Sunday, July 12, 2009
You are here
This sounds like an intriguing book as reviewed in the NYTimes; how we have ceded our ability to locate ourselves in the real world. It looks like it references some remarkable studies of how other life forms find their way in the world and lauds Jane Jacobs, a favorite of mine, on urban planning: You Are Here by Collin Ellard
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2 comments:
I've just read the review, and it sounds like a good book. Animal navigation is impressive, and it's fascinating to learn about the design of clever experiments.
The question of human navigational ability is particularly interesting. I have expressed cynicism about my generation's growing reliance on dashboard GPS, especially for local trips. Does the ability to find one's way to a destination without investing the attention necessary to become familiar with the intervening space compound the problem of sustaining healthy neighborhoods? (Run-on sentence inspired by my recent neighborhood survey participation.)
To navigate by logic, landmark, and memory makes the environment (built, natural, and social) an important part of your activity. I would argue that to embrace the importance of your surroundings is, in turn, to be part of a community.
GPS, reference maps, and other navigational aids (compasses and chronometers!) are great tools, though, especially when exploring new places (or locating new things in familiar places). In fact, I'd say the ability to negotiate new places - and new kinds of places - is what we have to compensate for any other navigation shortcomings.
(I'm curious if Ellard concludes whether modern humans lack the capacity for greater spatial sensitivity or simply the experience necessary to develop it. I like to think the latter is the case, frankly, but I don't have anything to prove it.)
Anyway, I'd never heard the term isovist before, but it seems like a useful way to discuss inhabited spaces. It's certainly true that some household spots are favored more than others. Have to check out their isovistas now!
When I reflected on my own isovists I came up with my watchtower red reclining chair at home and my circulation desk perch at ACS; both kind of survivalist venues.
And I think there is real merit on your connection between knowing/learning your way and earning your way into a community.
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