Applying What I Learned to my Work in San Diego

The Modernism and Design: The Bauhaus Experience Global Seminar marked my last coursework as an undergraduate student at UCSD (through a rewarding partnership with Bauhaus-Universitat Weimar). I really think that this Global Seminar reinforced everything I’ve learned about urban planning and design. I know that this experience will be helpful to my new career in the non-profit sector.

This program included two major projects that incorporated the modernist planning and design principles that we learned throughout our five weeks in Germany. The city website project (part of USP 173 GS) allowed student groups to apply what we learned about the Bauhaus School to numerous cities around the world which have been influenced by Bauhaus students and masters. I had the opportunity to explore the way Bauhaus made its way to Tel Aviv during the 1930s. It was great to see the way each group delved into their assigned city and organized dense content into visually appealing, interactive websites.

Our final project for USP 183 GS consisted of a redevelopment proposal for a hypothetical student housing project in a real site in Weimar. It was very interesting and rewarding to research the existing conditions of a site within the town we were staying at. We got to observe the public life and everyday activities of the people who passed through or stayed at the site, and how this place communicated with the rest of the town. I now feel more confident in my ability to make observations and analyses about public life, and to produce a meaningful existing conditions analysis.  

Foam core model of redevelopment project in Weimar

In addition to this program’s coursework, I am glad to have had the opportunity to experience the public transportation systems of various European cities. People in Amsterdam, Berlin, Weimar, and Dessau use public transportation differently, but these four cities make a much more efficient and comprehensive use of public and active transportation compared to San Diego. My role as Transportation and Planning Coordinator at the City Heights Community Development Corporation involves the reception of community needs regarding public and active transportation options in the City Heights area. My department strives to help improve the quality of life of people who live and work in City Heights by advocating for built environment and public transportation systems improvements. 

Fully separated bikeway in Amsterdam

I hope that my experience with European transportation can translate to ideas specific to City Heights that can improve mobility for all. I had an especially positive experience with riding a bike around Berlin and Amsterdam and hope to share my bike optimism to Mid-City through my participation in more community bike rides and bike safety classes.

Vianney Ruvalcaba

Muir College, Class of 2018

Modernism and Design: The Bauhaus Experience

Weimar, Germany