city/build Issue 2- Spring 2011
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Founded in 2010, UNDA believes that Boston is one of the most interesting and vibrant cities in the world and this is largely a result of the varying neighborhoods in and around the city. Our mission is to provide support for community planning, offer educational opportunities, and advocate for healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. The urban fabric is the backbone of the city, and we want community members to understand how they can positively influence the built environment around them. We aim to expose people to new ways of thinking about their physical environments and to involve them in ways that can lead to lasting impacts on their communities.
21 drydock
7th floor
boston, ma 02210
t 617 426 5401
f 617 426 5491
www.undalliance.org
city/build
city/build aims to demystify school lessons by introducing students to careers and professions that directly apply to their current coursework. city/build engages students through a hands on practical approach to learning. city/build exposes students to a new ways of thinking about their physical environments and to hopes to involve them in ways that can lead to lasting impacts on their communities.
Spring 2011 Partners Boston Public Schools: Brighton High School Skanska Construction Payette Harvard Capital Planning and Project Management map-lab
city/build Overview: Students are introduced to development, design, and construction through skill-building lessons and hands-on activities. Students gain understanding of these professions, as well as the context under which urban development takes place by exploring a neighborhood site.
Neighborhood Context: Students are introduced to positive initiatives in their school’s neighborhood and in the neighborhoods where they reside. Understanding how neighborhoods develop allows students to gain perspective on the impact buildings have and the variety of professions involved in a collaborative building project.
Construction Partnership: Volunteer professionals from the Construction Partnership give students an overview of their project in class and host the students at the construction site. This real world application connects students with local professionals, allowing them to see first hand the scope of various jobs.
Design Project: Students work on a final design project. Projects reflect students’ lessons on design and development. The Final projects may relate to the local neighborhood, school or the Partnerʟs site, allowing students to express their personal interests. Projects may include developing original site or floor plans or creating models.
PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS
2002
2001
Figure 1: 143 students from grades 8-12 participated.
Figure 5: 147 students from grades 9-12 participated.
Figure 2: 87% of participants were of minority background.
Figure 3: City/Build was offered in 6 classes at 6 Boston High schools.
Figure 6: City/Build was offered in 6 classes at 5 Boston high schools.
Figure 4: The program received support from 100 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.
Figure 7: The program received support from 117 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.
Data reflects last two city/build classes held under the direction of the historic neighborhoods foundation
2010
2011
Figure 8: 20 Students in grades 9 & 10 participated.
Figure 12: 38 Students in grades 9 -12 participated.
45% Asian
45% Asian
35%35% Hispanic Hispanic
63%63% Hispanic Hispanic
Figure 9: 95% of Participants were of minority background.
Figure 13: 95% of Participants were of minority background.
15% African American 15% African 5% Caucasian
32% African American 32% African 5% Caucasian
American 5% Caucasian
American 5% Caucasian
45% Asian
45% Asian
15% African American 5% Caucasian
15% African American 5% Caucasian
35% Hispanic
35% Hispanic
Figure 10: City/Build was offered in 1 class at 1 Boston high school.
Figure 14: City/Build was offered in 2 classes at 1 Boston high school, with interest from 3 teachers at 2 other Boston high schools.
Figure 11: The program received support from 17 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.
Figure 15: The program received support from 15 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.
Data reflects first two city/build classes held under the direction of the urban neighborhood design alliance
We measured the classroom and drew it in plan view to scale. I learned that if you have measured the complete area of a space its easy to measure the things in the area with knowing a side of an object that sits in the space.
This bridge activity was fun because we worked in groups, trying to figure out what will be the best way to make the strongest but cheapest bridge. I learned about all types of bridge building structures and how they make the bridge stable.
-Chabelyz Mejia, 11th Grade Brighton High
-Tre Dowman, 11th Grade Brighton High
From the cantilever activity I learned about a new formula used to build creative buildings. Many factors go into making the building and putting the right amount of weight on both sides. When the architect came to visit our class I learned about heat transfer in houses. Windows loose heat very quickly and a crack can cause air to penetrate into the household.
I think the architect’s presention was interesting because we learned about insulation and how they had to work hard to find a way to make the building look great. - Herbin Berreendo, 11th Grade Brighton High
-Ricardo Delice, 11th Grade Brighton High
It was rewarding to share our project with the students. Their enthusiasm was contagious and allowed us to look at our every-day work in a new light. It was a pleasure and a joy to be a teacher for an hour. Thank you for the opportunity and I also hope our relationship with City/Build will continue. -Sarah Bush, SKANSKA
Thank you for all your work. My students and I appreciate the program and love when you come and work with us .The trip to the Harvard Fogg Museum construction site was incredible. The Skanska team was awesome. It is easy to see why they are considered the best in the world. The students loved the experience and are asking how they can follow up on some of the opportunities mentioned to them. -Elly-May O’Toole, Physics Teacher, Brighton High
participant reactions The trip to the Harvard Fogg Museum was a great experience for me. The BIM (3D models) that Sara showed us were really fascinating. We were able to see how the top of the museum is going to be covered by 60 or more pieces of glass. Claude took us to the building where the construction workers were still working. I saw a machine that gets rid of the underground mud. This allows them to place temporary support where the building will stand. Overall, my experience was great. I am really very interested in engineering and after visiting the museum I am much more likely to do something in the field. Thank you for giving Brighton High students this great opportunity to visit. -Sara Ayaz, 12th Grade Brighton High
We took a trip to the Fogg Art Museum Construction site in Harvard. The trip was very interesting and I learned a lot from being escorted through the building while it was being worked on. I learned the most from the briefing we received in the trailer. Sarah from Skanska explained that building a building is a very difficult process. We were shown how architects, contractors and engineers plan a building’s floors and levels. My favorite part was when we went exploring. Claude, who was clearly the boss, gave us a tour through the building. The most intriguing part was watching the clamshell machine dig through the rock. The entire trip was an amazing learning experience and I hope we can do it again soon. I just want to thank you and everyone for the amazing trip and allowing us to see what an interesting job you do for a living, and I want you to know you’ve truly inspired me to find work in construction or designing. -Orrin Simmons, 11th Grade Brighton High
engage with professionals from construction projects to learn about the process. generate awareness of their neighborhoods as physical spaces.
create a space to reflect lessons learned through out the course.
inspire motivation in the fields of building and design.
A
We believe that Boston is one of the most interesting and vibrant cities in the world and this is largely a result of the varying neighborhoods in and around the city. Our mission is to provide support for community planning, offer educational opportunities, and advocate for healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. The urban fabric is the backbone of the city, and we want community members to understand how they can positively influence the built environment around them. We are designers, educators, thinkers and knowledge seekers who love a challenge.
UNDA urban neighborhood design alliance
21 drydock
7th floor
boston, ma 02210
We consider ourselves perpetual learners; this spirit is embodied in our creative educational programs and community involvement. Our programs employ a sustainable approach, hoping to inspire and motivate community members to keep their urban environments active, thriving and healthy. We aim to expose people to new ways of thinking about their physical environments and to involve them in ways that can lead to lasting impacts on their communities.
t 617 426 5401
f 617 426 5491
www.undalliance.org