Contemporary Urban Design Theories Additional Thoughts

Since my last post, Edward Relph’s thoughts continue to haunt my architectural wanderings.  Subject of the last post have resonated in conversations with a number of colleagues, friends and neighbors.  This is written to further pursue Relph’s thinking. 

First, a consideration. There is a colloquial saying – ” Are you in? Or are out out?”  When one reads Relph, he poses the concept of duality –  Place / Placelessness, Inside / Outside, Inclusive / Exclusive, et. al. I propose that there be two other design aspects. The first  that there exists a Variable or Transitional State. A State where something is neither one nor the other. Rather something in between. At the 1979 Design Conference in Aspen, a presentation was made by a Japanese speaker. In his presentation, his intrigue was with `Grey.’ Neither White, nor Black…. Grey, something in-between. He claimed to know individuals who could discern around one hundred twenty three shades of grey. E.L. James has identified `Fifty Shades.” ( Tongue in cheek ) When we are with someone, it is neither `Love’ nor `Hate’ at one time. Rather, there is a feeling found somewhere between these extremes. Most of life is this way.  Most of what Edward Relph’s contrasting considerations are , as well. Two good examples – the one, the Buffalo Cafe in my previous meandering. In this space, local Insiders breakfast, and visitors develop an inclusionary feeling, by rubbing shoulders with the Insiders, being treated the same by the staff, developing a sense of comfort and ease. The second is the phenomena found throughout the Northwest, the Farmer’s Market. Possibly the `Art in the Park’ craft fair. Herein, locals abound, as do seasonal residents and visitors. All rubbing shoulders, participating, celebrating Place. Farmer’s markets become a transitional place where one group feels included. Possibly the Insiders are overwhelmed and feel excluded. You get the idea. Address the Variable or Transitional state.

The second consideration is that these morph with Time. My thinking here, is in an adolescent state. While Time plays a part AS A consideration. Considerations may change depending on Time as a Variable. One may feel Included in a space. Yet as the day transitions, that space may feel somewhat foreign, exclusive. Sitting at a dinner table with friends, feeling at ease. Then someone verbally abuses another and that sense of Inclusiveness dissolves rapidly. Time plays a part. Rhythms were addressed in the required reading. While Relph breaks this out as a consideration, I wonder if it may be a Variable as well.

With that, I am posting. To date, the coursework and readings, presentations have been provocative. While the course I am posting about deals with Urban Planning, it is too easy to apply these considerations to every day life and  to architecture