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Endeavor

As many of you know, it is my last semester here at Rowan University, for in not many days, I am graduating. I couldn’t really think of a better last post than to post a picture of all the great people I have met, and friends I have made in my time here! I don’t really want to get sentimental on this post, but I would like to start it by giving a huge thank you to all of Rowan Geography & Environment Department and the ones part of it who inspired others to keep moving forward and persevering through challenges, sailing forward, knowing that there is always time to improve upon and make things better. That is why I admire this Marvin Creamer memorial quite a bit, it stands for all of those things.

Tributes such as this have so much meaning, a lot more than meets the eye. Marvin Creamer, an aspiring Rowan alum sailed around the entire world using only the stars to guide him. People dream of traveling the world using all sorts of transportation at their own exposure, this man took it on by his own sailboat with a few other great minds. I cannot begin to fathom how dangerous that is, but at the same time how freeing it must of felt for him. This is why this personally is my favorite tribute on campus, not only does it offer great seating, scenery, and accessible walking, it offers true inspiration.

Just looking at the signs pointing in multiple directions, it makes me wish I can sail myself, and at first I said to, man I could never do that, but then after looking at it again I said, well... Why couldn’t I? That right there is why I admire it. It really does make you think... There are so many things to learn, whether it be sailing, quantum physics, or whatever floats your boat (Ha! Get it? Floats your boat?). When people look at this tribute, I hope they find the same inspiration Dr. Marvin Creamer found to sail, or find inspiration to go where they desire in this world and never limit themselves. If you are scared. Do it. If you don’t think you can. Try it. If you fail. Learn, and try it again. That was the first thing to enter my mind when I saw Dr. Hasse working on the city signs as this tribute was being built. I hope the geography department will continue to innovate and inspire well after my time at Rowan and I am thankful they have great minds and great students to create things such as this, I know they always will.

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In this photo of Thomas sitting down. It is seen how important preservation of ledges are. This ledge is in front of the new Camden luxury loft apartments which was formally part of the Victor talking machine manufacturing company, once a huge part of Camden’s city, it now remains as a historic land mark in which can now be lived in by Camden citizens. Ledges like this not only provide a place to sit, but offer a presence of people in the community. This presence may not seem like much, but it is a sign of liveliness in cities and attract other people to certain location, or peak interest in locations they perhaps would not have visited.

 Public seating is important, but it isn’t just about public seating, it has to be acceptable and accessible to the “sitter”. This is why ledges are great, public spaces give people a choice of where and how they would like to sit. They provide many different types of accessible seating such as ledges, steps, benches, or even movable chairs as well as different places or locations within the same area, such as in the sun, in the shade, in groups, alone, close to activity, or somewhat removed from activity. 

It is very important to observe in cities how people sit in these locations, there is a lot to be learned by observing body language. Some of these locations and seats should plan for all things and all people, some people are not able to move as freely as others (i.e. handicap civilians) and will require a different type of access to the seating. Steps are a great option, but how will people in wheelchairs navigate through this area, or even make use of seats? Proper planning is key, especially for placements of seating. When sitting down on this ledge in Camden, there was a clear view of the city and horizon right within the distance. Having the right view of what the city has to offer is very important and very appealing to pedestrians. Support proper ledging. 

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Very interesting article based on my last post about Dr. King’s tomb, elaborating on the burial tomb in Atlanta and other burial locations of the King’s for those who are curious. 

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Over spring break I went to Atlanta for a track meet at Emory University. I was able to see the Martin Luther King memorial tomb in Midtown Atlanta, which was also next to the eternal flame. When walking into this memorial section of Dr. King, it is very overwhelming how big the burial tomb is and after reading the quote engraved on it, it is all very surreal. My entire team went to see it with me and when going into the grave, we were cheerful and talking, but after seeing it and being in the presence of such a strong individual and remembering all that he had done for the history of our nation, it really cast a silence over us all. I looked to my left and realized all 45 of us who came to see Dr. King were all completely silent just looking at the tomb. There were no signs that said we needed to be silent, but it was a similar feeling to being at a funeral, except this time... I was in the middle of an entire city. It goes without saying that, this is probably one of the most powerful memorials in an urban area and is really unique, because I personally do not know of any other person who has been buried in the center of an entire metropolis city to be remembered by all. 

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Historic preservation is a valuable planning tool to protect Philadelphia’s important resources. The various architectural, historic and cultural resources reflect our multi-faceted past and their protection helps us honor our ancestors’ achievements and daily lives. The products of our collective history foster our sense of well-being and contribute to our creative health. 

The picture above is from a visit to the infamous Franklin Fountain Ice Cream Parlor. This is one of the best examples to preserving history and maintaining a legacy that citizens are proud to have in their home town, or city. To be a part of an area that is known for something, that has meaning is more than just a landmark, it is a reason for people to gather together and maintain unison and community. 

Preservation also offers a sustainable way to approach development. As we become more conscious of our natural and historic resources, the preservation of our built environment allows us to adapt and reuse existing buildings. Encouraging development in the areas that have been built already helps preserve the open space and natural areas of the region. Reusing existing buildings saves tons of construction debris from landfills while also ensuring that neighborhoods retain a sense of history. 

Neighborhoods want to preserve their identity and the elements that make them desirable places to live and work. Investment in our communities’ rich architectural heritage results in unique neighborhoods that have more stable property values and more diverse populations. As neighborhoods recognize their historic assets, they attract more residents and experience better overall maintenance. Historic preservation also allows the City to guide new development, ensuring that it respects and enhances the existing urban fabric. This layering of development over time creates a sense of place that helps define Philadelphia and shapes the experiences that we share.