Built Environment Analysis Final Draft

One of the most substantial issues across the world is homelessness. Not a single country lacks those who are not fortunate enough to have shelter. What differs between countries, and even between states with regards to the U.S., is how these people are treated. Of course, living in public space is going to have a significant impact on these people. For example, if a parade were to be held in the city, then the route would be roped off and the homeless on the street would be forced to leave. This can cause those that are homeless into finding other suitable locations, creating overfilled locations and can be seen as an issue. Displacing the homeless often causes them to be forced to locations that are inhospitable and can also cause them to find difficulty in finding food and can even cause them to starve, among other issues. Some cities are taking measures to combat this, though. Even though some cities are exceptions, for the most part, architects deliberately segregate the homeless, which hurts more than just those without homes, which is problematic.

For example, in Seattle, a new train station is being built. The Judkins Station has already been fully funded and is now waiting for approval from government officials. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately from a different perspective, the officials are concerned about what will become of the homeless population. Train stations are very loud and pose a health risk for people living too close to them, and this train station would be placed in an underpass occupied by many homeless people. The concern isn’t necessarily with where the homeless will go, but instead a concern on how to keep the homeless out of the areas of harmful noise.

The way companies keep the homeless out of their spaces are quite interesting. For example, a bench may be slightly tilted so that it cannot be laid down on (http://www.chinahush.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/20100329busbench02.jpg), or a ledge high enough to sit on may have small spheres put on it so that the homeless can’t sleep there. Another example is benches that have an armrest in the middle(https://vsbrian.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/anti-homeless-park-bench.png), splitting the bench in two, which makes it impossible to lie down on the bench. In the case of the Seattle train station, architects are recommending that boulders be placed on the slant that most homeless people sleep on in order to prevent them from resting there. While not the most malicious form of homeless deterrent, it is most definitely a design that can be seen as deliberate and will be hard to justify.

Another case of homeless being forced out from places they are used to living in comes from Hawaii. A fence is being constructed, and the builders are forcing the homeless to leave. This is questionable, as the construction of a fence isn’t necessarily detrimental to an area and construction should take about a week. In a similar situation in Hawaii, a fence was constructed with the rationale of protecting against weathering, but the real reason may be a bit more malicious. Ever since the fence has been built, homeless people have had difficulty crossing the fence which, in turn, keeps them from the camps they have lived in for years, essentially removing them from years of progress and what they know. Despite all the bad it is doing, the city is taking small steps to try and remedy the situation by offering shuttles to homeless shelters. This shows how the city is not completely unresponsive to the loss experienced by the homeless and is indeed aware of the negative impact of the construction.

The fact that the homeless are excluded from the built environment has a negative impact for all people. For example one of the things many communities do is advocate for bus stops not being added to their areas. This is because, by their logic, it would make it easier for homeless people to come to their areas and possibly stay there, which would, in turn, lower the value of the area. By removing these bus stops, however, they are making it difficult for people with little income and no car to travel to these areas as well, such as people from the working class and even college students. In the case of bus stops, not only are homeless people kept out, but so are people that may be looking for jobs and the children of parents that happen to live in the area as well.

An interesting idea to note is that the US doesn’t outright say that they are attempting to segregate the homeless. All of the techniques used above, for the most part, can be justified for other reasons, but, in reality, are pretty deliberate in their design. In the case of the train station, the boulders being added could be said to have been added to the area for aesthetic reasons, rather than the obvious reason of keeping people off of the slant they are placed on. In the case of the fence, it was already said it was to prevent weathering, however, weathering is something that a fence can’t stop, especially weathering by wind in water. As for the benches that have a divider in the middle so as to prevent people from lying down on them, the designer could claim that the bar in the middle is an armrest, an addition added for comfort rather than stating the ironic real reason of preventing comfort for the homeless.

All of this just helps to contribute to the feeling of invisibility that is ever present in today’s homeless. As people pass them on the streets, they cast their gaze to the side, attempting to avoid eye contact with those they feel will bother them by asking for money. If they initiate conversation, people will often give snippy responses in an attempt to get the homeless away from them as soon as possible. Not only do architects and the government attempt to discriminate against the homeless, but American culture is set up to discriminate against them as well. Throughout culture, many forms of media including film, television, music, and literature often depicts the homeless as needy and more often than not useless. This has caused many people in America to feel the same way about the homeless, even those that have not had an experience with a homeless person.

On the other side of the coin, however, the homeless have gotten more aggressive in recent years. Many times people go on the street and cast glances to the side, the homeless still shout after them and attempt to get their attention, some even cursing when they don’t get what they want. A thread about this was made on a forum for Atlantans (https://www.reddit.com/r/Atlanta/comments/2b7mqr/homeless_people_in_atlanta/), and while not all of the stories may be true, many seem plausible. One user recounts a homeless man running up to them and demanding that they “Give me money for food”. Another recounts a homeless person used the excuse of a broken down car three days in a row in order to ask for thirty dollars near the Georgia State University campus. Another still claims that they were physically assaulted by a homeless man on the Georgia Tech campus. Countless other users chimed in saying that the problem has most definitely gotten worse in recent years. Some moved to other states and come back to Atlanta, some have stayed in Atlanta, and some have even just recently moved to Atlanta, but their voices all say the same thing, that the homeless have definitely gotten more aggressive.

One way or another, a solution needs to be provided for the homeless in Atlanta. Whether or not one has been in contact with them or has just heard about them, they are very clearly a huge issue in the city. One problem that is absolutely detrimental to those looking for homes is gentrification. Gentrification is essentially when older buildings are made more modern, which, in turn, makes them more expensive to live in. Atlanta has one of the highest rates of gentrification in any city in the U.S, with buildings being revitalized constantly. This causes the homeless to be even further from being able to afford shelter, as well as hurting the common person by forcing them to pay a higher rent, causing some to have to move out and become homeless. A proposed solution would be to take some of the older abandoned buildings that litter the downtown area, such as the old Atlanta Constitution building. By creating more homeless shelters, the homeless will have a place to go and hopefully help them get back on their feet, and the repurposing of an older building will likely slow gentrification. Unfortunately, this solution does come with its fair share of flaws, as one homeless shelter is not enough, and slowing gentrification is definitely not the same as stopping it altogether. Whether more homeless shelters are built or not, a solution for this problem most definitely needs to be found, lest more people become homeless at the hands of gentrification.

Homelessness is a major issue in Atlanta, not only in the fact that they live on the streets but in the sense that those very streets discriminate against them, a form of segregation that needs to end immediately.

 

Sources:

(http://www.honolulutraffic.com/WSJhomeless.pdf)

(http://mynorthwest.com/388477/homeless-concerns-for-judkins-station/)

(http://www.clatl.com/news/article/13071161/homeless-in-atlanta-hiding-in-plain-sight)

(http://www.atlantadowntown.com/article/can-feeding-the-homeless-be-a-bad-idea)

(http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/31330270/fence-along-kapalama-canal-keeping-homeless-out)

Built Environment Analysis 3

The issue of homelessness is by far the most global issue. Not a single country lacks those who are not fortunate enough to have shelter. However, something that differs by country and even by state, in the case of America, is how they treat these people. Of course, living in public space is going to have a significant impact on these people. For example, if a parade were to be held in the city, then the route would be roped off and the homeless on the street would be forced to leave. This can cause those that are homeless into finding other suitable locations, creating overfilled locations and can be seen as an issue. Displacing the homeless can cause them to be forced to locations that are inhospitable and can cause them to find difficulty in finding food and can even cause them to starve, among other issues. Some cities are taking measures to combat this though. Even though some cities are exceptions, for the most part architects deliberately segregate the homeless, which hurts more than just those without homes, which is problematic.

For example, in Seattle a new train station is being built. The Judkins Station has already been fully funded and is now waiting for approval from government officials. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately from a different perspective, the officials are concerned for what will become of the homeless population. Train stations are very loud and pose a health risk for people living too close to them, and this train station would be placed in an underpass occupied by many homeless people. The concern isn’t necessarily with where the homeless will go, but instead a concern on how to keep the homeless out of the areas of harmful noise.

The way companies keep the homeless out of their spaces are quite interesting. For example, a bench may be slightly tilted so that it cannot be laid down on, or a ledge high enough to sit on may have small spheres put on it so that the homeless can’t sleep there. Another example are benches that have an armrest in the middle, splitting the bench in two, which makes it impossible to lie down on the bench. In the case of the Seattle train station, architects are recommending that boulders be placed on the slant that most homeless people sleep on in order to prevent them from resting there. While not the most malicious form of homeless deterrent, it is most definitely a design that can be seen as deliberate and will be hard to justify.

Another case of homeless being forced out from places they are used to living in comes from Hawaii. A fence is being constructed, and the builders are forcing the homeless to leave. This is questionable, as the construction of a fence isn’t necessarily detrimental to an area and construction should take about a week. In a similar situation in Hawaii, a fence was constructed with the rationale of protecting against weathering, but the real reason may be a bit more malicious. Ever since the fence has been built, homeless people have had difficulty crossing the fence which, in turn, keeps them from the camps they have lived in for years, essentially removing them from years of progress and what they know. Despite all the bad it is doing, the city is taking small steps to try and remedy the situation by offering shuttles to homeless shelters. This shows how the city is not completely unresponsive to the loss experienced by the homeless and is indeed aware of the negative impact of the construction.

The fact that the homeless are excluded from the built environment has a negative impact for all people. For example one of the things many communities do is advocate for bus stops not being added to their areas. This is because, by their logic, it would make it easier for homeless people to come to their areas and possibly stay there, which would in turn lower the value of the area. By removing these bus stops, however, they are making it difficult for people with little income and no car to travel to these areas as well, such as people from the working class and even college students. In the case of bus stops, not only are homeless people kept out, but so are people that may be looking for jobs and the children of parents that happen to live in the area as well.

An interesting ideal to note is that the US doesn’t outright say that they are attempting to segregate the homeless. All of the techniques used above, for the most part, can be justified for other reasons, but, in reality, are pretty deliberate in their design. In the case of the train station, the boulders being added could be said to have been added to the area for aesthetic reasons, rather than the obvious reason of keeping people off of the slant they are placed on. In the case of the fence, it was already said it was to prevent weathering, however weathering is something that a fence can’t stop, especially weathering by wind in water. As for the benches that have a divide in the middle so as to prevent people from lying down on them, the designer could claim that the bar in the middle is an armrest, an addition added for comfort rather than stating the ironic real reason of preventing comfort for the homeless.

All of this just helps to contribute to the feeling of invisibility that is ever present in today’s homeless. As people pass them on the streets, they cast their gaze to the side, attempting to avoid eye contact with those they feel will bother them by asking for money. If they initiate conversation, people will often give snippy responses in an attempt to get the homeless away from them as soon as possible. Not only do architects and the government attempt to discriminate against the homeless, but American culture is set up to discriminate against them as well. Throughout culture, many forms of media including film, television, music, and literature often depicts the homeless as needy and more often than not useless. This has caused many people in America to feel the same way about the homeless, even those that have not had an experience with a homeless person.

On the other side of the coin, however, the homeless have gotten more aggressive in recent years. Many times people go on the street and cast glances to the side, the homeless still shout after them and attempt to get their attention, some even cussing when they don’t get what they want. A thread about this was made on a forum for Atlantans, and while not all of the stories may be true, many seem plausible. One user recounts a homeless man running up to them and demanding that they “Give me money for food”. Another recounts a homeless person used the excuse of a broken down car three days in a row in order to ask for thirty dollars near the Georgia State University campus. Another still claims that they were physically assaulted by a homeless man on the Georgia Tech campus. Countless other users chimed in saying that the problem has most definitely gotten worse in recent years. Some moved to other states and come back to Atlanta, some have stayed in Atlanta, and some have even just recently moved to Atlanta, but their voices all say the same thing, that the homeless have definitely gotten more aggressive.

One way or another, a solution needs to be provided for the homeless in Atlanta. Whether or not one has been in contact with them or has just heard about them, they are very clearly a huge issue in the city. One problem that is absolutely detrimental to those looking for homes is gentrification. Gentrification is essentially when older buildings are made more modern, which, in turn, makes them more expensive to live in. Atlanta has one of the highest rats of gentrification in any city in the U.S, with buildings being revitalized constantly. This causes the homeless to be even further from being able to afford shelter, as well as hurting the common person by forcing them to pay a higher rent, causing some to have to move out and become homeless. A proposed solution would be to take some of the older abandoned buildings that litter the downtown area, such as the old Atlanta Constitution building. By creating more homeless shelters, the homeless will have a place to go and hopefully help them get back on their feet, and the repurposing of an older building will likely slow gentrification. Unfortunately, this solution does come with its fair share of flaws, as one homeless shelter is not enough, and slowing gentrification is definitely not the same as stopping it altogether. Whether more homeless shelters are built or not, a solution for this problem most definitely needs to be found, lest more people become homeless at the hands of gentrification.

Homelessness is a major issue in Atlanta, not only in the fact that they live on the streets, but in the sense that those very streets discriminate against them, a form of segregation that needs to end immediately.

Built Environment Analysis Draft 2

The issue of homelessness is by far the most global issue. Not a single country lacks those who are not fortunate enough to have shelter. However, something that differs by country and even by state, in the case of America, is how they treat these people. Of course, living in public space is going to have a significant impact on these people. For example, if a parade were to be held in the city, then the route would be roped off and the homeless on the street would be forced to leave. This can cause those that are homeless into finding other suitable locations, creating overfilled locations and can be seen as an issue. Displacing the homeless can cause them to be forced to locations that are inhospitable and can cause them to find difficulty in finding food and can even cause them to starve, among other issues. Some cities are taking measures to combat this though. Despite some cities treating the homeless with fairness, most cities in the United States try to turn a blind eye to the homeless and ignore them, some even deliberately keeping them out, which is problematic.
For example, in Seattle a new train station is being built. The Judkins Station has already been fully funded and is now waiting for approval from government officials. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately from a different perspective, the officials are concerned for what will become of the homeless population. Train stations are very loud and pose a health risk for people living too close to them, and this train station would be placed in an underpass occupied by many homeless people. The concern isn’t necessarily with where the homeless will go, but instead a concern on how to keep the homeless out of the areas of harmful noise.
The way companies keep the homeless out of their spaces are quite interesting. For example, a bench may be slightly tilted so that it cannot be laid down on, or a ledge high enough to sit on may have small spheres put on it so that the homeless can’t sleep there. Another example are benches that have an armrest in the middle, splitting the bench in two, which makes it impossible to lie down on the bench. In the case of the Seattle train station, architects are recommending that boulders be placed on the slant that most homeless people sleep on in order to prevent them from resting there. While not the most malicious form of homeless deterrent, it is most definitely a design that can be seen as deliberate and will be hard to justify.
Another case of homeless being forced out from places they are used to living in comes from Hawaii. A fence is being constructed, and the builders are forcing the homeless to leave. This is questionable, as the construction of a fence isn’t necessarily detrimental to an area and construction should take about a week. In a similar situation in Hawaii, a fence was constructed with the rationale of protecting against weathering, but the real reason may be a bit more malicious. Ever since the fence has been built, homeless people have had difficulty crossing the fence which, in turn, keeps them from the camps they have lived in for years, essentially removing them from years of progress and what they know. Despite all the bad it is doing, the city is taking small steps to try and remedy the situation by offering shuttles to homeless shelters. This shows how the city is not completely unresponsive to the loss experienced by the homeless and is indeed aware of the negative impact of the construction.
The fact that the homeless are excluded from the built environment has a negative impact for all people. For example one of the things many communities do is advocate for bus stops not being added to their areas. This is because, by their logic, it would make it easier for homeless people to come to their areas and possibly stay there, which would in turn lower the value of the area. By removing these bus stops, however, they are making it difficult for people with little income and no car to travel to these areas as well, such as people from the working class and even college students. In the case of bus stops, not only are homeless people kept out, but so are people that may be looking for jobs and the children of parents that happen to live in the area as well.
An interesting ideal to note is that the US doesn’t outright say that they are attempting to segregate the homeless. All of the techniques used above, for the most part, can be justified for other reasons, but, in reality, are pretty deliberate in their design. In the case of the train station, the boulders being added could be said to have been added to the area for aesthetic reasons, rather than the obvious reason of keeping people off of the slant they are placed on. In the case of the fence, it was already said it was to prevent weathering, however weathering is something that a fence can’t stop, especially weathering by wind in water. As for the benches that have a divide in the middle so as to prevent people from lying down on them, the designer could claim that the bar in the middle is an armrest, an addition added for comfort rather than stating the ironic real reason of preventing comfort for the homeless.
All of this just helps to contribute to the feeling of invisibility that is ever present in today’s homeless. As people pass them on the streets, they cast their gaze to the side, attempting to avoid eye contact with those they feel will bother them by asking for money. If they initiate conversation, people will often give snippy responses in an attempt to get the homeless away from them as soon as possible. Not only do architects and the government attempt to discriminate against the homeless, but American culture is set up to discriminate against them as well. Throughout culture, many forms of media including film, television, music, and literature often depicts the homeless as needy and more often than not useless. This has caused many people in America to feel the same way about the homeless, even those that have not had an experience with a homeless person.
On the other side of the coin, however, the homeless have gotten more aggressive in recent years. Many times people go on the street and cast glances to the side, the homeless still shout after them and attempt to get their attention, some even cussing when they don’t get what they want. A thread about this was made on a forum for Atlantans, and while not all of the stories may be true, many seem plausible. One user recounts a homeless man running up to them and demanding that they “Give me money for food”. Another recounts a homeless person used the excuse of a broken down car three days in a row in order to ask for thirty dollars near the Georgia State University campus. Another still claims that they were physically assaulted by a homeless man on the Georgia Tech campus. Countless other users chimed in saying that the problem has most definitely gotten worse in recent years. Some moved to other states and come back to Atlanta, some have stayed in Atlanta, and some have even just recently moved to Atlanta, but their voices all say the same thing, that the homeless have definitely gotten more aggressive.
One way or another, a solution needs to be provided for the homeless in Atlanta. Whether or not one has been in contact with them or has just heard about them, they are very clearly a huge issue in the city.

Built Environment Analysis Draft 1

The issue of homelessness is by far the most global issue. Not a single country lacks those who are not fortunate enough to have shelter. However, something that differs by country and even by state, in the case of America, is how they treat these people. Of course, living in public space is going to have a significant impact on these people. For example, if a parade were to be held in the city, then the route would be roped off and the homeless on the street would be forced to leave. This can cause those that are homeless into finding other suitable locations, creating overfilled locations and can be seen as an issue. Displacing the homeless can cause them to be forced to locations that are inhospitable and can cause them to find difficulty in finding food and can even cause them to starve, among other issues. Some cities are taking measures to combat this though.

For example, in Seattle a new train station is being built. The Judkins Station has already been fully funded and is now waiting for approval from government officials. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately from a different perspective, the officials are concerned for what will become of the homeless population. Train stations are very loud and pose a health risk for people living too close to them, and this train station would be placed in an underpass occupied by many homeless people. The concern isn’t necessarily with where the homeless will go, but instead a concern on how to keep the homeless out of the areas of harmful noise.

The way companies keep the homeless out of their spaces are quite interesting. For example, a bench may be slightly tilted so that it cannot be laid down on, or a ledge high enough to sit on may have small spheres put on it so that the homeless can’t sleep there. Another example are benches that have an armrest in the middle, splitting the bench in two, which makes it impossible to lie down on the bench. In the case of the Seattle train station, architects are recommending that boulders be placed on the slant that most homeless people sleep on in order to prevent them from resting there. While not the most malicious form of homeless deterrent, it is most definitely a design that can be seen as deliberate and will be hard to justify.

Another case of homeless being forced out from places they are used to living in comes from Hawaii. A fence is being constructed, and the builders are forcing the homeless to leave. This is questionable, as the construction of a fence isn’t necessarily detrimental to an area and construction should take about a week. In a similar situation in Hawaii, a fence was constructed with the rationale of protecting against weathering, but the real reason may be a bit more malicious. Ever since the fence has been built, homeless people have had difficulty crossing the fence which, in turn, keeps them from the camps they have lived in for years, essentially removing them from years of progress and what they know. Despite all the bad it is doing, the city is taking small steps to try and remedy the situation by offering shuttles to homeless shelters. This shows how the city is not completely unresponsive to the loss experienced by the homeless and is indeed aware of the negative impact of the construction.

The fact that the homeless are excluded from the built environment has a negative impact for all people. (talk about bus stops and how the homeless aren’t the only ones affected)

Built Environment Description 3

Ebenezer Baptist Church quite possibly has the richest history of any historical site in Atlanta. As the Church that both Martin Luther King, Jr. and his father spoke at, it has seen it’s fair share of political turmoil. For example, in the video provided about Alberta King (http://crdl.usg.edu/cgi/crdl?action=retrieve;rset=002;recno=1;format=_video), it is shown that she was killed inside the church itself, shot by a man that claimed that all Christians were his enemies. Not only this, but Jesse Jackson, a Civil Rights leader, has spoken here, making this place one of the most important places in the whole of the Civil Rights movements, where speakers can give adoring crowds speeches and reasonably expect an attentive audience to put the words they are speaking into action. Furthermore, the architecture of this building, namely the sign and the outer aesthetic, offer an inviting aura to the building, which can be taken as an invitation inside this hallowed ground. Another note of significance is that Martin Luther King, Jr. himself spoke at this church, in essence painting a large target on the face of the building. Being a symbol for Civil Rights attracts its fair share of attention. For example, just recently, two people attached confederate flags to the sides of the building. In the end, this building symbolizes the struggle of the Civil Rights movement, as well as the success it eventually faced.

Jesse Jackson

jesse-jackson

This is an image of Civil Rights activist leader Jesse Jackson. He’s speaking at Ebenezer Baptist church. The significance of this image is that it shows that even in the modern day, this Church is a very significant location for speakers on Civil Rights, and that people will continue to meet at this location to protest for equal treatment until it is provided.

Source:

“Jesse Jackson Addresses Attendees at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1986 :: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographs.” N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2016.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaking

http://crdl.usg.edu/cgi/crdl?action=retrieve;rset=003;recno=1;format=_video

In this video, Martin Luther King, Jr. is shown to be speaking about his opposition to the Vietnam War and his approval of Muhammad Ali for taking a stand against the war. In this video, you can see the passion in King’s eyes, as well as the crowd intently listening. This helps to illustrate how influential King was, as well as how important the Church is in pushing his beliefs and protests.

 

Source:

“Video.” N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2016.

Sign

ebc-sign

This photo, taken from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, shows a sign on the outside of the Ebenezer Baptist Church Building. The sign has lights, and appears to be one of age, as the lettering implies, as well as the fact that this sign in particular has been the subject of photos for years prior. The sign is very welcoming and bright, and attracts people inside.

Source:

“Ebenezer Baptist Church.” New Georgia Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2016.

Photo of Ebenezer Baptist Church

ebenezer-baptist-church

This photo of the church was taken in 1979 by a photographer named Stephen Goldfarb. This photo was taken about ten years after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., and, as you can see, the Church still appears to be in excellent condition. This site is, without a doubt, the most historical site in Atlanta.

Source:

“Ebenezer Baptist Church.” n. pag. Print.

Video of Alberta King

http://crdl.usg.edu/cgi/crdl?action=retrieve;rset=002;recno=1;format=_video

 

This video shows crowds of mourners as they wait for the chance to view Martha King’s body outside of Ebenezer Baptist Church. The crowds consist of mainly African-Americans as they wait for their chance to pay homage to the mother of one of the largest historical figures in the history of Civil Rights. Alberta was shot by an African-American that claimed that “All Christians are [his] enemies”. Unfortunately, due to formatting, I am unable to embed this video.

 

Source:

“Video.” N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Nov. 2016.