Exploration Assignment 2: A Walk Around the Blog
We were all given an interesting article to read, titled "A Walk Around the Block". It discussed an interesting social experiment conducted on twenty-seven people that recorded their reactions to the environment as they walked around a block in Boston. They were taken on a short walk and asked not to "look for anything in particular, but tell [the researchers] about the things they see, hear, or smell; everything and anything they notice" (24). Our assignment was to do the same and explore a part of the UW campus of our choice. The campus is large, and of course, as an indecisive person, I resorted to the simplest option: the walk I normally take to and from classes. Though I walk by these buildings many times, walking and paying attention to the details made me notice the people and the environment more. Rather than focusing on getting to class or worrying about being late to class or the next exam, the opportunity to relax and stroll the area was nice. I did end up taking a little detour into the Grieg Gardens, which I forgot existed and was pleasantly surprised by since it reminded me of my previous experiences playing the Grieg string quartet.
My "walk" is marked by the red paths. The circled region indicates where I was more observant, whereas the route outside was simply a walk from my dorm to the desired area.
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My route was a bit more than a block, but hopefully it still qualifies. I like taking walks and can get carried away. There were many interesting environmental clues and social activities that appeared through my walk that revealed aspects of the university culture.
The first thing I noticed was the juxtaposition in the environment. In the short distance between my dorm and the Grieg Gardens, industrial aspects contrasted with the abundant trees. I remember at the beginning of the year, I liked to walk down this small trail beside on the way back to my dorm because it was much quieter, and I didn't have to walk by the 'ugly' concrete buildings (McMahon and Haggett). I never liked the odd look of cold concrete behind the green trees. It doesn't feel organic. It looks as though two people did not resolve their conflict and decided to combine the cold buildings with trees, or as if someone tried to hide the buildings behind the trees to enforce a more natural environment. Unfortunately, this path has been blocked due to a construction of the Wәłәb?altxw (pronounced "wah-sheb-altuh") Intellectual House. Though I realize the Intellectual House is for a good cause and will provide more resources for the Native American students on campus, I can't help but feel a bit sad the trees being cleared and the industrial fences and construction taking over. Maybe I should be more thankful that I do not live in West Campus where there is a larger construction with Terry and trees are hard to come by. These constructions, however, is simply the University's way of accommodating for the needs of the students and the environment (e.g. larger and newer dorms, eco-friendly dorms, facilities for students with different backgrounds, etc.). The constructions and improvements are necessary, but yet, they feel out of place with the old architecture and green space on campus. |
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However, overall, we seem to be fond of the environment and nature. Or at least the built environment encourages students to enjoy the nature around them. The University is filled with trees, grass, flowers, and little gardens. Simply by looking at the campus map, one can notice that there is a lot of green on the paper. There are large fields of grass everywhere. During my walk, I noticed that there were benches placed around the edges of these areas. People can choose to sit on the benches or relax on the grass. On one of the days I took a walk, it was a sunny Friday afternoon. People were playing frisbee, eating lunch outside on the grass, working on homework, talking to each other, or simply relaxing in the sun. Everyone was enjoying the nature and weather on the grasses, benches, and areas built into the campus. Generally, the way the campus is designed encourages people to interact and relax. On my walk, I also came across a wildlife tree for birds. On this campus, we seem to be open for all types of creatures; there are resting places for not only people but also birds and other animals.
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During the day, everything seems so lively. Usually, in the mornings, people remain quiet for the most part. As I casually strolled, I watched people yawing, carrying their cups of coffee, rushing off to class, having perfect their speed walk, and barely looking up. I felt a bit discouraged by everyone's somberness, but I probably am the same on those mornings where I would rather be in bed. During one Friday afternoon, where I sat in the Quad, people actually looked up. Random people joined frisbee games, small 'campfire' circles with improve music, large jenga games, etc., and I could not help to smile and laugh with those people across the lawn. People are more friendly now that the sun has come out and the weekend is close. With these small people interactions and activities, during the day, generally, you notice the green spaces and watch the people. Walking through the areas at night, I noticed that I did not focus as much of the people or nature. The emphasis was on the buildings and spaces. When it is filled with people and I am trying to get across to go to class, I do not notice the size. The Red Square seems like a decent plaza people can walk by. When I am in a hurry, I have even felt the paths to be too crowded and narrow. With the people around, I never felt the places to be big (or even large enough). In the night, I was able to have an absolute view without distraction from the people. The lights reflected off the bricks and building surfaces much better, hiding the trees around campus. I noticed how large red square is, how wide each pathways are. Oddly, without the people, I understood the interaction between the space and the people better. Many people get to classes on campus with various modes of transport: walking, cycling, longboarding, scootering. To accommodate for these people and the large population, the areas and walkways must be larger.
In the end, I think the walk reminded and made me realize that the campus is made not only to encourage students to relax from their studies but also to accommodate for the needs of them (e.g. housing, transport). Overall, the UW campus is a fairly warm campus with many places people can enjoy their free times but still has the occasional industrialized areas with construction and sparse trees.
In the end, I think the walk reminded and made me realize that the campus is made not only to encourage students to relax from their studies but also to accommodate for the needs of them (e.g. housing, transport). Overall, the UW campus is a fairly warm campus with many places people can enjoy their free times but still has the occasional industrialized areas with construction and sparse trees.
Comments/Feedback:
Heather Borror: You picked a beautiful day for pictures! I really liked your insight into how the campus is designed to encourage interaction and relaxation, and how easy it is to forget how large campus really is. It's hard to notice that when the school's packed full of students during the weekday and you're just one sheep in the herd. (26 April 2014, 2:26PM)
Rob Corser: Great walk Yun Jung!~ I really liked your observations about the concrete dorms and the trees -like an argument that remains un-resolved... The scrolling pictures are also interesting -a sort of graphic progression of your thoughts and your progress. cheers, Rob (01 May 2014, 4:34PM)
Rob Corser: Great walk Yun Jung!~ I really liked your observations about the concrete dorms and the trees -like an argument that remains un-resolved... The scrolling pictures are also interesting -a sort of graphic progression of your thoughts and your progress. cheers, Rob (01 May 2014, 4:34PM)