Writing assignment #3

Due in class February 9.

Based on the Andres Duany lecture, please answer the following five questions with short paragraphs consisting of half a page of computer printed text for each question.
 

1.  Throughout the video Duany mentions many perceived social costs of the prevailing model of suburban development.  Describe several of these social costs and the factors that contribute to them.
 

2.  What are the elements of traditional small towns that make them so attractive in terms of scale, proportion, details, and transportation opportunities?
 
 

3.  Duany discusses an aerial photograph of the typical square mile of suburban development.  What are his main points about the component parts of the suburbs, the mix of uses, and traffic patterns?  What might be an alternative?
 
 

4.  What specific design elements does Duany mention that give towns and residential streets a more pedestrian and public-oriented feeling.
 
 

5.  Discuss the factors that seem to be the largest obstacles to implementing Duany’s ideas.
 
 
 

Something for your own entertainment: Watch the movie Office Space and look for the subtle scenes that echo Duany’s comments.
 

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