I Just Want to Make Pretty Buildings (Seminar 7)

The Racialization of Space / Spatialization of Race is a challenging piece to discuss, as it is so completely loaded in terms of race, politics and design. I am sure my personal experiences bias my analysis, just as the bias of the author comes through in his writing. Many of the claims do not offer citations or examples, and a dispute might simply come to a difference of opinion. For example, the claim that “people of different races in the United States are relegated to different physical locations by housing and lending discrimination”, etc, may in fact be true in some, or even most places. However, when I walk out the front door of the home I own, I see Asian, Hispanic, and Black homeowners. I am aware of exclusively black and / or exclusively white neighborhoods, both rich and poor. At any rate, it would be beneficial to have examples or statistics to substantiate these claims in order to have a productive discussion.

Parts of the writing are unclear. The white spatial imaginary, while not participated in by all whites, is of benefit to all whites. The black spatial imaginary, while not participated in by all blacks, is something all blacks are subjected to. One would presume that this subjugation is something imposed by the racially discriminating, repressive white establishment. However, it is also suggested that black spatial imaginary is based on public expenditures over public needs (as opposed to financial gain). It would seem that the moral high ground has been achieved, independent of white oppression and money. Should the black spatial imaginary become rooted in the soulless material consumerism of whites? Should whites be subjected to a black spatial imaginary in order to repossess their souls?

In the end, accepting all claims at face value, I have my doubts about the power that is finally ascribed to urban, landscape and other designers. The ability of designers to incorporate “racial and class heterogeneity, inclusion, and affordability” is not achieved by design alone. An education must also be provided to policy makers, as well as owners and occupants of designed environments. While the designer can offer some lessons, they cannot offer a complete education alone.

The ideas and case studies presented Dolores Hayden in both Urban Landscape history and Rediscovering an African American Homestead give a better sense of the incremental influence that can be understood and designed, as well as the broad understanding of history and politics that is required to drive change. The value of minorities and historically underrepresented classes should be better understood in the study and evaluation of urban landscapes. A careful analysis of such contributions can provide insight and possible avenues for creating an informed public space. I found the final example of the homestead of Biddy Mason, and in particular the exhibition wall that was built, very successful. It does not call for sweeping reform, but offers an example of a small, humble intervention that can have broad consequences.