This paper is about the lack of local amenities in Las Vegas, a highly commercialized city. I have been researching what in fact there is to do in Las Vegas, one main focus has been what is there outside of the casinos; strip or otherwise. Books have been far and between for research and the internet has good information. Resources have almost been limited to the internet, local magazines, and local weekly papers. I will be plotting out where the major master planned communities lie in relation to museums, the strip, and other places of activity that I will mention in my paper. One concern is the Vegas valley is actually three major cities/suburbs. The interaction of these communities I think ties in to a certain degree. I've started to poll people who have lived here longer than I to see what they do. One thing that seems to run throughout the people that I've interviewed and heard people talking about is that they avoid the strip like the plague and only go there when friends/family comes to visit. I have found in my research as a new comer to Las Vegas that there is more than meets they eye, but I am still coming to the conclusion that majority of amenities are within casinos. I'm hoping the outcome will be to show things to do and possibly be proposals to what this valley needs to help people to stay here (and not just because of their job).
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
tourism????
So after getting home and getting some sleep, I'm thinking my paper may change. It will still about local culture and how it's fading, but I think that's gonna be more the focus. This is partially due to the amount of research materials that I can find. I like the comments about the local culture of Vegas and if there is one. Vegas isn't the only city that this seems to be occurring. So another thought is to broaden the paper to highly commercialized cities. I've also been thinking about here in Vegas how the public transportation system lacks...I wonder if that would change the interaction for locals. What is there for locals here in Vegas besides going to a casino (I know, I know...lots of revenue for the city in casinos...)? I think some more brainstorming needs to happen. Knowing the history of Vegas and what was the reason for it starting might help me to better understand the local culture. I'm interested in "Boomburbs" also which is a term used to define Vegas. Any thoughts?? I have so many different paths running through my head but I'm not sure which way to go. Maybe I just need to pick a route and run with it. I really want to see if there's something that I can find that will improve the local scene. There is always the fact to consider that many places here do give perks for locals, but again that means going to the strip and inevitably a casino.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
A village divided...
This article was intriguing. I appreciated how Duncan laid out his facts and his analysis. The division of Bedford makes me step back and wonder. Its really amazing how people have segregated themselves with out physical barriers. The different classes within one town are almost one end of the spectrum to the other. The clear differences between the alpha and beta are really amazing. There are areas of cities that have differences between classes but in Bedford it really divides the village.
The division within larger cities and even small towns is there just not as obvious. I grew up in a town where the majority of the working class are all educated at the higher level. It creates a town that is very similar wherever you may go. There are a few areas that the people have a lower standard but these areas are clustered.
The strict zoning code of the village really dictates the way the village will grow. It's very interesting to see how the inhabitants of Bedford have really embraced it. I find it fascinating that the new homes resemble something that is centuries old. I found it really interesting that the people of the town actually stand up to maintain the feel of their town. Even with the younger generation of people, it's really satisfying to see people fight for their living conditions. There are some areas where it's obvious that the people don't care about their surroundings. I find that sad.
The paragraph about new vs old money was interesting. There are areas like that in Vegas and the 'old money' homes are segregated. They are divided with gates like discussed in the last reading but it is still apparent that thats where the old money is. Many of the 'old money' areas have the club house that establishes them as the 'snooty'. Movies and television really promote that club houses are for the high rollers. I'm really curious though if that's how club houses really are. I have never been inside a club house...but it makes you wonder.
I wonder what would happen if towns were to set codes as strict what would happen. Would it be embraced as much as Bedford has or would people reject the regulations?
The division within larger cities and even small towns is there just not as obvious. I grew up in a town where the majority of the working class are all educated at the higher level. It creates a town that is very similar wherever you may go. There are a few areas that the people have a lower standard but these areas are clustered.
The strict zoning code of the village really dictates the way the village will grow. It's very interesting to see how the inhabitants of Bedford have really embraced it. I find it fascinating that the new homes resemble something that is centuries old. I found it really interesting that the people of the town actually stand up to maintain the feel of their town. Even with the younger generation of people, it's really satisfying to see people fight for their living conditions. There are some areas where it's obvious that the people don't care about their surroundings. I find that sad.
The paragraph about new vs old money was interesting. There are areas like that in Vegas and the 'old money' homes are segregated. They are divided with gates like discussed in the last reading but it is still apparent that thats where the old money is. Many of the 'old money' areas have the club house that establishes them as the 'snooty'. Movies and television really promote that club houses are for the high rollers. I'm really curious though if that's how club houses really are. I have never been inside a club house...but it makes you wonder.
I wonder what would happen if towns were to set codes as strict what would happen. Would it be embraced as much as Bedford has or would people reject the regulations?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Susan Bickford Reading
I don't completely agree with what she is saying. I think that public spaces are created by individuals and experiences vary from individual to individual. An environment can create a way people feel about something but I don't think it will help someone to develop political thoughts.
As for people having the option on where to live, it will always come down to money - gated community or not. Here in Vegas there are tons of gated communities and I have to giggle at most of them because it gives a false sense of security. A lot of these communities have entrances without a guard so people will just wait until someone lets them in (if they don't know the key code). Many of these communities have their gates open till lets say 7 PM, now what kind of "secure" development is this if anyone can come and go as they please???
People can have a sense of fear regardless of where they live. I grew up in a very small town where everyone knew everyone. For example I cracked my head open and my dad rushed me to the ER where the on-call doctor was also part of the team who delivered me. We never locked the front door to the house and keys were always left in the ignition in the driveway. There was never a feeling that anything bad would happen. When I was a teenager we moved to a suburb of San Francisco and we had to change our outlook on security. We still lived in a relatively safe area but there wasn't that feeling of complete security.
I don't think that race has anything to do with the "fear" people have about their "safe zone". I'm tired of people always blaming something on someone who they feel is a lesser person because of what that person's background is. Racism will never go away if people constantly bring it up. Crime happens everywhere including in areas that are predominantly the same background of people.
The paragraph on minority groups (page 363) was interesting. I did have to giggle though because she talks about minorities never being able to block out the dominant culture. I found that interesting because in a recent poll, minorites are now the majority. That just goes to show that they are now the dominant culture and they got past the "block".
As for people having the option on where to live, it will always come down to money - gated community or not. Here in Vegas there are tons of gated communities and I have to giggle at most of them because it gives a false sense of security. A lot of these communities have entrances without a guard so people will just wait until someone lets them in (if they don't know the key code). Many of these communities have their gates open till lets say 7 PM, now what kind of "secure" development is this if anyone can come and go as they please???
People can have a sense of fear regardless of where they live. I grew up in a very small town where everyone knew everyone. For example I cracked my head open and my dad rushed me to the ER where the on-call doctor was also part of the team who delivered me. We never locked the front door to the house and keys were always left in the ignition in the driveway. There was never a feeling that anything bad would happen. When I was a teenager we moved to a suburb of San Francisco and we had to change our outlook on security. We still lived in a relatively safe area but there wasn't that feeling of complete security.
I don't think that race has anything to do with the "fear" people have about their "safe zone". I'm tired of people always blaming something on someone who they feel is a lesser person because of what that person's background is. Racism will never go away if people constantly bring it up. Crime happens everywhere including in areas that are predominantly the same background of people.
The paragraph on minority groups (page 363) was interesting. I did have to giggle though because she talks about minorities never being able to block out the dominant culture. I found that interesting because in a recent poll, minorites are now the majority. That just goes to show that they are now the dominant culture and they got past the "block".
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