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Identifying the Problem
The city of Akron needs a way to help beautify itself because dull and uninteresting landscapes and buildings can lead to mental and physical health effects.
Whenever I went through downtown Akron, I remember feeling a spark of joy passing the small road of Maiden Ln. on East Market Street and seeing the welcoming cafe area. The art and architecture of this area feels fresh compared to the rest of the city. But that is the only part of my home that makes me happy and that makes me feel terrible.
This video by the Kurzgesagt titled “Why Beautiful Things Makes us Happy” states that, “experiments with skin sensors showed that looking at vast, dull facades [in context to city buildings] makes us feel bored and uncomfortable.” They state that this boredom links to higher heart rates and stress levels. However, they also state that having aesthetically pleasing appearances and items can do the opposite and benefit your mood, brain function, and even your physical state.
One other factor when it comes to the city is that we have a clear homeless population. Jen Jones Donatelli states that “it’s estimated that 850 people are homeless on any given day.” When talking to my family about the subject, they stated that people find the sight of homeless people sad and attractive.
In other cities, they try to use something called “hostile architecture” as referred to by Winnie Hu on The New York Times, which is buildings or seating that has bars or spikes to keep homeless people from being able to rest or take shelter and force them elsewhere.
Why Should I Care?
First off, I know I'm not alone in this city. If it is common for others to be sad by seeing bland landscapes, trash, and people without homes on the street, that means there are others that wish for Akron to be as beautiful and clean as possible. And secondly, I find hostile architecture sickening, and I want to find any alternative I can before letting Akron succumb to it while still letting the city flourish.
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