Design Description

The name of the competition, “What Do We Have in Common,” was very inspiring to me for developing the idea of Co-Park.  Our childhood and the games we had, the nostalgia -- Hopscotch. The easiest and most efficient way to solve the issues we are facing around the world can easily appear in our surroundings. The answer is in our "nature" and "humanity." The answers we are giving are more obvious during the COVID-19 pandemic. “What Do We Have in Common” is a great concern for people around the world for finding solidarity. People with various cultures, religions, social backgrounds, and politics interpret elements of life differently. But all the answers are becoming pretty simple when we see our life in two categories. Scholars in environmental and social studies define “Nature” and “Humanity” respectfully as the “place” where we live and the “protecting” of our humaneness and generation from destruction. People are more concerned about the causes of global warming and conflicts around the world. The two mentioned examples are directly related to “Nature” and “Humanity.” The importance of the two elements is the connectivity of every other element to them. Nature and humanity make a limitless loop; each action people do has some great effect on nature and the future of our generation. We need to take our steps considering the two of them for a better future.

Simplicity yet beauty of “Nature” and “Humanity” were the major components of my design. I brought the few elements of nature together to bring people closer while keeping their distance for their safety. During COVID-19 people heard many times about “social distancing,” however the problem was they did not have enough cognition about the measurement. While governments around the world announced that people need to learn “social distancing,” they had not helped people to identify and recognize the numbers. The distance of 1.5 to 2 is something that people have difficulty evaluating them. To do so, I tried to show a better way for people to get these numbers. The intention was to create positive and negative spaces where people respectfully do and do not use them. Thus we need to practice “social distancing” and teach people how to protect their health. Co-Park is a place for people to learn the cohabitation, cooperation, and consideration during the COVID-19 pandemic and even after.

People believe in different causes of COVID-19 however, we can interpret the cause of it as a reaction that our nature creates to push us back from the harm that we are causing to nature and our generation. The COVID-19 pandemic, brought nations closer. Now people are more connected to their nature and fighting for their survival. Communities are spending more time learning the environment’s behavior. People found many answers in the natural environment. Our Earth is now preparing itself for all the devastation that we caused it. Co-Park design can be a remembrance and symbol of this period.