The Rojas Model: People + Art + Planning

"Fifth Floor will become an impromptu urban planning "store" with shelves lining the wall that will host an array of small, colorful buildings. Visitors can take these buildings off the shelves and place them on an interactive map and model of Chinatown , the Cornfields, Elysian Park, and parts of the LA River, located in the middle of the gallery. This process will help participants express and share their ideas and visions for this area. The model will constantly change as the work builds upon the contributions of others. "This method is a very unique approach to city building because it combines art with urban planning. Art/design taps people's creative energy to solve problems. Urban planning is about the process and uses limited techniques for community engagement and information gathering. Urban planners use tools such as maps, words, and pictures to discuss issues which the public may not fully understand or engage. Furthermore many planning meetings are boring, contentious, and fail to stir people's creative energy. People who do not speak English or are shy are at a further disadvantage. "Design is the great equalizer because all people use design to solve problems from combing their hair to designing rocket ships. Design breaks down the planning process into simple terms and helps participants translate conceptual planning ideas into physical forms. Design serves as a valuable tool to inform and educate constituents about the value of planning. "The on-site interactive map/model of Chinatown and vicinity will generate people's interest because this is the first time many have considered and interacted with their community this way. The vivid use of materials, colors, textures and details visually attract people. This map/model also brings the urban planning experience to the public in an unconventional way by enacting an art gallery. This process mimics the dynamic and collective nature of urban life. These activities reflect how varied groups of players-strangers, neighbors, friends-interact to create a sense of place in cities. This tool can be used by communities to reflect on their planning values and needs. At the same time, policy makers, urban planners, and architects can use this tool for information gathering."