Initiate&Interact
Initial Assignment
In this first assignment, we have to visit our classmate's hometown. It was a shock for me because we only knew each other for two or three days. Normally, I won't invite people I just know to come to my home. However, after the visit, I found that the visit did help me to know more about Dutch life.
I teamed up with two student Colin and Robin, so I visited Assen and Veendam in two days, and I also showed them around my hometown Taichung with Google map and some pictures. We visited the place which they lived and played before they left for university. Although I have been lived in Netherland for six months, it was the first time I walked into their life.
From the conversation and comparison with my life experience, I can roughly know the scale of the Dutch city, types of different houses in different areas, and the importance of the environment to Dutch. When I applied for this minor, I was so curious how can I do the urban design for local people. As a Taiwanese, I didn't know your lifestyle and what activity people prefer to do, so how can I convince you that my design is good for you. Through this assignment, I gained more confidence that I know something now.
Team Building
The project in Vinkhuizen is now developing by three groups in our minor, and I am in group 3 with the other six people.
Belbin Test
To build a team, we have to recognize our role in the group, and the Belbin test is a tool to help us find our role in the group. The result of the test showed me that my role was Plant, Monitor, and Teamwork. I was not surprised by the result, since I did some team works before.
Personal Group process Schematic
Vinhuizen Context
We first analyze the context of Vinkhuizen by dividing the existing map into four sub layers: Building, Road, Water, and Green.
Building
Water
Road
Green
School
There are all kinds of schools in this community. Over ten school in this area which means lots of children or young people stay in this area in the weekday. And also there are around five schools provide drama, music, dance, sports class after school.
Most schools have big space but doing nothing on the space
The school in the center area have little space with a high fence like a prison
From the map we can see all the schools located in the south of the neighborhood, there is an obvious line divide this area into two parts: school and non-school.
Shopping area
There is only one shopping center in this area. It is an area with a big complex with several shops on the ground floor and living areas on the upper floor.
It is a big block gathering the people in this neighborhood. There are only buildings and parking areas with few green areas. It is a most modern place this area
The location of shopping block is in the center of Vinkhuizen
Industry
There is not a certain industry in this area.
Only a few small business companies are scattered in the living area
and the building backbone50. The company or studio in the backbone50 is related to design, music, art, and sport.
Positive
Schools with young people
Low rent in this area is good for starters
Artist attract people
Negative
Student leave eventually
When they are free, nothing to do in this area
Hard to attract people with more budget