As the course rolls on, like the wheels of the SPUD bus last week as we hurtled around the UK, I hope, and hopefully think, that thinking about lots of things at the same time is a good thing. Different subject groups tend to merge into one, little connections start to spark between things told, words read, presentations heard, places seen, a bank of MA SPUD knowledge. I'm not sure whether this is just a current and temporary reaction to essay writing, but I imagine it's a good thing to start thinking about all of the MA subjects as a whole. This is what has to happen in real life isn't it? Though the real life can be dangerous. Sometimes. We are students after all, and merging all with the design all is sometimes harder than one might think.
The trip around the UK was highly useful and interesting, putting places into context makes a big different to their understanding, books and slides just don't do justice sometimes. Perhaps something to keep in mind whenever presenting in future. Sometimes it's about the obvious, and other times it's not about what you might have thought was the practical solution. eg traditional sea side towns in Belfast vs community kept peace walls in Belfast; big pratical beautiful bridges of Newcastle vs the unexpected rebuilding of a community in the past slum area of Byker. Or just the unexpected with the unexpected: Well maintained Milton Keynes vs slightly ropey Letchworth; empty opressive Port Sunlight vs lively Liverpool One.
In more lucid terms, the questions that I am starting to ask myself, and of places/presentations seen, are a sign that I am, if not starting to understand what the issues are in the world of Spatial Planning and Urban Design, then at least trying. Though it is easy to doubt whether the questions one is asking are the right ones. I suppose I'll find out more this term.
The trip around the UK was highly useful and interesting, putting places into context makes a big different to their understanding, books and slides just don't do justice sometimes. Perhaps something to keep in mind whenever presenting in future. Sometimes it's about the obvious, and other times it's not about what you might have thought was the practical solution. eg traditional sea side towns in Belfast vs community kept peace walls in Belfast; big pratical beautiful bridges of Newcastle vs the unexpected rebuilding of a community in the past slum area of Byker. Or just the unexpected with the unexpected: Well maintained Milton Keynes vs slightly ropey Letchworth; empty opressive Port Sunlight vs lively Liverpool One.
In more lucid terms, the questions that I am starting to ask myself, and of places/presentations seen, are a sign that I am, if not starting to understand what the issues are in the world of Spatial Planning and Urban Design, then at least trying. Though it is easy to doubt whether the questions one is asking are the right ones. I suppose I'll find out more this term.
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