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LA 236
The Neighborhood Landscape
Spring 2004 (3 units)
Instructor
McNally, Marcia
cdbydesign@earthlink.net
T,Th 10:30-12:30pm, 315D Wurster
Overview
This course emphasizes measurement of the physical environment and how to synthesize information gathered from a diverse array of sources. The idea is to build a background profile, flag issues and opportunities, and use the information for advanced planning.
During the semester students work on a case study of an individual neighborhood. Study sites are delineated by a quarter-mile radius, testing the validity of Clarence Perry’s neighborhood planning unit. Other research questions include: Do streets inhibit or support neighboring? Does a demographically diverse neighborhood function differently than a homogenous one? Is physical structure important to quality of life? Can neighborhood shopping work? In park-poor neighborhoods, how do neighbors adapt?
Course Format
Class meets twice a week. Sessions include lectures, guest speakers from the community and related professions, discussion of readings, exercises, training, and work days. Fieldwork in the neighborhood is essential.
Prerequisites
None.
Objectives
- Conduct case studies on select neighborhoods through methodical examination of history, planning standards, physical structure, activity settings, circulation and open space networks, and demographic and survey data.
- Field test and revise new tools for knowing and planning for change in the neighborhood.
- Consider what moves designers, local government, residents, community organizations, and others can make to improve the neighborhood landscape and recommend actions.
- Push on an intellectual and public policy frontier.
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