Month: November 2017

Title: Inherent Flaws in Current Urban Planning Theories
General Purpose: To inform.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about the shortcomings of current urban design theories and processes.

Thesis Statement: Current urban planning theories and models don’t adequately account for the future development of communities, bottlenecking growth and detrimentally impacting the lives of current and future residents.

 

1.     Introduction (memorized)

a.     Attention Getter: In the 115-page report titled “Kaka’ako Makai Conceptual Master Plan Final Report” (MVE Pacific, 2011), the future development plans for the Kaka’ako area are laid out in meticulous detail. From the type, location, and frequency of planted trees along sidewalks to the location of hills relative to views of the sunset, no superficial detail was left unaddressed. But, given the amount of detail in the report, how many times do you believe the outdated and inadequate sewer system was addressed? What about an alteration of traffic layout in anticipation of increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic? The answer is zero; not one time was a solid plan to update existing infrastructure mentioned in the report.

b.     Relate to Audience: According to Zillow (2017, August 31), the median price for a condominium in Kaka’ako rose to $849,000.00 in September of this year. Would you consider paying this much for a condo in the middle of a traffic gridlock? How would you feel if you bought a condo but couldn’t swim in the beach right across the street because the sewer system has contaminated the water?

c.     Credibility Statement: After both seeing and hearing the new development plans for Kaka’ako and Kailua, my interest was piqued when no mention of improvements to infrastructure was made. Seeing this, I then decided to research what exactly an urban planner’s job entails. This is when I discovered that there are inherent flaws in urban planning, and these flaws have existed and been criticized basically since urban planning became a field of study. These flaws can have devastating impacts on the lives of present and future residents of the community, and the environment; this is why I chose to present this topic to you.

d.   Preview Statement/Restate Thesis: To present this topic in an                                                        understandable and relatable manner, I will begin with a brief description of                                 what an urban planner does. Then, the flaws of urban planning will be discussed,                            followed by the impacts that these flaws have had here on O’ahu.

 

 

Transition Statement: First, let’s discuss what an urban planner does as well as the duties of the position.
2.     According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015), an urban planner “develop(s) land use plans and programs that help create communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.”

a.     Though there are more than eight different theories of planning being practiced and many specialized fields, there are industry-wide goals that every planner strives to accomplish. They are:

i.     Determine the best use of existing land or buildings

ii.     Design the most efficient grid plan for new communities

iii.     Develop a plan that furthers the social and economic well-being of the residents within a community

iv.     If redeveloping an area, to incorporate the historical and cultural aspects of the existing community

v.     Reduce the environmental impact of redevelopment by providing environmentally friendly alternatives such as utilizing recyclable materials, and incorporating the installation of energy efficient utilities in new construction.

vi.     Provide the existing community members with a platform to discuss redevelopment and provide input

 

Transition Statement: Now that we have a better understanding of what an urban planner does, let’s discuss the pitfalls with the current theories.
3.     Current urban planning theories emphasize the alignment of land-use and population-growth estimates with current infrastructure supply. According to Lewis Mumford, “what was once built out of necessity and in haste, now needs to be planned” (1970). Unfortunately, local governance will often permit the planning and construction of new communities based on infrastructure improvements that haven’t yet happened. This decision can have a cascading effect on current and future residents as well as businesses in zones pegged for redevelopment.

a.     Residents, unfortunately, bear the brunt of the decision to fast-track development. Some of the impacts are as follows:

i.     According to a 2015 report by INRIX (a company specializing in global urban mobility analysis), Honolulu was ranked tenth worse in the nation for hours spent in traffic. The average resident can expect to waste 49 hours per year sitting in traffic (INRIX 2015). By fast-tracking development without first improving infrastructure, developers and the state are compounding Hawai’i’s already notorious traffic congestion by placing more housing in areas already overwhelmed by vehicular traffic.

ii.     Potential buyers may purchase a unit based on an assumption or promise of infrastructure improvement that may take years to decades to accomplish. For example, a 2016 report compiled by the consulting company Wilson Okamoto Corporation cited needed improvements to the sewer system in Kaka’ako in anticipation of future development. The report breaks down the needed repairs into phases, with an estimated completion date of 2027 (Wilson Okamoto Corporation, 2016). This estimated completion date is in no way concrete. In fact, according to the reports phase completion dates, the state is already behind on a few of the projects. This can have a negative impact on new residents who have to deal with issues like sewage odor, plumbing back-ups, and sewer spillage. One of the biggest spills occurred in 2015 in the Kaka’ako area at the intersection of Ala Moana and Atkinson Blvd’s. where over 500,000 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the surrounding beaches and rivers, closing much of the waterfront to the public.

iii.     Another common issue faced by local residents is the availability of public facilities due to increased foot traffic. This changes the dynamic of public spaces for both new and existing residents. Already easy to see in Kailua, where the public restrooms at Kailua beach park became overwhelmed due to increased usage and fell into a state of disrepair. The restrooms took over 8 months to repair and, according to KHON, costs neared the 1-million-dollar mark (“Kailua Beach Park bathhouse, pavilion reopened following renovations”, 2017). Jane Jacobs in her book titled The Life and Death of Great American Cities said it best: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” (Jacobs, 1961). This statement rings true here in Hawai’i, where many times local residents aren’t included when development plans are made.

iv.      Public schools are unable to cope with the influx of school- aged children in areas undergoing development, and educational quality begins to degrade. According to the Department of Education, 2016 enrollment in public schools dropped 0.002%, but over the past 5 years, there has been a steady increase in enrollment of school-aged children across the state (DOE 2016). If this average increase in enrollment is not being followed by an increase in facilities, classroom sizes increase which can affect student learning.

b.     Effects on businesses

i.     Not redeveloping a traffic grid when vehicular traffic is expected to increase causes gridlock in business districts. As we’ve seen with the rail in Waipahu and Aiea, when traffic increases business located on a congested route notice a decrease in revenue. Customers will avoid congested areas and will more than likely choose somewhere else to shop or dine.

ii.     If sufficient parking structures aren’t accounted for when redesigning an area, the already terrible traffic situation becomes compounded with people circling areas in search of parking. A lack of parking can impact businesses similar to a poor traffic grid in the sense that customers may move on instead of searching for a stall.

iii.     We’ve all had the unfortunate opportunity to smell a backed-up sewer system. Imagine that smell outside a business such as a restaurant, grocery store, or boutique. Many people would avoid the smell as much as possible, causing businesses to suffer due to a lack of foot traffic.

iv.     The lack of infrastructure also deters new businesses from opening a location in these areas. For the same reasons mentioned earlier, new businesses may avoid an area that’s undergoing redevelopment.

 

Transition Statement: Lastly, I would like to provide examples of how this flaw in urban planning has had an impact locally.
4.     Development has been hastily pushed forward by the state without considering the infrastructure improvements needed to sustain such developments.

a.     According to an analysis of current sewer conditions conducted by the Belt Collins Hawaii, over 4,200 feet of existing sewer line would need to be upgraded (at an estimated cost of over 3.4 million dollars) to accommodate the influx of residents due to new development (Belt Collins Hawaii LLC, 2014). In Kaka’ako, one of the most common complaints from residents is an overwhelming odor permeating their homes. Normally, under ideal conditions, sewer piping lies a certain amount of feet below a manhole cover and on a certain degree of pitch. This enables wastewater to flow through the sewer pipes using only gravity. There is a term in sewer system design called surcharging. It refers to a state when wastewater can no longer flow through sewer lines, potentially overflowing into the street. Being in a constant state of surcharge can also cause odors to permeate through manhole covers and drains. Even with these improvements, eight sections of sewer line would remain in a surcharged state, constantly on the brink of potential overflow. However, these estimates are based on sewer line improvement only. The Hawaii Community Development Authority in 2009 pegged total infrastructure improvements needed in the Kaka’ako area to be $126,549,000.00 (HCDA, 2009).

b.     Locals of O’ahu have already seen the impact this lack of planning has had on our environment and daily lives. I would like to share a situation that a friend experienced that I thought was relevant to this presentation. He decided to go to the beach, normally a 10-minute drive. However, that day there was heavy traffic and the trip ended up taking close to 30 minutes. Once he arrived at the beach, he discovered that the only restroom there was closed. When he walked down to the water, he saw signs posted stating that the beach was closed due to sewage contamination. Needless to say, the frustration level was high. These negative experiences are a direct result of poor development planning and fast-track construction methods.

 

Signal Ending: In conclusion, the current state of urban planning does not provide a comprehensive foundation for the development or redevelopment of communities.
5.     Conclusion

a.     Planners need to combine both orthodox and unorthodox means when planning communities. Though every situation is unique, all factors need to be considered before the design process begins. Development should be contingent upon infrastructure improvements, which should run parallel to construction progress.

b.     Looking at all of you in the audience, I see the future decision-makers of our communities. Hopefully, this presentation brings to light some of the issues regarding our current planning process, and maybe our generation can be the one that revolutionizes the industry.

 

 

References

 

 

Dela Cruz, D. (2016, August 30). Public and Charter school enrollment remains steady with increases in most grades. Retrieved from http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/ConnectWithUs/MediaRoom/PressReleases/Pages/HIDOEEnrollment1617.aspx

 

Jacobs, J. (1961). The death and life of great American cities. New York, NY: Vintage Books.

 

Mumford, L. (1970). The culture of cities. New York, NY: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.

 

MVE Pacific. (2011). Kaka’ako Makai Conceptual Master Plan Final Report. Retrieved from Hawaii.gov: http://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/files/2015/12/Appendix-C-KMakai-Conceptual-MPReport-2011.pdf

 

Belt Collins Hawaii LLC. (2014). Sewer Master Plan Update. Retrieved from https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/files/2013/06/Ward-master-Plan-SM-WardNeighborhood_MP_Prop_4-2-08.pdf

 

Hawaii Community Development Authority. (September 2011). Kaka’ako community development district. Retrieved from https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/files/2012/11/FINAL-MAUKA-AREA-PLAN-eff-2011.pdf

 

Zillow Inc. (2017, August 31). Ala Moana-Kakaako Home Prices & Home Values. Retrieved from https://www.zillow.com/ala-moana-kakaako-honolulu-hi/home-values/

 

INRIX. (2016, March 15). INRIX 2015 Traffic Scorecard Sets Benchmark for U.S. Cities as Federal Government Accelerates Smart City Spending. Retrieved from http://inrix.com/press-releases/scorecard-us/

 

Kailua Beach Park bathhouse, pavilion reopened following renovations. (2017, July 03).  Retrieved from http://khon2.com/2017/07/03/kailua-beach-park-bathhouse-pavilion-reopened-following-renovations/

 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2015, December 17). Urban and Regional Planners. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/urban-and-regional-planners.htm

 

Wilson Okamoto Corporation. (2016). Victoria Ward Redevelopment Sewer Master Plan Update. Retrieved from https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/hcda/files/2013/06/Ward-master-Plan-SM-WardNeighborhood_MP_Prop_4-2-08.pdf

 

 

+Incompetence

• I think the reasons for criticizing someone about incompetence goes without saying. If I find a coworker isn’t carrying their weight, I usually tell them directly instead of going straight to a manager.

-Hygiene

• If a coworker has poor hygiene it reflects badly on themselves; I would also choose a direct approach to letting a coworker know their hygiene could be better, since it can be an embarrassing.

-Poor punctuality

• I don’t think this one would be my place to criticize, a supervisor would likely take notice and action before I would.

-Unfriendly

• It’s hard to criticize someone directly just for being unsociable, I believe the best course of action would be to just avoid this person.

-Slow

• Sometimes it can be stressful to be told hurry up, so I would try to give my coworker some advice on how to be more efficient about doing their job.

 

Reasons people criticize each other:

1.  Don’t do their job correctly
2. People whining to much
3. People are rude 
4. Employees take the store’s keys with them
5. Coworkers like to gossip about you
6. Coworkers don’t leave any toilet paper left. 
7. Late people 

Giving criticism in the work place:

1. Well, in my case my coworker called the manager to gossip about me, and then the manager called me to asked me if it was true. Because  I have always been honest with her he nows look like a liar to everyone. 
2. My  manager never critic me she always corrects me and shows me the right way to do it. 
3.  When people are rude I have always been kind, and patient. 

• Excessive Smoke Breaks
  • 15 minutes of work does not mean 15 minutes of smoke break! Try to take a 15 minute break after 3-4 hours of work. This is to show that you care for the progress of you job and not controlled by smoking.
• Hygiene
  • Shower, fresh clothes, and wash your hands!
• How well they communicate
  • Think before you speak!
• Micro Manager
  • Trust in your employees or coworkers.
• Housekeeping
  • No one wants a cluttered work place and it can also be a safety issue.

When giving criticism, be polite and approach the individual openly. If it is a serious criticism then talk to the person in private, never put anyone on blast as it may do more bad than good. Another good indirect way could be talking to the employees as a group and don’t point out an individual and talk about the problem at hand.

Probably going to HR would be a good place to talk things over and get the help to work it out or going to your boss and asking for a meeting with the other person or people?  It’s never good to take it on yourself to address the problem.  This could lead to other actions and problems in the workplace and it could make others feel uncomfortable around you or totally just avoid you.  Doing it on your own could force other in the workplace choose sides and then you went from you and the other person to adding maybe 5-8 other people.

• Keep it professional and go to your boss or HR.
• Don’t let the problem boil.
• Don’t complain to others.
• Be proactive!

 

1. Poor work ethic
2. Poor attendance
3. Poor hygiene
4. Bad attitude
5. Poor morals

Ways to approach issues that will result in a positive outcome

1. Address work ethic in private with the person. Provide both good (if there are any) as well as bad aspects of current work ethic and keep an open mind
2. Address attendance issues in private. Discuss possible reasons for poor attendance as well as possible solutions to reduce absences
3. In private, discuss hygiene issues. Some may be related to religious or moral beliefs, in which case a solution may not be in your favor.
4. Discuss in private the issues related to attitude. Are there reasons for this that you may be unaware of? If so, are there ways to assist in resolving theses issues?
5. Poor morals may be the most difficult to address. Approaching the situation and bringing attention to what you have noticed may only result in the person better hiding what they are doing. Not too sure on this one.

1. He or she likes to micro manage.
2. He or she is nit picky or just annoying.
3. Jealous of others.
4. On a power trip.
5. inconsiderate of others.

Guidelines for criticism in the workplace:

• Tell the person in private.
• Give reasons for the criticism
• State ways they can improve-constructive criticism is better than just bashing someone and telling them all the things they do wrong.

 

Always being late, hygiene, micromanagement, talks down to others, being a one upper, being too bossy, bad work ethic, sharing too much…

If you must be, try for constructive criticism, show the other person that there is another way to go about things, instead of saying they are blatiently wrong.

My co worker used to smoke weed in the our work truck and smoke weed on the job all the time. He has a CDL which makes it illegal for him to be under the influence of any substance. He used to cut corners and steal hours, he basically did whatever he wanted. He was super chill but that was his problem he was too chill and nothing would get done. Well in this case criticism is a little bit light he probably should have got fired and lost his license. I think that work place criticism should be done in private and should be appropriate for the infraction. Do not go overboard and make your co workers hate you but don’t be a tool and let everyone use you. You need to find a balance between being stern and being forgiving.

The biggest and most common major group of criticism has to be the worker is not following protocol and expectations of the job. This could be coming in late, not producing an equal amount (or quality amount), not putting things where they belong, the list goes on. These occurrences affect the group, not just the individual; this makes everything seem purposeful and intentional to the others.

The best way to handle a situation like this is to address it to the person bluntly. Assuming its a consistent thing and you are not the only one who has noticed, your coworkers would appreciate it if you did talk to this person.