Arc 211：american diversity and design：zijing ye

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University at Buffalo – State University of New York
ARC 211- American Diversity and Design
Spring 2017
Online Discussion Questions
Zijing Ye

Hello everyone! My name is Zijing Ye. I am from China. I am a
sophomore students studying in accounting major. I chose this
class to complete my diversity general education because I have
interest in architecture and want to know more about it. In this
class, I have practiced my critical thinking and improved the
ability to illustrate my opinion. Taking this class has changed the
way that I see the world around me. Now, I realize that design is
one of most important things in the world. One thing that I found
particularly compelling is that I needed to give solutions to the
problem we discussed in class, which I had never thought before.
This challenged me and made me think more. My viewpoints
about design now is different from those before taking the course.
I thought that design is just new invention before. Now, I realize
that design could be anything that provides benefits to people,
such as a building, an alarm clock and even a small scissor.
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.

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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.
An important innovation that gives advantage to us is Uber.
Uber is a ridesharing app, which can provide passengers fast and
reliable rides in minutes. First, people do not need to wait half an
hour for a taxi or chase down a taxi on a street anymore because
of the existence of Uber. If you want a taxi, you can find one on
Uber App easily because Uber can search the closest driver for
you, have a car ready within minutes, and calculate the fare
automatically. Second, Uber is usually much cheaper than taxi
and the transaction is cash-less. A taxi costs me $85 from airport
to my home, while an Uber costs me only $70 including all the
tolls. In addition, I do not need to worry about if I have enough
cash. Third, Uber is in a good management system. While
passengers can rate drivers, drivers can also rate passengers at the
same time. This rating system can avoid unsafe behaviors and
keep everybody fine. What’s more, most of Uber cars are clean
and well maintained according to my own experience. As more
and more people choose to use Uber, Uber supplies many people
in America with jobs because of the increasing demand, however,
it put some taxi companies at a disadvantage at the same time.

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Response to Media/Society Chapter and TED Talk on
Photographs
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?
A photograph taken in my own lifetime that has served as an icon
of an event is the one of Sichuan earthquake in 2008. I grew up in
Chengdu, which is the capital of Sichuan and it is very close to
the epicenter. That was my and many Chinese's first time
experiencing an earthquake. I still could recall the fear I felt when
it was happening. Every medium was posting news about the
earthquake during that time. I saw one impressive photo, which

showed a large number of people from different regions in China
were donating and sending as the most relief goods as they could
to Sichuan. This made people who had suffered in this earthquake
feel warmth, get power and know that everyone was trying his or
her best to help them recover and stand up again. I did not find the
picture that I saw at that time. However, this picture has the same
meaning and impression. Elders were donating money, goods and
materials. They might do not have much money but they were
willing and trying their best to help people in distress.

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Response to Articles on Hats as Communication Design
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?
The two hats mentioned in the articles are vehicles of
communication design because both of them are sending some
messages and information to the public and also they help people
communicate with each other. The red one carries the slogan
Donald Trump used in his campaign to motivate in voting for him.
Also the red color is the representation of Republican party and
one of the most attractive colors to gain voters' attention. People
can understand the opinion and standpoint of Trump and his
supporters wearing this hat easily. The pink hat is for protesters of
Trump's statements about female. It carries the opposite meaning
of what the red hat has but in the same way. In terms of
communication design, both of them help people share their
opinions and ideas to others. The difference between them is the
different and opposite messages they carry.

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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 of the social consequences of Ford's production line is
providing more jobs to people. Because work could be completed
by relatively unskilled workers with Ford's production line, more
people who could not get a job before because of little skills can
be employed now. In addition, Ford's method makes production
more efficient, more quickly, so more products could be
completed than before, which decreases price for the public. More
and more people would be able to buy a car and then the industry
gains more money to improve their production lines and invent
new commodities. This process benefits all the society and boosts
economy at the same time. In my opinion, those changed remain
with us today; for example, individual workers produce hand-
made merchandise one by one previously, however now those
could be made with production line. Workers do not need to know
how to make a product exactly, but they only need to know how
to use and control the machines. I think the manufacturing
processes will become much more intelligent in the next twenty
years. The production process will be improved more quickly and
efficiently with the help of science and technology, like computers
and intelligent robots. On the one hand, more merchandises are
affordable to the public than previously possible. On the other
hand, some employees might lose their job because of the use of
computers and robots. What’s more, it could bring psychological
effect to people working in a production line. Because production
line completes the most work, people do not need to have too
many skills and they might not pay attention to the work
sometimes. When people are not required to contributing 100% to
the work, maybe people would think that they are not that
important to the work, company, and society. Thoughts like this
could bring negative impacts to people.

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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? Do you know of
any products that embrace Cradle-to-Cradle design? If so,
please describe.
Although many 2016 IDEA Gold Award products seems to adapt
the Cradle-to-Cradle concept, I think Rolls-Royce Dawn does not
follow this concept. Because Rolls-Royce Dawn is one of the
most high-value luxury cars in the world, its goal is to be beautiful
and attractive to its consumers instead of to use fewer materials
and less energy. Waste is not a big deal for this product. Also using

a car like this, the owner always needs to buy more gasoline,
which is neither cheap nor eco-friendly. The one I think embraces
Cradle-to Cradle design is the HUBB Lifetime Oil filter. Its design
increases fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Although
it might not use the least material or energy, it could be used for
more than 50 years which means people don't need something else
to replace it then save money and resources. It embraces Cradle-
to Cradle concept with high efficiency, long-term use and eco-
friendly design.

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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.)
The one with sensibilities about the past is the Virginia State
Capitol Building designed by Thoma Jefferson. This building
was sort of like Jefferson's declaration of architectural

independence, as he tried to create a new face of Virginia. He
borrowed ideas such as pure geometry form the ancient which
makes the state capitol a copy of an actual roman temple in
France. But he also made some practical changes, for example,
he placed a statue of America's first president in his state capitol
instead of a statue of a god in a roman temple. He started the
tradition using classical temple form as official government
buildings. As we all know, Roman was one of the most powerful
empire in the world. Maybe the reason why Jefferson chose
Roman temples as the basis of state capitol is his hope that
America, the new nation, could grow as strong as Roman Empire
one day.
The one with sensibilities about the present and future is Frank
Gehry's game-changing Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. At
that time, most of people preferred a conservative building for
the concert hall. But Gehry was confident and courageous to use
materials that many architects had not even used. He also used
computer technology like software to help create the design. The
success of Disney Concert Hall is from Gehry's pioneering
technology and daring spirit, and it provides other architects an
impressive model.

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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 Ballantyne and Peter Zumthor present similar and
different ideas about architecture in different ways. Both
Ballantyne and Zumthor believe that specific architecture is
designed for specific person, specific purpose and specific use.
And also they think aesthetics is one of the most important factor
of architecture. However, they also have some different
opinions. Ballantyne states that the building is not the artwork, but
the tool. He is interested in and focused more on the structure and
functions of a building. He believes that a great building should

be functional, useful and comfortable for its user, which makes
them inhabit it. How people inhibit inside is much more important
than outside, because people will always pay less and less
attention to the outside of the building over time. As for Zumthor,
he focused more on how a building impact the 5 senses of people's
body. I think it may be because of the first time how he perceived
architecture during his childhood. For example, he uses moods,
smells, sound, voice to describe the house. He think how people
experience the space is more important.

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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?
Like what John Levy's said in his article, planning can define the
character of one place. I grew up in a city called Chengdu in China,
which is famous for hot pots and pandas. There are more than
1.3 billion people in China now and also more and more people
are going to Chengdu for traveling or jobs as time goes by. So the
government must have a good plan to provide everyone a place to

live. In Chengdu, houses are build far away from the center of city,
and they are very expensive because of the large population. As
houses can only accommodate a family, most of apartments have
more than 10 storeys to accommodate more people. People
usually live in apartments with underground parking lots to save
space. Also there are new designs of apartments to save more
space, such as the apartment for the single.

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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?
To rebuild Pruitt Igoe in St. Louis, many changes have to be made
to achieve this goal. If Emily Talen was tasked with developing a
plan to rebuild Pruitt Igoe, she would make changes to the
surrounding environment. Because she believed that the nature is
coexisting, which means plants, animals and humans can live
together to form diversity, she would not separate people into
different specific groups. She would be willing to see that
different kinds of people can stay together, work together and live
together to achieve diversity. Her opinion is different from Pruitt
Igoe, because Pruitt Igoe is designed for only a specific group of
people. As for Kent Larsen, he would ask owner to design their
own homes because he knew that different people had different
needs and wants. This differs from Pruitt Igoe too, because in
Pruitt Igoe all the rooms are the same instead of suitable of
everybody. If I was asked to develop a strategy to rebuild it, I
would build some convenience stores, supermarkets, malls,
public transportation facilities like bus stop around it. This could
allow people living here to purchase goods more easily and have
more job opportunities. Also, I would welcome all the groups of
people to this community instead of a specific one. Because my
strategy could benefit people's daily life and give equal
opportunity and access to everybody, I think my plan would be
more effective.

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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?
Frederick Law Olmsted stated a claim that "Buffalo is the best
planned city" because Buffalo was a good location with famous
Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls had a great impression on him
because of his visit during his childhood before industrialization
was bringing. Later, Buffalo was a booming city because of the
Erie Canal and the great lakes traffic. So people living here had
money and they wanted to create a city that they could be proud
of. Olmsted was invited to this city and then he created the park
system, which connected parks to each other and enabled people

to move from one park to the other without feeling like you left
one. This is the first park system in America. And his design made
the parks become an integral part of Buffalo. However, I do not
think Olmsted would still make that claim today because many
green places are replaced with road way, as the parks are no longer
an integral part of this city. His idea about "city with in a park" is
not achieved regrettably.

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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).
Something that should be memorialized in my home town is the
statue of Chairman Mao. It was build in front of the Tianfu Square,
which is located in the most flourishing area. Many visitors come
to the square everyday for the statue. There are a lot of people
shopping in the nearby malls, working in the office buildings, and
also parents taking a walk with their children in the evening,

which means the statue and the square are important to people
living here. However they are not wonderful or special enough as
they are like a representation of my city. Only one thing I can
recall about the square is the good design of fountain, even though
I have been there several times. So in my opinion, the square could
be improved by several ways. My landscape intervention would
make the square like a park. First of all, I would keep all the
fountain because of its excellent design, but I also would add some
background musics so that the fountain could work differently
with different melodies. Secondly, I would plant many trees
surrounding the whole square to make it feel far from the noisy
street and city. Thirdly, I would build more lawns to ensure
everyone could have a rest when they are tired, even people can
have a picnic here. I think my design could make the square
better.

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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.)
I interpret this picture as a meaning of this world is held by
different colored people like this earth is held by different colored
hands. In this world, of course there are different races because
people are not standardized in the same way, like the cars are
made the same way in factories. People are born to be unique, and
also born to be equal. People should not treat other people
unequally because of their races because this is how the world is
formed. I found this picture in an official site called Center for the
Healing of Racism, so I think this website wants to ask people to
stop racism. If a black child sees this picture in his or her school,
or on Internet, he might think that there is nothing wrong about
having a different race because the earth is made in this way and
racism should be stopped.

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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.)
I think the MLK Memorial uses belief #2: radical inclusion
according to equityXdesign's core beliefs. This memorial was
built in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. And it is located in
Washington DC, where he gave his famous
speech. The separation of the statue of him and the rock is like
how he broke free from the boundaries of racism
and inequality. This memorial spreads his ideas and attracts
attention from people of all races to come. It is not only designed
for a specific race. Radical Inclusion is identifying barriers that
exclude and eliminating them, which is what Martin Luther King
Jr. did.

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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 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.)
The object in my home that I think of as representative of my
ethnic background is Chinese Kung Fu Tea Set. I usually use it
to drink hot tea when I want to have a relax like a large number
of Chinese do. Tea culture is very important in my ethnic
background. Tea is consumed regularly both on casual and
formal occasions. In traditional Chinese society, members of
younger generation always showed their respect to those of older
generation by offering a cup of tea. Nowadays, when a host
invite his friends to his house, he also choose tea to treat guests.
I will keep tea set when I establish my own home because I like
drinking tea, which is also healthy for my body.
In my community, one of the evidence of cultural influences on
physical environment is tea house built in public parks. You can
see many tea houses when you have a walk in park. Because
many Chinese like to drink tea, they choose tea as their drink
when they have fun in a park. In tradition society, many famous
poets versified in tea houses, when they were discussing literacy
with others. This cultural influence is acknowledged in my
experience for sure, and hopefully preserved for future
generations.

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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 sports team branding designers can use ethnic references
if they are appropriate. For example, Boston Celtics represents
background of the people who predominantly live in the area.
However, sport names like Redskins and Braves are not
appropriate because they are derogatory terms. Both of them their
ethnic groups. Choosing a derogatory term for team name is not
acceptable, but if an ethnic group has a rich significant history in
that teams hometowns, such as Irish in Boston, branding their
team like this is a great way to honor and remember history. In my
opinion, branding sports team based on ethnic references is
acceptable if the purpose is to honor this group.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/10/18/new-ad-campaign-uses-
popular-search-terms-to-show-how-the-world-really-feels-about-
women/
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 discusstwo 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.)
The approach that the designer used to illustrate gender issues is
"get the idea". In this example, UN Women campaign used photos

of women with Google search terms about women to show the
gender issues. These google search terms about women all
emphasizes the inequitable opinions made by the whole society.
Under the google search box, there are several statements about
women, which are empowering to motivate women and others
viewing the photos not to accept these wrong statements. The
photos include women from different ethnic background, and the
search terms state women's role in society and their expected
behaviors. I think the graphic is good enough. Because these
photos are easy to understand and they really make you think
about gender issue when you are viewing. Women should not be
treated unequally. It is important that we break current stereotypes
regarding what women can do and how they should behave.

http://images.dailykos.com/images/242333/story_image/gender-
neutral-restroom-sign.jpg?1461282284
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.)
The discussion about the bathroom issue regarding gender is very
controversial now. On one hand, if people were only allowed to
use the bathroom that corresponds with the biological gender
written on their birth certificate, it would protect others'
privacy who using the bathroom. Because bathing is a very
private place and people want to feel comfortable in where you
can do your business without any fear or embarrassment. It could
scare a female if she watched a man who labeled himself as a
woman walking in the bathroom. And also it could put people in
danger in terms of sexual assault. On the other hand, it is wrong
to assign people a gender. People can choose and change their
gender if they want. Some people don't feel comfortable with their
biological gender and they have rights to change it. I think
designing a neutral gender bathroom would be a good solution to
this issue. This allows people to use this separate bathroom if they
are uncomfortable with the typical women's bathroom or men's
because of gender issue or any other factors.

Photographer: Zijing Ye
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. Identify the location where you took the
photograph, and make certain that you are in at least one of
the two photographs.
This is the shuttle bus stop for off-campus apartments. It is near
the school shuttle bus stop located at NSC. I would consider it as
stealthy because when I first came to school, it was really hard for
me to find the right stop to go back to my apartment. There was
no special sign or any bus schedule posting there. I went to several
school shuttle stops, asked several drivers and spent almost half

an hour looking for the right one. I felt very confused and
perplexed at that time. Also when I told my friends where this stop
was, it was hard for all of them to find it too. So I think it could
discriminate against new students who live in off-campus
apartments.
This one is stairs located at 2091 North, which is an off-campus
apartment. There are 4 storeys in each building, but there are not
anything that can keep snow away from outside in winter. So I
would consider it as prickly. There is no elevator for residents on
2nd, 3rd or 4th floor. It could be hard for them to move heavy stuff
to their apartments and also impossible for people with disability
to live here. I think it could discriminate against all the residents
who have to use elevator.

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20,h_1080/c_fill,w_1920,h_1080/q_80/4011-1/moda-
apartments-exterior.jpg
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?

If I was a designer who works at the well-know firm and tasked
to develop a way for people like Tammy and her family to move
themselves out of poverty, I would construct more buildings near
the major work area and design a new shuttle bus system to help
people living here go to their workplace easily and quickly. First
of all, the buildings would be affordable, so there would be only
necessities in the room, which means if residents want to have
computers or TVs, they have to work hard and try their best to
improve their own life. I think it would be a good way to
encourage them to move themselves out of poverty. Secondly, I
would build an office to help people find jobs and manage their
money. Thirdly, there could also be an office that provides some
basic classes for people to help them get general education and
improve their work skill. I believe my design can help people like
Tammy get a better life.

https://cdn.citylab.com/media/img/citylab/2016/03/142761436
63_8d760d6229_z/lead_large.jpg
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?
First of all, building a efficient transportation system is an
important key to ensure more social integration for the older
people living in the "new and improved" Regent Park. More bus
stations should be placed near the building where older residents
live. And also there should be bus stations near supermarkets,
malls and parks. Therefore, elderly people can go to these places
easily and have more social integration with others. What's more,
more services should be provided in senior buildings. For example,
building a technology room, so older people can use computers,
watch movies, and read recent news. When they are experiencing
these, they can make friends with people who have the same
interests. Also, building a fitness center or swimming pool, which
allows all kinds of people to use, can help elderly residents
interact with other people and create neighborly social bonds
when they can exercise for a healthy body at the same time.

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content/uploads/2014/07/Live-Longer-Live-Well-Logo.jpg
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?
I think the main problem with an extended life span would be
population. On one hand, the ability to live to 120 years old or
older is great and amazing, because it means that you can spend
more time with your family and friends and also you have more
time to do what you want to do. On the other hand, living that long

run into the problem of over population. Now, a lot of areas
around the world are already too crowded to find a space. Building
our environments to accommodate new generations while
maintaining enough space for older people would be a serious
problem to designers. The designers have to come up with some
new ways to fit more people with little space used. Also, if people
can live to 120 years old, many family need to hire nurses to take
care of the elderly people. People also consume more food, water,
resources at the same time because of over population, so the
designers have to provide more nurses, food, water and resources.

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amazon.com/images/I/91fKsm8KcgL._SL1500_.jpg
Response to PPT, Smithsonian, and Roy
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 universal design principle that I chose was principle number
2, flexibility in use. The first picture is a mouse, which is designed
only for right handed people. The second one is a mouse, which
works well for both right handed and left handed
people. Although most of people are right handed, there are also
a lot of people who are left handed. Designers were not
supposed to ignore this specific group, so they designed

ambidextrous mouse. As normal mouse is a negative example,
ambidextrous mouse is a positive example that can be used by all
the people. However, because ambidextrous mouse is designed
for both right handed and left handed people, it is not exactly
perfect and comfortable for both of them. If I was asked to further
improve the mouse, I would separate it into several major modules,
which left and right sides can be interchanged and easily
assembled by users. Right handed people can assemble it in the
right way, while left handed people can assemble it in the left one.

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o/pic/item/38dbb6fd5266d0167391f514922bd40735fa3505.jpg
Response to Survey, FIXED, and Stelarc
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?
All of us know the Darwin's theory of evolution. How people
changed is highly dependent on how the needs of a species change.
People evolve gradually because of survival of the fittest. This is
how we now evolve from our ancestors. As we are emerging
enhancement technologies and reproductive technologies, a big
negative consequence appears. If we reproduce an unknown
disease gene incautiously, this can be a huge disaster for all the
people in the world. Also, as we are developing our technologies
in medical fields, we face a big threat that we have talked about
in the last discussion, over population. When people's lifespans
are extended, new generations are born at the same time. However
resources on the world are limited. Overpopulation leads to a
higher need for resources and then scarcity. So ethical quandaries
are post by advanced technologies. Technologies can help people
live better and longer, but it also brings scarcity problem at the
same time. On one hand, if people were able to design our bodies
and the bodies of our children, the positive thing is that we can
choose a health body and discard all the diseases. On the other
hand, if people had the choice to change their bodies and their
children's bodies, many people would choose the same best
characteristics because they all wanted to become the best.
However, the difference between individuals will disappear
gradually. Identities of each person will be the same. People are
not unique anymore.

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content/uploads/2015/09/TiticutFollies.jpg?fit=1000%2C668
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 think Wiseman should be allowed to film the residents of
Bridgewater Massachusetts Correctional Facility because he was
given permissions from people above him in the institution.
Wiseman's documentary inspires people to make some changes.
This video informs all the people about the environment where
patients live. Also, designers could learn about the people from
this documentary and then redesign to better suit those people
with needs. This film empowers the designers to produce more
efficient, useful and successful designs.

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content/uploads/2013/09/good_neighbor_day_2012.jpeg
Response to PPT, The Architecture of Autism, Public Space
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”?
If I were a resident of the neighborhood, I would support this
proposal. I do not think that it will affect me or my family. I
think maybe it is a good environment for my children because
it can help them to learn about life. Also, it is a good way to
make social interactions with different kinds of people. Even
though I have heard that 3 of the 10 intended residents
exhibited challenging behaviors such as screaming in 2013, I
would still support this proposal because these behaviors have
not occurred since then. They stopped challenging behaviors
because they had been taught that those behaviors were wrong
and should be stopped. They changed after they realized.
Everyone deserves a place to live. If I could, I would try my best
to convince the other neighbors to support this proposal
because there is no need to be worried about challenged people.
The world is not perfect. Moreover, human is not perfect either.
All the people are supposed to have the same basic human
right. To allow the residents of the home to be provided with
the same basic human rights, I think providing a caretaker for
each of them could be a good solution. So other neighbors
could feel comfortable and safe and support this proposal.

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temple-tianjin-china-wikicommons.jpg
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?
This is one of Buddhism temples in my hometown. It is located in
the center of the city. Although many new modern buildings were
built near it in these years, it is still there and protected well.
When you walk in, all you can feel is peace and serenity even
though the environment outside is crowded and noisy. Buddhism
is one of the most important religion in China. It has more than
2,500 years history and plays a significant role in many Chinese's
life. When cultural festivals come, people always go to the
temples to pray for good luck, blessing and protection from
celestials. There are also a lot of poems, fables, literature works
influenced by Buddhism. It is preserved and kept in its original
design even though it might not be very suitable for a modern city,
because it has a significant meaning of culture and religion. It
exists for many years already, and I believe it will still exist in the
future as it brings Buddhism culture to everyone all the time.

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content/uploads/2013/03/bigstock-Word-Cloud-Accounting-
41488318.jpg
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?
My major is accounting. I think the major problem that my
field needs to tackle right now is how to convey financial
information to a variety of users, such as investors and
managers. Although there is already a complete accounting
system, is there any new ways that accountant can use to
process financial information more easily, quickly
and efficiently? This may not be a significant challenge in
accounting field right now, but things will change as time goes
on. As economics and finance grows, accounting also has to
catch up. To address this challenge, I plan to always have a
critical thinking when I am doing my work. I will not only
follow the instructions taught in classes, but also try to think
in a different way to solve the problem.

Arc 211：american diversity and design：zijing ye

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