LAR 582- History of Designed Landscape;    Dr. Elen M. Deming

For this first assignment we were asked to find a landscape item in the news and  "launch your own deeper investigations, contextualization, analysis, and potential solutions" on the issue.

Analysis/Reflection:

I chose to look at the impending removal of Asheville, NC's Vance Monument, a notable landmark that celebrates a Confederate NC governor. In the paper I frame the removal of the monument as an opportunity to look at co-creating more inclusive spaces in Asheville. I recommend that the city consider looking at new ways of engaging the community in order to mitigate potential opposition to (yet another) planning process. In retrospect, it may have been more productive for me to have chosen a topic that I was not already so involved in.  I found myself struggling hard with whether or not I had gotten it all "right", since I am charged with implementing next steps for this area in the future. At the same time, what better way to show the value of a class like this on real parks management issues?