I have written a previous post which choose to focus on the relational aspects of neighbourhood. There is benefit in diversity to create a richer experience of life, and of human culture. If we consider the architecture of neighbourhoods though how does this impact our social experience.
I believe the design of spaces, how we access buildings, the design of facades, and the street structure of neighbourhoods has to impact our personal relationship with society. Subconsciously our perception of space impacts our actions, and that of others, which in turn affects the experience of neighbourhood.
If we design homes to be gated, emphasising private drives, and screening ourselves from neighbours the mentality of that place, spatially, suggestions the importance of privacy and individuality. Of personal control over aspect of living, and who you associated with.
Or, conversely, a gated, and private set of residences suggests security, a need to be separate to avoid danger or confrontation. It could mean a stack of residences so enclosed personal space is virtually impossible so privacy of the space you do have becomes even more precious.
Our descriptions, and preconceptions, affect us. In my first description I could be discussing an exclusive community. That of the rich, the privileged. While in the second I could be talking of a high rise. David’s Tower in Caracas, Venezuela where gangs have control, and the half finished construction robs privacy and security. So that privacy and security have to be clung to when established. While community and family still exist.
How can we attempt to design without preconceptions. They are what can drive us, what can inform us of good solutions or of things to steer clear of. They demonstrate that architectural language effects and informs us.
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We need to know what our intentions are – how to do we understand and relate to society and neighbourhoods and how do we as individuals and designs what to see it changed and impacted.
I want to see greater social cohesion, regeneration, and vitality in communities. I want to foster relationships and bridge divides. I want to see communities who live by justice and not just for equality. To see social, economic, and physical decay alleviated. Aspirations elevated. To see places doing above and beyond what might have been expected. To see diversity of age, peoples, abilities, talents, commerce, workplaces, governance, and this diversity to be mixed up into unique societies. To see crime reduced and people realising their potentials and embracing hope. To see positive social change, and support that doesn’t express itself as a chore, or forced goodwill. To see communities truly being communities.