Usp 425 U Final Pres Short

Native to SomewherePortland Built EnvironmentUSP 425U – Community & the Built EnvironmentBy Michelle Debelak

Spring 2006-USP 425U M. Debelak

Place Basics

Humans need - •A place away from home and work, a third place•Designs to connect us with place•Connectivity to get us to places


Tackling Sprawl•Every city needs a street like 82nd Avenue - one that embodies the antithesis of good design - the fast-food, big box, car lot aesthetic.•Mind-numbing sameness of big boxes and suburbs show how local uniqueness can make a place interesting.


Pedestrian Places•Small parks•Sitting spaces•Amenities for walkers•Cheap food•Interesting things to look at

All these things create an atmosphere that says, “Walk with me.” This atmosphere helps build community, increase health, and positively effect safety.


Place Building: Art & Celebration

•Art allows for expression and community building•It offers a beautiful aesthetic that draws people in•People as art create moments that bring people together randomly•These random encounters often add points of joy to our lives


Place Building: Art & Celebration

•Quality craftsmanship bridges people with something they can relate to and take pride in•Connection with religion and myth incorporates stories that draw people together•Memorials to important people and things reminds us of our greatness or where we may need to improve•Interesting, hand made decorations for everyday objects breaks up the monotony of the big box tradition and works to inspire creativity


Nature & Place• City of lights

• Human ingenuity creates wonder and awe – but sometimes works to distance people and life cycles

• Calm of crashing waves• Sometimes it is necessary to ‘get back to nature’

for sanity’s sake – what would happen if we integrated nature’s services and urban lifestyles more systematically? Would we live fuller, calmer, more stress-free lives?


Nature & Place

•Without us, nature’s services go on•Society’s lack of respect and stewardship hinders natural processes•It is society’s responsibility to take care of this place called home


Concluding Remarks

• Community and the built environment effects place negatively or positively

• The choice is left to residents, planners, and leaders of the community to create the place they want

• Sustainable development strengthens community and helps the community conserve money, enhance green spaces, improve or add a connection with nature, and increase quality of life

Native to SomewherePortland Built Environment‘The End’

Photos by Michelle Debelak and some by Peter Lasley. Locations: Portland, Oregon; outside Vancouver, Washington; Oregon and Washington State Parks and National Forests; and Boulder, Colorado

Documents

Usp 425 U Final Pres Short