Scholar Profiles
Aaron Plewke
2004-2005 University Scholar
Mentor: Robert MacLeod
College of Design, Construction and Planning
"Through the USP I have conducted field research in Hong Kong, China, Japan, the US and Canada. I hope that by studying various aspects of public life in these diverse places I can begin to create an understanding of what conditions and situations are common to the universal public realm, and which are specific to place."
Aaron is a senior majoring in architecture, with a minor in Italian. He is a Bright Futures Scholar and has received merit-based scholarships from the School of Architecture and the UF International Center. He recently completed a one-year term as editor-in-chief of the School of Architecture’s student design magazine, Architrave, which received a Golden Gator Award last year from UF as one of the university’s top publications. In addition to academics, Aaron enjoys soccer, camping and swimming.
Research Description:
Aspects of Public Place: A Comparative Analysis of Public Life Across the Globe
This past Summer A term I participated in the School of Architecture’s Hong Kong study abroad program. As one of the 21 students selected to participate in this highly competitive program, I took advantage of being on site in Hong Kong to conduct the groundwork for a research project on Life in the Public Realm. Past study experiences in New York, Italy and Scandinavia have added to my interest and knowledge on public space and its various expressions. I was able to bring my background into the context of Hong Kong in order to develop a new understanding of public life in this distinctive type of urbanism.
The public realm has numerous manifestations throughout the world. The intricacies of any urban environment, whether Manhattan, Rome or Copenhagen, offer unique solutions to defining public space. Although the resolutions are particular to their place, the lessons within them are pertinent to understanding the universal condition of public life. How can these diverse examples of public space serve to create a unified understanding of Life in the Public Realm? Furthermore, how do the various types of public space within any given context serve to convey the more subtle cultural trends of that place?
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