Building on the Rock

I was shocked to hear that 2,300 apartment units in Minneapolis had been converted to condominiums in the last 5 years. It makes sense, though. I have seen many of these nice, new, stylish living spaces. I, however, could probably never afford to live in one of these places, and I know that many families cannot either.

Design in Minneapolis needs to come back to help its actual citizens--not just 'utopian citizens' or 'prospective citizens' or the 'kind of citizens we want to attract' because Minneapolis already has thousands of citizens who are homeless or almost too that point, because of the high cost of housing.

Simple solutions that don't need to be invented, and don't cost massive amounts of money, are readily available.

Riverside Plaza, built by Ralph Rapson in 1971, is a prime example of a building that could use these solutions. Riverside was once a nice place to live, even aesthetically appealing. Today it has fallen into kind of a disrepair--but one that CAN be fixed.
By implementing just a few of these solutions, Riverside could become more self-sustaining, costing less money to keep up, resulting in lower housing costs!!!
-Water-saving shower heads
-Energy saving light bubs--even one per apartment
-High efficiency laundry machines
-Up to date, low-E windows
-New paint--ex: light/white-clean color; reflects the suns rays, helps to keep building cooler in summer;

More things are available, these are just a few options. Minneapolis can have lower income housing options that are decent and desirable for families and individuals. Low income families are human beings too, and they deserve a place to live just like everyone else. Smart design can bring us there.

Posted by tuur0010 at 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In many countries, technology is not available, especially in the capacity most of us reading this are used to. Unfortunately a lot of these countries are also those with unstable climates, governmental problems, extreme poverty and disease, and lack of education.

In these countries, it is possible to bring technology in and make positive changes. With the wireless technology available today, it is much easier to connect and set up internet and other types of communication and information transfer. It is entirely possible to skip the landline phase and go straight to wireless.

Communication like this can bring education to anywhere in the world. It can cut down on travel time, so those without vehicles can check market prices without losing a day just in travel time. Communication can also help governments have successful elections!! More people can be informed about the nation's issues and candidates and know when and where elections are taking place.

From 2000-2006, cell phone usage in Kenya went from 15,000 to 6,000,000!!!!!!!
In Somalia, increases are happening too, but at a much slower rate. Slowly, these options are becoming available. There are 3 communication companies offering service in these areas.

The new $100 laptop designed at MIT has been specially made as an educational tool for kids all over the world. Unfortunately right now, it is only available through governments, so those nations with unstable governments do not receive this amazing technology.

But, there is hope. With growing communication, these laptops are already one step closer.

Posted by tuur0010 at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)