Uploaded on 2015-10-08 by ricardoavella

**Q2. Why do we live where we live?** >>> I currently live in Caracas, Venezuela, and this may be interesting since the reasons for my choice defy all the livability criteria we are discusing. Even though I love my city, I have to say that this may be the worst moment in my country's history (currently the most corrupt, insecure, and unstable country in the region, with the highest inflation rate in the world). We are one of the globe top oil producers, and we may be the first oil producing economy to declare bankrupcy and collapse. But the thing is that I WAS BORN HERE, so I have a SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL NETWORK OF CONNECTIONS (1) that makes it easier for me to find JOB OPPORTUNITIES (2). I recently opened my architectural studio, and even though the country is collpasing, I have lots of work. The scale of the jobs I'm finding is huge, and I believe that for a young architect like me it would be difficult to find jobs this big elsewhere, without the social network I have here. Caracas doesn't have many public spaces, but we have the AVILA mountain, and I love to go and hike there every chance I have. I also live very close to the PARQUE DEL ESTE, and try to run there every once in a while (3). NATURE and the CLIMATE are also very generous in Caracas (4). And finally, I have to recognize that here, with a few dollars, you can do a lot and PROGRESS PROFESSIONALLY with very little investment (5). I can tell you that I feel unsafe, that my country is politically and economically unstable, that housing is not affordable, and so on... if you say Caracas (or Venezuela) is not livable I wouldn't contradict you. But I also feel that I'm currently meeting most of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs... loving and belonging, esteem, and specially self-actualization. I have lived and worked abroad, in countries with higher livability rates, but I was sick of always working for someone else. But I'm also determined to not abandon my profession. So yes, as Prof. Cairns says, livability means different things for different people in different places. There is no black or white. ![https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443132016201282.jpg][1] Parque del Este and the Avila Mountain in the background. ![https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443129129756532.jpg][2] Altamira (Caracas) and the Avila Mountain in the background. ![https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443129617173209.jpg][3] My architectural studio, in Caracas. ![https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443132219202909.jpg][4] Caracas seen from the Avila Mountain, a giant natural park in the middle of the city. **Q3. To what extend does your own place of residence fulfill your ideal livability criteria?** >>> On a scale from 1-100 Caracas would have a very low rating, according to my ideal livability criteria: Economy (10), Job Opportunities (60), Political Stability (10), Safety (10), Housing (20). For a general livability score of 22/100. But of course, I also have to note that the top criteria for me are obviously the things my city lacks, the 5 things I would like to improve above all the rest. **Q4. What would you change?** >>> Of course, many of the things I would change do not depend directly or solely on the mayor. For example: economical or political stability are things that escape the reach of a mayor, and therefore security in a holistic view. A mayor could implement certain security politics and reinforce the police force, but if the economy and the national goverment keep collapsing, crime will always be there at the doorstep. In his position I would try to act on the things that are inside my competences. I would build public schools and hospitals. I would implement an efficient garbage collection program, educating my citizens to recycle when possible. I would plan the future of the city inside a holistic view, aiming to increase the quantity and the quality of public spaces and parks in the city, aiming to densify certain parts of the city with a mixed use vision (I believe this kind of city indirectly helps to reduce insecurity and crime). I would change city ordinances, in accordance to this dense and mixed-use vision. I would stimulate and encourage citizens to be entrepreneurs and open small businesses, helping and assisting them to do so. I would also make an alliance with the private sector to build affordable housing options. **Q5. Why do we move?** >>> I would move to **Miami**, **Medellín** or **Los Angeles**. These are strange cities, you may think. Certainly Miami or Los Angeles do not come to mind when you think about livability. But the most important things for me when thinking about moving are the **JOB AND PROGRESS OPPORTUNITIES** that a new city can offer me. Other criteria might be **ECONOMY**, **SAFETY**, **CLIMATE** and **ENVIRONMENT**. Miami is growing at an atonishing rate. Things are changing very quickly, and there are tons of opportunities there. Being venezuelan, I know lots of people there that can help me find even more opportunities. Medellín is a very interesting case, since they are actually working withe the MIT and many highly professional locals to plan the future of the city. Being interested in urban studies, I would really like to experience this changes and processes at first hand, working there. Los Angeles (or San Francisco, or even San Diego) is another choice. I love California, they have a very strong economy, and they are always re-inventing themselves. [1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443132016201282.jpg [2]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443129129756532.jpg [3]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443129617173209.jpg [4]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14443132219202909.jpg