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Sustainable Placemaking Project Part 6

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Final Vision for McKeldin Mall: McKeldin Mall is a sacred place on the University of Maryland Campus. There is no other place around like it and yet there is not much actually on the mall. The simplicity of this place is what gives it so much and why it provides so much to the people at the University of Maryland. The plan of action for McKeldin Mall is to continue this simple place as a special one, but to enhance the strengths that the mall already has. McKeldin Mall is a social place so we are making it our goal with this plan to improve the social sustainability of the place and the community. The mall is meant to be an escape from the campus, a relaxing and open space.  I visualize the revitalized mall as a sanctuary and escape for those who call College Park and the University of Maryland home. I wish for people to see McKeldin Mall as a nice break from the busy urban campus and to feel relaxed when they visit the mall. I believe that the i...
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Placemaking Project Part 3

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McKeldin Mall Observations & Field Report:    Date: October 25, 2018    Time: 2:00 - 2:30pm    Location: Bench by the fountain in the center of the mall The weather was cold and windy. The air was dry and the sky was fairy cloudy. It feels like winter is setting in quickly as just a few weeks ago it was very hot and sunny. By the end of my observation period, I was ready to get inside to warm up. I saw many people walk, run, bike, and skateboard across or along McKeldin Mall. I even saw a golf cart drive through the grass at one point. Other than the people, I looked around at the trees and the buildings of the mall. The large Willow Oak trees were losing their leaves and the buildings looked historic. It made me feel like the mall was in fact a crucial part of our campus. I mostly heard the falling water of the fountain and of the people talking who passed by me. I looked at the walkways across the mall and noticed that they are placed in direc...
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Placemaking Project Part 2

1.      The public place that I have selected is McKeldin Mall at the University of Maryland. It is a quad area in the heart of campus and is located in front of McKeldin Library. It is surrounded by school buildings and is adjacent to Campus Drive that runs straight through the center of Maryland’s campus. The mall is a large, grassy, open area that is surrounded by large Willow Oak trees and school buildings. There are many walkways across the mall and in the center; there is a large sundial and fountain. This place is currently used as a place to meet people, a place to relax after class, and play games with each other. Thousands of people also walk, run, or bike across the mall everyday. Many events are also held on the mall. The mall is in great condition and is kept clean. 2.      I chose this place because I think it is the most aesthetically pleasing part of Maryland’s campus. I think it is unique because it is a nice change of scenery ...
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Placemaking Project Part 1

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I am attracted to public places that are pleasing to the eyes, are clean, and are designed with a consistent theme throughout the place.  The photo above is of the National Mall in Washington D.C. I love this place because the openness of the Mall surrounded by trees, water fountains, and historic buildings creates a beautiful scene. It is especially pretty in the fall. It is kept clean for the most part and the older buildings around it all look meaningful and important. I love the National Mall because not only is it attractive to look at, but there is also a sense of patriotism and history there.  Public places that do not have the same appeal as the National Mall are usually rundown, dirty, and do not have any unique theme. They are normally boring places without anything special to give them that spark. The photo above is from Skid Row in Los Angeles, California. I think Skid Row is an unattractive place that I would normally avoid. It is different from places th...
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