Sunday, 5 August 2012

WEEK 2 - SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IMPACTS

Cultural:

An article written by aneyoshi journal describing medieval tsunami stone warnings created for the safely of future Japanese generations, describes a sense of cultural unity despite being derived from such tragedy. The tradition is being upheld in a modern representation to document the new flood levels as of 2011.

Brisbane could produce a similar cultural bond over the tragedy of the 2011 flash floods, although the question is, in future will these cultural monuments be produced as a physical form? Or in the case of an advancing technological world will it deem more significant to design or document events online.

In this sense however it was the initial selfless act to create stone warnings to ensure safety to future villages that brought beauty to the tradition. To create any type of entity that will prove to serve significant to generations to come is what we all as architects strive to produce; although when it comes to cultural significance I believe it is important to leave a mark that best signifies the meaning and physical representation that is true to the time in which the event occurred.



Social:

In the words of Arthur Clarke, "the traditional roll of the city as a meeting place for man will no longer make any sense. They will no longer commute for work, they will communicate, they would only travel for pleasure.”


I feel that currently, from general observation, that the Brisbane CBD is a notorious 9-5pm-operation zone. So many failed attempts to introduce culturally innovative spaces and activities, has lead to diminishing social activity.

So what would be a likely future for Brisbane CBD?
Scenario:

It’s the year 2043, the effects of the economic crisis have become a reality as the standard quality of life. The baby boomer generation have been the only generation that have been able to afford living within close proximity of the major cities, forcing generation Y to settle for suburban living regardless of their singular status. This event has promoted a sawing increase in online shopping and business communication with many small business owners as well as few corporate empires now operating through advanced online communication strategies.
Cities are no longer a mandatory 9-5 operation zone, in fact the idea that cities where once regarded as the largest trading empire seems ridiculous. No longer will man commute to take part in business operation when their business can be conducted just as well from any other part of the world. The only active purpose of the new age city, is recreational activity.

With the closure of many boutique shops and corporate high-rises within the CBD, Australian Architects have been contracted to regenerate the CBD for the youth. Introducing single self contained apartments and recreating the city into a valley of sky lines and gardens studio production booths and 24 hour live coverage of world issues, live entertainment with the use of hologram technology and online access will be spread throughout the district, creating a city that is constantly moving (businesses rotate from studio booth day by day) but are consistently connected through technology and GPS.

Current Inspiration:

Many CBD’s around the world are introducing sky garden elements, one that is commonly known is the High Line 23 in New York that was a renovation from the existing sky rail line that used to pass through the city in the 20th Century. This could be a future developing trend for cities, as it does not interfere with the building grid patterns or existing street but has the potential to create a higher density, mixed use, entertainment and green space experience for city users.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-yEb4JT-A8&feature=player_embedded

The above clip shows a walk through of the High Line. For future development this type of structure will need to accommodate a lot more entertainment activity, entertainment that will take advantage of technological advancements. 
Imagine watching a New York, NBA basket ball game live in Brisbane city, through the use of holograms..... this will eventually become possible. 




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