Human Lifecycles
The human lifecycle goes through several stages. For the purposes of this project, I have divided the lifecycle into five stages (Early Childhood, Youth, Young Adult, Adult and Older Person) (Alexander, 1977). These development groups require different green space typologies due to mobility and desires. It is fundamental to human health that cities offer green spaces that meet the needs of people of all ages for overall wellness of a community. For this reason, I have chosen one residential block in Milwaukee's Clock Tower Acres Neighborhood to identify which age group is the most limited in their access to green space. This process highlights areas of need and potential areas of green space intervention in the city.
The descriptions for each developmental stage will propose a title and age range that falls under that developmental stage (Ex: 'Early Childhood (0-6)'). It will be followed with a description of the spatial characteristics required for development, place types where these characteristics can be sought out and developmental milestones achieved by the end of the specified life stage. The descriptions are paired with a diagram that maps those location types within a 10 minute walk of the proposed area of study. The diagrams also indicate the level of mobility for each age group starting with the limited infant and expanding to the wide range of accessibility that comes with age. My hope is that these categories and descriptions provide a general understanding of the needs of people at each stage of development and how the city of Milwaukee is currently responding to those needs.
The descriptions for each developmental stage will propose a title and age range that falls under that developmental stage (Ex: 'Early Childhood (0-6)'). It will be followed with a description of the spatial characteristics required for development, place types where these characteristics can be sought out and developmental milestones achieved by the end of the specified life stage. The descriptions are paired with a diagram that maps those location types within a 10 minute walk of the proposed area of study. The diagrams also indicate the level of mobility for each age group starting with the limited infant and expanding to the wide range of accessibility that comes with age. My hope is that these categories and descriptions provide a general understanding of the needs of people at each stage of development and how the city of Milwaukee is currently responding to those needs.
Neighborhood Age Demographics
Before diving in, the existing age demographics of the study area should be noted. This block between South 2nd and South 3rd Street, West Orchard Street and West Lapham Boulevard, is comprised mainly of people aged 25-65, followed by youths aged 10-19. The lowest populous age groups are those aged 65+ followed by children aged 5-9. For the neighborhood, this age demographic means that the majority of people living in this area have a wide range of accessibility to green space due to a high level of mobility. Even so, it is important that green spaces are available in a variety of settings so as people grow older, there are spaces that can meet their needs.
From the populations found in this neighborhood block it is hypothesized that the existing green spaces in this area would be most catered to the needs of adults. It can also be hypothesized that the oldest members of this neighborhood block would see the least amount of green space options just due to the population count. This hypothesis is based solely on the number of people in each age group and the cities existing response to green space. The variation in age in this neighborhood block is ideal for demonstrating a wide variety of people that inhabit cities. It also lays the platform for change in the city since as years go by, this age demographic will grow older but as families begin to form, new life will also emerge. |
Early Childhood (0-6):
Spatial Characteristics Required for Development:
Infant (0-1):
Place Types:
Infant (0-1)
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Developmental Milestones (Alexander, 1977) :
(0-1) Trust
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Youth (6-18):
Spatial Characteristics Required for Development:
Place Types:
Developmental Milestones (Alexander, 1977):
Identity
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Young Adult (18-25):
Spatial Characteristics Required for Development:
Place Types:
Developmental Milestones (Alexander, 1977):
Intimacy
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Adult (25-65):
Spatial Characteristics Required for Development:
Place Types:
Developmental Milestones (Alexander, 1977):
Generativity
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Older Person (65+):
Spatial Characteristics Required for Development:
Place Types:
Developmental Milestones (Alexander, 1977):
Integrity
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Conclusions
From the data collected above, it is clear that the age groups lacking the most access to green space in this neighborhood include, early childhood, youths and older people. This correlates with the age demographic in this neighborhood block as well as the mobility range for these age groups. It is clear from the results that the implementation of new green spaces (focused on the needs of those who do not have great access already) could enhance the lives of the existing residents of this area. It is also clear that if the Solvay Coke and Gas Company Site were to be remediated and repurposed as a public green space, the local residents would have a large clean space to visit and enjoy.
Human health and happiness are very reliant on natural elements such as day lighting, fresh air and clean healthy land (Browning, Ryan & Clancy, 2014). To promote health and happiness in city residents, it is key to understand the needs of people at different stages of life, identify areas that can be transformed to meet those needs and involve those residents in the transformation process. Since the remediation process on the Solvay Coke and Gas site may take as long at 100 years, the changes that occur on the site can develop concurrently with the development of the residents that live near the site and have grown with the site. This process can become a life long educational tool as well as a large part of a family's history.
Human industry has limited access to clean spaces in Milwaukee's Inner Harbor Neighborhood. While we cannot completely eliminate destructive human activities from our society, the process of remediation can contribute to a better understanding of the planet we inhabit. In addition to education, the visualization of a long term process can enhance interest, curiosity and a sense of relation to land and natural processes. Since humans are now a part of ecological flows, it only makes sense that those flows and systems are brought to life. While the Inner Harbor Neighborhood will never be restored to its marshland past, celebrating the history of a site through continued human and land interaction can create a greater sense of place.
Human health and happiness are very reliant on natural elements such as day lighting, fresh air and clean healthy land (Browning, Ryan & Clancy, 2014). To promote health and happiness in city residents, it is key to understand the needs of people at different stages of life, identify areas that can be transformed to meet those needs and involve those residents in the transformation process. Since the remediation process on the Solvay Coke and Gas site may take as long at 100 years, the changes that occur on the site can develop concurrently with the development of the residents that live near the site and have grown with the site. This process can become a life long educational tool as well as a large part of a family's history.
Human industry has limited access to clean spaces in Milwaukee's Inner Harbor Neighborhood. While we cannot completely eliminate destructive human activities from our society, the process of remediation can contribute to a better understanding of the planet we inhabit. In addition to education, the visualization of a long term process can enhance interest, curiosity and a sense of relation to land and natural processes. Since humans are now a part of ecological flows, it only makes sense that those flows and systems are brought to life. While the Inner Harbor Neighborhood will never be restored to its marshland past, celebrating the history of a site through continued human and land interaction can create a greater sense of place.
References:
- Alexander, Christopher, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein, Max Jacobson, Ingrid Fiksdahl-King, and Angel Shlomo. A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. New York: Oxford University Press, 1977.
- Browning, W.D., Ryan, C.O., Clancy, J.O. “14 Patterns of Biophilic Design.” New York: Terrapin Bright Green, LLC, 2014.
- Fleuret, Sebastien, and Sarah Atkinson. "Wellbeing, Health and Geography: A Critical Review and Research Agenda." New Zealand Geographer 63, no. 2 (2007): 106-18. doi:10.1111/j.1745-7939.2007.00093.x.
- Hacking, Elisabeth Barratt, William Scott, and Robert Barratt. "Children’s Research into Their Local Environment: Stevenson’s Gap, and Possibilities for the Curriculum." Environmental Education Research 13, no. 2 (2007): 225-44. doi:10.1080/13504620701284811.
- Kellert, Stephen R., Judith H. Heerwagen and Martin L. Mador. “Biophilic Deign.” Hoboken: John Wiley& Sons, Inc., 2008
- Moore, Robin C., and Clare Cooper Marcus. “Healthy Planet, Healthy Children: Designing Nature into the Daily Space of Childhood”. Wiley, 2008.
- "Overview of ZIP Code 53204, Wisconsin (ZIP Code)." Statistical Atlas. Accessed May 17, 2018. https://statisticalatlas.com/zip/53204/Overview.