        Emily ErnstCudda, Wudda, Shudda:The purpose of a street is to connect buildings, a place where people can freely move about, assemble, and interact. Most commonly known as a public thoroughfare in the built environment. The street that will be analyzed is 5th Street, more specifically the five blocks from the Klause building to West Peachtree Street. These five blocks includes a couple of block of campus, the 5th Street bridge, and Tech Square. There has been lots of money poured into the remodeling of this space. This remodeling is a big project involving not only many disciplines of Georgia Tech, but also various local groups. The money has been worth it due to the very positive public reaction. All the students are happy to a have a place to go and shop and forget the cares of school, if only for a few minutes. But it is not only the students that like the improvements to 5th Street, but also the people that live and do business near 5th Street. Tech Square has grown in popularity, over the short amount of time that it has been existence. This is due mainly to all the added green, and recreational areas, the look as whole is very pleasing, and how the same space has opened up and is friendly and inviting. But the argument has been made, is good enough? Has all the work, money, and time been worth it? Can it be improved? There is a limited amount of space for 5th Street, and therefore the space has to be divided into business, travel, and recreation areas. The business area is in Tech Square where the businesses lining both sides of 5th Street. The travel area is the sidewalk and actual street itself. And the recreation area, or green space, is mainly on the bridge with the grass and the garden. There are also recreational areas in Tech Square, there are benches, and trees in the sidewalk, also there is a small grassy area in Tech Square. The travel area is divided into car lanes, bike lane, and sidewalks. The areas are proportional to each other in the amount of usage each gets and, in size. So the street is very large, due to the amount of cars that pass through the space, and the sidewalk is also large in proportion to accommodate the larger amount of walkers, but also to create a social space; and the bike lane is small, due to not much use. To do this, the sidewalks are also divided into parts: public and private, or belonging to the store. The private part is farthest from the street, and is made out of concrete. This part of the sidewalk was made mainly for travel, due to the fact that there are almost no barriers to get in the way of and frustrate the walker. The benches, trees, characterize the public part of the sidewalk and that it is made out of a different material, bricks. I personally have seen many people stop to chat on the public part of the sidewalk, and I have also seen lots of people enjoy drinks, snacks, and other various purchases on the benches, or just to sit and rest in the shade of the near by tree. When passing the benches and trees, it makes me happy knowing that people designed this space and also kept the comfort of the user in mind. 5th Street is being redesigned, and the social aspect of the space is not being ignored in the process. The space is designed to encourage walking and bike riding, and trying to reduce the amount of car traffic. Like I mentioned before, the space is designed for people to stop, sit, meet, and talk to others. Also this space is for people to stop and take time out of their busy day and shopping to socialize, unwind, and take a small breather. Along with all the good, there are things to improve. The whole section is very artistically done, but the end where 5th Street intersects with West Peachtree Street is not very well maintained. 5th street is inviting, but the intersection with West Peachtree Street, turns people away and is not seen as inviting. When walking along that intersection, my friends and I get nervous, because one time we saw a homeless guy sleeping in the doorway of a store only about fifteen to twenty feet away from 5th Street. And so if Georgia Tech bought the property across from the Management building and designed the west side of the intersection as a nice garden and sitting area, then the intersection would be inviting and people would not be turned off by that entrance into campus. On the green space on the bridge, many people play football, soccer, and Frisbee. This makes me nervous because I am afraid that the ball or frisbee would go over the guard rail. This problem could be easily solved by making the guard rail higher, so people will not be afraid of losing things over the guard rail. Going along the same lines, I, personally have a fear of falling off the bridge into traffic. I know that the bridge is very architecturally sound, and well built, but if I get off the sidewalk I am afraid of the bridge collapsing and falling into traffic. This is mainly because the traffic is very visible from the bridge, this could easily be fixed by planting tall tress or bushes to block the view. If I was not able to see the traffic then I would not have a problem going on the grass and having fun with my friends, like so many others. In Tech Square the sidewalks are large and welcoming, but on campus this is not so. I find that the sidewalks are smaller and not very welcoming to users. They do not make people want to walk, although the street is large and very friendly easy for drivers to use. I think that this can be solved by making the sidewalks 2 or 3 feet larger, and plant some nice flowers or bushes along the way. They would not be able to be planted in the ground, but they could be planted in large and decorative pots lining the sidewalk. This would help the problem, but not entirely solve it, because it is not just the physical aspects of the sidewalk that are important but also the atmosphere that surrounds the sidewalk and environment. What contributes to the atmosphere are the buildings, and in Tech Square the buildings’ faces are uniform, open, and architecturally pleasant to look at. This is not so on campus, most of the buildings were built separately and by different architects, not as a big project so there is no vision of the space as a whole, and the environment. The whole building does not have to redone, just the side that faces 5th Street, so there can a uniform look and make it more pleasant for walkers. Although the Klause building is excluded from this for it is already very pleasant to look at and improves the landscape. I do not know if anything ca be done to the back of the Architecture building so it can be left alone, but the area between the Architecture building and the street could be improved by adding more plants and making it into a small sitting area would greatly improve the space. Overall the designers, architects, builders, and everyone else involved in the 5th Street project did a very good job. It is certainly a huge improvement from what it was before, no one can deny this. It is a very pleasant walk, and lots of people choose to walk to enjoy the view and the fun, relaxed, and open atmosphere. The space is architecturally beautiful, and pleasant to look at. Many people enjoy the space, to look, shop, be social, or to just sit and rest or relax. The space of Tech Square is mostly used for everyday or informal events, but I have also seen formal meetings and small dances conducted in various places in Tech Square. When I have taken visitors to Tech Square they cannot believe that such a wonderful, friendly place exists on campus, and they say that they wish there was a place like Tech Square near where they live. I also notice a lot of other people in Tech Square that are not connected to Georgia Tech in any way, but come to enjoy the space, atmosphere, and partake in the fruits of the people that worked very hard on the 5th Street project. The main reason that the space is so successful is because everything is proportional to how many users, and to the other things in the space. It is very good start, but there are a few things that ca be improved. The same amount of attention that was given to Tech Square needs to extended to the whole length of 5th Street to make it completely successful. Of the section of 5th Street on campus, it needs the sidewalks, and building faces to be improved, so that the atmosphere of Tech Square can carry over to campus. The bridge needs a few touch ups as well, mainly a higher guard rail, and blocking the view of traffic, to enhance the experience of the bridge. But the major disappointment is the end of 5th Street that intersects with West Peachtree Street. That entrance to campus needs to be more inviting and pleasing to the eye so that people are not turned away by the appearance of this entrance. I think that 5th Street is not only a great improvement for the campus of Georgia Tech, but also for the city. 5th Street is a place that is very walker and biker friendly, in a city of too many cars. Hopefully other will come and see and experience all that is 5th Street, and carry that same ideas to where they live and slowly make the area less dependant on cars, and make people realize that other means of transportation are available to them if they will only reevaluate how they live, design, and build the space around themselves. 10-10 Architecture: Part 1- Some of the important terms and concepts are personal signature, how to make a distinguishing building, and the relationship between building and people, and society. The relationship between building and people and society is complex, because people design and shape buildings as a reflection of the world and society at that moment, and in turn the buildings shape people and society. Part 2- Personal signature-is when an architect designs a building and leaves their own imprint on the building How to make a distinguishing building is keeping in mind the world you live in, the world you want to change, and how you want to build. Part 3- Some of the main profession issues are design, building for better sustainability, and being more green. There is also the question of independent and small business vs. large corporate companies. The program at Georgia Tech trains the brain to use both sides, logical and artistic. 10-15 Building Construction: Part 1- Some of the important terms and concepts are operate, the design & build process, and the communication in the design & build process. Operate is the part of the process where the building is put into use by the people it was designed for and for the propose it was built for. Part 2- Integrated system- refers to the design process changing to be more efficient to save money and time. Wholestic thinking- is when the people involved in the design process don’t just think about their part/step, but keep in mind the whole process and everyone involved Part 3- Some of the professional issues are better communication during the whole process, and making the process efficient and time & money saving. And for the students, the main issue is understanding the process and learning to be good problem solvers. 10-22 Industrial Design: Part 1- Some of the main concepts and terms were all the different aspects about design, interactive design, and that industrial designers also design the spaces for their products. And design involves most if not all the senses, and industrial designers create the product to also give the user a positive experience. Part 2- Interaction design- is something that is designed for everyday public use and to assist people, usually in the form of giving directions and phones. Part 3- The main question for the professionals is “How do I create something that solves this problem?” And for the students the main issues is learning how to design objects that meet a specific purpose, and be pleasing to the eye. 10-12 Library research: 1. Abrams, Jim. House passes stronger flood insurance plan / But White House says wind damage provision might prompt Bush veto; [3 STAR , 0 Edition]. Houston Chronicle. Houston, Tex.: Sep 28, 2007. pg. 6 2. Alpert, Bruce. Bill could aid La. flood protection ; It includes money for restoring coast. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Jul 28, 2007. pg. 02 3. Arnot, Chris. Education: Hurricane builders: How can 500 years of Engish craftsmanship help reconstruct the devastated city of New Orleans?. The Guardian. London (UK): Sep 4, 2007. pg. 3 4. Capochino, April. Louisiana cuts funding to higher education; New Orleans-area colleges and universities struggle. New Orleans CityBusiness. Metairie: May 8, 2006. pg. 1 5. Ellard, Partick. LEARNING FROM KATRINA: EMPHASIZING THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL TO PROTECT CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEES IN DISASTERS. The American Criminal Law Review. Chicago: Summer 2007. Vol. 44, Iss. 3; pg. 1207 6. Fabris, Peter. Gulf Coast Hotel's Stormy Road to Recovery. Building Design & Construction. Chicago: Sep 2007. Vol. 48, Iss. 11; pg. 26 7. Grinberg, Maya. When the Levees Break-Again. Risk Management. New York: Aug 2007. Vol. 54, Iss. 8; pg. 6, 1 pgs 8. Kunzelman, Michael. Coastal buyout idea unveiled / 17,000 homes in Mississippi would be removed, changing lives and waterfront culture; [3 STAR , 0 Edition]. Houston Chronicle. Houston, Tex.: Oct 10, 2007. pg. 9 9. Larson, Susan. Just warming up ; Does global warming portend stronger storms? The debate rages on. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Jul 15, 2007. pg. 01 10. Lawton, Kim. Two years after Katrina. The Christian Century. Chicago: Sep 18, 2007. Vol. 124, Iss. 19; pg. 12, 2 pgs 11. Lukensmeyer, Carolyn J. Large-Scale Citizen Engagement and the Rebuilding of New Orleans: A Case Study. National Civic Review. New York: Fall 2007. Vol. 96, Iss. 3; pg. 3 12. MacCash, Doug. Cashing in on culture ; Forum to focus on using arts to prime state's economic pump. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Aug 23, 2007. pg. 01 13. MacCash, Doug. Cultural comeback ; Much of the city's social, political and economic infrastructure remains patchy. But New Orleans' art and entertainment communities have continued to do what they do best: Make music, feed the masses, dazzle the senses and dance in the streets. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Aug 28, 2007. pg. 01 14. Nguyen, Tram. Cashing in on culture ; Forum to focus on using arts to prime state's economic pump. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Aug 23, 2007. pg. 01 15. Peck, Renee. BUILDING WITH STEEL ; PROTOTYPE HOME RESISTS HURRICANES, TERMITES AND MOLD. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Apr 14, 2007. pg. 14 16. Pope, John. Dillard forum tackles hurdles to recovery ; Citizens urged to press government into action. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Aug 29, 2007. pg. 01 17. Radcliffe, Jennifer. KATERINA'S AFTERMATH / The difficult job of getting a life back on track / Katrina evacuee struggles with a strange city and uncertainty about the home she left; [3 STAR Edition]. Houston Chronicle. Houston, Tex.: Sep 15, 2005. pg. 06 18. Sawyer, Tom. Powerful New Tool Is Key To Reducing Risk; Scientific inquiry into the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe helps to create new analysis products. ENR. New York: Jul 02, 2007. Vol. 259, Iss. 1; pg. 10 19. Simon, Darran. INSTRUMENT OF RECOVERY ; Irvin Mayfield Jr. unveils the Elysian Trumpet, which is dedicated to Katrina victims and to New Orleans' cultural resurgence. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Aug 28, 2007. pg. 08 20. Thomas, Bob. Vital to the U.S., Louisiana must recover. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Jul 30, 2007. pg. 05 21. Torres, Katherine. After Disaster Strikes: Lessons Learned From the Gulf Coast. Occupational Hazards. Cleveland: Aug 2007. Vol. 69, Iss. 8; pg. 26, 4 pgs 22. Walker, Bailus; Reuben Warren. Katrina Perspectives. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. Nashville: May 2007. Vol. 18, Iss. 2; pg. 233, 8 pgs 23. Warner, Coleman. Displaced Louisianians turn up in every state ; Mass exodus causes historic upheaval. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Sep 2, 2007. pg. 11 24. Wienberg, Steve. Katrina under a scope Reporters scrutinize waste, fraud, abuse by emergency agencies; [Final Edition]. Denver Post. Denver, Colo.: May 27, 2007. pg. F.12 25. Alternative Construction by Gulf Coast of Mississippi Performs Hurricane Strength Projectile Test Against Conventional Building Materials. . PR Newswire. New York: Oct 4, 2007. 26. BRIEFING BOOK ; News and notes from Louisiana politics. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Aug 26, 2007. pg. 06 27. THE CANDIDATES ; House District 91. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Sep 28, 2007. pg. 01 28. Chronology of a catastrophe. Times - Picayune. New Orleans, La.: Jul 15, 2007. pg. 06 29. Congressional committee OKs Louisiana Water Resources Development Act projects. New Orleans CityBusiness. Metairie: Jul 28, 2007. pg. 1 30. Economic Recovery in the Gulf Coast Mixed; Construction and Manufacturing Drive Gains in Pascagoula and Lake Charles, but Employment in New Orleans and Biloxi-Gulfport Lag Business Wire. New York: Jun 16, 2006. pg. 1 31. ENVIRONMENT; NEW ORLEANS : TWO YEARS LATER; Cheap, clean and green; 21st century neighborhood takes shape in the 9th Ward; [HOME EDITION]. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif.: Aug 29, 2007. pg. A.16 32. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Responds to TIME Magazine's August 13, 2007, Cover Story, 'The Threatening Storm'. PR Newswire. New York: Aug 13, 2007. Email:eernst3@gatech.edu interests:movies, horseback riding, shopping Link to this Page
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