Online discussion forums' potential impact

For as long as I've been a Nashville resident, I've participated in online discussion forums pertaining to the city's built environment. My role has shifted over time from "poster" to "lurker," as I really don't have much to add to the discussion these days, but my amateur knowledge of the urban design has grown immensely from regularly reading two discussion forums: UrbanPlanet.org and NashvilleCharrette.com. One question/criticism those not involved often have of my interest is, "Do you actually do anything as a result of the online and face-to-face meetings that you and fellow forumers hold?" First, I think that the discourse is important. The fact that the conversation occurs is itself valuable. Had it not been for amateurs and professionals alike chattering back and forth on UrbanPlanet, I would never have developed the understanding I have of buildings, sense of place, and community that I have today. I'm pretty sure many others would say the same. Movers and shakers have stopped by the online forums and meetups, but none have regularly participated, and forumers have not directly influenced local policy. A recent effort by some Nashville Charrette members might change that.

Nashville Charrette is an offshoot of the original Nashville UrbanPlanet discussion forum and consists of more design professionals than amateurs like me. A planned $600 million convention center for downtown provided an opportunity for the core group of Charrette participants to design a building with strength, beauty, and utility that relates to the street and the greater city to really embody the name of the project--Music City Center. The alternative, of course, is a monolithic box like the current facility, which will most likely be demolished because it does not add to the fabric of the city (e.g. it does not activate the street, photo 2). TheMCCProject.com presents this group's vision to create a structure that is not limited in its usage and impact on the city. A convention center must do a good job of facilitating conferences, but there is no reason its design cannot also provide public spaces, retail/commercial, and even residential uses--all under while meeting budget goals. The design grew out of a couple months' worth of online discussion. This is free labor for the powers that be, and hopefully the design concept can provide guidance.

I think the TheMCCProject.com work is incredible because 1) it demonstrates something that people can actually do by participating in online discussion forums, although ultimate resource allocation decisions are made by others and 2) it provides something that truly can enrich the city of Nashville.