In the University of Southern California's University Park Master Plan, there are ideas that I like, however there are some I dislike as well. First, I feel that creating a safe, attractive and sustainable campus for the university would be a great idea. But, I believe USC should keep the surrounding area, to a certain degree, the same as it has always been. Ethnic minorities, the homeless people here and there, and the little hot dog stands during game days are what make USC such a dynamic and diverse place. USC has already employed a system of hiring security guards at all street corners surrounding the main campus. This is a terrific idea to help achieve the goal of safety and will, in turn, reduce crime rates.
I do not care for USC's idea to make more sidewalk room for walkers and riders. There is plenty of room for that as it is. This plan would only make traffic much worse around campus, potentially causing more car-pedestrian accidents.
As a whole, I think the plan is great and will be very beneficial for the university.
Below is a link to their website, showing the proposed plan:
http://www.usc.edu/community/upcmasterplan/
You're one of the few people who has taken a stance against the Jefferson renovation. You don't just think it's wrong to push residents away, you actually like that they're here. I think that's excellent. It's good to hear a differing opinion.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that you believe that USC should keep the surrounding area "the same as it has always been," but the reality is that the surrounding area has severely decayed in the past fifty years. I am all for diversity, but I cannot bring myself to say that I like the homeless people around campus. Homelessness needs to be resolved. USC should invest money in the surrounding community so that poor people can improve their lives. Yes, it is interesting that USC is in a poor area, but I don't see poverty as a novelty item.
ReplyDeleteI hate to say this but the homeless people being around campus really agitates me. I don't feel safe when a man on a bike is following me home and saying weird and psycho things to me. People always say that USC was here first before the neighborhood became this way and that the surrounding community went down when the Olympics were here. I wonder what the community was like before poverty's power took over.
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