Traveling Without Moving
'How might we design neighborhoods and create transport solutions that encourage equity?' Through the lens of the city, this semester-long Humanities & Spanish project examined fundamental topics such as identity, diversity, justice, and action with a particular focus on segregation. We explored how the city can drive positive societal change as well as exacerbate damaging negative stereotypes. Looking at the complex relationship between the city, transportation, and social mobility, students made time lapses of their school commute, recorded interviews and observations about their neighborhood, and ultimately proposed solutions, to identified neighborhood issues, in front of a panel of urban planners.
Student DocumentariesStudents turned their neighborhood solution pitches into short-films, shown on exhibition night. Available on YouTube.
|
Commute Time LapsesIn the first few weeks, students made time lapses of their school commute, highlighting the great distances some students travel, and exposing San Diego's rich variety of neighborhoods. Most students used the free LapseIt app to capture their journey, then edited in iMovie.
Playlist available on YouTube. |
Neighborhood Interviews |
Exhibition Posters |
To better understand their neighborhood, students interviewed locals, asking about the history of the area and their hopes for the future. These recordings are available on YouTube.
|
Students created posters, detailing their proposed solutions. These posters were displayed on exhibition night, prompting rich discussions with guests.
|
Panel Pitches
Students formed groups, selected neighborhoods with the most intriguing issues and conducted additional research - recording more interviews and observations. They pitched their proposals to a panel of urban planners, of whom all had presented ideas to students throughout the semester. Students covered a variety of topics, including environmental and psychological impact, funding and costs, political and professional sources, transit solutions, and 5, 10, and 20 year plans. Available on YouTube.
The Semester in Pictures
Students conducted hours of fieldwork, making several visits to their neighborhoods. Students also went on a series of field trips, broadening their understanding of community issues and the importance of urban planning. These trips included visits to Chicano Park, The Central Library, San Diego History Museum, Balboa Park.
Throughout the semester students benefitted from the insight of urban planners and other professional. Experts shared their thoughts, inspired students, and critiqued their work. Many thanks to our guests, including Coleen Celementson from SANDAG, Paulina Lis from the San Diego Green Building Council, SDSU professor Alan Hoffman, David Malmouth from the IDEA District, and local planner Howard Blackson.
Throughout the semester students benefitted from the insight of urban planners and other professional. Experts shared their thoughts, inspired students, and critiqued their work. Many thanks to our guests, including Coleen Celementson from SANDAG, Paulina Lis from the San Diego Green Building Council, SDSU professor Alan Hoffman, David Malmouth from the IDEA District, and local planner Howard Blackson.
Exhibition Night
Students celebrated a eye-opening semester by introducing their short-films and displaying their project posters.