SUSTAINABLE LIVING (ARC61704)
TUTOR: Dr Siti Norzaini Zainal Abidin
Assignment 01 :
Sustainable System in a City
This module has introduced us to a range of historical and contemporary materials illustrating some key themes in the conceptual framework, model and planning of sustainable living in cities. As students, we were thus given the opportunity to explore issues of space, form and their relationship to aspects of use and cultural meaning. For our first project, we had to work as a team to demonstrate an understanding of the economic, social and environmental aspects and four infrastructure of two precedents of existing cities that we have chosen and to describe how cultural values which are the identity of our selected city (intangible) and other site conditions (tangible) affect perceptions and experiences in local urban context. This analysis is then led to proposals of ideas from the existing sustainable urban development in order to identify how our city or town could itself become more sustainable. We are then to present our data and proposals in a document through the use of diagrams and infographics with clarity.
REFLECTION
In this project, I've learnt to work as a team in order to produce a satisfied outcome and to ensure a smooth process from start to completion of our work. I am very fortunate to be in a team where everyone is communicative and responsible which made me realise the significance of communication both socially and graphically.
Communication between group members is important in avoiding confusion and misunderstanding. I'm glad that all of my froupmates are willing to voice out their ideas and opinions which fosters a productive ground of discussion and generation of ideas.
On the other hand, clarity in the communication and presentation of our information and analysis is equally important. I've managed to improve my graphic communication skills through this project owing to the guidance of my teammates who are adept in infographics.
Overall, I am thankful that I had a great time and had learnt a lot about the frameworks and infrastructures of a sustainable living city through this module as well.
Assignment 02 :
Sustainable City Ideas
Our second assignment is an individual project where we had to produce an A1 presentation board of a future city that we have envisioned for the upcoming 10 to 30 years through infographics and sketches. Besides that, we were also assigned to ponder and write a reflective report as a general sum-up for this module throughout the semester.
With the fundamental understanding of a
sustainable and convivial living environment that was taught and reinforced through the lectures and tutorial imparted from this module by our lecturers and tutors, we were given the task to pick a city and identify its contemporary issues before illustrating and analysing the proposal of concepts, principles and practices of a sustainable city which are to be applied in the future convivial living environment.
In my context, I've chosen to the city of Venice in Italy for further and more in-depth study as I have discerned and targeted the grave issues of flooding and mass tourism that heavily plague the city.
Upon research and weekly consultations from my tutor, Dr. Siti who dispenses helpful feedbacks and suggestions, has enabled me to yield a comprehensive and detailed proposal that considers the future prospects of the city without compromising the rich history, culture and sense of place in which the city boasts of.
REFLECTION
Through this assignment, I was given a chance to tap into my imaginative faculty and explore the limitless range of possibilities for a potential city that doesn't exalts innovation and technology at the expense of the earth but rather to employ and deploy our existing resources and knowledge adroitly that we may progress forward without forgetting our roots. Through the project, I was thus able to develop my critical thinking skills in generating a greener and more sustainable living space and applying it into my design thinking process that I may produce design without negligence but with careful considerations for the future and its inhabitants. It has also enlightened me to the dire impact that our decisions make, no matter how small it may seems.
Overall, it was a fun and explorative module that allows me to heighten my sensitivity in design and awareness for the environment, its spaces and settlers. I'm thankful for my tutor who is patient in teaching and assisting us all along the semester which has resulted in the successful completion and fruitful outcome of module.