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== The Grid System ==
== The Grid System ==
CRP makes efforts to reestablish the ‘‘civil’’ aspect of civilization, especially in regards to the modern urban grid standard. Although not the first to utilize the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_plan grid system], [http://www.spur.org/events/calendar/ancient-roman-city-planning the Romans largely introduced the urban grid] as an effective city planning system [http://theworldisurban.com/2011/06/history-of-the-grid/].  
CRP makes efforts to reestablish the ‘‘civil’’ aspect of civilization, especially in regards to the modern urban grid standard. Although not the first to utilize the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grid_plan grid system], [http://www.spur.org/events/calendar/ancient-roman-city-planning the Romans largely introduced the urban grid] as an effective city planning system [http://theworldisurban.com/2011/06/history-of-the-grid/].  
[[File:4463558583 a3d77d9ea9 z.jpg|thumb|right|]]
[[File:4463558583 a3d77d9ea9 z.jpg|thumb|right|grid map of San Francisco]]
In the grid system, travelers could meet with other travelers at regular intervals, where the streets intersected. But as people began to drive cars more often, intimate interactions began to dwindle. Intersections have become places where traffic and tensions builds up, people don’t signal, and violence has increased.
In the grid system, travelers could meet with other travelers at regular intervals, where the streets intersected. But as people began to drive cars more often, intimate interactions began to dwindle. Intersections have become places where traffic and tensions builds up, people don’t signal, and violence has increased.
CRP believes that the grid system has lead to people feeling isolated from their communities, and has thereby made it difficult for community space to flourish. Whereas cities and towns without a grid system have naturally occurring space for gatherings, with the grid system, meeting places need to be deliberately planned [http://cityrepair.org/about/why-city-repair/].
CRP believes that the grid system has lead to people feeling isolated from their communities, and has thereby made it difficult for community space to flourish. Whereas cities and towns without a grid system have naturally occurring space for gatherings, with the grid system, meeting places need to be deliberately planned [http://cityrepair.org/about/why-city-repair/].


== Placemaking ==
== Placemaking ==
Architects and city planners have been conceptualizing human reclamation of streets [[File:PlaceDiagram.jpg|thumb|left]]  since the 1960s. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Jacobs Jane Jacobs] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Whyte William H. Whyte] were among the first pioneers of city planing that was centered on people’s needs and aspirations, not cars and supermarkets. This idea is called [http://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/ Placemaking], and its visionaries believe that “when you focus on place, you do everything differently” [http://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/].  
Architects and city planners have been conceptualizing human reclamation of streets [[File:PlaceDiagram.jpg|thumb|left|placemaking diagram]]  since the 1960s. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Jacobs Jane Jacobs] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Whyte William H. Whyte] were among the first pioneers of city planing that was centered on people’s needs and aspirations, not cars and supermarkets. This idea is called [http://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/ Placemaking], and its visionaries believe that “when you focus on place, you do everything differently” [http://www.pps.org/reference/what_is_placemaking/].  
By opening neighborhood planning to local residents, the focus shifts from managing people as they shuffle between A and B, to empowering residents to shape their own community experience.
By opening neighborhood planning to local residents, the focus shifts from managing people as they shuffle between A and B, to empowering residents to shape their own community experience.




== Projects ==  
== Projects ==  
[[File:Vbc2013.jpg|thumb|right|]]
[[File:Vbc2013.jpg|thumb|right|VBC event schedule]]
CRP works on many projects around Portland, including the annual [http://vbc.cityrepair.org/index.php?id=59 Village Building Convergence], a “placemaking festival” that blends activism, hands-on education, community development, and art to create partnerships between governments, residents, and communities [http://vbc.cityrepair.org/]. The Village Building Convergence lasts ten days and the event in 2013 will begin May 24th [http://vbc.cityrepair.org/index.php?id=197]  
CRP works on many projects around Portland, including the annual [http://vbc.cityrepair.org/index.php?id=59 Village Building Convergence], a “placemaking festival” that blends activism, hands-on education, community development, and art to create partnerships between governments, residents, and communities [http://vbc.cityrepair.org/]. The Village Building Convergence lasts ten days and the event in 2013 will begin May 24th [http://vbc.cityrepair.org/index.php?id=197]  


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== Sunnyside Piazza ==
== Sunnyside Piazza ==
[[File:SunnysidePiazza.jpg|thumb|left]]
[[File:SunnysidePiazza.jpg|thumb|left|Sunnyside Piazza abuzz]]
[http://www.sunnysidepiazza.blogspot.com/ The Sunnyside Piazza] is perhaps one of CRP’s most famous intersection repair projects. This inner-city intersection in Portland, OR. was transformed into a community space in 2001, in efforts to reduce neighborhood crime and increase individual sense of place [http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=504]. The project seems to have had a positive effect; a study by [https://search.knodeinc.com/viewProfile.action;jsessionid=1cor3vxsztxt21xfcubwdubdz5?profile.profileId=A2751788#.UorziWTcpKk Jan C. Semenza] showed that people in the Sunnyside neighborhood were 30% happier with their neighborhood than people in a nearby neighborhood with a similar demographic [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447989/].  
[http://www.sunnysidepiazza.blogspot.com/ The Sunnyside Piazza] is perhaps one of CRP’s most famous intersection repair projects. This inner-city intersection in Portland, OR. was transformed into a community space in 2001, in efforts to reduce neighborhood crime and increase individual sense of place [http://www.pps.org/great_public_spaces/one?public_place_id=504]. The project seems to have had a positive effect; a study by [https://search.knodeinc.com/viewProfile.action;jsessionid=1cor3vxsztxt21xfcubwdubdz5?profile.profileId=A2751788#.UorziWTcpKk Jan C. Semenza] showed that people in the Sunnyside neighborhood were 30% happier with their neighborhood than people in a nearby neighborhood with a similar demographic [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447989/].  



Revision as of 21:22, 19 November 2013

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City Repair Project

City Repair Project (CRP) is a non-profit organization 501(c)3 that began in 2001 in Portland, OR. To CRP, “localization of culture, economy, and decision-making” is crucial feature of sustainable communities. CRP encourages and empowers individuals of communities to reclaim public space through artistic and ecologically-responsible projects that tear down the barriers between humans and the natural environment [1]. By empowering people to transform their public spaces, CRP and the people they work with have challenged norms and created active and engaged communities.

The Grid System

CRP makes efforts to reestablish the ‘‘civil’’ aspect of civilization, especially in regards to the modern urban grid standard. Although not the first to utilize the grid system, the Romans largely introduced the urban grid as an effective city planning system [2].

grid map of San Francisco

In the grid system, travelers could meet with other travelers at regular intervals, where the streets intersected. But as people began to drive cars more often, intimate interactions began to dwindle. Intersections have become places where traffic and tensions builds up, people don’t signal, and violence has increased. CRP believes that the grid system has lead to people feeling isolated from their communities, and has thereby made it difficult for community space to flourish. Whereas cities and towns without a grid system have naturally occurring space for gatherings, with the grid system, meeting places need to be deliberately planned [3].

Placemaking

Architects and city planners have been conceptualizing human reclamation of streets

placemaking diagram

since the 1960s. Jane Jacobs and William H. Whyte were among the first pioneers of city planing that was centered on people’s needs and aspirations, not cars and supermarkets. This idea is called Placemaking, and its visionaries believe that “when you focus on place, you do everything differently” [4].

By opening neighborhood planning to local residents, the focus shifts from managing people as they shuffle between A and B, to empowering residents to shape their own community experience.


Projects

VBC event schedule

CRP works on many projects around Portland, including the annual Village Building Convergence, a “placemaking festival” that blends activism, hands-on education, community development, and art to create partnerships between governments, residents, and communities [5]. The Village Building Convergence lasts ten days and the event in 2013 will begin May 24th [6]

CRP is also involved in various intersection repair, natural building, and placemaking projects around Portland [7].

Sunnyside Piazza

Sunnyside Piazza abuzz

The Sunnyside Piazza is perhaps one of CRP’s most famous intersection repair projects. This inner-city intersection in Portland, OR. was transformed into a community space in 2001, in efforts to reduce neighborhood crime and increase individual sense of place [8]. The project seems to have had a positive effect; a study by Jan C. Semenza showed that people in the Sunnyside neighborhood were 30% happier with their neighborhood than people in a nearby neighborhood with a similar demographic [9].

Placemaking in Arcata

The Creamery District in Arcata, CA is also jumping on the placemaking bandwagon. In May 2013, Playhouse Arts granted five local artists a total of over $7,000 to work on art projects in communal spaces in the Creamery District.

Installations:

  • Maila Penhall: knitted socks, pom-poms, etc. in a tree cluster
  • Susan Bloch: mixed-media rainbow-making mobile named the Zephyr
  • Tim Gray: digital music sounds to accompany a walk-through visit of the District
  • Robert Pabst: street mural at the intersection of 9th and L streets
  • Lori Goodman: sculpture of paper, wood, and bamboo paying homage to Kozo

[10].


The projects were completed in August of the same year, and are viewable by taking a walk around 8th and 9th streets on the east side of K Street.

Mark Lakeman

Mark Lakeman is an urban place-maker and a co-founder of CRP. As an urban permaculturist, community designer, and activist, Lakeman has worked on many projects with many organizations, including:

Lakeman worked as a large-scale project designer in the 1980s, until starting other urban projects that mimicked indigenous and marginalized societies in terms of community participation, and localized ownership of political and economic power. [11].

Lakeman finished his 2013 California tour on November 11, after speaking at the California Student Sustainability Coalition Convergence at Humboldt State University. See his calendar for his planned 2014 stops, including various towns on the East Coast of the US; Santa Cruz, CA; Maui, HI; and Breitenbush Resort, OR [12].

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