How We Segregate And Isolate People Through Architecture - And How We Can Bring People Together.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 8 ноя 2023
- We have created neighborhoods designed for a tiny slice of the population--and then we've separated those slices out over vast distances, and in some cases to such an extent that they don't even share the same entertainment, shopping, business or civic services. We are segregating people based on their income level, their marital status, whether they have kids or not, their cultural preferences, and by inconsequential and arbitrary tastes like "whether they want a yard or not." Our hardware is physically making real diversity within communities impossible.
Most Americans, we don't have community. We have friends, we have family, and we may have some work colleagues, but those relationships, more often than not, are separated by miles of physical distance from where we actually live. Meaning: we don't live in communities. We live in storage units that provide physical shelter, but not much else. Is it a wonder that 74%* of Americans report a sense of non-belong in their local "communities"? That's crazy! While there may be numerous contributing factors to the skyrocketing rates of loneliness, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance abuse, I believe this in particular plays an outsized role. Wouldn't it make more sense to start with the software we want to run, start with how we want to live, and then back into the hardware we actually need?
Now compare a homogenous housing mix to a diverse one. A good example here in Oklahoma City is Wheeler District. There is a diverse range of housing in different price ranges that all share the same businesses and services. And what's the practical effect? People can stay withing the same community much longer as they move through life, and their life circumstances change. Just imagine how this could change your sense of belonging, of community, over time? You can have all kinds of relationships through small, consistent touches over a long period of time, in different circumstances, at different locations. Neighborhoods like this have potential the potential for long-term community, belonging and rootedness.
I hope you can see how our architecture, our hardware, is not neutral. It's built to run certain kinds of software, and not others. It encourages certain behaviors and it discourages others--and you didn't have anything to do with that. You had no choice in the matter. The people who regulate, design, and build the hardware chose for you. They have determined how you can live, what your options are, without your input. And when people ask "why" our laws and regulations are as they are, the answer we usually get is, "because that's what the code says", or "that's just the way it is", or "that would make it too hard on us"--says the public works departments who are supposed to be in service of the public good, in service to you as citizens--not in service of what makes their jobs the easiest.
FEATURED NEIGHBORHOOD:
www.wheelerdistrict.com/
RESOURCES & STATISTICS:
- 74% of Americans report a sense of non-belonging: www.americanimmigrationcounci...
- Oversubscribed - www.amazon.com/Oversubscribed...
CONNECT WITH BUILDING CULTURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
www.buildingculture.com/
/ buildingculture
/ build_culture
/ buildculture
/ austin-tunnell-2a41894a
QUESTION - What videos would you like us to make on this channel?#buildingculture #buildingculture #architecture #humancentereddesign #humanflourishing
I am very pleasantly surprised. Don't know why from the channels name I thought It was going to be just for building but love how you taclked this in multilayered way, with all the nuances being careful and not to polarize people. Very good, nice
Love the video! I live in a prewar neighborhood with a mix of housing types and price points. You gave the exact reason why I would never live in a subdivision. I feel so at home here, and the buildings all have character!
That’s awesome! It makes such a big difference.
Very cool! I love the idea of neighborhoods that include a wide range of housing leading to the ability to stay in the same neighborhood even when your family grows and a new house becomes necessary.
Right?! It definitely lends to feeling a sense of community.
I grew up in a building made of bricks in Envigado, Colombia, Being born in Boston. Seeing your videos reminds me of how durable homes are and how unique they can be and the history they will hold for generations to come.
That’s awesome!
1000% spot on! Choice not all this or not that but true choice. I believe the economic analysis strongtowns show is another compelling argument for better hardware.
Thank you! Yes, Strongtowns is remarkable.
❤❤❤
What's a interesting is that the majority older minority neighborhoods are like this very diverse housing because of legal segregation it force certain minority populations to only own and build in particular community with same race. For example, there was a doctor that stayed in one of the only two store homes on the corner, a nurse and bread delivery driver stayed across street exmilitary/ stayed down the street single mom on corner and around corner were duplexes. If you take a trip you may find this situation in minority neighborhoods more so often.
Thanks for that insight!
Austin.... you popped into my mind today, and I checked on what you're doing. It's awesome. We do need to have vision to what is ideal, not just resigned to what has been imposed on us for so very long. We can build community, small business, and legacy with intentionality. Not letting big business, corporations, greed, and corrupt city politics rule us rather than serve us. Keep being a voice for change.
Daryl! Very long time. Thanks for the note-that’s very kind of you to say. I finally found my path :)
I hope you are doing well!