's declaration of independence from British
architecture. Even two centuries later, this building has influenced various commercial and
government buildings across America including the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
The residential skyscraper Aqua is one of the works of architecture that depicts sensibilities about
the present. The building connects people and the city with the help of combining hotel, apartments
including one of Chicago's largest green roofs. One of its distinctive features is the design for Aqua
that makes use of architecture, by uniquely shaping the structure of outdoor terraces that helps
neighbors to interact with one another. Another striking feature is the organic rooftop garden.
People are living fast lives these days and are losing touch with each other thereby getting disconnected socially. So, the structure of
this skyscraper is a great attempt to enable social interactions via the irregularly shaped terraces that places neighboring as well as
terraces above and below very close to each other thereby enabling people to meet and greet by just standing on their terrace. The
rooftop garden also gives a chance for people to meet, have conversations and perhaps share their gardening interests.

"10 Buildings That Changed America." PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, Web. 03 May 2017. http://www.pbs.org/program/ten-that-
changed-america/10-buildings-changed-america/

Gang, Jeanne. "Buildings That Blend Nature and City." Jeanne Gang: Buildings That Blend Nature and City | TED Talk | TED.com.
Web. 03 May 2017. https://www.ted.com/talks/jeanne_gang_buildings_that_blend_nature_and_city
 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 Ballantynes and Zumthors viewpoints
on architecture alike? More importantly, how do they differ? (Use the SEE-IT method to
respond to this question.)

Both Peter and Ballantyne talk about how closely people are related to a piece of architecture.
Peter Zumthor talks about the significance of the essence behind materials that help design a
building. He reflects on the poetic and artistic quality derived from an architectural project. He uses
architecture as a mean to express emotions and wants his buildings to fulfill a purpose i.e.
developing a special relationship with life. He wants architecture to coexist with life that constantly
goes on. He wishes to convey a secret message through his buildings.
Andrew Ballantyne speaks about the habitual form that buildings have taken in our everyday life.
He describes how the life habits of inhabitants of the building are accommodated. He argues about
building not being a piece of art but simply a mechanical model. He projected buildings as an idea
which is not a material but a feeling of familiarity and sense of belonging. He basically conveyed
architecture as a part of the art of living, how it has become a part of our everyday lives.

Source: https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4051548-dt-content-rid-
14735253_1/courses/2171_14992_COMB/Ballantyne.pdf
Figure 13:https://uk.pinterest.com/explore/architecture-
collage/
https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4051636-dt-content-rid-14749617_1/courses/2171_14992_COMB/Zumthor_A Way of
Looking at Things.pdf
 Response to Levy Article

John Levys 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?
Figure 14:http://sites.ndtv.com/property/7-reasons-mumbais-oshiwara-is-creating-buzz-in-realty-
circles/
I grew up in the city of Mumbai, India. I lived in a locality called
Oshiwara which is a hot-spot for residential realty. Oshiwara is an independent destination that has an outstanding infrastructure setup
and connectivity to all parts of Mumbai. This west facade of Andheri West transformed into one of the most sought after suburbs
today, offering a mixed bag of residential, commercial and retail development. Oshiwara is a planned micro-market with the
advantage of a strategic location coupled with infrastructure development. This area became a fast-emerging corporate hub and home
to several banking and IT giants, like Citibank. Its proximity to various shopping malls and educational institutes made Oshiwara into
an affluent and convenient residential option. Oshiwara is well connected to the rest of the city through a network of flyovers,
highways and link roads. Oshiwara also has proximity to social infrastructures like reputed schools, colleges, and hospitals. The
commercial development in this area has been rapid over the last decade. The future prospects of Oshiwara seem flourishing because
of the number of reputed developers' plan for residential development. Residents have been flocking the destination. There has also
been a significant increase in residential prices.
All in all, Oshiwara has it all, connectivity, amenities, and infrastructure to be an ideal location for residential realty.
"7 Reasons Mumbai's Oshiwara Is Creating Buzz In Realty Circles." Real Estate, Best Properties, Home Loans, Tax Advice, Interior
Design, Investment Tips | NDTV Property. 01 Apr. 2016. Web. 03 May 2017. http://sites.ndtv.com/property/7-reasons-mumbais-
oshiwara-is-creating-buzz-in-realty-circles/
 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?

Figure 15:http://twi-ny.com/blog/2012/01/20/the-pruitt-igoe-
myth-an-urban-history/ If Emily Talen were to rebuild the Pruitt-Igoe society, her design would help promote a social and
economic mix in human settlements. She would try to explore the diversity enabled in the planning
with the help of four theoretical bases for diversity as discussed in her article: place vitality, economic health, social equity, and
sustainability. She would focus all her efforts and design-based strategies on the promotion of the place diversity. Her purpose would
be to critically analyze the complex relationship between physical planning and the ideal sustaining and enabling and promoting place
diversity when trying to rebuild the Pruitt-Igoe society.
Larson would try to rebuild the Pruitt-Igoe society by fabrication of robotic walls in apartments, a bedroom that can transform into an
office, or open up into a party space or a living room that can morph separate offices or become a larger meeting space. He would try
to identify the needs of an individual resident to figure out a system that suits all of their needs and demands. By minimizing the size
of the apartments within a large structure of the Pruitt-Igoe society, many abodes sacrifice direct sunlight. This mass-customizable
module combines solar control, heating, cooling, and ventilation thereby increasing energy efficiency. This will allow residents to
program personalized sunlight plan for their apartment by just using their cell phone.
The Pruitt-Igoe society was home to thousands of people. Some of the documented problems were that the elevator broke down,
leaving children and women climb several floors in dark stairwells. Hot water pipes were exposed and could burn all children until the
pipes were insulated by the Housing Authority. Several children fell to their deaths from windows without screens. In 1972 first of the
buildings imploded. The promise of safe and affordable housing had crumbled into dust. The rent prices went up and the
maintenance suffered.
My aim would be to eliminate all the problems that lead to the demise of the Pruitt-Igoe society. So, if I were to redesign this society,
my project would include developing an infrastructure like retail, mixed-income housing, and parks. I would try to create a community
hub. I would try to create well-paying employment options by building commercial development sites in the vicinity. I would keep the
monthly maintenance as low as possible so the society remains in good working condition as well as safe for its residents. Thus, with
these few strategies and with the help of Talen and Larson I think we would be able to build a loving and thriving community residing
in this society.
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKgZM8y3hso
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?

Fredrick Law Olmsted was called upon by the Buffalo's park Commission in 1868 to design parks for Buffalo. His unique design
included The Park (Delaware Park), The Parade (Martin Luther King Jr. Park), The Front Park and connecting parkways and
circles. Fredrick Law Olmsted upon the completion of his parks and parkways in Buffalo claimed that Buffalo is the best-planned city
due to his historical accomplishment as Buffalo had a magnificent new civic asset that no other city had. The series of parks he created
along with Calvert Vaux went on to draw national and international attention. In 1872 Olmsted dissolved his partnership with Vaux
and in association with the Queen City of the Lakes, continued designing parks and other important sites within the growing
metropolis. He also protected and created the Niagara Reservation, the present Niagara Falls State Park when the Niagara Falls was
threatened by industrial development. He teamed up with Vaux again to create a plan for the area around the Falls that he claimed as
"the most difficult problem in landscape architecture to do justice to."
I don't think that Olmsted would still make that claim today as time has not been kind to his investments to the city. The Vaux park
building is the only one standing and even that remains in danger. The parks and parkways have deteriorated with the loss of trees and
the highways that were added for easy access to the suburbs, and one whole east side park has disappeared altogether.

Rich, Nathaniel. "When Parks Were Radical." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 12 Aug. 2016. Web. 03 May
2017.https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/09/better-than-nature/492716/
 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).

The city I grew up in Oshiwara has a Joggers Park that is situated right in the middle of three
major residential areas of Lokhandwala, Oshiwara and Milat Nagar. This park has been a
Figure 16:http://www.holidayen.com/compare/s/d2566- favorite among the residents. This park was landscaped with a well laid out jogging track and a
mumbai/d6436-joggers-park/
beautiful water fountain.
This jogging track is built on top of the ground that used to be a wasteland for dumping garbage. In my opinion, the idea of how a
wasteland was converted into something recreational for people to gather and enjoy facilities deserves to be memorialized. Thus, using
Walter Hood's triad of investigations, this park mitigates climate, air, and water pollution. Since this park was built on a wasteland,
there are exposed sewers that smell really bad and are capable of deteriorating the overall experience for the joggers. My plan would
provide for a landscape design that covers up these drains and sewers, odor thereby eliminating odor.
This park is revolutionary for its reclamation of polluted soils using natural processes of bioremediation and should thus be
celebrated.

"Lokhandwala Joggers Park." Cityseeker. Web. 03 May 2017. https://cityseeker.com/mumbai/738465-lokhandwala-joggers-park

 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 heritages 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
Figure imagine that someone from a racial and cultural background different than your own is
17:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/72057662762945748/
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? (Consider the
three assessment principles mentioned in the article to help you: a technology of vision, an instrument of empathy, and a
symbol of control.)
This iconic graphic to me symbolizes that fighting racism goes hand in hand with creating communities where everyone has a voice
and chance to work together. Racism affects all of us personally and in our communities, no matter what our racial background
is. Diversity is essential. We cannot focus especially on race, ethnicity, social class, and culture. By working together and
addressing racial inequalities, we all have something to gain. However, this is not an easy path, addressing it requires hard work,
empathy, self-care and long-term commitment.
We all need to be a part of the change we are trying to create. We are not born racists, it is not in our genes. It comes from our views
and beliefs that develop as we grow up. "Under our skin, we all bleed red", no matter what race we are, religion, the sex we all are
equally the same. We should constantly persuade and advise people to stop racism and live in harmony in the same society.

Vasquez-Centeno, Anita. "Hands, Arms, Fingers." Pinterest. 30 May 2014. Web. 03 May 2017.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/72057662762945748/
 Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Wor

Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American History
and Culture using equityXdesigns core beliefs and/or design principles. (Use the beliefs or
principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than all of them.)

The MLK memorial disagrees with equityXdesign design principle "Speak to the future". The
memorial appears to be strange and weak and leaves us with the impression that Martin Luther
King was white? The 30 feet tall granite memorial is dwarfed by most decent-sized trees. There
were no African American sculptors available in the design committee so Lei was chosen to
design the memorial. Lei's sculpture of Dr. King looked nothing like him and was called a
shameful tragedy. With so many questionable artistic decisions, it is almost impossible to imagine
this memorial to be able to find a place in future histories of art.
It also fails to capture the king's legacy as the King, himself would not have wanted a monument
to himself at all.
However, the MLK memorial agrees with the design principle "Design at the margins" as Dr.
King stood for all the people in the world and his message was that we should not judge each
other on the color of skin, but the content of character - artistic character.

Figure 18:https://www.nps.gov/articles/kingmemorial.htm
Dellinger, Hampton. "Righting Two Martin Luther King Memorial Wrongs." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 21 Jan. 2013.
Web. 03 May 2017. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/01/righting-two-martin-luther-king-memorial-wrongs/266944/

Source: https://medium.com/@multiplyequity/racism-and-inequity-are-products-of-design-they-can-be-redesigned-12188363cc6a -
.k5y0sc57e
 Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter

First, lets 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 lets move into your community. In Landscape Stories, the authors show how
landscape architects develop a historical narrative that sifts through and interprets 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?
Figure 19:http://www.poojamandir.com/puja-temple.html
When I think of something that describes my ethnic background best, I think of the temple at my
home. A Hindu temple is designed to bring human beings and gods together. It is very common to have temples in Indian households
in our culture. It started as a tradition to pay our respects to the God, however now this place of worship has become much more than
just a tradition. My temple consists of idols of various Gods and Goddesses. Every day, garlands made of fresh flowers adorn the
deities and their bright colors liven up the scenario. We perform our daily rituals and prayers here. It is a sacred symbol and a source
of good energy, it gives me a feeling of being safe and peaceful. This temple compliments as well as completes my home.
India is widely known for its extraordinary availability of land for agriculture. Recently, landscape architects are clearing natural
forests and farms to generate more space for new buildings and artificial plants. It would be very disheartening to see India lose touch
with its deep roots in agriculture. It is important for us to look after and preserve our lands as agriculture is a tradition that we must
hold on to. Agriculture has shaped India into the country it is now and we should be grateful for it. Preserving this space of great
significance will help boost the economy as well as keep up with the traditions of the country.

Source: https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4073088-dt-content-rid-15052527_1/courses/2171_14992_COMB/Traces of
Ethnicity in Landscape_1.pdf
 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 nations 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?

Sports branding is more than a gimmick. Using ethnic references

like Fighting Irish, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc. is
definitely not okay. These kinds of names construct an image and
Figure 20:https://www.themeboy.com/blog/sports-team-branding/ force in on other people. They are distasteful and offensive to
several ethnic backgrounds. This kind of cultural appropriation is
portrayed as harmful and claims to be a violation of the intellectual property rights of the originating culture. As humans, we are
attracted to those who think and feel similar to us and share our values. If we can strongly identify with them, we are much more
likely to feel drawn to them. Branding is a big part of anything others see that is representative of the team. Its what people think and
feels about the team and everything put out there should enhance this in a positive way.
Schferhoff, Nick. "Sports Team Branding and How to Do It Right." ThemeBoy. 14 Dec. 2016. Web. 03 May 2017.
https://www.themeboy.com/blog/sports-team-branding/
 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?

The approach used by the designer is "get the idea". Sometimes you have to read between the lines. The
picture communicates the sad issue of what the transgender community has to face, the complicated
choice of going to the bathroom. Society has created bathrooms only for men and women, no in
between, creating social discrimination. The designer feels like we are too often boxed in a category that
isn't big enough for everyone and it is time to break down the gender lines. We should be allowed to be
whoever we want despite what society and culture forces upon us. Gender can be about how you dress
but also about how you are as a person. What you do or what you wear should not be limited to your
gender "role". The approach used by the designer is powerful because it makes people rethink and be
aware of the fact that our gender isn't always same as our sex.

Park, Jinsil. "Gender Poster." Pinterest. N.p., 13 Mar. 2016. Web. Accessed on 05 Apr. 2017.
Figure
21:https://www.pinterest.com/pin/2764788646003251
15/
"Visualizing Gender" by Maya Indira Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye Diversity and Design
 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 weve had the proper etiquette situation for
decades in our country, and all of a sudden through political correctness were
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
Figure 22:https://thetab.com/us/pitt/2016/04/01/pitt-introduces-gender- nondiscrimination measures.
neutral-bathroom-policies-858
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.

The idea that 'gender is a spectrum' is supposed to set us free. But it is both illogical and politically troubling.
People should be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender because of the discomfort some people feel
at the idea of being in restrooms with people with male sex organs, irrespective of their gender cannot be brushed aside as bigotry. The
common denominator of all these scenarios is fear of attacks and harassment carried out by males- not fear of transgender people. To
make things more complicated, the risk of sexual assault and harassment of transgender females in male bathrooms is a salient reason
for providing access to bathrooms according to gender identity, while many worry about transgender males being sexually bullied in
male bathrooms.
One might think that it makes perfect sense, that bathrooms are separated by sex because there are basic biological differences, thats
completely wrong. Eliminating separate bathrooms would deny women their right to basic safety and privacy. The idea that all women
are in increased danger in mixed or gender-neutral bathrooms doesn't make sense, as predators are not waiting for permission to dress
up like a woman to go into bathrooms.
If I were the designer, I plan to build gender neutral bathrooms so that anyone can use them to protect people from discrimination
based on gender. Building private, single-occupancy stalls laid out around a common area with a sink is a solution to this problem.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathroom_bill

Figure
23:http://www.securitysales.com/article/surveillance_cameras_othe
r_security_measures_coming_to_buffalo_city_hall/General
a tight security and contains many surveillance cameras. The presence of so much security increases level of stress and anxiety who
Figure 24: Yashaswi Sharan
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 youve photographed and why it might discriminate
against a specific population.
The first picture is one at the KeyBank Centre which is an example of a 'jittery' design. It has
may have simply come to attend an event without any intention to cause harm. Increased
security does not necessarily lead to feelings of increased safety, instead the presence of
CCTV could increase anxiety. The more secure a place, the more it gives a message that
something is wrong with the place.
The Buffalo City Hall is an example of crusty design. The Hall is not easily accessible to the
common public due to presence of armed security guards at the basement and first floor
entrances to the City Hall. The purpose of this security is to make it a safer place to work in,
come in and to do business in. This prevents homeless people from entering who may want
shelter during chilly winters in Buffalo.
Jaffe, Eric. "The Hidden Ways Urban Design Segregates The Poor." Co.Design. Co.Design, 28 Apr. 2017. Web. 03 May 2017.
https://www.fastcodesign.com/3034206/slicker-city/the-hidden-ways-urban-design-segregates-the-poor

Sellner, Stephen. "Surveillance Cameras, Other Security Measures Coming to Buffalo City Hall." Video Surveillance RSS. 30 Mar.
2016. Web. 03 May 2017.
http://www.securitysales.com/article/surveillance_cameras_other_security_measures_coming_to_buffalo_city_hall/General
 Response to People Like Us

Figure 25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37ZpauS5Doo
your team take to address this difficult problem?
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 Tammys) to move themselves out of poverty. What will your
team to do to help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach will

The best way out of poverty for Tammy and her family would be to help her get a better paying job. It would be a good idea for the
older brother to take up a part time job as well to raise the overall family income. Our team would try to pilot and refine new job
placement strategies for Tammy. Safety, employment and neighborhood conditions are some of the greatest challenges faced by
Tammy. As designers, I think I would help build a rent free public housing sector in a location that is well connected with public
transport within the city. This would solve many problems for Tammy. Commuting would be easier and she would not have to walk
10 miles just to get to work. Tammy should be able pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. According to me, everyone should have
the opportunity to educate themselves. The leading cause of poverty is illiteracy. Recently, New York State announced free tuition for
its residents. Policies like these really benefit low income families to receive a good education. 65 per cent of the jobs require a
degree. My team would work towards supporting and fulfilling Tammy and her son's dream of going to college and earn a degree by
providing for their full tuition coverage.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37ZpauS5Doo
 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?

The Regent park was setup in a way that promoted segregation of families
and older people that lived in this low income public housing. The area covered by
Regent Park had been part of a poor, working class community since the 1840s. It
Figure 26:Maya Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye later became the focus of a profit-driven process of upscale urban redevelopment. The
existence of the largest public housing project in Canada in the middle of this area was
a barrier that had to be overcome and the mixed neighborhood venture they undertook was their solution to the
problem. The Regent park reformation that was once set out to be a social housing development project, slowly degraded into
an urban ghetto. The motive forces of the revitalization process by the government to reform the society by increasing
interaction within the community however along the process of revitalization, they forgot their motive and as a result created
an even more isolated society.

Learning from the mistakes of the Regent Park reformation, a number of ways can be implemented to increase interaction among all
ages in an urban project like this one. To break down barriers of the existing line of segregation between the youth and the elderly,
equal number or older people and youth must reside in the society so that they can gradually adapt to each others ways. The
community parks built to welcome all lost its purpose as they were on terraces inaccessible to many. To increase interaction, the parks
should include a playground for children, a jogging track for the youth and benches for the elderly where they can all come together
and interact with each other. Another way to improve interactions is to assign the elderly with community maintenance jobs so that
people could come up with their problems and promote interaction amongst them.

Source: https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/ - /books/9781317688501/cfi/6/70!/4/18/6/2@0:100

 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?

To live forever while preserving health and retaining the semblance and vigor
of youth is one of humanity's oldest and most elusive goals. If one considers only the personal benefits that longer life would bring,
the answer might seem like a no-brainer: People could spend more quality time with loved ones, watch future generations grow up, try

Figure
different careers or travel the world. But what about society as a whole? Would
27:https://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_what_will_humans_look_like_in_100_yea
rs
it be better off if life spans were extended up to 120 years? An extended
lifespan would give us a chance to recover from our mistakes, lead us towards longer-term thinking and reduce healthcare costs by
delaying the onset of expensive diseases of aging. It would also raise productivity by adding to our prime years. With skilled workers
remaining in the workforce longer, economic productivity would go up. And if people got bored with their jobs, they could switch
careers. But such changes would carry their own set of dangers. Corporations and universities could become dominated by a few
individuals if managers and tenured professors refuse to give up their posts. Without a constant mixture of youthful talent and ideas,
these institutions could stagnate. Designers will be expected to improve delivery of services, facilitate caregiving and enhance
individual lives to respond to the needs of people in their old age. Regardless of where increasing life expectancy leads, the direction
will be into the unknownfor society and for the natural world.

Enriquez, Juan. "What Will Humans Look like in 100 Years?" Juan Enriquez: What Will Humans Look like in 100 Years? | TED Talk
| TED.com.Web. 03 May 2017. https://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_what_will_humans_look_like_in_100_years
 Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy

The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the social and the medical
models. The medical model of disability views disability as a medical problem that belongs to
the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in contrast, draws on the idea that it is
society that disables people, through designing everything to meet the needs of the majority of
people who are not disabled. There is a recognition within the social model that there is a great
Figure 28:http://www.securadoor.com/show_article/11 deal that society can do to reduce, and ultimately remove, some of these disabling barriers,
and that this task is the responsibility of society, rather than the disabled person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about the superhero hand, and Elise Roys
TED Talk, you saw examples of ways to engage disability that use the social model rather than
the medical model. In the Disability and Design PowerPoint, you were introduced to the
concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called inclusive design, design-for-all, or human-
centered design). Certainly, UD embraces the social model of disability. In this same
PowerPoint, you saw positive and negative examples of each of the seven principles of
universal design.
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design principles, and
Figure 29:http://1000awesomethings.com/2010/09/13/419- post photographs that show both a positive and a negative example of the principle. Then
correctly-guessing-if-the-door-is-push-or-pull/
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.
This is motion controlled automatic door in Figure 25 is an example of positive universal design principle. These doors have motion
sensors and open on sensing the proximity of a visitor. In accordance with the universal design principle this falls under the category
of equitable use as it requires no physical work as it opens on its own and can be used conveniently by a kid, an old man or a disabled
person on a wheelchair. Thus, Automatic doors allow to welcome everyone entering, regardless of their physical capabilities, with an
accommodating, open door. An automatic door entrance does away with the aggravation and struggle associated with opening a
heavy, manual door and instantly demonstrates to users the establishment they are entering cares about their convenience.

This manual door in Figure 26 is a negative example of the universal design principles. This kind of doors may be hard to use for the
disabled and old people who would require a significant amount of energy to push or pull. The handles may also be hard to reach for
kids and thus cause difficultly in being used by kids.
The positive example of automatic doors can be improved by adding a push button near the door as sometimes automatic doors could
fail to work efficiently and thus have a push button nearby could help as it can be used easily by everyone. These doors are open for
long amounts of time without anyone entering the door which leads to power wastage so the quality of the motion sensors should be
improved so that they are more energy efficient and thus save power.

Source: https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4096571-dt-content-rid-15419646_1/courses/2171_14992_COMB/Disabiity
Lecture S17.pdf

EveryBody: An Artifact History of Disability in America.Web. 03 May 2017.https://everybody.si.edu/ - main-content

Roy, Elise. "When We Design for Disability, We All Benefit." Elise Roy: When We Design for Disability, We All Benefit | TED Talk
| TED.com. Web. 03 May 2017. https://www.ted.com/talks/elise_roy_when_we_design_for_disability_we_all_benefit
 Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc

Our 2017 Design-A-Baby survey yielded the following characteristics as indicated by a

majority of you:
Sex: Male (47%)
Hair Color: Dark Brown (22%)
Hair Texture: Wavy (33%)
Eye Color: Blue (26%)
Race: Caucasian (36%)
Height: 5-10 to 6-1 (45%)
Figure
30:http://www.concordia.ca/cunews/main/stories/2015/12/02/ IQ: 131-140 (20%)
new-dna-editing-tool-christopher-wilds-on-ethics-of-genetic-
engineering.html Memory: Excellent (43%)
Athletic Ability: Excellent (43%)
Weight: Average (79%)
Disease Carrier: None (85%)
Beauty: Somewhat attractive (46%)
Empathy: Very empathetic (38%)
Creativity: Very creative (37%)
Sounds like an all-around lovely person!
Currently, we have the technology for you to choose many of the survey characteristics in your future child, and this ability to
choose poses some ethical questions. Of course, we all want the best for our own child. However, as we move into a more
collective situation, we need to consider how the consequences of majority choices for children might change who we are as a
species.
In the film trailer FIXED, you were introduced to the dilemma of living in a culture in which the science-fiction of human
enhancement has become almost a way of life, from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts. In the video, A Man
with Three Ears you are introduced to an artist who is using current technology to move humans beyond their current
abilities. Last week, Juan Enriquez asked us if it is ethical to evolve the human body. All of these videos suggest that the
concept of disability as we know it could cease to exist in the future.
This leads us to this weeks discussion question:
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 world where everyone would be happy and no difficulties would be a boring world to live in. The everyday goals and obstacles in
life make life worth living.
The power to manipulate and create perfect human beings who are smart, beautiful, intelligent and healthy would be extraordinary as
everybody would be happy with who they are and be kind of similar. There would be no obstacles, problems, no difference of
opinions, no scope for design, no individuality and no creativity and no disabled people who need help and gradually we would all get
lazy and there would be nothing much to look forward to in the world.
On the other hand, a world designed for happiness and no negativity and crime would be an ideal world to live in. This would allow
people to design on their own to fulfill their needs and not solve the existing problems. The ethical problems involved in designing a
person would be giving the power to another human to decide the color, sex and body dimensions that goes against the centuries of
hard work put into to reach here. Ultimately, how we approach the regulation of emerging technologies will inevitably have wide
implications not only for security and ethics but for our definition of human dignity and the equality of individuals.

Sources: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl4CdnLue-k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNdV8Ilw9Nc
 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
Figure 31:http://www.horrorhomeroom.com/titicut-follies-1967-review-when-horror-is-real/ 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?

It was right to give the States permission to Wiseman to film the residents of Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility. It
raises questions on whether a patients right to privacy were surpassed by publics right to know about the circumstances at the
hospital. Wiseman made the film with an intention of making people aware of the outrageous conditions at the Bridgewater. It is also a
journalist's right to report on conditions in a prison. This film exposed the horrors of the old system of warehousing the mentally
challenged. The release of this provocative film was not objected by either a patient or a patient's family. This film was
primarily responsible for hastening reforms. Thus, allowing the film to be shown in a public platform also allows designers to gain
perspective on how to improve the design of mental health institutions by developing a more modern building with legal safeguards
protecting patients.

"Film on State Hospital Provocative After 20 Years." The New York Times. The New York Times, 16 May 1987. Web. 10 May 2017.
 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.
Figure 32:http://www.leconomistemaghrebin.com/2015/03/29/tunisie-enseignement- As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose
meilleure-integration-des-eleves-abesoins-specifiques/ 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 Amhersts 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?
As a resident of the neighborhood I would support this proposal. I would embrace the changes in our neighborhood. We have to stop
treating these people as objects of fear or pity. All people, regardless of one's capabilities should be given a chance to participate in a
mainstream society.
After learning this new information about the three residents with troubling public behavior would definitely make me re-evaluate my
decision. However, we forget that people with disabilities are humans too and should be given an opportunity to come out of isolated
environments of the institutions and live in an accepting neighborhood. Not giving them a second chance to live in harmony in our
neighborhood would be wrong on our part as a society as we would be treating them as social outcasts. I would voice my opinion and
educate the society on how even today in an ideal world full of civil rights, the social model for disability must evolve and develop. I
would also educate my children about people with intellectual difficulties as I want to instill in them acceptance towards all people
suffering from disabilities and celebrate their differences and treat them as equals.
Solutions would be to provide employment to people with disabilities and employers make necessary accommodations and make
health care available in the community. These intellectually challenged individuals should be able to seek care from traditional
community based private practitioners.

"Societys Attitude Toward People with Disabilities." Paul Burtner. Web. 10 May 2017.
 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
Figure 33:http://www.templeadvisor.com/temples-in-india/hindu-temples/shirdi-sai- photographs from the web.) What roles has this place served
baba-temple 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 with which I identify with the most is the Shirdi Sai Baba temple. Shirdi is a significant holy town in India that
came into prominence due to great Saint Shirdi Sai Baba. The places where he lived and preached in Shirdi turned into important
religious sites which are seen with respect by locals and tourists visiting Shirdi. Religion attracts a large number of tourists to Shirdi.
The followers of Sai Baba and tourists with religious inclination flock the town every passing year in the counts of thousands. Being a
major religious destination, there exists connectivity to Shirdi from all the major cities in India. The commercial capital of India,
Mumbai is approximately 185 miles away from Shirdi. Other major cities near Shirdi are Ahmednagar, Nashik and Kopargaon. The
airport is situated far away around 52 miles from Shirdi. The government is stepping up and trying to improve the tourism experience
of the town by building a Shirdi Airport, which is an air development project that was invested in by the Sai Baba Temple Trust. There
is also a project intact for development of Shirdi as a solar city.
"Shirdi, the Holy Town Where Sai Baba Lived & Preached." Free Articles, Free Web Content, Reprint Articles. N.p., n.d. Web. 10
May 2017.
"Shirdi Airport." CAPA - Centre for Aviation. Web. 10 May 2017.
 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. Weve
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.
Figure 34:http://www.texasenterprise.utexas.edu/2012/04/02/policy/alternative-
energys-economic-hurdles
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?

One of the biggest challenges in the field of engineering is to make solar energy affordable. The solar energy industry is able to
produce enough energy to sustain themselves due to recent technological growth. However, the issue of energy storage dominates the
industry as it is difficult to use solar energy when it is not sunny outside. We need to find effective thermal storage systems to improve
the current situation of the solar energy industry. I would like to research on Lithium ion batteries to improve the current technology to
come closer to our goal of making solar energy more economical. Research carried on types of these lithium batteries and their
quantitative analysis could provide a solution to help cut down on costs as well as improve quality of solar energy utilized by
household consumers and industrial corporations.

Grand Challenges - 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering. Web. 10 May 2017.

Thank You!