Facebook Badge
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Time eases pain, it even erases memories. It allows us to forget bad events. It also allows us to remember good ones. Time is powerful in a way. It is forceful in some ways too.
It is truly amazing, how it heals wounds and open up secrets long buried under the realm of imagination. Time is great! It is a gift, a phenomenon, a way of being. Something which can be sensed, longed for, awaited to, let go of, etc. The list is endless.
How fast time flies too! It has been thirty years now since my early college years, and I can still feel the smiles we had when we had our Founder’s Day. A pageant was held then and I was one of the contestants. Oh boy, it was fun! I garnered three awards, one for Miss Friendship,another for First runner- up and one special award for Best in Uniform. Ah! those were great moments!
After three decades, I’m still the same person, but better. I’m still the same girl but more mature. I still carry the same sentiments but stronger. I still cry over sad movies and smiles over cartoons. I am what I was then but nimbler, smarter and more provocative.
Ah yes, because, I am a Filipina! (You can click on the picts to enlarge)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
I have here my report on Urbanism as a requirement of my graduate studies program in Architecture for the first semester of this school year, 2007. After reading variuos journals, books and/or citations about Urbanization, i find it wholesome to impart here my views. It is quite long, i hope you wont get bored. Here goes:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
Planning a space, a building or a structure, requires a sense of a well-perceived mind and soundness of decision, with considerations of various aspects, which might affect directly or indirectly the end-user in relation to the community it co-exist. Either way, it projects the same result- a harmonious, workable and livable environment. Eventually, it should be sustainable enough for long-term livability.
Likewise, Urban Planning requires the same. If done righteously, a harmonious design is achieved while a sated end-user feels comfort and well-defined functional spaces are attained equally. As Vitruvius (the man considered to be the first accepted and published artist, architect and engineer of his time) perceived it then:
“… three vital things which make a sound design: Vistas, Utilitas, and Venustas…”
These were the foundation of design, which played great roles in defining spaces, buildings or structures, and still continue to be used as bases in design at these present times, and simply interpreted as: Vistas (views) or the form of the structure; Utilitas (use) of function of the structure or space; Venustas (beauty) or aesthetics.
A better explanation provides a clearer picture on these matters. Vistas – is a Latin word which means- view - was used by Vitruvius in ancient era, as basis in defining the shape, the form, and overall outline of the structure. On the other hand, Utilitas – also a Latin word signifying – use or function of the structure or space in terms of design in relation to the user it provides for; and finally, Venustas, (still Latin word) which means beauty, aesthetics, physical looks. These were the essential aspects, which made designing in the past as significant as it is now. It compliments more on its aesthetic side of the design process. While it implies beauty, Venustas also connotes the refinement and overall soundness of perception with regards to the charm of the space or structure, as it fulfills its gracefulness to which it compliments. Planning a space or structure or social environment projects a broader sense of distinction with the character of design while enhancing the structure or space or social environment it modifies, thus, urbanization is attained.
Urban planning, as the encyclopedia defines it, becomes a discipline of land use planning, which deals with the design and organization of urban space and activities. As used as an instrument for proper usage of land areas and built structures, it also made use of the various aspects of design in the attempt of attaining an organized space in the city level (urban) with respect to the community while determining and composing sketches and drawings in planning its physical arrangement and condition for future use.
Planning the city or Urban Planning, follows the same principles with planning open spaces municipalities or sub cities. By urban, it means – citywide- explorations of the built and social environment. It is likewise a key role in urban renewal and re-generation of inner cities by “…adapting new urban planning methods to existing cites suffering from long-term infrastructural decay.”
Discussions
Beginnings...
Planning a space, a building or a structure, requires a sense of a well-perceived mind and soundness of decision, with considerations of various aspects, which might affect directly or indirectly the end-user in relation to the community it co-exist. Either way, it projects the same result- a harmonious, workable and livable environment. Eventually, it should be sustainable enough for long-term livability.
Likewise, Urban Planning requires the same. If done righteously, a harmonious design is achieved while a sated end-user feels comfort and well-defined functional spaces are attained equally. As Vitruvius (the man considered to be the first accepted and published artist, architect and engineer of his time) perceived it then:
“… three vital things which make a sound design: Vistas, Utilitas, and Venustas…”
These were the foundation of design, which played great roles in defining spaces, buildings or structures, and still continue to be used as bases in design at these present times, and simply interpreted as: Vistas (views) or the form of the structure; Utilitas (use) of function of the structure or space; Venustas (beauty) or aesthetics.
A better explanation provides a clearer picture on these matters. Vistas – is a Latin word which means- view - was used by Vitruvius in ancient era, as basis in defining the shape, the form, and overall outline of the structure. On the other hand, Utilitas – also a Latin word signifying – use or function of the structure or space in terms of design in relation to the user it provides for; and finally, Venustas, (still Latin word) which means beauty, aesthetics, physical looks. These were the essential aspects, which made designing in the past as significant as it is now. It compliments more on its aesthetic side of the design process. While it implies beauty, Venustas also connotes the refinement and overall soundness of perception with regards to the charm of the space or structure, as it fulfills its gracefulness to which it compliments. Planning a space or structure or social environment projects a broader sense of distinction with the character of design while enhancing the structure or space or social environment it modifies, thus, urbanization is attained.
Urban planning, as the encyclopedia defines it, becomes a discipline of land use planning, which deals with the design and organization of urban space and activities. As used as an instrument for proper usage of land areas and built structures, it also made use of the various aspects of design in the attempt of attaining an organized space in the city level (urban) with respect to the community while determining and composing sketches and drawings in planning its physical arrangement and condition for future use.
Planning the city or Urban Planning, follows the same principles with planning open spaces municipalities or sub cities. By urban, it means – citywide- explorations of the built and social environment. It is likewise a key role in urban renewal and re-generation of inner cities by “…adapting new urban planning methods to existing cites suffering from long-term infrastructural decay.”
Discussions
Beginnings...
Urbanization is a process of making or becoming into urban or improved city or town thru physical planning and designing. This kind of development dates back from the time of the early civilization in Mesopotamia, a Greek city of ancient times, when Latin was still the medium of communication between peoples. It wasn’t called such then but similar processes were laid out and considered in relation to the design settlements and organization of space and outlying environment, whether built or social in nature. What actually transpired during those early times was the “… conscious forethought and design in the laying out of structures while identifying its functionality…” and integrating the internal and external spaces within and around it made up urban planning of today.
Streets of ancient times were so designed as to be laid out at right angles in a grid pattern and very often paved. And history told that there existed already ‘hierarchy like wider commercial boulevards to smaller residential alleyways. There was a basic plan “… a central plaza surrounded by a compact of rectilinear grid of streets and wrapped in a wall for defense. To reduce travel times, two diagonal streets cross the square grid corner to corner, passing through the central square.” This was followed by more planning schemes by the Romans where they developed fortresses or fortified abbeys for military defenses and civil conveniences.
But later an ideal city ‘resurfaced’ during the Great Renaissance age and was adapted, where radial streets extend outward from a defined center of military, communal or spiritual power.
“…the city, which he compared to an ideal human body, was inscribed within an eight-pointed star of walls inscribed within a perfect circular moat, the first of many ideal star-shaped city plans that reacted against the crowded, irrational spaces of the medieval city."
Eight towers were placed as bastions at the salient points of the star, and eight gates were the outlets of radial avenues that each passed through a market square, dedicated to certain goods. Other radiating streets had the parish churches and convents on them. A canal system connected with the river and the outside world, provided transport for goods.
At 's centre was the formally composed piazza, a double square that was a stadio long and half a stadio wide, with the duomo at its head, and a lookout tower. Sforzinda's buildings and their highly symbolic decor were minutely described, and the astrological calculations required for harmony, together with thoroughly practical matters concerning fortifications, with the discovery of a Golden Book detailing the buildings of Antiquity.”
Streets of ancient times were so designed as to be laid out at right angles in a grid pattern and very often paved. And history told that there existed already ‘hierarchy like wider commercial boulevards to smaller residential alleyways. There was a basic plan “… a central plaza surrounded by a compact of rectilinear grid of streets and wrapped in a wall for defense. To reduce travel times, two diagonal streets cross the square grid corner to corner, passing through the central square.” This was followed by more planning schemes by the Romans where they developed fortresses or fortified abbeys for military defenses and civil conveniences.
But later an ideal city ‘resurfaced’ during the Great Renaissance age and was adapted, where radial streets extend outward from a defined center of military, communal or spiritual power.
“…the city, which he compared to an ideal human body, was inscribed within an eight-pointed star of walls inscribed within a perfect circular moat, the first of many ideal star-shaped city plans that reacted against the crowded, irrational spaces of the medieval city."
Eight towers were placed as bastions at the salient points of the star, and eight gates were the outlets of radial avenues that each passed through a market square, dedicated to certain goods. Other radiating streets had the parish churches and convents on them. A canal system connected with the river and the outside world, provided transport for goods.
At 's centre was the formally composed piazza, a double square that was a stadio long and half a stadio wide, with the duomo at its head, and a lookout tower. Sforzinda's buildings and their highly symbolic decor were minutely described, and the astrological calculations required for harmony, together with thoroughly practical matters concerning fortifications, with the discovery of a Golden Book detailing the buildings of Antiquity.”
Modifications...
Planning a city in this modern world, or Urbanism is a process, which connotes more implications than it signifies. It was learned that the Muslims were the true descendants of the Greek rational planning strategies, who have thought of the idea of formal zoning and stewardship.
Then there were modifications made in Western World and also in Western Europe, North America, Japan, Australasia. There were a series of change in planning and architecture like industrialization of a city; Garden City concept and large scale city rebuilding were seen. Engineered urban planning in many cities in Central American civilization included the sewage systems and running water integration in the sketches and working plans. At the onset of modernism,
"...the modernist city stood for the elimination of disorder, congestion and the small scale planning, replacing them instead with preplanned and widely spaced freeways and tower blocks set within gardens."
Urbanization of a place, or environmental space and/or buildings/structures greatly modifies the principle of a basic urban planned city. It touches various aspects of society including the following: Aesthetics; safety; housing conditions (slums); restrictions/ renewal and transport.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
My gaze soared
seeing the wonders
i once thought would go by
My moment came...
Realizing my dreams wasn't easy
I quickly ran out of thoughts
as if life is so short yet, i live!
Ah, yes! I'm here.
Weren't you too ?
You were always a part of me
teenny bits of me
engulfing around you.
You are always by me
caring for me, loving me.
thus...
I love you more!
;;
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Ms. B
- Ms.B
- Hi! your friendly neighbor Architect who loves ART eternaly... and poetry is my PASSION!
