session 7: little plot, big city

Kate James

In week 7, we became urban planners. We first looked at a variety of city plans, noting the differences in the grid systems and how the city layout responded to land features. Then we brainstormed together to establish a list of features that every city needed to be livable and successful. The list included: parks, hospitals, schools, housing, Apple stores, banks, city centers, systems of electricity and sewage, restaurants and grocery stores, among others.

After the brainstorm the city planners went to work deciding how to allocate different features. They were given a site with various plots, and each student chose a plot and a feature to work on. In the end, we ended up with a fascinating model city. complete with a gigantic Apple store, housing, restaurants, a drive-in movie theater, and so much more!