Wednesday's class was definitely one of my favorite so far. I am a visual learner and seeing things always makes understanding much easier. Jenks was a lot of terminology and information that I did not get right away which may seem odd since he is so removed from the styles of Barthes or Macherey. However, I was able to grasp the concepts better through visualization.
I found myself after class thinking about buildings, the terms Jenks laid out for us, and postmodernism. The city that came to mind combining all of these ideas was not an American city but the one I lived in while studying abroad in Morocco: Rabat. This capital city would be a haven for the likes of Jenks and even for us CMC majors because of the vast amount of history in this city. Not only does that history exist because we know of the cultural development of North Africa but because of the apparent evolution of time that can be seen through the cityscape.
Rabat is large city and divided into many sections. The areas I would like to address in this post are: the old medina (market), the new medina, Agdal, and Hay Riad.
The new medina houses more modern and postmodern architecture. Europeans and diplomats live here, right outside the old medina walls, in a style that is very much French. Walking down the length of Avenue Mohammed V, you will think you're taking a Parisian stroll to the Eiffel Tower.
Hay Riad is last but not least, almost entire comprised of residential area. This area sprawls with villas in Spanish and French style. The most affluent citizens of Rabat make residence in Hay Riad and flaunt their status through massive houses and extensive gardens.
My reason for bringing these parts of Rabat up in this post is based on our class discussion about melding the old and new. Jenks speaks about postmodernism and its effect on architecture. Thinking back to this city, our discussion struck me because of how I could see the evolution of the city through these ideas. To see the history of a city through the design of its buildings is definitely something I had not thought of before and was excited to think back to.
I found myself after class thinking about buildings, the terms Jenks laid out for us, and postmodernism. The city that came to mind combining all of these ideas was not an American city but the one I lived in while studying abroad in Morocco: Rabat. This capital city would be a haven for the likes of Jenks and even for us CMC majors because of the vast amount of history in this city. Not only does that history exist because we know of the cultural development of North Africa but because of the apparent evolution of time that can be seen through the cityscape.
Rabat is large city and divided into many sections. The areas I would like to address in this post are: the old medina (market), the new medina, Agdal, and Hay Riad.
The old medina has always been the primary living location of the working middle class. In the days of kings and until now, the old medina is the center of the city. Surrounded by forty foot walls, the medina is a concoction of houses pressed up against one another. They are stone and unimpressive from outside but from the inside, they are beautifully tiled and crafted. The homes are reminiscent of ancient times and the very detailed architecture that went into construction in pre-modern times.
The new medina houses more modern and postmodern architecture. Europeans and diplomats live here, right outside the old medina walls, in a style that is very much French. Walking down the length of Avenue Mohammed V, you will think you're taking a Parisian stroll to the Eiffel Tower.
The university district begins in Agdal. The layout of this part of the city is also reminiscent of Paris but more residential in style. There is a cross here between college campus and busy city; it is the height of interaction for college students because of the very Western malls and tall apartment buildings.
My reason for bringing these parts of Rabat up in this post is based on our class discussion about melding the old and new. Jenks speaks about postmodernism and its effect on architecture. Thinking back to this city, our discussion struck me because of how I could see the evolution of the city through these ideas. To see the history of a city through the design of its buildings is definitely something I had not thought of before and was excited to think back to.
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