The Hidden Symbolism Behind the Detroit Public Library As I stepped into one of the huge reading rooms in the Detroit Public Library, or DPL, I was filled with awe. The massive room, coated in decorative plaster and artistic images, felt surreal. The beautiful architecture of the Detroit Public Library is unforgettable and a trade mark of the city beautiful movement. The history of Detroit and its Urban Form defines how people interact with the city today. It ultimately forms various Ways of Seeing that influence people and the direction of the city’s future. Urban Form, such as the Detroit Public Library, represents the resiliency of Detroit as well as provide individuals with different experiences that reflect the change from city beautiful
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In today’s world, the DPL is moving towards the future by embracing technology. For example, the Detroit Public Library states, “Computerization in the library's public service areas began in 1989 at the Chandler Park Branch and continues today, throughout the entire system” (About Us | Detroit Public Library). Alessandro Aurigi, a Professor of Urban Design, also states, “Using digital and mobile technologies in cities has become an increasingly everyday aspect of developed-world lifestyles, and is gaining ground in developing countries as well, although still dramatically subject to strong economic and geographical polarization” (Aurigi, Alessandro). As time has passed, technology has progressed significantly and the city has changed drastically as a result. The city of Detroit that once used to be on the city beautiful path has switched to a city profitable path. In this modern day, Ways of Seeing have dictated a move towards the future and away from the past. The future consists of technology and the digital web. The Detroit Public Library’s switch to digital material from physical material symbolizes the change from city beautiful to city profitable and ultimately shows the direction that the city of Detroit is heading
In today’s world, the DPL is moving towards the future by embracing technology. For example, the Detroit Public Library states, “Computerization in the library's public service areas began in 1989 at the Chandler Park Branch and continues today, throughout the entire system” (About Us | Detroit Public Library). Alessandro Aurigi, a Professor of Urban Design, also states, “Using digital and mobile technologies in cities has become an increasingly everyday aspect of developed-world lifestyles, and is gaining ground in developing countries as well, although still dramatically subject to strong economic and geographical polarization” (Aurigi, Alessandro). As time has passed, technology has progressed significantly and the city has changed drastically as a result. The city of Detroit that once used to be on the city beautiful path has switched to a city profitable path. In this modern day, Ways of Seeing have dictated a move towards the future and away from the past. The future consists of technology and the digital web. The Detroit Public Library’s switch to digital material from physical material symbolizes the change from city beautiful to city profitable and ultimately shows the direction that the city of Detroit is heading