meglyoncfm

[meglyoncfm]

Final Reflection

The initial question for this project, was “how can we make Wellington a more pedestrian friendly city?” My aim was to find the solution that would best integrate into the current Wellington environment. I narrowed this down to a specific space, in order to produce a more feasible plan, and chose to focus on Lambton Quay. My proposal was to turn it into a pedestrian strip, to create a less stressful atmosphere and lower the risk of pedestrian/vehicle accidents. I conducted a text-based investigation to understand pedestrianisation in a wider context. I then did a human-based investigation, to understand how the space is currently being used, and what the needs are of specific Wellington communities. My investigation changed throughout the process and became more specific as I gathered more information.

Very early on in my research, I intended to make the entire center of Wellington pedestrian only roads. For many reasons, this wouldn’t work, so after a group discussion with class peers, I decided to focus on one area in particular. This is when I found out about old proposals to turn Lambton Quay into a pedestrian mall. As a street with no thoroughfare roads, it is a viable option. Featherston Street runs almost parallel and is big enough to accomodate the Lambton Quay traffic, if turned into a two way street. Having a specific space to research made it easier for me to think about how to make the transition from main busy road, to quiet pedestrian mall. Treaty article three; Ngā tikanga katoa rite tahi, talks of equality of all citizens, so I made sure that creating an inclusive space was always at the forefront of my research. The “Examined Life” video highlighted the need for good wheelchair access in cities. If Lambton Quay was pedestrianised, the roads could be levelled with the footpath, making walking around a lot easier for many people.

The first research I conducted was a text-based investigation. I looked at how other cities around the world have established pedestrianisation, and how well it has worked for them. One example of this is Bandera Street in Santiago, Chile. They were able to successfully close a main street to create a work of art along the promenade. They transformed it into a “fusion of art and  architecture,” a place where pedestrians could feel comfortable. City populations are only growing, and with it the use of vehicles. A pedestrian strip along Lambton Quay, like Bandera Street, could encourage people to walk or cycle, instead of driving. This research widened my understanding of pedestrianisation as a concept, and showed me the different ways in which I could apply what they did to Wellington. Ideas such as creating murals and art along the pedestrian strip to create a more inviting environment for pedestrians in a vastly car friendly city.

The second investigation for this project was human-based. I conducted multiple observations of the space, and a few interviews, to better understand how Lambton Quay is currently being used. What Wellington residents think about pedestrianisation, and how they currently interact with road traffic are important questions because a project like this doesn’t work without the inclusion of the wider community. While observing Lambton Quay I found that both pedestrians and road traffic constantly take shortcuts to get where they’re going faster. There were people taking risks to cross the road, and cars did not always obey traffic rules. This all leads to an unsafe and stressful environment. When I conducted interviews, most people said that they don’t like going to Lambton Quay because it’s crowded and loud. However, most of them liked the idea of pedestrianisation, and thought the change would attract them there more often. Pedestrians get stressed and uneasy when walking around the city because they having to interact with road traffic is a constant danger to them. The interviewees also mentioned that the reason they like Cuba Street is because it gives off a cool and interesting vibe. With Lambton Quay pedestrianised, it could make way for art projects or markets that attract more people to the space and make them feel relaxed.

A space in the city that is pedestrian friendly removes the stress of interacting with road traffic and creates a safer and more relaxing atmosphere. My aim throughout this project was to find a way to do this in Wellington that doesn’t interrupt the flow of the city. People rely on cars and public transport to get around, so we cannot remove them entirely. However, if Lambton Quay was redesigned into a pedestrian strip, it would begin to encourage people to walk, and show them how much more positive the city atmosphere can be. Wellington should provide inclusive spaces to account for all the communities who live here. Wheelchair access around Wellington is not poor, but it does have room to improve. Everyone, including people with disabilities, should feel safe walking around the city. A space where all pedestrians are free to walk around without having to think about road traffic would also help to create a safe environment in a busy and crowded city.

At the beginning of this project I was set on the idea of pedestrianising the whole of central Wellington. As mentioned earlier, I realised this would work very quickly. Through group discussions in class and lots of research in different areas, I was able to narrow my idea down and refine it to make a proposal that could actually work. It was intriguing to read the articles I found about pedestrianisation around the world because they gave me a fresh perspective, and opened my mind to new and innovative ideas. Observing Lambton Quay in person gave me the insight I needed to fully understand the problems I was trying to fix, and what the communities that pedestrianisation will affect, actually need. After conducting these investigations, I have analysed Lambton Quay and pedestrianised spaces, and believe that it is a viable solution towards making Wellington a pedestrian friendly city.

References

Judith Butler & Sunaura Taylor. (2010, October 6). Examined life. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0HZaPkF6qE&index=27&t=121s&list=PLP5moePiDC3W482gCJqBHsUolDryBH257

Martin Echenique. (2018, April 2). Paseo Bandera, Santiago Project. Retrieved from https://www.citylab.com/design/2018/04/turning-a-busy-street-into-a-work-of-art-in-santiago/557003/

[meglyoncfm]

Human-Based Investigation (Part Two)

Brief Interviews with some Wellington Residents

Q1: As a pedestrian, do you feel safe walking around town when having to interact with road traffic?

Q2: Do you prefer walking down Cuba Street when in town? Why?

Q3: How does walking down Cuba Street differ from others in Wellington in terms of how it makes you feel?

Q4: How would you feel if most of Lambton Quay was made into a pedestrian strip?

Interviewee One - 19, Female

A1: I feel as though most wellington drivers do not obey the pedestrian crossing rules, quite often I have to wait till a couple have cars have gone past, this makes me feel very unsafe. However they obey traffic lights more so am comfortable at them.

A2: In terms of traffic, if I am not having to cross a road I am happy to walk down any street. I think it is purely for ease of travel, I don’t have to think about traffic so I can think about other things.

A3: I love walking down Cuba Street because there are so many thing to see and do, heaps of buskers etc. and cool window installations. 

A4: I think the reason Cuba Street works as a pedestrian is because there are so many shops either side, but for me Lambton Quay doesn’t have as many, it’s all high end. Lambton might be useful as a pedestrian for others just not me. Also I think Lambton Quay doesn’t need to be a pedestrian at the CBD end because it is one way therefore not as hard to check the traffic.

Interviewee Two - 28, Female

A1: Most of the time I feel safe, although I'm always quite cautious walking around as a pedestrian. One thing that makes me nervous is the buses, especially as they go around corners at intersections, it can feel like they get very close to the curb sometimes!

A2: Absolutely!

A3: Because it's a cool street, but part of the reason that it feels like a cool street to walk along is because it's more pedestrian friendly than parallel streets going in the same direction. It feels like a more people friendly street that encourages foot traffic, as opposed to a street that has been built with cars/vehicle traffic as the priority. There is obviously the great pedestrianised area at one end, with interesting, fun areas like the bucket fountain and playground, as well as the unique traffic light figures at the crossings.

A4: That would be awesome! I don't tend to spend much time on Lambton Quay, because it's a bigger street and doesn't have the people-friendly, intimate feel of a street like Cuba St. Creating a pedestrian strip would open up possibilities like creative seating, pavement murals and other positive projects that would encourage people (including myself!) to wander along Lambton with more ease. At the moment it's not a very pleasant place to walk as the pavement is a mad rush of people crammed together. A pedestrian strip would make such a positive difference!

Interviewee Three - 24, Male

A1: Mostly yes but there are some places I don't like to cross the road, e.g. the four way stop at Cuba/Abel Smith. Also some of the major bus routes, e.g. Manners, Courtenay, Lambton, Willis are a bit hairy at times.

A2: Yes because it is mostly pedestrian only.

A3: Cuba street is fun and always makes me breathe a sigh of relief because it is spacious and there is plenty of room to walk compared to other streets.

A4: That would be amazing!

Interviewee Four - 18, Male

A1: Mostly, there’s the occasional hectic driver, but wellington traffic mostly tends to be caring. A2: I don’t really mind, Cuba Street has a nice feel to it. It’s also more social, however I don’t mind which street I walk down. A3: Cuba Street definitely has that ‘Wellington’ feel and by that I refer to the abstract and interesting types of people, care free and vibrant. However I feel wherever you go in Wellington you’ll find someone like that, it just so happens that Cuba Street houses more of the kind. A4: Personally it wouldn’t affect me, but I think this would be inconvenient to regular drivers in the city, also it does make the street feel more rich and ‘city’ feel, like New York.

Interviewee Five - 31, Female

A1: I feel safe if there are pedestrian crossings and pedestrian lights, but I don’t feel so safe crossing roads in the city without them. A2: Not really, if there is a clear sidewalk then I’m fine walking down streets that cars can go down. A3: Not sure A4: I would like it if some of Lambton Quay was made into a pedestrian strip, it would probably make the street safer.

Interviewees Six - 46, Female, 50, Male

A1: Yes from both

A2: Yes from both, mainly because it’s pedestrian. (F) Also there’s interesting shops to look at.

A4: (M) It would be great if Lambton Quay was pedestrian, we would be more likely to wander down there for sure if it was. (F) Generally more pedestrian areas would be awesome! I’d be more likely to go to town and spend longer there if so. The city would definitely benefit as long as they tie in good parking with easy access to the pedestrian area.

How has your investigation changed and/or deepened your understanding of the question?

After observing the space for awhile, I could see how so many accidents occur between pedestrians and vehicles. Both seemed to be indifferent to the other even though they are supposed to share the space. Pedestrians were careless in how they crossed the road, and vehicles did not always follow the proper road laws. This is an unsafe environment for such a busy shopping area. While observing, I saw someone in a wheelchair struggling to get across the road. The space is not inclusive for people with disabilities, it has been designed with cars in consideration not people. With Wellington being one of the top walking cities in NZ, we need to make sure that all communities have been considered for public spaces, especially footpaths and crossings.

When I talked to some people about the situation, most seemed to agree that turning Lambton Quay into a pedestrian strip was a good idea. Interviewee Two talked about how they don’t like to go to Lambton Quay because it’s such a stressful area to walk in with the crowds and traffic. However, they would go there more often if it was made pedestrian because it would feel like a safer space. This is something that I think the Wellington Council should take into account. If more people want to go to Lambton Quay, then the shops will gain more business. The space could become such a positive atmosphere. With the roads levelled and more seating, it would make way for murals and a more inviting atmosphere, encouraging people to walk along it.

[meglyoncfm]

Human-Based Investigation (Part One)

Tallying Notes:

Crossing without looking: M: 23 / F: 16 / Young: 24 / Old: 15

Traffic Doing Something Wrong: Cars: 13 / Buses: 5 / Motorbikes: 2

Findings: Women are more likely to look before crossing the road, whereas men looked to be more absent minded while crossing. Young people were more likely to cross the road ‘illegally’ than elders/older people. Car drivers were a lot more disrespectful of the road rules than any other vehicle.

Brief Reflection

There was definitely more pedestrians who were not taking care when crossing than cars driving badly. However, there were some cars who ran traffic lights, were not mindful of cyclists, and stopped abruptly/over the line at traffic lights. I found cars to be the most dangerous vehicle using the space, which furthers my belief that Lambton Quay would be a better environment without road traffic. 

Written Examples of How I saw The Street Being Used

Places Observed: One-way street next to Willis/Lambton intersection - James Cook Arcade Brandon Street Intersection - Johnston Street Intersection

Times Observed: 10:30am - 11am / 2:45pm - 3:30pm / 9pm - 9:15pm

- Crossing halfway and then waiting in the road to cross the second half

- Pedestrians not always looking both ways when crossing

- People stepping out and having to stop for a vehicle

- Crossing in the small gaps between vehicles/starting to walk out as a car went by

- Looking the wrong way (if at all) when crossing a one way street

- Cars going through a yellow light

- Cars cutting in front of buses

- Buses having to run yellow lights because their brakes don’t stop immediately

- Pedestrians crossing quickly before the traffic lights turn green again

- Cyclists not paying attention to traffic lights

- People walking across the road looking at their phones/rummaging through their bags

- The crossing lights for pedestrians does not last long enough for someone using a wheelchair/unable to walk quickly

- The slanted footpath down to the road also makes it a strain for wheelchair use

- Pedestrians running across the road when they see that a vehicle is closer than they thought

- There is long stretches of street with no seating

- I had to move out of the way for oncoming people quite often when walking around

- Pedestrian running out in front of a stopped bus to wave down her bus that was going past

- People walking onto the road behind buses and not checking the other way

- Motorbikes going faster than they should be. Since they are less visible, people with headphones/people who are deaf won’t always notice them straight away and this could lead to accidents

- Pedestrians starting to cross the road before looking

- People in a rush running across the road at bad times. Very unsafe for such a busy area.

- Crossing diagonally on an intersection to save time but underestimating the amount of time they have and needing to run the rest of the way

Lambton Quay is a big area and if pedestrianised, could hold events such as parades or markets, just like Cuba Street. It could also become partially covered, so that bad weather does not affect people walking around. I also believe that Lambton Quay is big enough to have cycle paths down the middle. Featherston is big enough for cars and buses, but I think it would be dangerous to make cyclists use the road as well. To avoid the inevitability of pedestrians getting in the way/not respecting the bike paths, small barriers could be put up either side to clearly show where the paths are. Gaps would be put every now and then to allow access through to the other side of the street.

[meglyoncfm]

Project Proposal

Overview - How I will investigate a more pedestrian friendly Wellington

I am interested in investigating how can we make Wellington a more pedestrian friendly city.

Potential ideas for making Wellington more pedestrian friendly

Lowering the speed limit

Creating pedestrian only spots around the busy shopping areas

Only allowing public transport/cyclists to use the roads through the centre of the city

Research and Sources

I found an old article on Stuff (July 5, 2016) that talked about a proposal to make Lambton Quay a pedestrian Mall. I had been struggling to figure out where I could put pedestrian areas without disrupting the city flow, so this article was a big help. The idea is that Lambton Quay is a big shopping hub and therefore is always crowded with people. In theory you could close of the road and direct all traffic along Featherston Street without too many problems. This would create a safer environment for the public, and would make more space for everyone to walk around.

Another useful source I found was Wellington Scoop (Jan 31, 2018) talking about the Living Streets Aotearoa Organisation. They talk about the importance of public transport, and how Wellington is one of the most walked in cities. Getting rid of vehicles that aren’t public transport would take away all of the congestion and allow buses etc to be more efficient and on time. If we made our public transport completely reliable, then people wouldn’t need to drive, and we would make less of an impact on the environment. It would also allow more cyclists to safely use the roads because they would be less crowded.

Another point that comes up in this article is lowering the speed limit to 30 km/h across the city. While this does reduce the risk of accidents involving pedestrians, it would slow down transport times considerably so may not be the best idea.

The most important thing I found while doing my research is that it essential to trial things like these before making it permanent. Even if I surveyed every person in the city, I still would not know how well the plan would work until I carried it out. Therefore, if I went through with this idea I would make sure to run a few test trials over an extended period of time to see if it actually works.

Aims and Questions

My aim is to make Wellington more pedestrian friendly, so that the city is safer and more efficient.

Question 1: Would having pedestrian only spaces disrupt the traffic/public transport routes too much?

Question 2: Can everyone still get around easily enough if we restrict roads to public transport?

Question 3: How big an area can be pedestrian only, given the need for emergency services access?

How Will I Investigate?

To answer my first question, I would have to talk to the transport agency. I think this is the only way I will be able to find out enough information about all the routes and times of buses. I could use the Metlink website to work it out, but this would not be an efficient use of my time and it is highly likely that I could miscalculate. They might also have statistics on how well the buses run on time and other useful information. I have looked at the Metlink website ‘facts and figures’ page to gain more of an understanding of how many people use public transport already.

I think the only way to answer my second question would be to have a trial. This would have to be at least a week long so that people could get used to the idea, and start using public transport/walking.

For my third question, I could talk to the council about limitations and restrictions. There could be a limit to the size of an area, but I would not know how to find that out otherwise.

How would I gain a better understanding of community perspectives?

I would take surveys, and ask around to gain an idea of how many people actually like the idea before going through with it. It is extremely important to ask the communities that would be affected. For example, I would need to somehow ask those who have disabilities or are less able to walk around the city/tire easily, as they would be most affected by this plan. To make this idea more appealing to them, we would have to find a way to make public transport more accessible. Otherwise, we could have permits for people who need to be able to drive and cannot take public transport or walk.

Ethics and the Treaty

Talking to the transport agency/council is ethical as I am making sure that my project will not have a bad impact of the city. They will be only one information resource of mine and I definitely intend to ask the public.

In relation to this, when taking a survey I will make sure to have complete consent from every individual before recording their answers. This invokes Aroha. I will also use the code of Mahaki to explain to them exactly what my project is and how it would change the city so that they fully understand my proposal. I may even ask them to write down their name and signature so that I can provide proof that I have acted in an ethical way when interacting with the public. I will also use Kia Tupato when surveying the communities involved to make sure that everyone who will be affected has been thought of and does not feel excluded or forgotten.

The treaty article that my project connects to is article three; Ngā tikanga katoa rite tahi, in relation to the equality of citizens. It connects because my project is about creating a space that everyone can move about in comfortably. While a pedestrian space is important because it removes traffic danger, it is also important because it allows people with disabilities to move around without unnecessary strain. It can also prevent them from being singled out or excluded from using public shopping spaces, which means they get the equality they deserve. As Sunaura Taylor said in the ‘Examined Life’ video, “Physical access lead to social acceptability.”

Sources

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/81725693/should-wellingtons-lambton-quay-become-a-pedestrian-mall

http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=106745

https://www.livingstreets.org.nz/sites/default/files/Sub%20Lets%20Keep%20Wellington%20Moving%202017%20Final.pdf

http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/council-reports/Report_PDFs/2004_241_3_Attach.pdf

https://www.metlink.org.nz/customer-services/public-transport-facts-and-figures/

[meglyoncfm]

Text Based Investigation Initial Notes/Thoughts

Investigation Statement

I want to investigate the possibility of turning Lambton Quay into a pedestrian mall. The existing road space would be raised up to be level with the footpath for wheelchair access. The entire space from Lambton Quay/Willis Street Intersection to Ballance Street would be pedestrian only access.

I want to investigate this because it creates a safer environment for the public in a busy shopping area and gives them more space to move around. It also creates a more relaxed environment because there isn’t any stress of trying to avoid cars and buses going past. A city should be for the people not the cars.

I am going to conduct research into how other cities around the world have successfully created pedestrian areas. This will further my understanding of how it works and how I can apply the information to Lambton Quay. I will also look closely at how the roads would operate if all transport was moved to Featherston Street.

To gain a human aspect of research I am going to observe people on Lambton Quay to see how they interact with the road and other people in the footpath space. I will also interview people, asking them what they think about the idea. This will allow me understand better how the space is currently being used and whether the public would prefer it to be pedestrian or not.

Text Based Investigation w/ notes

https://wellington.govt.nz/~/media/services/parking-and-roads/road-safety/files/crsreport.pdf

https://www.citylab.com/design/2018/04/turning-a-busy-street-into-a-work-of-art-in-santiago/557003/

- Heavily busy street has successfully been closed off to all traffic

- Art project made it a nice place to be

- Used cultural influences (could do this with Maori designs)

- Gave pedestrians a place to walk freely and safely, with spots to sit and rest along the way

- Funds were raised using sponsors from private businesses

https://www.dezeen.com/2017/11/06/plans-unvieled-to-turn-londons-oxford-street-into-a-traffic-free-art-filled-pedestrian-zone-by-end-of-2018/

- Closing an extremely busy street because it’s a popular and busy shopping area

- Memorial covering new ground

- Road brought up to level with the pavement for easier wheelchair access

- Transport still running ant a right angle through the stretch of road (like Cuba Street)

- Road often shut for pedestrian safety running up to Christmas

- There has been car accidents involving pedestrians in the past

- Cyclists required to dismount while in the pedestrian area

- Cutting off road transport lowers the air pollution of the street as well which is good for the pedestrians

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4554933/Lambton-Quay-has-highest-foot-count

- Lambton Quay has the highest rate of pedestrians in Wellington City.

https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2016/08/bob_jones_on_pedestrianising_wellington.html

- While not exactly a trustworthy resource, this feed gives me a rough idea of people’s opinions of turning Lambton Quay Pedestrian, and raises some questions about the practicality. Eg: Bus/traffic congestion worsening on Featherston St. Buses could be allowed so that footpaths are still wider but there is less traffic interfering with pedestrians

- References for good comments: Captain Mainwaring/Rich Prick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Str%C3%B8get

- European Cities continue to show successful pedestrian friendly cities

- If a street stretching 1.1kms long works so well, then surely Wellington can make Lambton Quay work

- Most of the pedestrians streets were created to ensure pedestrian safety and lower the congestion on the sidewalks

Turner, E.D. & Giannopoulos, G.A. Transportation (1974) 3: 95. https://doi-org.ezproxy.massey.ac.nz/10.1007/BF00219613

- Talks about the uncertainties in new traffic predictions.

- Important to avert traffic to avoid accidents because they happen often in a busy space.

ROBERT GANT (1997) Pedestrianisation and Disabled People: A study of personal mobility in Kingston town centre, Disability & Society  https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599727010

- “Access to specialist services and retail facilities in town centres is essential to sustain and improve the quality of life for many with mobility impairments (Morgan 1992).”

- Considering people with non “impairment” disabilities. For example: Older citizens who cannot walk very far or need a cane.

- Not just wheelchair access, also for those who are blind/deaf.

- The importance of creating places in cities that people with impairments can go and not be excluded because of “ableist” design/architecture.

How has your investigation changed and/or deepened your understanding of the question?

After doing some research, I have found that this project is more achievable than I originally thought. Two cities that I specifically looked into have been/will be able to turn a highly congested, busy road area into a pedestrian only space. London has, in the past, turned oxford street pedestrian because of the Christmas crowds. This street is much busier than Lambton Quay, and does not have a road big enough to divert traffic without major congestion. It is unclear as of yet how they plan to deal with this problem. However in relation to Lambton Quay I do not believe this would be a problem. Featherston Street is a big enough for buses and cars to fit. When I went down to have a look at the size of the area, I realised that Featherston Street is currently a one way road. However, if it was reverted back, then it would work very well as a detour road for all traffic. There would still be roads leading directly up to Lambton Quay because they give cars spaces to park. This means that emergency services and other citywide service providers (such as couriers) could get close enough to the pedestrian area without too much hassle.

Changes To Investigation

When I first looked into the pedestrianisation of Wellington, I aimed to make the entire central area pedestrian only. When I talked to my group in the initial discussion, they pointed out that this could lead to quite a few problems in terms of the emergency and postal services/commuters. I looked into it further during my first investigation, and quickly found that I would be more successful if I focused on one area/street in Wellington. After doing some deeper research, I found that in the past there has been a proposal to make Lambton Quay a pedestrian street but nothing ever went ahead. I decided that I would focus on this to try and figure out a way of pedestrianising the street that may not have been considered before. This is what I have looked into throughout my first investigation and will in my second.

[meglyoncfm]

Project Research Sources

Sources So Far 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/81725693/should-wellingtons-lambton-quay-become-a-pedestrian-mall

http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=106745

https://www.livingstreets.org.nz/sites/default/files/Sub%20Lets%20Keep%20Wellington%20Moving%202017%20Final.pdf

http://www.gw.govt.nz/assets/council-reports/Report_PDFs/2004_241_3_Attach.pdf

https://www.metlink.org.nz/customer-services/public-transport-facts-and-figures/

[meglyoncfm]

Week 7 Task 1 - Reflection and Consolidation

Reflect on any two of the projects that we looked at.

Le Corbusier’s Vision

Le Corbusier was designing for all communities. He wanted to create a place where everybody could come together and interact without the strain of social class. He planned for both rich and poor to all live in one community. The idea was to give the inhabitants of the city a central place where they could get everything they needed. Public transport would take them to work and right back to their homes, there would be childcare set up in the very building families lived in, and the social climate would be excelled by having rooftop gardens and beaches. He even meant for there to be catering in each skyrise. While these plans seem elaborate and quite impossible, especially for the time he lived in, Le Corbusier was attempting to break down the barriers of exclusivity in our society and make a place for all people.

For such a massive project you would have to gather so much information and talk to so many people just to start thinking about how it will work, but Le Corbusier did not go about it that way. He was so set on this grand plan that he didn’t actually ask any real people from the communities he was designing for, what they wanted or what they thought might work or not. From the resources I have seen about this plan, he does seem to be thinking about what problems there are in our society, and how we can fix some of them. The biggest one in his eyes being the divide between rich and poor. When you look at his research however, he doesn’t interact with the people he’s designing for, so he fails to understand what they actually want in terms of housing.

Emma’s Parkinson's Wristband

Haiyan Zhang’s aim in this project was to create something that prevented Parkinson’s disease from affecting Emma’s work in graphic design. This means it is a very specific community (those who have Parkinson's) that she is creating for. A specific topic requires specific research and Zhang has done that quite well. She talked to Emma directly and in person about her needs and wants for this project, which allowed her to fully understand what she needed to do. She also visited other people in the community who have Parkinson’s, so that she could gain a wider knowledge and understanding of what she was dealing with. She took the feedback from these interactions and used it to make her design better. Interacting with others in the community gave her the extra information she needed to create her design for Emma and potentially others with Parkinson’s who face the same problems.  

[meglyoncfm]

Week 7 Task 2 - Reflection and Consolidation

What communities might see the artefact you will investigate in a different light than you?

I want to create a central pedestrian only hub in Wellington city. 

Commuters rely on public transport going right into the city so that they can get to work on time and don’t have to walk long distances to get there. I understand that people do rely on public transport going all around the city but as Wellington is such a small city I believe that we can make a central hub pedestrian without people having to walk really long distances through the city.

People with disabilities also probably rely on being able to drive/bus/taxi right to where they need to go. However, for some I think it would be better to have a pedestrian friendly hub because it lowers the risks of having to cross roads and watch out for traffic. The pavement would be even so if someone was in a wheelchair they wouldn’t have to navigate road kerbs and they would have more space to move around. Again, I only intend to make a central hub pedestrian, rather than the whole city, so I would hope that it wouldn’t be too much for this community.

Emergency services need to be able get straight to their destination without obstruction, so having a completely pedestrian area of the city that is at least a couple of blocks big could be a problem. One way to solve this could be to have emergency vehicle access only so that if the situation arises emergency teams can access the pedestrian area quickly.

While discussing my project with my group in class, a peer mentioned that postal services also need to be able to get directly to their drop locations. As with the emergency services, a big pedestrian area makes it harder for them to do their job. This is a problem that I am not sure yet how to fix.

To properly assess these obstacles I would need to talk to people in these particular communities and get their thoughts and opinions on how they think it would work. For now I have tried to put myself in their shoes to try to come up with reasons why they might oppose and then think of ways I can make it better.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 7 Task 3 - Partnership and knowing in the New Zealand context

Discuss two things that you learned that were most surprising to you

I did not know that Britain initially had no interest in New Zealand. They only intervened once they realised the full extent of what unlawful Europeans were doing here and because they didn’t want France to colonise it before them. I knew about Britain wanting to colonise before france but I am surprised by the former. I thought that Britain was determined to ‘colonise the world,’ and with how they treated aboriginals I would not have thought they would care enough about Europeans treating the Maori badly to intervene on such a major scale.

Along the same lines, I was surprised to learn that when rangatira was allowed a national flag, not only Australia, but King William himself along with Britain recognised the flag as a nation and gave Maori ships protection at sea. Britain’s attempts to ‘help’ the Maori people is something I would have never expected to find out. These two small things do not compare even slightly to the injustices committed during colonisation. However I think it’s interesting to find out because this was happening at the same time as the Australian colonisation, and the aboriginals were not being treated the same. This interests me because while both NZ and Australia were being colonised by the same nation, how they went about it and the outcomes are vastly different.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 6 Task 1 - The hidden life of public buildings

What are some factors that make this topic a difficult history to write in New Zealand?

As Lee talked about, before the late 1980’s those who identified as homosexual had to hide their sexuality because it was illegal and most people were not at all tolerant. This could make it harder to research because there wouldn’t be much physical record of where this community went to socialise or which bathrooms were used for cruising. He also mentions that bathroom cruising was not the biggest form of socialisation for the community at that time, which would make the topic difficult to research thoroughly. Lee talks about looking at history as a “social phenomenon, as the lived experience of the community,” meaning that to find out more on this topic you should interact with the people who were there and created these spaces. He suggests talking to organisations such as the AIDS association because they were able to utilise these spaces to help people become aware of the risks of the disease. A first person recount of an event or culture is of course the best way to find out about history, especially when in the social context. However, this could create further difficulties because you cannot know without extensive research, who these people are or where to find them. Certainly it is not impossible, but it does make the research harder to carry out.

Are there any other communities we might consider in relation to the toilets?

More recently, the LGBT community’s use of toilets has been discussed a lot in media and around the world. This is because unisex bathrooms are becoming more and more regular to help make the Transgender community in particular feel more comfortable when using public bathrooms. This is an important issue because while a Transgender person may identify a certain way, others in our society do not feel comfortable with them using a “male or female specific” bathroom. They feel it is inappropriate for someone who used to be a one gender to now be using the opposite gendered bathroom. Unisex bathrooms allow the transgender community to freely use these public services without fear of negative consequences.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 6 Task 2 - The difficult work of maintaining community

Define 'rasquache'.  Although the term is specific to a culture very distant from New Zealand, can something similar to rasquache be found here?  What would/does it look like?

The term rasquache, while specific to one culture, can easily be applied to creative work everywhere and especially in NZ. For instance, wearable art is an artform that inspires people to use what they have around them. Another project that reflects this is the Cardboard City that is currently up in the Auckland Art Gallery. The artists have used recycled cardboard boxes to make the city, which is in part, the aesthetic that ‘rasquache’ refers to.

Why was PSSST gallery protested?

The PSST gallery claimed to be supporting smaller artists and encouraging creativity not profit. While it seems like a positive thing for the neighbourhood, this was not the case, and they were accused of “artwashing.” A term which here means, they were using art and artists to improve the look of real estate and therefore raise the price of it. Because of the raise in housing prices, poorer citizens could not afford to live in the area anymore.

What does ‘rasquache’ mean and what does it look like?

Rasquache is a Mexican term used to describe the way peasants look, and how it portrays their need and ability to make do with what they have and find ways to repurpose things. In reference to art it means utilising the “D.I.Y aesthetic” and finding things to reuse instead of using new items. This creates a “hodgepodge” look or aesthetic to the artwork.

How does ‘rasquache’ differ from creative work and creative processes in local galleries?

Rasquache art is more about showing your creativity through splashes across the page rather than neat perfectly thought out lines. Local galleries are often very thought out and aligned perfectly. However there are exceptions and NZ has a lot of seemingly ‘crazy’ art that falls under the ‘rasquache’ term. For instance, there are wearable art competitions up and down the country that require competitors to think outside the box and often use unconventional materials. I would not say that rasquache differs entirely from local galleries, but there are often more ‘clean and crisp’ creative works shown.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 6 Task 3 - Project Question

Question: How can we create a more people friendly city and in doing so, lessen our impact on the environment?

What is the underlying problem? Take into consideration what we already have and how it is working.

While public/personal transport is important for people to get around in Wellington, it is not a vital aspect of the city. By reducing the amount or cars, buses and taxis on the roads around the city centre we as a collective can lessen our impact on the environment. Cities are built to bring people closer together and the use of so many vehicles comes between that. So by removing car access to some of the roads in the centre of Wellington, we can start to rebuild the connection that a city desires. This would also lessen the use of cars, buses etc and therefore reduce our carbon footprint.

Come up with a specific thing you can do for next week. Do not make it too broad, it needs to be narrowed down to the specific street where the problem occurs. Change a material, actual thing in Wellington.

I would make the whole Cuba Street block pedestrian only. No cars cutting though, just a completely pedestrian area. For instance, imagine how the streets are closed off when Cuba Duba is on. It could stay like this for a week to get people used to the idea. By taking this first little step I can show the city the benefits the benefits of this project. From there it can spread out across the city until we have a central hub that is completely pedestrian friendly. I would interview people walking around town, specifically more around Cuba street, to see what the public thinks about the idea. From there I would probably go to the council and talk to them about it.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 4 Task 3 - The Prestige of Cloaks

Immediately after reading this chapter I can see how different the relationship between the cloaks maker/wearer is from the western perspective of clothing. The cloak holds so much care and thought from the maker, and so much pride and love from the wearer. There is so much careful and detailed work that goes into making a cloak. It is held in such high esteem because it is such a precious garment for the Maori people. Western clothing culture is very different from this. We do not hold clothes to as high a standard and do not put as much thought into the production. Expensive brand and couture designers do normally take care to make their garments extremely well, but they never hold such importance and reverence as the Kakahu cloak. Commercialised clothing has even less care in the production. We produce hundreds of garments per day, and hundreds more are carelessly thrown out. We do not hold as much respect for our clothing because we do not put as much care into making them.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 4 Task 2 - How designers and artists can disrupt poor practices in fashion

Designers and artists have the power to influence through fashion, and they can promote the importance of a more ethical industry through their designs.  

Clothing that is more locally made would remove the risk of the labourers being mistreated or underpaid. Designers and artists could use their platform to ensure their companies make more of an effort to investigate the conditions in which their products are being made. Stricter policies surrounding the production process would mean that labels on clothing could assure customers that they have been made in safe/ethical working conditions. This could also encourage people to really think about where the clothes they’re buying came from.

Using environmentally friendly materials reduces the impact that clothing makes on the planet. If designers and artists made their clothes from materials that break down faster than they do now, when they were thrown out it would not have as bad an effect on the environment. Again they could use their influence within the fashion industry to get people using less harmful materials.

Making clothing out of more environmentally friendly materials could be more expensive and it may be a trend that does not stick forever. So another way for designers and artists to change fashion practices, could be to promote the recycling of clothing more prominently. There are plenty of people in the world who can’t afford new clothes. Encouraging the population to donate or recycle their old clothes would be very beneficial, both for the environment, and those in need.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 4 Task 1 - Space Between Project

Most people only think about the price when buying a tshirt. However there is a lot more going on behind the scenes that we should take into consideration. One of the social concerns related to the fashion industry, is that clothing chains often have their products made in sweat factories because it’s cheap labour. This means it costs less for the company overall when they have to ship their product all over the world. Sweat factories are a big issue because children who are far too young are being paid hardly anything to produce tonnes of clothing all day everyday in bad conditions. It’s so easy for people to ignore that fact when buying a t-shirt in a shop because it’s not in plain sight. No company would let their customers know directly that they use sweatshops, so we remain happily oblivious.

The environmental side of clothing is also very harming. A lot of people don’t think about the effect it has on the planet when they throw out a t-shirt because the consequences are not directly in front of them. A piece of clothing that has already used an unnecessary amount of resource to make and ship to the store, will stay around long after you’re gone. Piles and piles of clothing get thrown out everyday when they could be given/used for someone who really needs them. The simple solution of recycling or donating a shirt is much more environmentally friendly than throwing it in the trash without a second thought.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 3 Task 4 - Creating atmospheres in Pōneke/Wellington

Pedestrian/Environmentally Friendly

Having a more people friendly city, while it could be irritating at first for those who rely on cars, would create a much more relaxed atmosphere. Cities are full of people rushing around, not taking in their surroundings and feeling stressed. If Wellington had more pedestrian friendly streets (similar to those seen in the ‘future of the cities’ video) I am confident that everyone would feel less on edge. Cities are places of business and constant social interaction. So if everyone was more happy in their day to day interaction with the city I think that would improve how we interact and treat the people around us.

It would also create a safer environment, as not having to navigate your way through a jungle of car roads and bus lanes would greatly lessen the risk of accidents. Streets like Cuba are a perfect example of where we could start. I feel so much more comfortable walking along that street than any other in Wellington. This is because it has been designed with the intent that only people on foot could access it. It’s a much more calm atmosphere than the rest of the city and acts almost as a haven for pedestrians in the middle of our bustling city. Having a closed off area allows for more events like night markets and Cuba Duba, which are ways for us to come together as a community and collectively enjoy a space. This atmosphere of joy and fun is one that we need more of in a city.

While making the city more people friendly by removing car roads, we could incorporate more green areas as well. Wellington being the creative hub that it is, I feel that these could be intertwined with the city in such a way that makes people forget that they weren’t there before. However these changes should be not be taken lightly. Many people do not want their city changed in such a massive way. The aim would be to do something similar to Kedron Parker with her ‘bringing nature back to the terrace’ project. I’d want to incorporate the natural world slowly throughout Wellington so that people can become accustomed to it and without even noticing, feel better for having walked past or through it.

A more natural Wellington would also be much more environmentally friendly. We could be a greener city not just for the good of its inhabitants but for the planet too. I feel strongly that we should be doing as much as we can to help keep our planet healthy. Natural, green areas around the city would help to make the air cleaner and fresher because there would be no cars putting out toxic fumes. This also ties into creating a fresher atmosphere for the people.

[meglyoncfm]

Week 3 Task 3 - How Kedron Parker considers atmosphere

In her discussion about the Terrace

She talks about the concrete buildings being so drab and depressing. How office workers live their lives in a box and can’t even escape when they go outside. The environment of the terrace is so plain and grey that it makes you feel uncomfortable. The lack of nature along the strip doesn’t help the situation either. She talks about how deeply uncomfortable she feels when she walks through the terrace. People aren’t friendly and it’s always crowded. The entire place feels hostile. She considers the atmosphere through the interaction of people on the streets and the way the buildings look and feel. The outside (“tops”) of the buildings are pretty but once you get inside it all turns to concrete. There is no consideration of how people will feel while in this space. She also talks about how there are no sounds of nature along the terrace, which makes you feel even more uneasy.

In her aims and construction of the project

When considering what she will make, she mostly talks about the sounds of the stream that would have existed before it was covered. She realised that the stream still existed, so if people could only hear how it sounded, they might start to feel more comfortable and connected. She researched what the environment was like before the terrace so she could try to recreate it through the use of sounds. Sounds can be very moving and powerful when used in the right way. Having recordings of nature play in the terrace tunnel could ease it back towards its former, more calm self. She was very careful not to create an atmosphere that would feel intruding or exhausting. The sounds needed to be something that you would hear but not take notice of. That way they would be subtly and gradually changing the mood of the terrace for the better.

In her evaluation of the project

The project was created in such a way that people with completely different knowledge of the project could enjoy it equally. By itself it is a nice thing to suddenly find and walk through because you weren’t expecting it and it takes away from the city hustle and bustle for a moment. When you have more information about the project it does the same thing but you can more fully appreciate the intent behind it and take note of the difference it makes to the environment around you. Even if you just walk past, it will carry on with you for the rest of the day, and give you a sense of what used to be there. It’s an open creation that allows people to interpret it how they please and therefore enjoy the experience more. Looking back on it, she hopes that the atmosphere she has created will get more people to try and incorporate nature in their everyday lives.