Talk:The square around Herredsvang Kulturhus

Hi, Wendy!

At the first, I would like to correct the observation which is given by me and my group, when we have talked about layers in parallel groups. In fact, at the first moment I have thought the function layer of the study site is too detailed. But later, especially after last lesson, I don't think it's the case. Function layer gives a lot inputs for the next step concerning behavior patterns, so it has to be observe also by my group. That is well done by you, Wendy.

My other observation is about new redesign of the square, which called your attention while choosing your study site, as you said. Functional role of round flower beds is very interesting to me, but I asked myself whether the surrounding, especially its visual aspect, supports this new redesign. In fact, I'm interested whether people accept it as their? It seems to me, according to design of building as well as wider landscape context, that the new redesign square stands out in comparation with common landscape design in this area. But I'm also wondering whether the residents and others might be interested for that contrast, and whether that contrast might be recognized as unique and accepted as new public identity by its users?

Interesting area, indeed. Best wishes! Danijela.A.M.S. Belgrade

Oh,

many thanks for the nice review. I'm not sure about the visual aspect in correlation with the public's perception - no doubt that for me it's quite an improvement from what it used to be in the past (regarding the simple pedestrianized pavement around) but I cannot tell on everyone's behalf. The thing is that I've been quite sick these days so I couldn't interview people when I got the chance to go out (for behaviour pattern assessment) and since the 1st of December is already quite freezing around (or lots of rain and storms as usually in wintertime in Denmark) and not many go outside for recreation purpose - barely for shopping or other types of needs, and this also happens quite fast.

I'll continue pasting here a discussion I had with Ellen via e-mails last time, when she reviewed our case studies - at her recommendation I'm providing behaviour information here:

Ellen: "Alltogether I would say that this is a good living environment and it seems to be quite well designed. What do you think? Do you feel o.k. there? It is very interesting that you mentioned the international population that is living there and there is presumably a need for social interaction and integration, to which the culture house can contribute. So one interesting questions would be if the new square can contribute to this intercultural interaction - or would that be a too high expectation? Are you satisfied with the design? The conifers have been there before? They give indeed a strong impression, like a quotation from a woodland somewhere in the landscape"

Me: Yes, it is - that was my consideration, too. That the space is well designed, despite being considered perhaps a neglected periphery - which astonishes me when comparing to where I come from. If I feel o.k. - yes, actually. Maybe not as cheerful as a student campus, but it still has life, even if at times appears more like an elderly neighbourhood (very quiet, peaceful, like nothing will happen). And yes, students do live especially in the upper youth residences, even if quite far from campus / city center, but nearby there's also an university (where my boyfriend studies) so actually most of them come from this one here. With the immigrants which settled there throughout the time (all of them know Danish so they've been here for some while), mostly muslims with more children and usually women housewives, the whole site is filled with life during daytime, and sometimes also at night, although I haven't yet seen anything resembling ghetto activity / fights which people rumour about.

The social interaction and integration is already taking place at the Culture House and it's under constant improvement. I've seen muslim women - housewives or not - engaged in different activities inside the Culture House, from organizing parties at Cafe, to joining classes of Zumba! or intertwinning in between (the sender / receiver of service / facilities). (Muslim) Men are usually employed in the local shops or transportation service, therefore dealing with commerce / trading of goods not usually found in hypermarkets in town (fresh greenery / groceries sometimes cheaper in "Angebot" and everytime better in quality than elsewhere, small items for household or mobile services, food court and so on). As in each bigger city, there is a number of illegal trafficants of light drugs, but only if you seem interested they ask (I haven't, so my story is based on what I heard).

If I am satisfied with the design - yes, that too. It was o.k. even before, now even better, 'cause it gives the space its sense of place, and what I've come to realise working with my brain in search of a logical answer for defining the function behind the design ("form follows function" principle) is that it enhances even more the main use of pedestrian flow (preventing car access inside this loop and around - see dead ends in traffic map).

As for the conifers (the ones pictured in the photo / sketch in front of the church) - I have no idea, since I haven't documented the landscape biography in layers of development throughout the time. There is this urban forest / forest park in near vicinity named Brendstrup Skov but I'm not in the position to tell whether the trees inside the residential zone belong actually to the tree fond in there.