Not anytime sooner AI or ChatGPT will surpass human intelligence or completely fulfil human desire for excellence.

Please visit my web page "Urban Tenets" at https://urbantenets.nl/

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As the saying goes - there are finer fishes in the ocean then ever been caught. Likewise, there is way too much human experiences than ever been documented, way too much knowledge then ever been published, countless layers of emotions then ever been fathomed. Worth mentioning, as above knowledge and experiences never made their way to big data with which machines are being trained in principle.

Machine intelligence may amuse one, may even trick one, for a moment or two for sure, may serve the worldly purpose to much extent as well, but not going to surpass human intelligence (not in terms of weather prediction) and instinct any time sooner, neither fulfil their quest and expectations. Needs of human intellect is more than ever possibly to be fulfilled by machine or AI, at least not in near term.

History is dotted with precedents. Take a look at art for instance, photography and digital media were perceived to have immense disruptive potential, and they actually disrupted creativity and aesthetics, but never could kill art, rather made art more stronger. Take example of internet, it had potential to disrupt knowledge and it did, but could never uproot academia, rather it strengthened it. Take for instance cars, there was technically no going back to non-motorised vehicle, but bicycle prevailed and rather going stronger. When there came polyester, there was no going back to handloom, but it left people longing even more for cotton. Likewise the advent of genetically modified food and reactionary human quest for organic produce. And robots that could never render manpower obsolete.

As human needs and reactions to external events are way complex, hence their self organising tendency around any new disruption is also evident. Human being prefer to dwell at the borderline of existence, to have a chance to immerse oneself in experience in one instance (sometimes driven by technology) and withdraw in private seclusion in next moment. Essentially delocalised and never to be confined in one orbit.

Human quest remains unchallenged, as there is no technology which can quench their thirst, their quest for excellence, and search for newness. The best thing one can do in such times of technological flux is to embrace the change and keep calm!

Author: Anoop Jha

#technology #ChatGPT #AI #ML #bigdata #machinelearning #futuretech #disruption #smartcity #urbanplanner #architect #Rotterdam #Hague #Eindhoven #Utrecht #Amsterdam #Netherlands

Image:Pixabay 

Rotterdam #Art day out!

Please visit my web page "Urban Tenets" at https://urbantenets.nl/

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Its always refreshing to find some time to catch up with ones hobby. Visited few art galleries in Rotterdam last week. Mesmerized to see impressive works of many international artists on display, mostly dominated by contemporary, abstract and surreal fine art style. Coincidently it was amidst ongoing #RotterdamArtweek.

One of the #artgallery owner was kind enough to spend some time to discuss about some of the paintings including one of his favorite one on display. I also took opportunity to show him pictures of my past hobby art works (sketches/ paintings) and get some quick feedback, validation and handy tips to improvise on hobby craft sometime in future. Sharing snippets of my old artwork, which the gentleman found interesting enough in terms of contemporary art scene.

Gallery owner was very generous to give some handy tips and food for thought to ponder, he being in creative business for quite some time; saying these days its fine to blend different art styles, also may be good idea to have a contemporary and international take on history, culture and roots, from the place of origin of artist, also explaining why it may be important to pay equal attention to all parts of painting including foreground and background, he took time to show and explain finer details of some of the works on display.

We talked about how #arthelps transcend time, possibly also helping new generation to connect with past and how art may help foster dialogue.

Having interest in art has certainly helped me during #architecture study, but also as an urban planner and on path of being an urban management professionals it has often helped me find order, pattern, as well as finding innovative, creative and humane solutions to challen
ges of modern city life, #urbanplanning and #urbanmanagement.

Author: Anoop Jha

Image/Work: Author

#Rotterdam #artgallery #urbanplanning #Architecture #netherlands #art 

Week of Circular Economy 2023 (Week van de Circulaire Economie)

Please visit my web page "Urban Tenets" at https://urbantenets.nl/

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As the Week of Circular Economy 2023 (Week van de Circulaire Economie) ended; thought of looking back at own previous attempts to instill circular practices in DIY projects and found a quick experimental interior design installation from archive, that one made way back using bunch of wasted (printed/ unusable) A4 papers. With little creativity
, honeycomb arrangement and some back light it seem to worked well.

Thinking about concept of circular economy in a generic way and looking at cities as being an organic whole, also looking from cultural and economic perspective; with little observation and recollection we realize that circular practices have been part and parcel to many nations, cultures and communities across the world and throughout the history. Sometimes due to cultural influences or sometimes due to economic necessity they seem to apply circular practices by instinct, like being resource efficient, sharing resources and products within large joint families and close-knit community, using products overs generations, innovative use of material, keeping the material and products in loop by changing hands, repurposing etc.

Also, as resources are being increasingly scarce, one of the best things we can do to increase awareness about circular transition in modern city context, practices and products, is to introduce the concept of circular economy in educational curriculum from the very early stage and onwards.

#circulareconomy #architecture #interiordesign #circulartransition #Netherlands #WeekofCircularEconomy #weekvandecirculaireeconomie 

Digitalisation - possibly the only way forward!

Please visit my web page "Urban Tenets" at https://urbantenets.nl/

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We, take action (going from point A to B in a city) to accomplish day to day task and take smaller steps (changing transport modes, crossing road) to eventually complete the task (reaching destination in this case). Now lets take "digital" out of the equation to understand the role of digitalisation in this process. Which means it will be difficult to know the exact status of next bus, local train until reaching bus stop or station; add time spent in buying ticket possibly, and if running out of cash then may pay visit to bank first (as even ATMs won't be around), also traffic signals won't be syncronised, so it will be difficult even to cross the road quickly and safely; also after reaching a new destination spend additional time searching for exact address in absence of digital map, while it will also be difficult to get task completed remotely in absence of digitalisation.

This basically means we may have to add more minutes and hours in our planned action as cushion to offset uncertainty, and to overcome anxiety. Different versions of above case anyways used to be reality a decade or two ago.

If digital interventions in people's life equates to saved time per day, per action that means better planning, more freedom of choice, less efforts, relaxation, sanity, better health, better control of action (life) and also as a perk ever connectedness, omnipresent assistance and being more resourceful. The way digital services are embedded in todays day to day life, it may be difficult to chose alternative disconnected life, unless someone is on vacation in a remote eco-resort or beach retreat.

Even when people complain about constant surveillance in public space, the first thing they will possibly wish for will be CCTV coverage, in case they happen to be in a situation of threat or facing petty or serious crime.

There are some good examples of how digitalisation can work very well without much compromise, for instance in one of the South Rotterdam Neighborhood to counter the burglary etc. the pilot smart street lights uses audio visual clues to detect unusual situations, suspicious behaviors like burglary and theft, fight etc., and then intensifies light, raises alarm, record events only in such situations and alert law enforcement. Details of pilot here (https://lnkd.in/eHP7MNPh).

Digitalisation is sometimes synonyms with smart cities. While its a constant debate that what kind of and how much digitalisation is needed in a (smart) city; acknowledging the role and embeddedness of digital interventions in day to day life, the possible best way forward would be to embrace the digitalisation, and attempt to keep improvising same.

Author: Anoop Jha

#Digitalisation #urbanplanning #urbanmanagement #architecture #smartcity #Amsterdam #Utretch #Hague #Delft #Denbosch  #Alkmaar #Noordholland #Northholland #Tilburg  #Eindhoven #Rotterdam #Netherlands

Decoding architectural and urban planning profession, mannerism and dimensions!

Please visit my web page "Urban Tenets" at https://urbantenets.nl/

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How architects and urban planners possibly think, what all they encounter? What are the key challenges of profession?

Architects and urban planners are usually creative, imaginative, and practical enough to almost dwell at the border of science and philosophy. They often like to draw analogy, parallel and similarity, find harmony and juxtaposition, search for patterns, logic and inspiration, build complex compositions while capable of offering even more complex explanation of same, articulate subtle thoughts, envision rare possibilities and more; meanwhile juggling between, functionality, aesthetics and feasibility; which most of the time remains a trade-off. Their works also have to qualify on aspirations of range of stakeholder and users, today and in centuries to come; work that should also withstand test of time, finding continued relevance, facing weather, disaster, praise and criticism alike.

Sometimes, rather many a times architects and urban planners operate on different scales, but their quest and creative search remains similar, i.e., creating something for people, community; something that is functional, aesthetic, comforting and nostalgic; but also within reach and viable; may be complex but also abstract enough to be explained to and understood by all.

Architects and urban planners sometimes draw similarity between human and architecture, and between human and city, as possibly human, being the most complex functional entity. A vast and complex subject as it is, has equally vast challenging regime, where half of world may not be having proper access to architectural services, neither having means, representation or entitlement, searching from the pool of architects who don’t even exist today; Similarly scores of unauthorised settlements, suburban villages and small towns in different parts of world, big or complex enough to qualify for a city title, having little awareness, resources and empowerment, to have timely access to urban planning services.

Architectural and urban planning profession has been that way since quite few decades, that is asymmetric in its services and reach, no less than economic or digital divide; also characteristic of juxtaposition, from the epitome of expression and demonstration at one end to the absolute absence of same on other end.

What’s going on now and what’s the way forward? Increasingly resource gap is being filled, awareness within, and about architecture and urban planning is growing, architectural and planning services are increasingly reaching to areas of cities and areas beyond cities which remained unattended in past, and increasingly serving the remote parts of world.

Author: Anoop Jha

Architect Planner

#urbanplanning #architecture #smartcity #Delhi #Mumbai #India #Africa #Europe #EU #Amsterdam #Utretch #Hague #alkmaar #noordholland #northholland #Eindhoven #Rotterdam #Netherlands

From hunger and uncertainty to abundance - An experimental approach of urban food security.

Please visit my web page "Urban Tenets" at https://urbantenets.nl/

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We have heard that, teach them how to fish instead of giving them fish to eat; further instead lets say teach them aquaculture and may be also teach them low cost aquaponic technique of breeding fish and vegetables together. Help them also build and manage a community heirloom seed bank. And organic farming. May be, also teach them household or community scale food processing. This is one way of looking at community or urban food security; i.e. by imparting skills to help community become gradually self reliant in terms of food. This is not for the purpose of business, but for the purpose of survival, at least as may be the case for many communities.

Also thinking of those better off cities and communities still constantly battling with inflation and fluctuating food prices and uncertain supply of fresh produce, possibly sometimes relying too much on import of fresh vegetables and fruits, from other countries or region or distant farmlands. It may sometimes be a self imposed limitation. Now imagine a new greenfield city being planned, that by development control regulation, i.e. by law, mandates to have landscape plant, shrub, creeper and tree in this new city or community, belonging to only native edible type (and of course wild meadows and bees etc for pollination) i.e. only to have edible landscape (fruit, vegetable, nuts, orchard, herbs, and even many a times stems, leaves, roots, flowers of edible kind); also true for brownfield cities that as an experiments, may permits only planting edible landscape, past a cut off date, for next few years. Will this move make these new or old cities or districts self reliant in terms of food or resilient to some extent; will this be a replicable/ scalable food security measure; possibly yes. After all, having
only decorative, aesthetic trees, plants and shrubs in city was self imposed constraint only, while many such cities still continue to battle with either food scarcity or food unaffordability. After all keeping traditional custodians of agricultural fields away and outside of city boundaries must also be a self imposed constraint; instead can some or many of them be invited to help manage this very proposed citywide (only permissible) edible landscape within urban green and unused open spaces. This is one more way of looking at urban food security.

Author: Anoop Jha

#urbanplanning #urbanfarming #urbanmanagement #urbanagriculture #terracegarden #greenroof #ediblelamdscape #smartcity #Amsterdam #Utretch #Hague #alkmaar #noordholland #agriculture #northholland #Eindhoven #Rotterdam #Netherlands #foodsecurity

As unsustainable as Print Command (Ctrl+P)!Universal blanket standardization of best practices to save our planet.

Please visit my web page "Urban Tenets" at https://urbantenets.nl/

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(Reshared; original post 2012)

Oh, another bunch of refined paper goes to waste-bin thanks to extremely complex and varied document printing processes across the varied software environment, across the government, corporate and educational institutions, across the world. Taking heavier and heavier toll on environment with every “Ctrl+P+Enter”, possibly every second rather micro-second in some corner of world.

It’s fairly easy for a planner specially an architect planner to acknowledge this fact of unsustainable printing practice and track down the reasons behind that due to their diversified nature of work, active participation in software environment and multiplicity of technological affinity. An average planner with architectural background is usually familiar with at least 10 to 15 software even excluding downstream subsidiaries of parent software programs, comfortable working with 7 to 10 software and currently must be using 3 to 7 software applications spread across desktop to online to cloud based environment; Some frequently used software tools ranging from drafting to data gathering and aggregation, to data analysis and interpretation, to collaboration, to mapping and image interpretation to presentation and simulation and so on, printing system ranging from tiniest of printers to the largest of plotters available. And he or she can easily recognize that one thing common in all these tools, systems and activities, is that nothing is common when it comes to Ctrl+P, i.e. print command i.e. printing process. Hence the huge environmental losses!

It’s not that you must have a global authority to control printing behavior across this technological landscape, its more about morality of tech-producers, corporate management as well responsibility and choices at user’s end. Still, it won’t be a bad idea to have some form of global printing governance and management through a nodal or distributed agencies across the globe just to identify, evolve and clinically establish the best probable practices in printing, standardizing and implementing the best printing practices and related programming practices through integration at software programming stage itself or to introduce plugins at regular intervals as tech-retrofit or to printducate (education of best practices about printing) while kids are still getting educated or even through organizational incentives if needed. Some examples of technological intervention even if you consider these at lighter note can be like default “Always draft mode otherwise specified” setting across the printer and plotter community and product lines across the world no matter small or large, something like having two big display/ push buttons one green and one stark red which will appear the moment you press the Ctrl+P (print command), green bottom (default draft mode) saying something like- “Thanks for choosing me because you are helping mother nature to thrive, btw do you really need to do even this?” and the red button (customizable for higher resolutions) saying “think twice before going ahead with higher-resolution, with this single click you might add little more burden to our mother nature, can’t you think of some other way to communicate to help save little more of ink cartridge and little more of paper?”

One interesting and probably right observation and recommendation is that we might need to revise the definition and perception of Draft Print Resolution. At present drat image or text resolution is kind of too much pixelated draft, and creates vast disparity in the outcome of high-resolution (even normal-resolution) and draft-resolution print, hence more and more people are opting for either high or normal resolution across the organizations, leaving draft unattended. We need to raise the print resolution of default draft resolution little higher than the present configuration so that people do not immediately make higher resolution print choices discarding the draft.  There is one dilemma here as well, a common educated person, environmentally conscious as he or she thinks of himself or herself, making more damage to environment than the average person with stubborn but consistent printing behavior.  Most of the environmentally conscious persons take draft mode printouts as a natural choice to protect the environment only to realize that printouts are too hazy, unclear, un-presentable to the client or audience and they end up taking same print again in normal or higher resolution format (shear wastage point No. 1, in the name of being environmentalist), they also tend to take higher size/ A3 content on an lower size/A4 paper in their deliberate (sometimes showing-off) effort to save paper/ environment, only to realize that the texts printed are almost unreadable or at least not presentable and hence they end up taking printouts again on larger size paper (shear wastage point No. 2, in the name of being pro-green or something), same story in case of slide Vs handouts as well. All of this wastage can be avoided just by keeping print command in universally default draft mode while making draft mode with little better resolution format so that people don’t always have to make choices between mostly discarded draft mode and frequently chosen normal or high resolution mode for print.

A random thought which also comes to mind is that may be the life cycle cost of providing every student and employee an upgradable device like ipad or tab or something for the regularized communication, discussion and presentation purpose within the premises or on the go might be much less than lifecycle cost of all the printing gimmicks that goes across the educational and organizational landscape (someone need to do the math), annual, monthly, quarterly, weekly and daily reports sometimes in hard copies, documentation and stacks of documents in so called database or reference library, presentation pamphlets, organizational profile handouts, educational assignments, submissions and so on and on; you know it better or better know it early! Similarly the lifecycle cost of buying and operating ipad or tab or something for reading news (which also has added customization advantage) might be much-much less than the lifecycle cost of buying newspaper for rest of your life. Just a thought though!!       

Need for printed information is not going to go anywhere anytime soon but we can always find out better ways to communicate and better print management at product design end as well as programming and user end, to save the paper and ink cartridge, just to contribute a bit for making this planet a better place!!