Hi
Last night we've watched The Architect as the first film in the Urban Film Series. I'm planning these events once a month to put an urban issue on the table and discuss afterwards. The taste in films may differ but as long as the message is clear we can appreciate the show. The Architect (2006) is presented as an 'urban drama' in which complex issues of racial segregation and socio-spatial conflict are presented with a story of an architect who designed a social housing project, which is located in the middle of a problematic black neighborhood in Chicago. Most probably the area was already problematic before the project's implementation but obviously the drug, crime and other issues in the area increased with the gangs moving into the apartments and dominating the social environment. To me it is a story that shows not only how urban designers may fail in creating spaces that trigger better social environments but also that they may be reluctant to understand space with all its dimensions. Another important point for us in the movie is to see the complexity of urban activism and participation. There are many other points to be covered but I'd like to discuss the term 'socio-spatial segregation' on Thursday's class.
Quite relevant to the movie, happy to announce that the research team Social and Ethnic Segregation has now activated their blog at:
http://ssc224urbangeography.blogspot.com/
See you on Thursday
Best wishes,
Tuna
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