THEASTER GATES: How to Revive a Neighborhood

• Children think and perceive differently from from adults since they have different constraints
• They don’t design for big corporations
• They design for themselves and the larger population
• We need to ask kids to record their ideas and visions
• Document what they like and don’t like about the concept
• Some ideas will not be implmented though
• We need to consider them as end-users
• Children look at beauty within design
• Design journey as important as the destination

 

MARA MINTZER: We let kids design a neighborhood

• A neighbourhood never dies out
• We need to take what is already existing and redesign and re-conceptualise it
• To create something out of nothing
• Using old buildings and the neighbourhood’s culture to create it into something new
• Re-shape the viewer’s perception of the neighbourhood through good design
• Energise people about their neighbourhood and the experience of living and interacting with it through art and culture
• Create hubs in different regions

 

Connection to my neighbourhood:

These TED talks are grounded in the idea that a good neighbourhood design does not negate children and their opinions and experiences out of the design journey process. This helps me understand that I need to consider and regard every single person’s point of view when designing my neighbourhood. For example, I need to ensure that the community centre is a child friendly space. It also helps me understand how I can utilise what already exists in Coney Island and use it to my advantage.