Assignment #17
2 TED Talks
-Neighborhoods Design Exploration-
We let kids design our city – here is what happened’ by Mara Mintzer
Link of video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cudn_vSdCY
Summary
As adults, we think of kids as “future citizens.” Their ideas and opinions will matter someday, but not today — there must be a reason the voting age is 18, right? But kids make up 25% of the population — shouldn’t we include them in some important conversations? In this inspiring talk, urban planner Mara Mintzer wonders what would happen if we let children design our cities. Mara Mintzer is a founder and the director of Growing Up Boulder, Boulder’s child and youth-friendly city initiative, based out of the University of Colorado–Boulder. She writes and speaks internationally on the topic of engaging young voices in city planning. Prior to working in Colorado, she designed and implemented programs for underrepresented children, families, and neighborhoods in New York and California.
What did you learn from these talks & Reflection
Personally, the phrase that stroke me the most was: “The city-friendly to children, is the city friendly to all”, I think this quote summarises how genuinely and honesty on kids could serve in order to design better cities. It’s impressive how the video communicates on an effective way how kids addressing “adult issues” would be the best solution as their answer is very likely to not be influenced by political parties or loyal ships. One of the main problems adults have, as revealed in the video, is how adults usually close off conversations much quicker as they tend to stand for one side only. On the other hand, Kids don’t tend to bound to sides or to their own ideas, they keep open-minded by default and are willing to change their minds.
How to revive a neighborhood’ by Theaster Gates
Link of video: https://www.ted.com/talks/theaster_gates_how_to_revive_a_neighborhood_with_imagination_beauty_and_art#t-451481
Summary
Theaster Gates, a potter by training and a social activist by calling, wanted to do something about the sorry state of his neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. So he did, transforming abandoned buildings to create community hubs that connect and inspire those who still live there (and draw in those who don’t). In this passionate talk, Gates describes his efforts to build a “miniature Versailles” in Chicago, and he shares his fervent belief that culture can be a catalyst for social transformation in any city, anywhere.
What did you learn from these talks & reflection
I think this is one of the best talks on regard to urban development as well as gentrification, art, and community. It’s astounding the things that can be accomplished when people take risks and invest in community development. Its also worth noticing how we sometimes take for granted the link between things and people, a connection that only humans have.
This Ted talk makes one realize how everyone has the responsibility to prevent disuse and the decay of the city, The artists showcased in the video outlines the importance of collaboration and the necessary skill which a designer has to have in order to re-energize the community and build connections for people voices to be heard and ideas to move forward.
