Comments on: The New Medievalism in Urban Design http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/ Intellectual discussions on pressing issues Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:08:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Lester Spence http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-815 Lester Spence Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:50:29 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-815 So there are a set of institutions--like urban colleges--that have throughout the modern era used various techniques designed to stave off urban populations. And it would be interesting to see if different sets of urban spaces inculcate different types of designs. Albatross you've hit the nail on the head. there is a growing literature that examines "racial threat" and it wouldn't be that difficult to theoretically port it over. And I'd add surveillance tech to the pot as well. So there are a set of institutions–like urban colleges–that have throughout the modern era used various techniques designed to stave off urban populations. And it would be interesting to see if different sets of urban spaces inculcate different types of designs.

Albatross you’ve hit the nail on the head. there is a growing literature that examines “racial threat” and it wouldn’t be that difficult to theoretically port it over. And I’d add surveillance tech to the pot as well.

]]> By: albatross http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-812 albatross Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:06:49 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-812 It would be interesting to see the impact of proximity of threat to changes in architecture. If you're reacting to a real threat, you put bars on the windows and big walls and fences up where you're at risk--like the way buildings and houses in high-crime areas tend to look. If you're reacting to generalized fear, you put bars on the windows and big walls and fences up (or the architectural equivalent) in places where there's little or no risk. Another approach to the same question would be to look at architectural features that actually increased security against some threat, vs. features that made the building seem stronger or safer. In both cases, the question is, are you responding to a threat, or to a feeling or fear? It would be interesting to see the impact of proximity of threat to changes in architecture. If you’re reacting to a real threat, you put bars on the windows and big walls and fences up where you’re at risk–like the way buildings and houses in high-crime areas tend to look. If you’re reacting to generalized fear, you put bars on the windows and big walls and fences up (or the architectural equivalent) in places where there’s little or no risk.

Another approach to the same question would be to look at architectural features that actually increased security against some threat, vs. features that made the building seem stronger or safer.

In both cases, the question is, are you responding to a threat, or to a feeling or fear?

]]> By: tootsie http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-810 tootsie Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:37:27 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-810 Doc ,should the design reveal the intent ?Urban institutions i.e.Wayne State ,John Hopkins and Harvard located in inner cities do not structurally welcome their neighbors;cement barriers imped traffic. Doc ,should the design reveal the intent ?Urban institutions i.e.Wayne State ,John Hopkins and Harvard located in inner cities do not structurally welcome their neighbors;cement barriers imped traffic.

]]> By: Lester Spence http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-800 Lester Spence Sun, 04 Mar 2007 18:55:55 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-800 What should the 21st Century City do? What should be the role of democracy within it? And of course this last question implies the public doesn't it? Because the question isn't really about black rage, the question is about how we can create urban spaces that are secure but open. A commons vs. a fort. What should the 21st Century City do? What should be the role of democracy within it? And of course this last question implies the public doesn’t it? Because the question isn’t really about black rage, the question is about how we can create urban spaces that are secure but open. A commons vs. a fort.

]]> By: Cobb http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-799 Cobb Sun, 04 Mar 2007 18:40:59 +0000 http://blacksmythe.com/blog/2007/03/04/the-new-medievalism-in-urban-design/#comment-799 I recognized this a while back, and although I'd be hesitant to second an essential racialized component, there's definitely a defensive angle. I can remember the first Isuzu commercial in which the entire vehicle disappears into a giant pothole, and the beginning of the trend towards cocooning. But back to your premise. Is there a place that we should allow black rage to roam free? If the pain and suffering that disaffected blacks feel is real and legitimate, should the urban landscape reflect that in a gritty way? Should streets be mean? I recognized this a while back, and although I’d be hesitant to second an essential racialized component, there’s definitely a defensive angle.

I can remember the first Isuzu commercial in which the entire vehicle disappears into a giant pothole, and the beginning of the trend towards cocooning.

But back to your premise. Is there a place that we should allow black rage to roam free? If the pain and suffering that disaffected blacks feel is real and legitimate, should the urban landscape reflect that in a gritty way? Should streets be mean?

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