I'M GOIN' TO JACKSON, AIN'T EVER COMING BACK

 In our second class of Community Based Planning, we watched a documentary of John Brinckerhoff Jackson's philosophies and more so observations of small towns across America (hence the title of this block post). Throughout, he poses some interesting questions and unique viewpoints on landscape's role in his modern society. 

  • Familiarity in the landscape...Jackson mentions the need for familiarity in the landscape, or rather that places with a sense of familiarity are inherently more welcoming, and I find at least partial validity to his point. The unfamiliar is terrifying and uncomfortable, but the familiar provides assurances of safety, and by nature we are driven and attracted to the familiar. 
  • Jackson asks the question..."does it [landscape] begin to satisfy the immediate daily needs of the people that live there?" That point is, I believe, at the heart of real professional landscape architecture practice. In school, we are taught to think of meanings, theories, philosophies, ideas, and characteristics, but all too often we fall into the realm of the imaginary. We have to bring it back to the users - are their daily needs met? If not, you have a problem...
  • The church was the center of one of the towns Jackson visits. It was only mentioned in a brief moment, yet I think it was one of the most powerful points he made. The church was the center of the town, as with many small older American cities, as with many European cities. This illustrates what was at the heart of civilization when constructed and even now - religion. Religion was the binding element that held these small towns together, the one place people went to all pursue the same goal and willingly submit to a power beyond themselves. Entire books could be written on the role churches played in uniting and manifesting communities. 
  • I'm intrigued by Jackson's comment on the front-yard as a landscape. I'm curious if its typology is a good one? One that historically is a place of connection and celebration or rather a place to show off one's pride in a properly maintained planting edge and a "house of the month" sign among perfectly manicured hedges. 
  • My favorite point that Jackson makes relates to his perception of vernacular landscapes. Essentially, he references empty spaces (parking lots, wide sidewalks, etc.) that have functional uses, but at other times are used for purposes beyond the intended ones (like selling puppies, fruit, or goods in a parking lot, or even something as simple as a lemonade stand on the sidewalk). I completely agree with Jackson's point that spaces like that (in architecture, they are sometimes known as low-road buildings) are a form of vernacular; however, I believe there are more aspects to a vernacular landscape than just that. Material locality. Local values. Traditions. Respect. History. Vernacular is, again, one of those umbrella terms without a good definition to capture its entirety. 

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