The document discusses Ahshan Khan's responses to online discussion questions for an architecture course. It provides background on Khan, who is a sophomore physics major at SUNY Buffalo, and explains that the course explored how architecture influences society. Khan then responds to two discussion questions, describing how airplanes revolutionized travel and providing an example of how including Spanish language options improved accessibility for the Hispanic/Latino population.

1. Online
Discussion
Questions
ARC 211 - American Diversity
and Design – Spring 2017
UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO
– STATE UNIVERSITY OF
NEW YORK
Khan, Ahshan

2. This is Ahshan Khan from Buffalo, New York. I am currently an undergraduate student
at the SUNY University at Buffalo in my sophomore year. Currently I am majoring in
Physics B.S. with plans of transferring to Mechanical Engineering B.S.
Taking Architecture 211: America in Diversity and Design as a general education course I
came to realize that architecture is not just about buildings and structures, which is kind
of a general consensus among many people. It’s also large in part regarding how society
itself is structured and designed. It’s not just about any one group in society, it’s about
every other diverse group of people out there around whom society is structured.
Encompassing race, religion, sexual identity, and nationality. Focus of architecture and
design sometimes narrows down to the very microcosm of society: the individual. How
the freedom, lifestyle choices and world views of the individual influence trends.
The following pages document my responses to the online discussion questions in the
Spring 2017 version of ARC 211 American Diversity and Design at the University at
Buffalo – State University of New York.
- The cover picture that I used was taken from http://www.oxygenmag.com/article/put-mind-
muscle-11416 Architecture and designs that are able to influence social change begin from creative
minds who are able to think diversely. I wanted to signify that with the image of multi-colored
dots that connected together to give the shape of the human brain. The multi-color representing
diversity, the human brain representing individualism.

3. Week 1
Response to "What is design?" from Hello World
On “What is design?” from Hello World: Where Design Meets Life by Alice Rawsthron
The author opened her chapter with the example of Ying Zheng, the ruler of the Qin
empire, one of the most powerful and enduring empires I the history of China. She
explained how design innovation contributed to Ying Zheng’s success. For example,
in the development of weaponry, he resolved many problems by standardizing parts,
and this single innovation gave his armies great advantage over other armies.
For this discussion, let’s move away from 246 B.C. China, and into the U.S. Describe
an innovation or invention
(can be current or historical)
that gave advantage to a
group of people in the U.S. or
to the population as a whole.
What were the social
impacts of this innovation?
Were any groups negatively
impacted by this innovation?
For example, the telegraph,
developed and patented in
the United States in 1837 by
Samuel Morse, permitted people and commerce to transmit messages across both
continents and oceans almost instantly, with widespread social and economic impacts.
This heightened communication speed allowed business persons to make decisions
with up-to-date information, often resulting in big profits. Those without access had
to rely on out-dated information, which put them at a disadvantage.
One of the biggest innovation of the 20th
century would be airplanes. After the Wright
Brothers flew the first plane in 1903, the plane industry evolved and has brought
revolution to the way people travel. It’s just about hundred years ago that the only
https://www.pexels.com/photo/idea-bulb-paper-sketch-8704/

4. means of transatlantic crossings were ships which would take days. After the advent
of aviation industry, the time was cut down to only a few hours. Not only transatlantic
travel, airplanes made reaching far end of the globe a lot easier and faster. Not to
mention safer. Flying is the safest mode of travel with only 0.06 deaths per billion
miles. Network of airlines linking major cities surely boomed businesses and helped
the economy. It enabled masses to visit new places for a little break or adventure, and
to explore new cultures.

5. Response to "Introduction" from Diversity and Design
On “Introduction” from Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences
The editors state that “diverse participation in the design process, from both
professionals and public citizens alike, yields more equitable results.” This makes
sense, but typically has not been the case. Nonetheless, many marginalized groups
have impacted design in ways that have changed our visual and physical worlds as
well as our systems, policies, and institutions. For example, in the 1960s, disability
rights advocates designed media events to raise awareness about barriers in the
physical environment. They persisted with their efforts for decades, and, finally, in
1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act became law. It mandated accessibility in
public accommodations such as restaurants and stores, public transportation,
communication, and other areas of public life. This dramatically changed our physical
environment (from curb cuts to ramps to automatic doors) and the results made
public life more equitable.
Now it’s your turn. Describe a design that was impacted by a diversity group. How
and why did it change form and/or circumstances? (Note that a design can be anything
requiring planning and development prior to the production of an action, system,
visual, material object, or environment. Also, keep in mind that, for our purposes, a
diversity group is a group of individuals who are underrepresented in society in some
way—children, older adults, the economically disadvantaged, those with cognitive
disabilities, etc.)

6. https://www.pexels.com/photo/city-people-walking-blur-1719/
When making phone calls to medical clinic/hospitals or making phone payments of
various household services like internet, there is always the option to select language.
While some have the option of selecting multiple languages, Spanish language option
is almost always there. That makes communication a lot easier for such purposes for
Hispanics & Latinos who are the third largest ethnicity in the US. It’s not just limited
to phone lines. Various application forms are also available in Spanish version.
Complete Spanish language option for necessary services is sure a great design
implementation considering Hispanics and Latinos make up a large part of the
population.

7. Week 2
Response to: Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on Photographs
FROM: Chapter in Media/Society and TED Talk Photos that Changed the World
Where would you place the images shown in Photos That Changed the World into
Croteau and Hoynes' diagram entitled “Model of Media and the Social World”?
Identify a mass media photograph taken in your own lifetime that has served as an
icon of an event. (Feel free to add an attachment.) What roles does thisphoto play in
the communication of the event?
https://www.pexels.com/photo/police-army-commando-special-task-force-20258/
A picture by itself is worth a thousand words. A simple glance can convey a multitude
of messages to the audience. They can provoke people to think of an aspect from a
renewed perspective, or to take action. To each individual their own version of
interpretation. Jonathan Klein implied in his TEDTalk that it is the audience that
makes the photograph, not the photographer. I think that Photos That Changed the

8. World can be placed simultaneously in media message or product section, and readers
or audience section of the model made by Croteau and Hoynes'. People interpret the
message of a picture depending on their world views. Sometimes when more light is
shed or new interpretations become popular, then people start to think on a different
spectrum. In this case, the audience is creating the message.
I attached the image Omar Daqneesh— a 5-year old Syrian boy. He was injured after
an airstrike destroyed his home in Aleppo. His bloodied, dirty, expressionless photo
at the back of an ambulance caught the world’s attention to the war-torn condition
of Syria. Even though injured from being thrown out of the building from the airstrike,
he wasn't even crying or squirming. He was in deep shock trying to fathom what was
going on around him. We instinctively empathize with children in all their innocence
no matter what background they are from. He’s just a child who was supposed to be
doing childly things like anyone his age. His face, the way he was blankly staring
'screamed' defeat and helplessness of a constant fight that he didn't ask to be born
into.

9. Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
FROM: “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington” and “The Worst
Design of 2016 Was Also the Most Effective”
Typically, we do not think of hats as elements of mass media or social media. However,
the two hats (red and pink) discussed in the articles certainly have taken on that role.
Why are the two hats (red and pink) mentioned in the articles vehicles of
communication design? What meanings do each of the two hats carry? In terms of
communication design, how are they similar? And how are they different from one
another?
https://www.pussyhatproject.com/
The red hat with the slogan ‘Make America Great Again’ festooned over it, was Donald
Trump’s branding for the 2016 election campaign. On the other hand, the pink cat-
eared hats of the Pussyhat Project served to make a visual statement against Donald
Trump’s lewd comments about women.

10. The trademark phrase inscribed on the Trump campaign’s red hat symbolized the
nationalist approach that Trump plans to take during his presidency. The phrase was
a rip-off of Ronald Reagan’s 1980 campaign slogan. The redness of the hat channeled
frustration and anger of his supporters regarding the state of the country. The run-
of-the-mill design didn't matter much to his followers as their focus was on the
rhetoric of his campaign slogan. After all he was well liked among his supporters for
‘speaking his mind’.
Trump’s anti-abortion policies and his promise of defunding Planned Parenthood,
sparked rage among people. The pink hats of the Pussyhat Project were not only
meant to rebuke Trump’s sexist remarks; they were also worn by thousands to show
support for women’s rights and equality in the Women’s March on January 21st
2017.
Both the red hats and pink hats send a very particular unifying and antagonistic
political message. While the pink hats may not have words on them, its name,
Pussyhats, does convey the message. The pink hats were hand made by knitting which
is traditionally a women’s craft, while red hats were mass produced on factories.
The red hats can be compared to pins made in past presidential campaigns. The pink
hats can be compared to the buttons worn during the 1960’s Civil Rights movement.

11. Week 3
Response IDEA Awards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
Which of the 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to defy the Cradle-to-
Cradle concept developed by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr.
Michael Braungart? How does this product resist or disregard the concept?
Provide an example of any product that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle design.
Please describe and site sources.
The main aspects of Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) products were: continuous
technical and biological cycles of the products and their raw materials, making
use of renewable energy, and celebrating diversity. Among the 2016 IDEA Gold
winners I thought VARD Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel (OSCV) defies
C2C concept. First of all, VARD is a shipbuilder of vessels that are for exploring
gas and oil reserves in the ocean. The OSCV concept was just more efficient,
and was designed to be more recreational to its crew than any other vessels.
Regardless of how diverse it was designed to be in its designs, OSCV is still
http://www.designrulz.com/product-design/table-product-
design/2010/06/3735/

12. contributing to the use of fossil fuels, and hence it fails to fulfill one of the
premises of C2C’s ideal.
Among the Gold winners, TetraPOT fits the ideal of C2C design. It's a sea
defense system, where mangrove trees grow over time and interlock with each
other. Seeds are housed inside the organic and biodegradable pots that give
direction to the growth of mangrove roots. Thus providing a line of natural
defense against hurricanes or tropical cyclones. TetraPOTS can be especially
helpful to hurricane/cyclone prone regions of the world like Florida, India,
Australia and other diverse coastal regions.
Links:
http://www.idsa.org/awards/idea/environments/tetrapot
http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/projects/tetrapot/

13. Week 4
Response to Ballantyne and Zumthor Articles
Andrew Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present ideas about architecture that
seem to value the sensorial and material elements of life. How are Ballantyne’s
and Zumthor’s viewpoints on architecture alike? More importantly, how do
they differ? (Use the SEE-IT method to respond to this question.)
Architecture in any form, be it a building like our home, things we like to wear
or use on day to day basis, etc. reflect our personality, perspective and state of
mind. They convey messages to the viewer. Both Ballantyne and Zumthor
implied that architecture has deep connections with the Self. According to
Ballantyne our habits influence architecture. We can look at an architecture
with a pragmatic or aesthetic viewpoint. Ballantyne focuses more on the
pragmatic viewpoint. He describes that the modernist way of designing is to
design that which best suits our habits, not necessarily following traditional
code. This aligns with idea of freely expressing oneself. And it’s not just limited
to the blueprint of our dream home. It can start from the clothes or gadgets
that we chose to express ourselves. Whereas architecture can also be seen as a
means to portray things that are yet to be, in Zumthor’s viewpoint. That is to
http://www.clipartpanda.com
/categories/identity-clipart

14. say that in this case architecture can also influence future lifestyle of an
individual or culture. The message can be of calls for change as a direct result
of tensions of the past. Here every detail matters, every material used carefully
crafted to symbolize an overall message.
Take UB’s Davis Hall for example. The hall hosts computer science and
electrical engineering research and laboratories. The surface of the exterior of
the building was designed to look similar to a circuit board. Thus symbolizing
information and technology. The hall was also designed to be environmentally
friendly. Altogether the design of Davis Hall compliments contemporary
architecture.

15. Week 5
Response to Levy Article
Here is your discussion question on the Levy article. Please post your own
response, and respond to at least two other students' responses.
John Levy’s article, “An Overview: The Need for Planning,” discussed ways in
which planning can determine the characteristics of a place. For example,
some smaller towns restrict the heights of buildings to maintain a certain
scale. How did planning define the character of the place in which you grew
up?
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/now-that-youre-home
I grew up in Bangladesh in a small town called Sylhet. The residential area that
I grew up in was known as a pretty calm and quiet area for living in my town.
There was a committee made up of people from the community that
overlooked maintenance of roads, electricity and garbage disposal. They were
also responsible for the maintenance of local Mosque. If anything went wrong
they would get in touch with city municipality. To begin with, the residential

16. area was just a plot of lands that individuals later bought to build their private
homes. So all home maintenance were up to the owner. My house was
constructed in 1997. But recently private companies started taking contracts
on building flat apartments. So when I go back for a visit, I am surely going to
find it populated. Our area was in the suburbs of Sylhet, so schools, college and
university were a bit far away. There was only one route for public
transportation. But people mostly made use of rickshaws to get anywhere
within town as it was cheaper. One thing about houses in Bangladesh and other
countries in the Indian Subcontinent was that all of them were made of brick
and concrete. Which is unlike what we see here in the US. They took longer to
build but were very durable. Our area was located in an uphill region of Sylhet.
So it was a bit difficult to get around using rickshaw. It was easier getting out
using rickshaw, but when getting back home people would often have to let go
of rickshaw and walk rest of the way home. Luckily we got a car after moving,
so even though my school was far away I could get there in time. From what I
saw, not much planning goes into building housing areas in Bangladesh. So
you would often find uneven roads so it gets difficult to find your way around.
Power blackouts were a common sight, which would make life harder at night.
The energy department in my country still has a long way to go.

17. Response to Pruitt Igoe Project, Talen, and Larson
Here is your discussion question on the Pruitt Igoe project, the Talen article,
and the Larson lecture. article. Please post your own response, and respond to
at least two other students' responses.
Imagine that you are part of a urban planning and design firm working with
Emily Talen (author of “Design That Enables Diversity”) and Kent Larson (who
gave the TED Talk "Brilliant Designs to Fit More People In Every City" The
thee of you have been tasked with developing a plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe in
St. Louis. City officials told the three of you that that they want to do it right
this time. Identify three strategies for rebuilding Pruitt Igoe in ways that
promise to be more successful. What would Talen do? What would Larson do?
What would you do? How would your strategies differ from those of the
original urban planners/designers of the project? Why would your strategies
be more effective?
https://morphocode.com/global-trends-urbanisation/
One of the main reasons Pruitt Igoe was a failed project was due to the lack to
authority. After initial presence right after opening, the area was left to the
people all to themselves. With no law enforcement, the conditions pretty much

18. went back to being like the slums upon which housings were built. So it is
important that there is an authority that would look after for security and
maintenance.
We have come a long way and it is important to include people from all
ethnicities, and the LGBTQ community in every social setting. Talen
particularly stressed on this issue of diversity in her article. So she would
definitely make the new Pruitt Igoe accessible to people of different
backgrounds.
In order to accommodate such large group of population, Larson’s design can
be implemented. Prioritizing the use of shared vehicles will cut down a lot
space. Like Larson’s folding electric car, and electric bike. Not just that; they
will be environment-friendly too. Apartments can be made transformable to
different modes. Small business owners can transform their home onto office
space thus cutting down on the use of a separate place again. The
transformable assembly is a real brilliant idea from Larson. All in all,
apartment sizes can be reduced since homes can be transformed thus creating
leaving room for more.
It is important to have educational institutions nearby. Also I think building a
police station nearby would greatly help.

19. Week 6
Response to F.L. Olmsted
Displaying his plan at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia,
Frederick Law Olmsted stated that "Buffalo is the best planned city, as to its
streets, public places, and grounds, in the United States, if not in the
world." What was the basis for this claim? Would Olmsted still make that
claim today? Why or why not?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo,_New_York
Back in the 1850s when Buffalo was rising in economy after industrialization,
much less of the city was occupied than it is now. So this allowed for
implementing new designs. Such as the three-park system by F.L. Olmsted. It
was a completely unique design idea much different from Olmsted’s first
single park Central Park in Manhattan. Olmsted always wanted to see 'green
space' and wilderness in cities, so together with Vaux he planned a city where
natural landmarks and utilitarian systems coexist were in balance. The parks

20. stretched along 6 miles with routes through the city that connected them. So
no matter which part of the city people lived in, one park was always nearby
where they could spend their recreational time by themselves or with family
and friends. Maybe partake in a mini marathon around the city through the
parks! What’s more, there's a natural wonder such as Niagara Falls nearby as
well. So Buffalo back in that time must have been quite the city back and yes
may have been one of the best well planned cities for that time.
But Olmsted wouldn't say the same about Buffalo right now. Not only because
of park routes being replaced with highways, but the fact that industries
shutting down greatly halted the growth of Buffalo. With abandonment, lack
of jobs, etc. it's hard to believe that Buffalo was once one of the top 10 cities of
US back in the 1850s.

21. Week 7
Thread 1: Response to the Brookes
The abolitionist poster, the Brookes, is an iconic image that often is included
in exhibits that explore issues of race and power. It was commissioned by
Thomas Clarkson in 1788, and the Committee of the Abolition of Slavery used
it to inform and shock the public. While some consider the poster as an
important component of the abolitionist campaign, it recently “has been
strongly criticized by some individuals and groups of African heritage as
providing a very limited view of the history of the transatlantic slave trade,
resistance and abolition (Hudson 2007).” The lesson here is that how a viewer
sees an image is dependent upon his/her social, economic, and cultural
position. Keeping this in mind, find another iconic graphic that addresses
racial issues and post it for others in your group to view. (Add it to your
response by clicking on the picture in the tools section. Do not add it as an
attachment that needs to be opened.) How do you interpret the graphic? What
is its meaning? Now imagine that someone from a racial and cultural
background different than your own is looking at the same graphic. Briefly
describe this person. How might s/he interpret its meaning? How might this
differ from your interpretation? What are the possible reasons for these
differences? (Consider the three assessment principles mentioned in the
article to help you: a technology of vision, an instrument of empathy, and a
symbol of control.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250 words.)

22. http://theamplifierfoundation.org/wethepeople/
This red, white and blue portrait of a woman in the hijab was created by artist
Shephard Fairey. He was the same artist behind portrait of Barack Obama using
the same ink block style back in 2008 when Obama got elected.
The hijab patterned with the American flag translates to embracing the
American identity. The inscription: “We the People are Greater than fear”,
calls for people to stand up to fear and look past it. All in all, it calls for all
Americans to reject islamophobia. The poster came up largely in the protest

23. against President Trump’s first executive order to ban Muslims from seven
Muslim majority countries. It will continue to be a symbol for fighting fear and
religious discrimination.
"We the People" is a campaign that features two more artworks from Fairey
which speak about protecting the people, and defending dignity. You can check
them out on:
http://theamplifierfoundation.org/wethepeople/

24. Week 8
Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
First, let’s start with your own home. Describe a place in your home (indoors and/or
outdoors) that you think of as representative of your own ethnic background and
discuss why you consider this place to be ‘ethnic’. –OR-- Describe an object in your
home that you think of as representative of your ethnic background and discuss why
this object is considered to be ‘ethnic’. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this object or place
something that you will keep or continue when you establish your own home? Why
or why not?
Now let’s move into your community. In “Landscape Stories,” the authors show how
landscape architects develop a historical narrative that sifts through and interprets
the culture and material of underrepresented groups. Think about the community
where you grew up. Describe and discuss any evidence of cultural influences on the
physical environment in your community. If possible, describe evidence of the
cultural influence of an underrepresented group. (If possible, add photo/s.) Is this
cultural influence being acknowledged or preserved from future generations? Why or
why not? (Limit your response to 250 words.)
The lobby in the entrance of my home back in Bangladesh has the wall on one
side completely tiled with clay tiles. The tiles make up a scenery of typical
Bangladeshi village with paddy fields where a group of farmers are threshing
corns, a river running nearby with women dressed in saris cleaning utensils.
Houses made out of hardened clay in the background. Few coconut trees, and
a bright sunny day. Of course none of the figures in the clay artwork are
colored. But you can clearly make out the whole scenery if you observed from
a distance. Even though I grew up in the city, most people in my country has
roots connected to a village home. So the scenery of a village in that way
represents the Bengali culture and roots of the people.

25. Week 9
Response to Bathroom Bill
Last year, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill that repealed
local LGBT anti-discrimination laws, and required people to use the bathroom that
corresponded with the biological gender written on their birth certificates. This
prompted massive backlash. McCrory stated, “You know, we all have to make
adjustments in life. And we’ve had the proper etiquette situation for decades in our
country, and all of a sudden through political correctness we’re throwing away basic
etiquette.” Just this past Thursday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill
to repeal the law while placing a moratorium on nondiscrimination measures.
Should people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological
gender written on their birth certificate? State why AND state why not. In other words,
to receive full credit for this question, you need to present an argument for both sides
of the issue. As a designer, how would you solve this gender dilemma? Use the SEE-
IT method to respond to this question. (Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
http://all-len-all.com/north-carolina-governor-eases-off-defending-anti-lgbt-law%E2%80%8A-
%E2%80%8Aexcept-not-at-all/

26. It’s certainly a difficult issue to address with conclusive resolve. Transgenders are
likely to be more vulnerable in gender-segregated bathrooms. Their male or female
counterparts might feel uncomfortable having them around. So in that light, gender-
neutral bathrooms seem to be the way to go. But then again doing that comes with its
own set of problems: the vulnerability typical males or females will be exposed to this
time around. Sexual assault and voyeurism are such examples. This will be a huge
problem if gender-neutral bathrooms were to be built on public places. Although such
insecurities that people may face can be reduced if they were to built within
institutions such as schools, universities, etc.

27. Week 10
Response to People Like Us
After almost two decades of public assistance, Tammy Crabtree took herself and her
family off the welfare rolls. But her job cleaning bathrooms at a local Burger King
barely paid the bills. Crabtree wanted to do better and hopes to go to college and
become a teacher.
Imagine this scenario. You are a designer who works at the well-known firm, iPD
(Integrated Planning and Design). You work on a team with planners, urban designers,
policy designers, architects, and social designers. You have been tasked to
develop/design a way for Tammy Crabtree and her family (and others with situations
similar to Tammy’s) to move themselves out of poverty. What will your team to do to
help Tammy and her family achieve their goals? What approach will your team take
to address this difficult problem?
https://www.bcfol.org/volunteer-application/
The first thing that came to my mind is about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (SNAP) benefits that New York state provides to low-income residents. I
have seen almost every low-income resident in my neighborhood make use of this
benefit to cover their monthly expenses on food. I am not sure if Ohio provides such
benefits, but as a designer I would certainly push to implement such programs.

28. I know a distant relative who moved to Buffalo in the 2000s get a free home from the
city. From what I understood by listening to his story, the city was giving away free
homes to encourage more people to move to Buffalo. That’s just the one case I heard.
But certainly sounded like an idea that the city can think about in Ohio. Not for
encouraging people to move to Ohio but rather providing a safe place for the low-
income people to live near the community and not in some deserted place 10 miles
away from the majority of the population.
There are ESL classes in Buffalo where adult education is provided for free. These
classes include lessons on basic computer operations. There's a Church couple of
blocks away from my home in Cheektowaga that provides such free courses. I have
seen Burmese refugees, and newcomers from various other countries take classes
there. Tammy might not need ESL classes, but she can certainly take free computer
courses. Also there's the option of volunteering at local schools or daycare under the
city school system. After volunteering for a while people can apply for a position at
the school. So that would be a great way for Tammy to be the teacher that she always
wanted to be. Might take a while. But this is possible. I know neighbors who were
fresh off the book, had to make a living by doing odd jobs in the beginning, but now
are earning pretty well by getting in the Buffalo public school system in this way.
Mostly of them are teacher aides at kindergarten, or lunch ladies. So if I was the
designer I would encourage such free education to be provided for low income
residents, and more volunteering opportunities to be available.

29. Week 11
Response to Carroll Article: “(Re)forming Regent Park: When Policy Does Not Equal
Practice”
The development of Regent Park is phased, and there are several more phases to the
project. What actions could be taken to ensure more social integration for the older
people living in the ‘new and improved’ Regent Park?
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/tag/how-and-when-do-libraries-buy/
They seemed to have covered a lot of the things in Phase 1. Like senior-only building,
community gardens, etc. I would suggest they provide more volunteering
opportunities for the elderly. Like daycares. Or maybe open centers for adult education,
where they can learn simple things like basic computing. It would be great to open a
public library nearby where they can spend their time reading. A new place can be
built that allows for community get together.

30. Response to Enriquez TED Talk: “What Will Humans Look Like in 100 Years?”
For this question, we will focus on Juan Enriquez’ Life Two civilization, which alters
fundamental aspects of the body. We are living longer than ever before in human
history. Enriquez argues that, because of advances in bio-medical technology, the
possibility of living to 120 years of age and beyond is quite possible for many of us in
this D+D class. Assuming that his assertion is accurate, how do you think extended
life spans will change our societies and built environments? What new issues might
designers face because of extended life spans?
http://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/11-countries-with-highest-male-population-384190/
The first thing that came to my mind is the overflow of population. Sure it would be
a great feat for humanity to sort of 'artificially' induce evolution this way, but more
of the population living longer would mean emergence of more densely populated
regions all over world like India, and other South Asian countries. To accommodate,
designers will have to think about more urbanization and deforestation. Now that will
certainly be harmful for the planet. One other thing that can be done is to improve
family planning counseling. Especially in the third world countries where this matter
goes unattended to the less educated parts of the population. Lastly, in line with

31. Enriquez' talk in the end about inhabiting other planets like Mars, scientists will have
to stretch their research on developing and thinking about new ways of sustaining life
outside Earth. All in all, it's an issue that will require designers from almost every
discipline to play a part.

32. Week 12
Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
Our 2017 Design-A-Baby survey yielded the following characteristics as
indicated by a majority of you:
 Sex: Male (47%)
 Hair Color: Dark Brown (22%)
 Hair Texture: Wavy (33%)
 Eye Color: Blue (26%)
 Race: Caucasian (36%)
 Height: 5’-10” to 6’-1” (45%)
 IQ: 131-140 (20%)
 Memory: Excellent (43%)
 Athletic Ability: Excellent (43%)
 Weight: Average (79%)
 Disease Carrier: None (85%)
 Beauty: Somewhat attractive (46%)
 Empathy: Very empathetic (38%)
 Creativity: Very creative (37%)
Sounds like an all-around lovely person!
Currently, we have the technology for you to choose many of the survey
characteristics in your future child, and this ability to choose poses some
ethical questions. Of course, we all want the best for our own child. However,
as we move into a more collective situation, we need to consider how the
consequences of majority choices for children might change who we are as a
species.

33. In the film trailer FIXED, you were introduced to the dilemma of living in a
culture in which the “science-fiction of human enhancement” has become
almost a way of life, from prenatal genetic screening to bionic body parts. In
the video, “A Man with Three Ears” you are introduced to an artist who is
using current technology to move humans beyond their current abilities. Last
week, Juan Enriquez asked us if it is ethical to evolve the human body. All of
these videos suggest that the concept of disability ‘as we know it’ could cease
to exist in the future.
This leads us to this week’s discussion question:
What lessons do you think we should learn from history when thinking about
emerging enhancement technologies and reproductive technologies? What are
some of the possible consequences (both positive and negative) of being able
to design our bodies and the bodies of our children? What ethical quandaries
do these technologies pose?

34. https://www.wonderwhizkids.com/bionics
In terms of enhancing only, I remember two things off the top of my head:
human cloning, and stem cell research. Yes, they are not directly related to
bionics but still I mention these to two to address an important issue. The
ethical issues. Attempting to clone an entire human being can raise moral
dilemmas. For therapeutic cloning to to extract stem cells, the early embryo is
destroyed. The same is done with stem cell research using unique uncloned
embryos this time. In both cases a potential human life is destroyed in hopes
of extracting the perfect healthy stem cell. It is raising the perfect human being
right from birth that causes a lot of issues and faults. Like it’s not just ethical
issues that are present. In case of cloning failure far exceeds success. So from
my point of view, we should focus on enhancing bionics to such a level that
artificial body parts can function just as well as a living body replacement. Back
in 2013, human stem cells were created from adult tissue for the first time. So
to integrate a bionic body part to the living tissue of an individual, adult stem

35. cell production is the way to go. There’s not a lot of ethical issues involved
with bionics. But whatever steps we take, we have to do so while keep socio-
ethical issues in mind.
1
Ian Sample, “Human embryonic stem cells created from adult tissue for first
time”, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/may/15/human-
embryonic-stem-cells-adult-tissue, Accessed on May 4, 2017

36. Week 13
Response to Titicut Follies
The state of Massachusetts tried to ban the 1967 documentary Titicut Follies,
arguing that director Frederick Wiseman had violated the patients’ rights by
not getting written permission to film them. The case went to court, and
Wiseman argued that he had consent from their legal guardian, the institution.
After a judge ruled in favor of the state, the legal appeals carried on for several
years: in 1969, Massachusetts allowed the film to be shown to doctors, lawyers,
and health care professionals; in 1991, a superior court judge ruled it could be
released for the “general public,” as privacy concerns were no longer at issue,
so many years later.
Should Wiseman have been allowed to film the residents of Bridgewater
Massachusetts Correctional Facility? Why or why not? How might this film be
of value to designers (communication designers, product, designers,
architects, interior designers, planners, landscape designers, systems
designers, and/or social designers)? In other words, what might they gain
from this film that they could use in their work?

37. http://www.hdrinc.com/portfolio/sheridan-correctional-center-housing-unit
For serving as an example to other correctional facilities at that time, I would
say Wiseman should have been granted permission to film Bridgewater
Correctional Facility’s residents. Two years later in 1969 the court did allow
the documentary to be viewed by healthcare professionals. This may have
helped other facilities to correct the wrong that’s been done Bridgewater.
Couldn’t specifically pinpoint the worse ones as I watched the short trailer
only, but, living conditions of the facility, unfair treatments, etc. seemed like
issues that designers could certainly improve on.

38. Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
Prelude: Wolf Wolfensberger's seminal work "The Origin and Nature of Our
Institutional Models" posited that society characterizes people with intellectual
disabilities as sub-human and burdens of charity, He argued that this
dehumanization, and the segregated institutions that result from it, ignored the
potential productive contributions that all people can make to society. He pushed for
a shift in policy and practice that recognized the human needs of those with
intellectual challenges and provided the same basic human rights as for the rest of
the population.
The Scenario: Imagine that you and your four children live in Amherst, New York in
a $650,000 home at the end of a cul-de-sac on the edge of a ten acre woods. The town
has purchased a one acre lot three houses away from yours, and plans to build a group
home for ten intellectually challenged adults.
As a resident of the neighborhood, would you support or oppose this proposal and
why?
You've learned additional information about the residents of the proposed group
home in your neighborhood. In 2013, three of the ten intended residents exhibited
challenging behaviors including screaming, public masturbation, repetitive rocking,
and echolalia (elective incontinence). However, these behaviors have not occurred
since then.
How would this change your opinion about the construction of the group home in
your neighborhood?
The residents in your neighborhood voted (14-3) to reject the town of Amherst’s
proposal to build a group home in the neighborhood. Town officials agreed that the
home would not be built in your neighborhood if you and your neighbors could
develop a workable alternative.

39. What are some possible solutions that would allow the residents of the home to be
provided with “the same basic human rights as the rest of the population”?
https://academichelp.net/samples/academics/essays/persuasive/equality-persons.html
I would support the proposal. Even if they are intellectually challenged they deserve
every right to live among everyone else. The last challenging behaviors were openly
exhibited last back in 2013. Since then I would assume the residents have been doing
a lot better. So it's definitely not going to be an issue in the neighborhood. Even if it
is I am sure it will be once in a long while.
Besides children need to know we as humans are not perfect. There are those among
us that don't get to experience life like many do. But yet they are every bit a part of
the society as anyone. It's important to nurture that empathetic attitude in children.

40. Week 14
Response to The Connection Between Religion and Urban Planning by David Engwicht
In his article, David Engwicht discusses the fact that religions (of all types) have
played major roles in the development of our cities. Today, places of worship are
primary components of almost all urban centers. Author Lorne Daniel writes “From
their often active role in supporting people who live in city centers to their iconic
influence on design and use of space, religious structures tell us a lot about our history,
our current needs, and where we might be headed in the future. This is an aspect of
our urban future that planners and urbanists should attend to.”
Identify a place of worship with which you are somewhat familiar. (If you are not
familiar with any places of worship, do a bit of research on one in your own city or
town.) Show a photograph of this religious structure. (You may use photographs from
the web.) What roles has this place served in the development of your city/town? How
has it influenced the design of the area around it? How has its role changed over time?
What roles could this place of worship play in the future development of your
city/town?

41. http://www.muslimguide.com/location.aspx?mid=3252#.WR5cVmjyvIU
Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country. You will run into Muslim places of
worship, Mosques, every few miles in town. They are identifiable from other
buildings by the towers called Minarets that stands out from the structure. The
call for prayer is made from here. People can pray at home, but Friday
afternoon prayers are necessary to be done at a mosque. That’s why they are
so abundant in towns, so that in the middle of their busy schedules people can
conveniently travel to a nearby Mosque. Some office places have separate
prayer rooms built into them. One thing to note is that only men are allowed
to pray at Mosques in Bangladesh. Which is quiet not the case here in the US
where men, women both can pray.
The place where I am currently staying near Cheektowaga has a Mosque that
was a formerly Church. That’s a reason why my neighborhood is mostly

42. Muslim Bengali, Pakistani, and Burmese. I have seen a lot other Mosques here
other that were previously out-of-service Churches. There are apartments that
are turned into Mosques, especially those back in NYC. UB Muslim Student
Association uses SU 142 for Friday prayers. In SU 311 is where the rest of the
prayers take place. Both men and women can pray.

43. Response to Prospects for the Future of Diversity and Design
Consider the quote in your syllabus from educator Michael J. Shannon:
“Design, as vision in action--the intersection of understanding and creation-
-is a universal human capability that can play a fundamental role in social
evolution, in the process that transforms resources, energy, and information
to make our world.”
At the beginning of this course, we discussed the idea that we are all designers
regardless of our profession or field of study. We’ve asked some big questions
along the way, and the conclusion section of our textbook raises additional
issues that require input from people who might not consider themselves to
be part of the formalized design professions.
Think about your own major and/or future profession. What is the biggest
challenge, problem, or question that your field needs to tackle right now? What
do you plan to do to address this challenge, problem, or question either as part
of your studies or professional life?
http://nelsonengrco.com/engineering-opening/

44. I am currently majoring in Physics, but I plan to switch to Mechanical
Engineering(ME). ME I believe is the most arduous engineering discipline
among the rest in the engineering field. ME deals with designing and
constructing machines. Since we make the use of machines in a lot of our tasks,
ME comes off as one of the most diverse and comprehensive disciplines.
Cumbersome heaps of concepts dealing with math, physics, materials, physics,
etc. easily intimidate a lot of students. ME plays big roles in automotive and
automation industries. With the rising population, there should be better,
efficient and environment-friendly means of transportation. There has been
progress with hybrid and electric cars. But not everyone owns private vehicles.
New ideas about urban transportation needs to be explored. Then there’s
automation. Again going back to the point about increasing population. More
and more machines are replacing manual labor jobs. To support income of the
ever increasing population, some way there needs to be a balance between
automation and hands-on jobs. If a balance is to be reached maybe it will
somehow decrease the demand of ME. Maybe there will be more outsourcing
to parts of the world with cheap labor. Altogether that’s a complex issue, and
reaching a balance will not only involve ME but a lot other areas such as
economics.