Rani Mansuri, Laguna HillsThis picture represents one of the calm and peaceful and green neighborhood in Laguna Hills. This picture, rather than being of a typical busy street in an urban location, is of suburban living, with houses close to each other, neighbors who know each other and people who take evening walks with their mates. This image in a way, illustrates the idea that sidewalks and streets are important in life and how they affect human excitement and interaction. The boy is skateboarding down an empty road that runs right through the center of the block, where everyone can see him and he can see everyone. This also, as far-fetched as it sounds, can coincide with Jacobs' idea that strangers can meet and interact with one another. Jacob's says that she "wants to understand the kinds of activityand relationship that streets and sidewalks support...". If, in this picture, there were no sidewalks, or no street, kids and people wouldn't be able to enjoy the nature surrounding them. It sort of "assimilates children" to public and social life. But in a way, it also contradicts what Jacobs' proposes in that she wants to get kids "off the street" whereas this kid is using the street to meet a friend, or going for a fun ride, or just getting home.
3 comments:
Jane Jacobs states that "There is no point in planning for play on sidewalks unless the sidewalks are used for a wide variety of other purposes and by a wide variety of other people too."
In this photo, the boy is skateboarding on the street instead of the sidewalk. Jane Jacobs would say that this sidewalk is too small for any interaction. But there is still sufficient "good surveillance" for parents. This is a safe sidewalk that flows with the street life. So "even when proper space is lacking, convenience of location and the interest of the streets are both important to children." I feel like this line from Chapter 3 sums up this photo.
The sidewalk is small, but the boy feels safe enough in his neighborhood to skateboard on the street. I think Jane Jacobs might somewhat be disappointed with this neighborhood, because we don't see that much diversity or interaction.
" The city sidewalk by itself is nothing"...
I believe that Jacobs would not have liked this sidewalk either, because it is too narrow. It is just an abstraction. It only borders the buildings next to it.
I feel like the sidewalk isn't catering to this child's safety. He is riding in the streets, where fast vehicles also zoom by.
But your house is cool Rani.
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