Arc 211: american diversity and design: ausra mussett

Online Discussion Questions
Ausra Mussett
Spring 2017
University at Buffalo
ARC 211-Diversity and Design
(Ausra Mussett)

American Diversity and Design, as a course, has changed my view on many topics and
lead me to make many connections between different classes that I have taken or that I
am currently enrolled in. Every week, the discussion questions asked us to make
connections between the material that we read throughout the week and to comment on
others’ observations as well. My favorite assignments were the ones that asked us how
the readings or videos may apply to our own lives because it was interesting to see how
everyone’s responses were so different. After taking this class, I believe that I have a
more open mind, especially in regard to making places more handicapped-accessible
and other design issues. I always knew that design can affect people, but it was really
neat to see this in action with speciﬁc examples and testimonies thought the semester.
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.
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.
Laptop computers were invented in 1981 , which enabled workers and students to access1
information on-the-go. Laptops have been used for some classes here at UB as well. I
have used mine to watch lectures for this class, and I've used my laptop, along with the
application TopHat, to answer class participation questions in Intro to Urban
Environments. Some disadvantages of laptops are that they can be fragile, they have to be
charged, and they require an internet connection. Students in my class whose laptops
were not charged and functional could miss points on attendance and participation.
Bellis, Mary. "The History of Laptop Computers." ThoughtCo., 30 Apr. 2017,1
www.thoughtco.com/history-of-laptop-computers-4066247. Accessed 3 May 2017.

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.)
I recently watched a TED talk from Michael Murphy, an architect that worked with
doctors in South Africa, making hospitals safer for patients who were , previously, being
exposed to many different dangerous illnesses every time they visited . Many times, a2
patient would leave more sick than when they arrived. Using design, Michael and his
team were able to construct a hospital that didn't have germ-infested hallways and more
windows for ventilation. When the design was finished, it was mainly constructed by
volunteers within the Rwandan town it would benefit. Including these people in the
creation of their hospital brought together their community to make something they could
be proud of.
"Michael Murphy: Architecture That's Built to Heal." TED, Feb. 2016, www.ted.com/2
talks/michael_murphy_architecture_that_s_built_to_heal. Accessed 3 May
2017.

Thread 1: 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 this photo play in
the communication of the event?
I would place the images from Photos that Changed the World in the "media
message or product" category. This is because a photograph is taken by a someone and
then distributed to an audience. The effect of the photograph is directly related to how
many people view it and their actions in response to it.
A mass media photograph that has been a part of my life is a picture of me and my
Dad before the Sufjan Stevens concert at UB that was taken by the Buffalo News for their
website. I can look at that picture and remember one of my favorite concerts from my
favorite musical artists at my future college. It was so great to experience that with my
Dad, who first introduced me to Sufjan. This picture is considered to be mass media
because it was published on the Buffalo News website along with many more pictures of3
concert-goers that night.
 
 
 
 
 
Brown, Robin David. “Sufjan Stevens and fans in UB Center for the Arts.” The Buffalo3
News, http://galleries.buffalonews.com/default.aspx?id=5128#/53. Accessed 3 May
2017.

Thread 2: FROM: “Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington”
and “The Worst Design of 2016 Was Also the Most Effective”
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State,
Elaborate, Exemplify) to address the following questions:
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?
In this election, hats have been used to communicate different messages to people
on both sides. It is becoming clearer how fashion can have an explicitly political or
activist meaning in our world today. As the "Fashioning Protest for the Women's March
on Washington" article points out, digital printing for shirts and other clothing items can4
make messages literally clearer on shirts, hats, or pins. Trump's "Make America Great
Again" hat was so simple, it was almost comical. It made a clear statement that could be5
seen from a mile away that the wearer supported Trump. The pink hats that were worn at
the Women's March also sent a clear message in opposition to Trump, specifically his
"grab 'em by the pussy" remark. The red hat was a campaigning tool similar to putting a
sign on your front lawn or a bumper sticker on your car. The pink hat symbolized
solidarity among women against Trump, similar to the "safety pin" project, which
expresses support for minorities who fear marginalization within Trump's administration.
Rogers, Katie. "Fashioning Protest for the Women’s March on Washington."4
Fashion & Style. The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/fashion/
womens-march-washington-fashion-protest.html?_r=1. Accessed 3 May 2017.
Budds, Diana. "The Worst Design of 2016 Was Also the Most Effective." Co.5
Design. CO. Design, www.fastcodesign.com/3066599/
the-worst-design-of-2016-was-also-the-most-effective. Accessed 3 May 2017.

Thread 1: Response to “Industrial Design” by John Heskett and "The Incredible
Inventions of Intuitive AI" by Maurice Conti
In his chapter on industrial design (written in 1987), historian John Heskett claims
that the methods of mass production introduced by Henry Ford in the U.S. involved
new concepts of the standardization and integration of the production line that were
adopted across the world. With Ford’s method, work could be completed by
relatively unskilled workers; it was more efficient and with this method, products
were made more quickly and cheaply than previously possible. What were some of
the social consequences of Ford’s production line? In other words, how did this
system change our U.S. society? Do any of those changes remain with us today? Now
consider Maurice Conti’s TED Talk, and the predictions he makes about
production. How do you think manufacturing processes will change in the next
twenty years? How do you think these changes will affect our U.S. society?
One thing that we recently discussed in my Urban Sociology class, was the
reaction of different sociologists to the effects of the Industrial Revolution and mass
production. For example, Karl Marx wrote about how "modern" capitalism was
dehumanizing to workers, who often worked so many hours that they ended up living by
or near the factories. In that era, the product the workers made seemed to be more
important than the workers themselves. There were many child laborers and almost no6
safety regulations even for people who did very dangerous jobs. Then, in 1938, Congress
passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, which set 16 as the minimum age to be employed.
The National Labor Union formed in 1866 to also try to improve working conditions7
legislatively. The fact that workers can still unionize today shows that we have made
great strides in improving these conditions but it is not a right that we should take for
granted.
I believe that we could be heading toward an "Augmented Era", as Maurice Conti
predicts. I have had many conversations with people about how technology is advancing
at such a rapid speed and his TED talk really made me think about what our society might
look like with this "intuitive technology". For example, Google has recently been
developing self-driving cars that may greatly reduce car accidents in general. It would8
not only help prevent driving errors, but also provide easier transportation for people who
can't drive themselves. There are also many risks associated with self-driving cars. On
"Child Labor." Reviewed by Milton Fried. The New Book of Knowledge. Grolier Online http://nbk.grolier.com/ncpage?tn=/encyc/
6
article.html&id=a2005380-h&type=0ta (accessed June 26, 2014). Accessed 3 May 2017
"National Labor Union (NLU)." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica,
7
www.britannica.com/topic/National-Labor-Union. Accessed 3 May 2017.
Waymo. "Waymo." Waymo, waymo.com/journey/. Accessed 3 May 2017.8

May 7th, 2016, Joshua Brown died because of an error that was made by his self-driving9
car. The car had failed to distinguish a white van from the sun shining on the road. I think
that there is an immense amount of trust we are putting into these new kinds of
technology and we have to have some way of making sure they won't cause more harm
then they prevent. In the long run, though, I do believe that self-driving cars will help
more than harm. I believe this to be true about Conti's robotics theory as well. I think that
human-robot collaboration may displace jobs, but in return we will be able to create
anything we can imagine.
Thread 2: Response IDEAAwards and Cradle-to-Cradle Video
NOTE: Use the first three part of the SEE-IT method of critical thinking (State,
Elaborate, Exemplify) to address the following questions:
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 IDEA gold award that defies the Cradle-to-Cradle concept is the Rolls-10 11
Royce. The whole point of Cradle-to-Cradle was to create while keeping in mind the
dismantling of the product later. Cradle-to-Cradle embraces diversity and seeks to use
materials in a way that they can be reused technically or naturally. The Rolls-Royce is
clearly not made to be reused and the material that it is made of could not be "borrowed".
One IDEA gold award-winning product that embraces Cradle-to-Cradle is the
HUBB lifetime oil filter. This filter not only conserves the use of oil in vehicles, but also
helps reduce the carbon it emits. While this may be closer to "less bad" not "100% good",
Tesla. "Tesla Tesla driver dies in first fatal crash while using autopilot9
mode." The Guardian, www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/30/
tesla-autopilot-death-self-driving-car-elon-musk. Accessed 3 May 2017.
"IDEA Gallery." IDEA, 2016, www.idsa.org/awards/idea/  10
gallery?
combine=&field_idea_category_tid=All&field_year_value=2016&field_idea_awa  
rd_level_value=40. Accessed 3 May 2017.
Introduction to Cradle to Cradle. Produced by C2C World. Youtube,  11
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMsF1P-_vWc. Accessed 3 May 2017.

this product has been built to be efficient and environmentally-friendly. It is made to last
a long time and to be able to be reused and that is why I think it embraces Cradle-to-
Cradle.
 
 
Thread 1: Response to All Module 4 Materials
Your readings and viewings this week present different ways of thinking about
architecture. Mies Van der Rohe describes architecture as “The will of the epoch
translated into space.” Andrew Ballantyne describes architecture as the background
for life. Jeanne Gang describes it as the act of building relationships. All agree that
architecture can change based on context and culture. Choose two works of
architecture from any of your materials this week—one with sensibilities about the
past and one with sensibilities about the present and/or future. How do each of these
buildings either reflect or challenge their cultural contexts? (Use the SEE-IT method
to respond to this question.)
There are many iconic buildings of the past that can exemplify certain architecture
movements. An example of a building that truly exemplifies architecture of the past
would be The Wainwright Building by Louis Sullivan. This was the first building to12
really embrace steel frame architecture. Sullivan even went as far as to emphasize it with
the verticality of the facade. This was truly a building of its time also because of the
invention of the elevator in 1853, that allowed buildings to rise higher than they ever did
before. This building reflects its cultural context because the Industrial Revolution gave
way to new ideas and new means of production. The Wainwright was unashamed to be
something new and innovative and modern during its time.
There are also buildings today that reflect a new age of technology. For example,
the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles by Frank Gehry. This postmodern building
was constructed using the help of digital software that enabled more detailed sketching
and designing. This building also exemplifies our era of architecture because we have
moved past white box modern architecture into a new period in which symbolism and
honesty of form are combined.
10 Buildings that Changed America. Performance by PBS, 2017. PBS, www.pbs.org/12
program/ten-that-changed-america/10-buildings-changed-america/. Accessed 3
May 2017.

Thread 2: 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.)
Andrew Zumthor and Peter Ballantyne had many ideas that were similar and many13 14
that were very different. One similar idea that they share is that the way humans interact
with a building or structure defines it. One difference of opinion that they share is that
Ballantyne thinks that you should not separate aesthetic from purpose or form, but
Zumthor mentions that a building is essentially two parts, functional and artistic. He
suggests that he plans a building first to be functional, and then adds artistic qualities
later. Both Zumthor and Ballantyne emphasize the importance of architecture in regard to
people's memories. They differ in their focus on architect's' relationship with the
structures they build. Ballantyne focuses on how "ethos" can affect how a building is
made, whereas Zumthor gives guidelines for creating a well-designed structure.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Zumthor, Peter. "Thinking Architecture." Thinking Architecture, PDF ed.13
 14
Ballantyne, Andrew. "Architecture, Life, and Habit." The Journal of Aesthetics  
and Art Criticism, digital ed., pp. 44-49.

Thread 1: 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?
I grew up in Amherst near Windermere Elementary School. Later, when I was in
High School, we moved to Snyder close to Amherst High School. I grew up mostly in
Amherst and my sister, who is eight years younger than me, grew up mostly Snyder. The
planning of these towns affected both of our experiences as kids. For example, I was not
allowed to go on bike rides by myself until I was almost in middle school and my sister
has been riding her bike alone in our neighborhood since she was six. The reason for this
was that our old neighborhood was close to South Campus and the subway that goes
downtown and my Mom wasn't always comfortable with me going to far away from
home alone. As a result, I was closest friends with the people who lived directly on my
street or who went to Windermere with me. My sister, though, has made friends all
around our neighborhood and I ended up making friends with people who went to
Amherst High School. That is one example of how planning affected my life in Amherst.

Thread 2: 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?
One strategy that Emily Talen might employ when tackling the problems that15
destroyed Pruitt Igoe would be to not let the complex be isolated from the rest of the city.
She emphasizes the importance of diversity within cities and how planning can facilitate
it by keeping people connected to one another. She would want Pruitt Igoe to be a place
of both "social diversity" and "functional diversity" (243). This could be accomplished by
integrating public resources like parks into the Pruitt Igoe plan. Street and bike paths
should run through it to hopefully establish a healthy neighborhood around it.
A strategy that Kent Larson would use would be his plan for personalized
housing. This would help provide housing for everyone's specific needs. There would be
a quiz or survey of some kind that would enable us to determine each person's needs or
preferences for their space. Then, using movable walls and furniture, it could be made for
them. I believe this would help in the Pruitt Igoe complex to accommodate larger families
with a lot of children who would otherwise need a larger apartment or house. If the whole
"Brilliant Designs to fit more people in every city." TED, June 2012,15
www.ted.com/talks/
kent_larson_brilliant_designs_to_fit_more_people_in_every_city?nolanguage=en
%23t-
367652. Accessed 3 May 2017.

mission of Pruitt Igoe is to provide affordable, clean living to these people, it should be
able to help everyone.
Pruitt Igoe ultimately failed because it was not maintained. The city funded its
construction, but did not allot any money for trash disposal or repair costs. There was
even that story of the boys who helped pull people out of the elevator when it was stuck
because it broke so many times! They really set themselves up for failure when they put
these costs on the people who lived there. I think that if St. Louis couldn't handle the
maintenance costs of the whole complex, they should have started with a smaller project.
By making Pruitt Igoe such a massive, isolated lot, it increased segregation in the city,
and ultimately led to the failure of the project.
Thread 1: 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?
Buffalo, New York was the first city to have a system of connected parks and
parkways. After designing Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted designed this park
system to connect people to the city in a way that no one had ever done before. During
this time period, Buffalo was on the rise economically and there was great progress being
made in the design of this city. Part of the reason that Olmsted said Buffalo was the "best
planned city" was that the idea of integrated parks within the city was a radical and new
concept. I believe that, now, Buffalo is starting to seriously reconsider its planning and
has the potential to be the best planned city again. I think there were some mistakes that
were made, specifically when Buffalo started to plan more for cars than for pedestrians,
but now with the Greenway plan and the Green Code, I believe that Buffalo can be the
best planned city once again.

Thread 2: Response to Walter Hood's Work
Identify something that should be memorialized either on UB's campus or in your
hometown. Imagine that you are the person who will oversee this project, and that
you are using Walter Hood's 'triad of investigations' as your approach to the
project. What would your landscape intervention commemorate/memorialize? How
will you use Hood's 'triad of investigations' to design a new landscape intervention?
What do you imagine that the design will be? (Either written or visual descriptions
are acceptable).
I would memorialize the architect that designed the Hotel Lafayette in16
Downtown Buffalo. Not many people know that it was designed by Louise Blanchard
Bathune, who was the first known American female professional architect. I believe this
is important to memorialize because it was specifically inspiring to me as a woman being
educated in urban planning and I believe more people could benefit from knowing that
such an important building in Buffalo's history was designed by a woman. My design
would be a plaque in the front lobby of the hotel that everyone could pass by on their way
in that described who she was and her contribution to Buffalo's architecture. The
"everyday mundane" aspect of this memorial would be that it would be seen by anyone
who entered the hotel, and would therefore be viewed many times a day. The
"commemoration" aspect of the memorial would be the importance of representing
women in traditionally male-dominated fields. This memorial would show that because it
is in such a significant location. The "life ways" aspect of the memorial would be that this
could hopefully empower women who are afraid to pursue their interests in male-
dominated occupations.
 
 
 
 
 
"Hotel at the Lafayette." About Us, buffalobrewerydistrict.com/lafayette/about.16
Accessed 3 May 2017.

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.)
This is a graphic that illustrates the discrimination of African Americans even after they
gained the right to vote. In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution was17
made so that African American men could vote. Even
after that, women could not vote until the Nineteenth
Amendment was passed in 1920. There were also many
other barriers that black people faced after this such as
literacy tests and The Grandfather Clause, which stated
that if your Grandfather couldn’t vote, neither could
you. This cartoon shows this and, in addition, insults
African Americans by suggesting that they’re too dumb
and illiterate to even know it’s happening to them. If I
was a black person looking at this cartoon, I would be
discouraged that, no matter whatever Amendment
technically states that I can vote, my voice will still
never be heard. My interpretation may be different
from a black person’s because I have not faced any
"Challenges to the 15th Amendment: The Literacy Test." Equal Protection Under17
the Law, equalprotection.weebly.com/political-cartoons2.html. Accessed 3
May 2017.

difficulty registering to vote, nor do I have anyone in my family that has. Since these
polling tests were deemed unconstitutional, there have still been many battles that people
have faced in regard to voting to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to vote.
There are still governors today that are deliberately trying to prevent minorities and
people with low-incomes to vote. I think that discrimination can come in many different
forms and it is important to focus eliminating it in all areas of society.
 
Thread 2: Response to Charles Davis and equityXdesign's Work
Critique either the MLK Memorial or the National Museum of African American
History and Culture using equityXdesign’s core beliefs and/or design principles.
(Use the beliefs or principles that are most relevant to your critique rather than all
of them.) (NOTE: Limit your response to less than 250 words.)
There are several of EquityXDesign's core beliefs and design principles that18
were present in the MLK Memorial. One example of this is Belief #1, which is "Learning
to See: Historical Context Matters" the memorial not only included a statue of King, but
also many quotes from his inspirational speeches, and originally, was going to include
mentions of other leaders that made an impact on the civil rights movement. This
monument also reflects "Design Principle Four: Make the Invisible Visible" specifically
in the facial expression of Martin Luther King's statue. The decision to have a peaceful
expression on his face sends the message that peaceful protest is the answer and strategy
must be used in opposition to oppression. This relates to "Design Principle Five: Speak to
the Future". The elimination of the other civil rights leaders makes the memorial seem
more final, that is that it suggests the fight for civil rights may be over, which it definitely
is not. On the other hand, the statue makes a statement about how to face future trials
with King's peaceful expression.
 
"Racism and inequity are products of design. They can be redesigned."18
equityxdesign. equityxdesign, medium.com/@multiplyequity/
racism-and-inequity-are-products-of-design-they-can-be-redesigned-12188363cc6a.
Accessed 15 Nov. 2016.

Thread 1: Response to "Landscape Stories" Chapter
This is a two-part question. Please post your own response by Friday, March 31at
10:00 am, and respond to at least two other students’ responses by Sunday, April 2
at 10:00 pm.
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 interpets
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.)
My family doesn't take out ethnicity as a very important aspect of our lives or our
identity. We have almost zero pride in our heritage, short of being able to say we're Irish
on Saint Patrick's Day. My dad's side of the family actually doesn't really know what
ethnicity we are except we know we're part German. One thing I'd say that we do have in
our home that reflects our ethnicity would be our statue of the Virgin Mary. I grew up in a
very religious household mainly, I think, because my parents were both converts to
Catholicism. Growing up, we took care to make every holiday and pray a family rosary at
least once a week. We have a lot of religious decorations in our house, but I believe that
our statue of Mary has been the most significant to our family.
As far as our community, I can't think of any underrepresented groups that have influence
in my neighborhood other than ethnic restaurants near me.

Thread 2: Response to Article on Sports Branding
This thread will focus on the ethnic characteristics of sports branding. Please post
your own response by Friday, March 31at 10:00 am, and respond to at least two
other students’ responses by Sunday, April 2 at 10:00 pm.
Recent controversies about sports branding focus on ethnicity. The Washington
Redskins team is just one example of the larger controversy, but it receives the most
public attention due to the name itself being defined as derogatory or insulting in
modern dictionaries, and the prominence of the team representing the nation’s
capital. Should sports team branding designers use ethnic references (Fighting Irish,
Boston Celtics, Atlanta Braves, etc.)? Why? Why not? What are some of the
complexities of this issue? (Limit your response to 150 words.)
I believe that Sports teams should not use ethnic references as their branding
because it is inherently based on stereotypes. Teams like the Redskins have faced19
controversy because the team name and mascot threats their heritage with no respect, as a
name and a mascot. I, personally, can't relate to being offended by a sports team name
because I do not take pride in my own ethnicity and I do not value it personally. I feel as
if there are other people out there who see their heritage as so important to them that they
take serious offense to it being used for sports teams and I think they should be respected.
I think there is complexity in this issue because everyone sees their heritage as a slightly
different importance to their identity and to make generalizations about how everyone
views their heritage is nearly impossible.
Brady, Erik. "The Real History of Native American Team Names." USA Today,19
24
Aug. 2016. USA Today, www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2016/08/24/
real-history-native-american-team-names/89259596/. Accessed 3 May 2017.

Thread 1: Response to "Visualizing Gender" Chapter
Please post your own response by Friday, April 7 at 10:00 am, and respond to at
least one other student’s response by Sunday, April 9 at 10:00 pm.
In their chapter “Communicating Gender,” Maya Ganesh and Gabi Sobliye discuss
two primary visual advocacy approaches: 1) get the idea, and 2) stories in data. Find
a new example of either of the two visual advocacy approaches to gender issues, and
post it in this thread. Cite the source.
First, identify the approach. Then explain how the designer uses the approach to
communicate a gender issue. Is the approach effective in this example? Why or why
not? How could this graphic be improved? (Limit your response to 200 words.)
This statistical visualization of women20
and men's comparison in the labor force,
secondary education, government
positions, and income levels uses the
stories in data approach. This graphic
allows the viewer to change the kind of
"gap" they want to view and also change
how the multiple countries on the list are
sorted. This improves the graphic because
it involved the viewer and appeals to their
own specific interest. It also have a very
clear message to "close the gap" and shows countries that have little or no gap at all. This
graphic could be improved by adding more categories within the labor force section like
women involved in STEM majors. I think this would be a good improvement because it
is something I am interested in and I'm sure others would be interested in too.
Yau, Nathan. "Gender gaps around the world." Statistical Visualization,20
flowingdata.com/2015/03/25/gender-gaps-around-the-world/. Accessed 3 May
2017.

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.)
I believe that people should not be forced to use the bathroom that corresponds to their
gender assigned at birth. I have a few transgender friends that have told me how
emotionally damaging is can be and the safety issues they are concerned with as well.
That being said, there is an argument for the other side that would be that, theoretically,
someone could pretend to be transgender and use that to go in a different bathroom to
harm people. I believe this logic is flawed, though, because I don't think someone like
that would wait for a bill to be overturned to do that. I think on both sides, this is an issue
of safety for transgender people and for the general population.
As a designer, the answer lies in creating a gender neutral bathroom. This was, not
everyone is forced to use this bathroom, but anyone who doesn't want to use the
bathroom of the gender they were assigned at birth, they could use this instead. By
making this an option, both sides will be happy to use whatever bathroom they choose. I
also believe that this issue is more than just "etiquette" for both sides because this issue
has to do with people's identity and safety.

Thread 1: Response to Hidden Ways
Author Steven Flusty categorized five types of disciplinary architecture that
perpetuate what he calls urban spatial injustice: 1) stealthy, 2) slippery, 3) crusty, 4)
prickly, and 5) jittery. Go out into the city of Buffalo, and find/photograph two
examples from the list of five. Identify what type of space you've photographed and
why it might discriminate against a specific population. List the location of where
you took the photograph, and make certain that you are in at least one of the two
pictures.
(Ausra Mussett)
The grain elevators downtown are an example of a "stealthy" space. It can be seen
clearly, but it is not clear what the buildings are to most people who view them or pass
them by. There is no clear signage for the grain elevators from the perspective here, from
Peg's Park, or from the boardwalk at Canalside. This picture was taken from Riverside
Park and, from here, it is not clear what these buildings are. In fact, for a while, I didn't
know what the structures were until I took a tour of Silo City a few years back.

(Ausra Mussett)
The observation deck at City Hall is a "slippery" space. I came across it after several tries
of going up the wrong elevators and looking for stairs. I looked up "how to get to the
observation deck city hall buffalo" and, finally, got some help from someone who worked
at City Hall who directed me to the right elevator. It gives a wonderful view of the city
and should be more accessible to anyone checking out downtown or city hall for the first
time. Clear and direct signs in front of city hall and inside to show how to get to the deck
would be ideal in this location.

Thread 2: 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?
The main obstacle I believe Tammy and individuals like her face would be
transportation. I think that that, at iPD, this should be the priority service provided. When
people have motivation to change their lives, they will go to many lengths to achieve
their goals. For instance, Tammy walked ten and a half miles to go to her job every day.
To provide buses or carpooling to get to their jobs would be extremely important.
Secondly, I believe that quick and accessible training for specific jobs should be
available. This would be easiest for trade jobs such as hairdressing, plumbing, or learning
technological skills. These variables combined should help people get on their feet and
move them out of a minimum-wage job.

Thread 1: 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?
Regent Park's separation of people by class has had benefits as well as challenges. For
example, in areas of concentrated poverty there's a mutual understanding based on
poverty as well as a political force strengthened by shared struggles. There are down
sides to this, though, in the lack of role models in the community, similar patterns of
behavior, and a lack of social capital in regard to jobs. There is also a problem fitting in
the older population in Regent Park in with the rest of the community. I think that
common places in the form of recreation centers or lounges that could be used by anyone
would be beneficial. This would bring people together in a relaxed setting and promote
friendship and bonding between everyone at Regent Park. These places would need to be
accessible to everyone, so maybe it could be a lounge in every building or a cafe of some
sort where people could meet and socialize. This would be easy for elderly people to get
to and also fun for anyone else who would want a place to meet people!
Source:
"Sign In: Registered Users." Challenging the Rhetoric of Stigmatization: The Benefits of
Concentrated Poverty in Toronto's Regent Park - Jan 01, 2014. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr.
2017.

Thread 2: 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?
A major problem that designers already face is overpopulation. This would affect the
supply of resources and the design of cities. If people started living to 120 or more then I
believe that cities would definitely become more crowded. This becomes a challenge for
architects to make residential spaces that are more condensed and mixed-use so as to take
up less space. Other things that will change in our society to adapt to this life extension
would be the economy. It is widely believed that the extension of our lives to live to over
100 would leave us frail and weak, but because of the other biomedical and prosthetic
advancements, this may not be the case. The manipulation of the human genome may be
able to keep our bodies active, even in old age. This could allow for less time spent in
retirement or on Social Security. There is also speculation that , because humans will be
living longer, they may put off live-altering events, such as marriage, to later on in life.
Overall, the design of the future will have to solve problems with overcrowding and there
will be a shift in the economy.
Sources:
http://www.nextavenue.org/why-we-should-look-forward-living-120-and-beyond/

Thread 1: Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
The two most frequently mentioned models of disability are the ‘social’ and the ‘medical’
models. The medical model of disability views disability as a medical ‘problem’ that
belongs to the disabled individual. The social model of disability, in contrast, draws on
the idea that it is society that disables people, through designing everything to meet the
needs of the majority of people who are not disabled. There is a recognition within the
social model that there is a great deal that society can do to reduce, and ultimately
remove, some of these disabling barriers, and that this task is the responsibility of society,
rather than the disabled person.
In the Smithsonian online exhibition, the story about the superhero hand, and Elise Roy’s
TED Talk, you saw examples of ways to engage disability that use the social model rather
than the medical model. In the Disability and Design PowerPoint, you were introduced
to the concept of Universal Design (UD) (sometimes called inclusive design, design-for-
all, or human-centered design). Certainly, UD embraces the social model of disability. In
this same PowerPoint, you saw positive and negative examples of each of the seven
principles of universal design.
For the Module 12 Thread 1, please select one of the seven universal design
principles, and post photographs that show both a positive and a negative example
of the principle. Then address the following question: How do your examples
empower or disempower various people? Describe the specific features of the
positive example and the specific features of the negative example. Discuss ways that
the positive example could be even further improved.
The design principle that I chose for this Module is flexibility in use. There is a
movement in Pennsylvania to make more wheelchair-accessible playgrounds. I found
that, on their website, the "Let Kids Play" site also had a directory of accessible
playgrounds that would be a great resource for the parents of disabled children. I think
these parks are designed extremely well because they can still; be used by anyone, but do
not exclude kids in wheelchairs by adding wide ramps, and specialized swings and even
handle bars! The regular handle bars, swings, and slides of the regular playground
exclude kids who want to play in the park just like everyone else.
Here's a picture of a regular park near South Campus

Here's a picture of one of the specialized playgrounds in Pittsburgh
Source: http://www.accessibleplayground.net/about-2/

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.
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?
I believe that using the technology mentioned in all of these past videos can be
used to eradicate disability as we know it today. This is a groundbreaking ideal that we
should be reaching toward, but human enhancement beyond eliminating disability should
not be a priority. There was a great point made in the FIXED video, that we do not even
have global healthcare currently and enhancement should not be seen as more important
as taking care of people's basic healthcare needs. As far as our "baby survey" and idea
that maybe we could someday choose what our baby looks like, I believe that this lends
its way to prejudice. For example, choices like what sex of what race your baby is, can
lead to choice based on preference not on the child's actual well-being. There is not
currently technology that could allow this, but I think that it is an ethical concern that
may have to be considered in the future.
Source: "The Science/Fiction Of Human Enhancement." FIXED. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr.
2017.

Thread 1: 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?
I do not believe that Wiseman should have been allowed to film the residents of
Bridgewater Massachusetts. I believe that this was a violation of their rights and was21
only overlooked because of their condition. To say that the institution is "their legal
guardian" is something that seems, quite frankly, ridiculous to me. I think that just
because they were placed in this institution, doesn't mean that they aren't just as human as
everyone else and they should be treated as such. This documentary also shows the
impact that designers can have on people, specifically in institutions such as these. For
example, throughout the film, the design of the building is shown as solid and concrete
and dark. The likeness to a prison that this building possessed must've had a
psychological impact on all the people living there. Simple changes like adding more
windows or adding more community spaces could've made this place a much nicer space
to live in.
"Titicut Follies." UBLearns, uploaded by Beth Tauke, www.poetv.com/21
video.php?vid=75226.

Thread 2: 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. 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”?
I think that, at first, I would be open to the proposal for the group home being built by my
house. I do believe that they should have the same rights as everyone else and a 10-acre
plot of woods would be perfect for the group home. Once I learned about their past, I
would probably oppose the idea just because of my children even though the incidents
have not occurred since 2013. I think some solutions to this problem would be to move
the home closer to the city. It is clear that where the house is would be suburban, since it
would be in Amherst, and moving it downtown would make it less likely to be close to
families. I know that this plan is flawed, but I think that it would be better than putting
the home in a suburban area with a lot of families.

Thread 1: 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?
For this assignment, I chose to talk about Saint Joseph's University Parish. This has the22
church that I regularly attend since I started College here at UB. This structure has been
affected by its surroundings because it caters specifically to college students. They host
many events including weekly dinners and retreat trips. Also, during midterms and finals
week, the church comes together to make "care packages" for students which include
snacks and a tiny prayer shawl. The affect of this church on my life would probably be
that it's made it easier to find young Catholics that go to my school and has created a
community for Catholic students specifically. As far as development around the Church,
there has been a recent redevelopment in that neighborhood (Main Street by South
Campus), that includes new coffee shops and stores, as well as a plan to renovate
Parkside Candies.
McKeon, Daniel. "Take me to church: Campus Ministries Association at UB brings22
together groups of many faiths." Spectrum [Buffalo], 13 Oct. 2015.
Google, www.ubspectrum.com/article/2015/10/
take-me-to-church-campus-ministries-association-at-ub-brings-together-groups-of-m
any-faiths. Accessed 17 May 2017.

Thread 2: 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?
For my future profession in Urban Planning, I believe one of the biggest problems we
face, as designers, is how to balance development with historic preservation. It is the
never-ending battle between what to preserve and what to make new again. In the past,
urban renewal has ruined some of Buffalo's greatest architectural monuments,
specifically in regard to Olmsted's Park System and the modern highways that cut
through Delaware Park and ruined numerous parkways. Buffalo is currently going
through a Renaissance of its own and there are many movements that are finally gaining
traction, such as the extension of the subway and the train station location. I plan to deal
with these problems hopefully by getting feedback from residents from the
neighborhoods that will be affected and by gaining insight from organizations such as the
Historic Preservation Society. I'm sure I'll learn more about how to address future issues
regarding this problem but, for now, that is how I plan on addressing this problem.

Arc 211: american diversity and design: ausra mussett

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