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: jchadde@mtu.edu

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….

Change is on the horizon for the communities of the Upper Great Lakes

Several large franchise stores have located on the outer edges of this Upper Peninsula community.

The new development in the foreground, does not blend well with the historic downtown in the background.

Signage can be attractive, or detract from a community’s visual character….

In addition to stark visual

contrasts between old and new,

new development can also bring

environmental impacts, such

as…..

Visually unattractive, unstable slopes…

Increased, untreated runoff from large parking lots may end up in rivers and lakes.

These next pictures illustrate how

new development CAN be compatible with a communities’ cultural, historical,

and natural character.

A new fire station that blendswith the historic character of the neighborhood.

Adaptive reuse of existing buildings…

New construction that reflects the cultural character of the area…

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?

This creative use of murals adds “historic character” to more modern building designs.

Franchises can be required to construct buildings that are compatible with the community’s character.

Landscaping can be used to make a travel corridor more attractive.

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.

Students present to county commissioners, city council, school board, and parents what they want their community to be like…