My Space

Shannon Ashford

English 113B

October 24, 2013

The Congested Lot

            We as citizens of the United States, wish the problematic of space was being modified. We walk around local areas thinking it’s crowded because of the amount of people present at that given moment; but have you ever thought that it's the space around us we should blame?  The government is responsible for this because their worries aren’t focused on how large or small a space is. Apparently there are priorities that need to be taken care of, which is true. However, setting their priorities in the right standard of what they fail at. It is our government and their lack of care to blame for the construction of the space around of.

            I ‘ve witnessed many locations that have a lot of potential of being built differently. I do however; have one specific spot that I’ve analyzed. Located on Balboa and Chatsworth is a small yet very popular parking lot. Within that parking lot is a Pharmacy, Thai Food restaurant Cleaners, Masseuse Pizza Parlor, Hookah Shop, 7/11, and a Subway. It has come to my attention that not only is it a busy, main street, but also it surrounds that specific area in close radius of a park and two high schools.  I’ve realized that since that parking lot is fairly small, it is a dangerous place to commute in and out of. It has roughly sixteen parking spots built compact cars. Rather you’re commuting on wheels or foot, the possibility of someone getting hurt is high. In fact, I almost witnessed a car accident in that parking lot the other day. Since it is near two high schools and a park, the population of children dominates due to the fact that there is a 7/11.  This structure can be remolded so it can be a safe environment for people of all ages to travel to.  In the documentary Sprawling With Grace, David M. Edwards mentions, “Humanity is ignored of the building and spaces from last 40 years.” If we consciously put more thought and effort into what we’re building, we wouldn’t have to stress about the placing of spaces being congested This spot in particular isn’t something that I’ve been analyzing this past week. I’ve realized that the Hookah Shop that has recently opened has been once upon a time many other businesses. So we’ve noticed a pattern that the stores prior to the one it is now, didn't make a lot of profit. Concluding, that businesses that were placed there weren’t very successful, we can assume it is probably due to the parking problem.  In my opinion, since there is a 7/11 and a Subway between it, they can reconstruct that corner to expand the parking lot by getting rid of the Hookah Shop. If there are more parking spaces in that plaza then it will attract more customers.

          Many Americans, and people who are of a different citizenship, make the argument that people who live in America are lazy. We rely on our automobiles to transport us anywhere and everywhere at any given time. In addition to us relying on our cars, we also assume that the destination we’re traveling to will provide enough space to park our cars and to easily get in and out of those parking spaces. In particular, this plaza needs to make this area pleasing to the customers staring with its physical appearance.  “If we want change, people need to find a new vision” says David M Edwards. People think that creative minds doesn’t exist in our generation. Since we’ve creatively upgraded advance technology, we do have the ability to change the space around us. 

         We’re constantly traveling in space. As a Californian, I know that mostly an automobile is what we depend on when we’re traveling from place to place. Our City needs to make sure the space we travel to doesn't become problematic. By doing so, the majority of the places we travel to need to be expanded. Because we’re constantly traveling, we want to make sure we’re confident in our safety.

Bibliography:

Sprawling From Grace: http://youtu.be/KqMj3E94BK0