Charles Osgood and CBS presented a Sunday Morning show on design from Chicago, a city I know quite well and a city whose landmarks I recognize, having visited or driven by. This made for an especially delightful show.
Everything from cities, household appliances, robots, buildings, interiors, origami, Ferraris, airplanes, jet packs, the human face to TOMBSTONES(!) all fell under the design umbrella.
The interesting tidbits:
New Urbanism - The design movement with the goal of designing communities in which the theme is "walk rather than drive".
It is about "giving more people more choices about how and where they want to live, while providing the solutions to global warming, climate change, and peak oil".
Started because the suburban dream was considered as failed because instead of greenery one got a lawn and instead of being able to drive every where, one got traffic, the benefits are supposed to include walkability, connectivity, sustainability and a sense of community. The idea is to get diversity in peoples and income groups living in a community where the schools, stores and housing are all within walking distance... a throwback to how we lived in the past.
It can be viewed as a "traditional" living style or possibly third world even - when you can't afford a car you are most likely going to want your business to be conveniently accessible to your customers and as a customer you are most likely to go to the closest grocery store.
However, communities like Kentlands, MD and Seaside, FL are being called "fake" towns by some, since these towns were built by Design - which begs the question, when does good design and effective planning result in some thing fake? Any design that meets a need and proves is utility is undoubtedly REAL to the person using it.
Oh, and I think we'd all be healthier because we'd be walking and biking more... bike ride, any one?
(See Creating The Perfect Town, Wiki: New Urbanism)
- Tomorrow: Designing Up a Cyclone