Site Report 3 Performance A & B

Site Report 2B, Contested Spaces

Site Report 3 Performance A & B

Site Report 2 A& B, Contested Spaces

The two readings though describing different things are interrelated. In Fallen Fruit the writers, Burns,Viegner and Young, talked about the fact that fruits fell on the sidewalk and was left to rot because apparently the people in Los Angeles were not knowledgeable of the laws concerning picking these fruits. They(the writers), mentioned the fact that the people did not understand the nature of property and that trees often dangled fruit into public space making it legal to pick. If it falls onto public space there should be no fear in taking them.
In The Right to The Sidewalk, the writers describe the discrimination that young black and brown residents(mostly males) of New York City experienced being on the sidewalk. It did not matter that they were sometimes in front of their own buildings or walking in their neighborhoods. These young people were used as pawns in the play for gentrification and the so called “taking back the city”. In an experiment that was first practiced in the 1980’s, these young people are still being “targeted” in 2018.
The similarities of the two readings was evident in the fact that some homeowners asked to be taken off the map in Los Angeles, maybe for the fear that they can be targeted by others who could use this map to rob them or invade their privacy and the fact that in New York City, the young men felt targeted being on the sidewalk.
Mention must be made that the sidewalk in Los Angeles seemed safer than in New York City. The writers state that some residents(homeowners) agreed to walking tours that include picking of fruits that would have become fallen and even an invitation into the backyard sometimes. In New York however, some young men feel safer staying indoors as the sidewalk has proven unsafe due to all the stop,question and frisk that is taking place.
The fact that the broken window policing in New York has been proven,
with research to not work and the that a Federal Court has ruled the practice unconstitutional and racially biased has not stopped the method from being used. It literally means that the public spaces in New York has been “reclaimed” permanently while claiming to focus on order.

Gregona

Site Report Urban Public A

In the article the authors highlight the uses of physical space in reference to open spaces and  focused mostly on Zuccotti Park in New York city though mention was made of other spaces like in Spain, Egypt and Asia. I believe the main focus was New York because that is the closest space to the authors and they probably had first hand knowledge of the activities taking place there.

In my opinion, not enough emphasis was given to the unrest that took place in zuccotti park. The fact that the organizers were able to carry out peaceful political protests until the neighboring residents started complaining of the noise

was commendable. The article states that the assembly focused on nonhierarchical structure. This signifies that when circumstances demand, people do come together for a cause and can function on a level plane. It is noteworthy that they were organized, united, creative and supportive of the cause.

The environment started to deteriorate when unsavory characters started infiltrating the settlement. The article states that the park became divided and some people started feeling uncomfortable being in there. Mention was made that the homeless population and recently released prisoners started patronizing the community due to the fact that there was an abundance of free food and clothing. The major difference in Zuccotti park and the other occupy settlements was the security. The other parks screened people who entered whereas Zuccotti was open to all. The article did not mention the strain on the resources of the city but it is obvious when mention is made of the velocity of police officers deployed to try to maintain law and order to an extent.

by Gregona St.Hill