CITY SPACES & HUMAN PLACES REACTION PAPER

By: Ar. Anasela Zarisa Gaviola

As an architect I found the short film very informative but not in a better order. It started
with an opening that the film or research was done for the improvement of New York Zoning
Resolution for better open spaces around the city. After the short introduction, it talked about the
study of how often people went to that specific open space and where they usually sit following the
sunlight’s path. From that discussion it went to street level shops, to the design of sitting areas and
ledges around these open spaces mentioned, back to the effect and feels of the sunlight. Then it
discussed again the design elements of the open spaces like the water accents (e.g. water fall walls,
fountains, waterfront spaces). They started talking about street cafes and how it draws more people
then went to the topic of the configuration of spaces, and how the city has over spare a lot of open
spaces due to building development requirements of the city, that the more public space they
provide the higher they can go up building. The movie ended discussing the Cincinnati open space
and how it has all the different kinds of activities the public can enjoy.

I think the order of the topics was very confusing and jumbled up pretty bad, and the overall
purpose of the film was not properly delivered. If they could have a better editor perhaps the flow of
film was smooth and easier to get the lessons out. Although the videography is poor, the
information it contained was quite useful. Overall, I learned that designing not just open spaces but
also buildings or even furniture is all about the people. We design for the benefit of the people, and
not for our own liking.