looks count! community planning and the visual environment an interdisciplinary middle school unit...
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Looks Count!Community Planning and the Visual
Environment
An Interdisciplinary Middle School Unit for Social Studies, Language Arts, Math,
Science
LOOKS COUNT !Community Planning and the Visual Environment
An Interdisciplinary Middle School Unit for Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Science
Funded byDunn Foundation, Warwick, RI
Wege Foundation,Grand Rapids, MI
Developed byJoan Chadde, Jean Dunstan, Linda Rulison, Ruth Ann Smith
Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Mathematics & Environmental Education
Michigan Technological University1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931-1295Tel: 906-487-3341 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wupcenter.mtu.edu
Why Is Community Land Use Planning Needed in Michigan?
Michigan Land Resource Project(Land Use Projections for 2040)
• Will lose 25% of farmland• Will lose land available for hunting• Increasing residential development along streams & lakes will impact
trout fishing areas• Will lose 25% of timberland in southern Michigan
Website: http://www.ltm.msu.eduBill Rustem (517) 484-4954
“Once land use occurs, it is usually irreversible...Michigan needs to decide if it wants to protect
farmland, forest and environment.”
What is the “cultural and natural character”
of the communities of the Upper Great Lakes?
The following slides depict what is, what is coming, and what
could be….
The new development in the foreground, does not blend well with the historic downtown in the background.
In addition to stark visual
contrasts between old and new,
new development can also bring
environmental impacts, such
as…..
These next pictures illustrate how
new development CAN be compatible with a communities’ cultural, historical,
and natural character.
Adaptive reuse of historic mining buildings---this builiding is destined become the new location for Michigan’s Mineral Museum
Historic school buildings can be enlarged and renovated in a way that is compatible with the original design. Another advantage, is the school is not moved out of town.
In renovating their store (on left), the owners have capitalized on the historic features of the community, and restored their building to its original design, color and materials.
Was the remodeling of these buildings consistent with their original architecture and the historic Character of the community?
Franchises can be required to construct buildings that are compatible with the community’s character.
Looks Count!Community Planning and the Visual
Environment
An Interdisciplinary Middle School Curriculum Unit for Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Science
View all 15 lessons online:
(http://wupcenter.mtu.edu/education/land_use/
index.htm)
As part of the unit, students will:
a. Identify the character of their community and what makes their community visually appealing;
b. Describe how the visual environment impacts the economic, environmental and aesthetic qualities of their community;
c. Conduct surveys to determine community attitudes;
d. Understand how planning tools can be used to enhance a community's visual appearance and preserve community "character."
e. Become involved in shaping their community.
Unit Objectives:
Neighborhood View Teams - students try their hand at redesigning buildings and streetscapes to enhance community character.
Students design display boards depicting their enhancement plans for specific streetscapes or neighborhoods in their town.