The Costs and Benefits of Sprawl

In regards to Gordon, P., & Richardson, H. W.’s (Fall 1998) Prove It: The Costs and Benefits of Sprawl there is a big difference between suburbia and the city. Even though there are many concepts between the two are similar, there are many parts that are extremely different and benefit in certain areas. When dealing with this class we realize that a true public space becomes unique to the location that it is in. When it comes to a city or suburbia, the city has the upper hand. The pubic space is a lot more noticeable in a city environment rather than a suburbia environment. In the city the green grass of a park or the openness of a public space contrasts from the multiple skyscrapers scattered around the city. Where as when you try and view a park in suburbia environment is a lot harder to notice as well as used. In these locations the public spaces don’t needed to be used as much because of the yards and private spaces that people are able to have in a suburbia lifestyle. When dealing with the style of living both environments have there own way that works well. Both of them are completely different, but a city is able to control living by apartment style, though housing individual families is also a successful way in the suburbia environment. With the understanding that both environments are needed for each other. The city needs suburbia in order to survive and visa versa. 

What Was Forgotten

To me alleyways always seemed like an interesting and unique part of the city. People avoid them left and right always hearing the stories about the long, dark sketchy alleyways, where something happened to someone. The stories in my opinion are endless. When people found out I was moving to Boston from back home they truly didn’t mind the fact the my school was only two blocks away from Roxbury, or the T stop that I get off of was that. Though that every single alleyway throughout Boston was much different than the next. I wanted to go throughout Boston and prove that many alleyways where clean not trashy and dark and try to get a positive name going for the alleyways themselves. I traveled through different parts of the Great Boston area such as, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, The North End, Fenway and Symphony area. The majority of the time the back roads or alleyways were deserted though they were clean and light, not dark and sketchy that we always think about. There was the occasional car that would be going through the alleyway it the width could see as well as some parking behind retail shops over by Newbury Street. There was no contract with anyone on foot through these locations that I documented besides me. With looking at completely different sites throughout the Boston area, I noticed that each alleyway was completely different from the next. The context was extremely unique to go along with the barrow that the alley is located in. In Back Bay alleyways even had the historical bay windows on either side of the building as well as in Beacon Hill many of the alleyways were hilly. When you think of Back Bay you’re truly don’t think of Public Alley 401, instead you think of Newbery Street, or Commonwealth Avenue. These Public Alleyways are as important to the part of Boston that they are in, though many people don’t want to take these urban phenomenons into account.

Interviewing the Petition

Question that were asked:

1.     Why is a real “in the streets” protest necessary when the internet provides an alternative public forum?

2.     How does Dewey Square facilitate or hinder the needs of such a protest/ occupation?

3.     How have you coped with living in public?

4.     Is everyone that is at Dewey Square here protesting here for the same reason?

5.     Are you at all worried about the police at all?

Interview 1:

            1: When you are in the street it is more personal, where as on the internet there is no way the people you are trying to talk to can take notice if your not in there face.

            2: To me Dewey is too small for our scale. It hurts us we need to grow and move to show our strength in numbers.

            3: Its not that bad, we have formed a strong community.

            4: Reforming Wall Street and removing special interest from government.

            5: No I’m not at all, if I’m getting arrested it is for something that I believe in.

Interview 2:

            1: I want to be able to voice my opening to the world in front of a news camera instead of typing and being protected by a user name on the computer.

            2: I feel as though this location is great publicity, right off from south station, which thousand of people walk by us every day.

            3:  Its not as bad as I thought it was going be, besides the cold nights, we can make hot chocolate if need be.

            4: CEO’s are making way to much money, and they are not helping our downfall in the economy but is saving it for his own willing.

            5: Fuck the police. They are all pigs.

Interview 3:

            1: Its going back to the roots of the 70s dude.

            2: Soon we will be over the whole country; this location is a great base for our future.

            3: We have a lot of people here for the same reason which makes this place have great atmosphere but I when I get some Lysol I smell nice for the whole day.

            4: I would like the United States to take legalizing Marijuana into consideration.

            5: I hate the police though I’m keeping my cool, over 100 people got arrested yesterday I don’t want to be one of those.

Interview 4:

            1: So I know that I am being listened too. People take notice in my actions which I’m happy about.

            2: We need to expand and move, this place has been over stayed. We have been growing every day and we need additional space.

            3: I have showed the public what I live and fight for in during the day and night. Living out here is something that I take pride in.

            4: I want to stop abortion; everyone needs a chance to live.

            5: I am not someone that wants to be taken in by them but ill stand up to what I believe in.

Interview 5:

            1: Not everyone has the Internet or know what is going on in the world around them.

            2: We are in a prime location in front of the financial district of Boston. Though it may be small we still have plenty of attention and supporters.

            3: At times its stressful with the sirens and my believes going on in my head, be you need to fight through it.

            4: Because I have the freedom of speech according to the 1^st amendment.

            5: If the police want to take me away that’s fine by me. 

Occupy Boston

Openings to Copley Square

Threshold: A location or passageway that allows to person to avoid the chaotic city to a location where there is a calm and controled environment. A pathway or doorway can be used as one. To me there is an aditional one that is the door to the Trinity church which allowys you to go into an even more peaceful location than Copley.

Stream Of Consciousness

September 20, 2011

Flowing water along the edge of the the fountain. 11 one them grounded by 2 obelisks. 2 separate levels in the fountain. Stepping down and down to get to the base of the fountain. A trapezoid makes up the space while there is a smaller one inside of it at a higher altitude. School 1 o'clock right next to the car that shouldn't even be in the park to begin with. Running for bus's on the other side of copley square. Pigeons not worrying about the people they see on a daily basis.

Center/Node and Linear Model

All over the world that are plazas in cities as well as in the countryside. They come in all shapes and sizes there is no specific reason that they are present or why they are built they way they are. In the city it is a location that just allows the population to travel there and feel away from the hustle and bustle of the modern city. With this relaxing zone there is a place or location that can bring people together other than events and venues scattered across the city. These plazas are also a place for recreational use as well. Going and playing football or baseball with their dad. In his article The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces WH Whyte explores the various uses of plazas from around the world. He also interviews many people on his travels and learns the true idea of a plaza is completely different than the pressure of a plaza was designed for. There is truly no way to completely escape from the city that is always around you, though the view of green grass is something that can help the stressed business class citizen that lives in the city. Thinking of a place that is peaceful in the mind and allowing that person to relax.


Though when you look at a city that is supposed to be extremely clustered in actuality it is very organized. When you think of a city it seems as though it is extremely unorganized. People yelling at each other left and right as well cars blaring there horns not giving a care in the world. But underneath that layer of chaos there is the one controlled point in the city that keep the city connected. This is the transportation through out the city. Much of the time it truly isn't even noticed at all. In boston this form of organization is "under the skin" and is not really known about unless you live in the city itself. The T is organized and scheduled to help the unorganized society in the city to stay organized throughout the day.

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE