Introductory Essay

Brief Overview of All Assignments

Lessons and Skills Learned

My initial thoughts before I started END350 was work will involve hands on projects and doing field observations. While COVID did not necessarily allow the real world example feel as I expected I still learned many valuable skills. This class challenged the way I research for class assignments and how to cite credible sources. I felt I was given real insight on how actual planners collaborate to find plans that benefit the lifestyle and environment for the people. Rather than just being a bystander, I felt even in imaginary scenarios of how the world can change for the better.

The topic for the Research in Planning assignment as well as the Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review assignment at the beginning of the semester involved bicycle and scooter planning techniques. Conjunctively these two papers also served as a refresher on citations. I learned where to look for authentic written works in the university’s library to find sources like academic journals and newspapers. I was familiar with MLA format but I had to learn to cite using APA format. As I cited more often in each assignment after, I was able to recognize the proper formatting for each paper. For my annotated bibliography I had an idea there was supposed to be a short summary for each link however it became more complex than I thought. However, that assignment shaped my way of looking through a source for the important details and leaving out the unnecessary information. In other words, when I provide information to back my argument, my audience will be able to clearly understand why and how it relates to my topic.

My first real assignment for this class was the Data Analysis assignment. My initial approach was to find two cities that show opposite city growth rates, by comparing these two cities I will find trends in why one city outperforms the other. The cities I chose was Rochester and Boston, I didn’t plan for these two to be my choices however I knew Boston is larger than Rochester. By using the U.S. Census and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics websites I found data between the years of 2010-2017. Finding the charts and tables was easy to locate but hard to decipher. Instead of looking for evidence, certain trends had to be reviewed in depth to make a stronger argument. Boston is sustainable and expanding compared to Rochester not only because population size but also due to the cities average level of education and its location. I learned demographic information actually has valuable data that is not seen at first glance but analyzing it from a range of 7-8 years will help city planners learn how a city works and what it needs for future reference. The entire process from start to finish, I felt like I was in the planning

department for the government and my job was to investigate how these cities interact with each other and how these two can serve as an example for other cities. This branched my thought process to be more complex towards the other assignments included in this portfolio.

The Data Collection assignment is the first time I was partnered up in this class. This was also the first field observation task which required real time photos and accurate descriptions of each site and its interactions with other vehicles and pedestrians. Instead of acting as a planner I also felt like an investigator seeing how efficient the system was functioning. Comparing a rotary to a signalized intersection I noticed obvious things but also new things like rotary or traffic circle have a lack of signals therefore safety is a concern. Touring the rotary myself I understood it meant to allow circulation for cars to come and go. Pedestrians also had the benefit to cut through the busy roads to reach all 4 sides of the rotary. Two sides were meant for residential and the other two are commercial, shopping stores in close proximity to apartments create convenience. Signalized intersections are efficient in stopping car traffic however human behavior can be a major reason why people can get injured like people who cross during the wrong time or drivers aren’t paying attention to the road. Constantly discovering new ideas helped shape my opinion and improved my understanding of what benefits can come out of different traffic types to control movement in areas within a city. Drivers can benefit from this research by having faster and less congested commutes to work or just traveling in general. Before trial and error, sufficient data must be recorded to determine the best solution that will benefit not only people who live in the area but all visitors who temporarily interact with the given space.

All the skills I collected through each assignment from technical to communication to decision-making and to teamwork lead up to the final assignment which was the Case Study assignment. One obstacle was my team was separated due to location and current COVID restrictions. However, given the time to complete we were able to research Shoshone Park whether in person or online successfully. Even though each group member was handed a separate part of the project we all helped each other with information we were able to find. Discussions allowed for constant updates which ushered multiple recommendations for the improvement of the park. A survey was conducted to park users in order to see the park from their view and recognize real problems to just common complaints. Shoshone Park is small and

considered a local park, however, many visitors especially those who partake in baseball/softball activities tend to have more to say. Data collection and analysis is crucial for this case study considering our roles are to examine and acknowledge the positives and negatives of any living space. Despite looking into different aspects of the park like the background, the demographics of the population, the current conditions, and challenges; we agreed what fixes and suggestions are most valuable. Comparing Shoshone Park to other parks created limitless opportunities to turn the park into just a park with newer equipment to a “little league hub” for all of the teams in

the area. Visual quality, proper maintenance, level of comfortability, and sufficient working lighting systems are only a few factors that can change how a space is interpreted. If not careful plans for reconstruction can lead to a failed future and a waste of funding money.

The job duties of being an urban planner seem to be much clearer than before. This class enlightened me of what certain situations I will face once I graduate from university. The whole process from the first steps to the ending conclusions. Over the course of the semester I changed my outlook of what research contains and looks like. Cooperating with other students taught me how as a team there is greater opinions and hidden elements that you would not have found alone. I began this journey with small and recognizable tasks to more difficult and unknown however with feedback and peer review I improved my work quality and strengthened my thought process to make decisions that neither interfere or damage the ecosystem of the environment. Space is more than just land, it is filled with many details that might not be picked up constantly but it brings character and historic importance.