Submission 5 : Reflection

As I look back on my presentation and the preparation, I am amazed by the amount I have learned. I discovered that there are some existing weaknesses during my presentation such as talking too fast while presenting, my pronunciation is not clear, lack of eyes contact with audiences, I often tend to keep reading from my slides, I trust that main reason is lacking of presentation experiences and nervousness is major problem, it resulted in me leaving out parts of my speech. From this oral presentation, I found that visual aids such as putting in video that related to our idea are helpful for us because it is an opportunity to interact with audiences and easier for them to follow our slides. In order to present smoothly, I think that I have to read more English books or newspapers as well as listening to English songs and read lyrics so that can be handy when communicating with others. In term to improve my pronunciation, watching films with subtitles is a great way to involve ourselves in the conversation. Furthermore, putting myself into difficult situations is an effective way to improve, when I am outside of comfort zone, I will be forced into using English to communicate especially with strangers and always remember do not be afraid to make mistakes. Getting something wrong is actually a great way of understanding why it works a certain way. In this situation, I am surely able to gain more various communication skills from different people. I think this is beneficial to train myself be more brave in public speaking. In conclusion, I think our group did a great job for report and oral presentation. Effective Communication module is a fantastic learning journey for me. It has trained me to think maturely and logically.

Submission 2.2 : Summary & Reader Response

In this article, (This Self-Proclaimed Micronation Has Plans for a Car-Free, Algae-Powered City), Peters (2016) states that a team of libertarians had idealized to establish a micronation between Croatia and Serbia, which is known as “Free Republic of Liberland”, operating without automobiles and driven by algae. Due to the scarcity of land space, the city’s neighborhoods will be layered such that the land will be used efficiently, while the city itself expands. The architectural plan encourages that in order to light up the city, Algae will be used for covering underside of platform, and can be used for power. Furthermore in order to achieve car-free city and reduce air pollution, city’s populace and buildings will be centralized around the transit to allow accessibility of various places located in city is walkable. On the other hand, the design including the sustainability and operations of this green city, professionals are engaged to promote entrepreneurship through crowd funding.

I strongly agree that the idea of establish a car-free city that relies primarily on walking and cycling for transport within the urban area is an effective way for build up a new country like Liberland.

In my opinion for an existing country, car-free city greatly reduce petroleum dependency, air pollution, greenhouse gas emission, automobile crashes, noise pollution and traffic congestion. Therefore, it is definitely challenging for a new country being established as car-free city. This idea of eliminated automobiles has improved not only air quality but also the overall livability of resident’s crowded areas. For a new car-free city plan, just like what President Vít Jedlička mentioned always to keep Liberland as green as possible, bicycle city is an effective way to be plan, cycling helps in reduce storm water runoff, reduce congestion, protect animals and environment, and most vital is potential to be a model for sustainable development that is not dependent on cars. Consequently, the land of city can be design without area of parking and roads, so more available space for friendly green environment.

For a new city, pedestrian pathway must be provided as well. Other than cycling, walking is another way to reach a destination since the idea of buildings clustered around. Having said that, converting a street or an area to pedestrian-only use is called “pedestrianisation”. This usually aims to provide better accessibility for pedestrians and significant drops in air and noise pollution, accidents and frequently with increased property values. Moreover, there are numerous benefits to physical fitness such as reduce the stress and anxiety of residents. Active commuters travel by cycling or foot have shown higher levels of satisfaction, less stress, more relaxation and a sense of freedom than car drivers.

In conclusion, it is a long journey to build up a city powered by algae and without automobiles. I would like to highlight that cycling infrastructure investment should be focus on such as protected bicycle lanes, tunnel and bridges. In fact, a bicycle city able to protect earth and its precious natural resources. Due to cars are a direct contributor to the global warming crisis, the greatest threat to the earth. Therefore this harmful vehicle pollutants must be eliminate and should not appeared in new city. The planning for new city drastically reduce pollutants and easy for people to live without depending on vehicles.

References

Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, Haneen Khreis. (2016). Environment International. Car free cities: Pathway to healthy urban living. (251 – 262). Retrieved from

http://www.ademloos.be/sites/default/files/gezondheid_docs/Car%20free%20cities.pdf

Submission 2.1 : Reader Response

In this article (The idea of a city without automobiles, driven by algae, is being considered by a certain soi-disant “micronation”), by Adele Peters stated that a team of libertarians had thought of a scheme to establish a micronation between Croatia and Serbia, which was known as “Free Republic of Liberland”, operating without automobiles and driven by algae. Due to the scarcity of land space, the city’s neighborhoods will be layered such that the land will be used efficiently, while the city itself expands. The architectural plan also stated that in order to light up the city, Algae will be used for covering undersurface of platform, it can grow without sunlight and transformed into power. Especially most suitable at horizontal surface layer looks to be outstanding home for the growth of algae. Furthermore, city’s populace will be agglomerated around the transit with various amenities and recreational spots that only require a short walk from public transits to reach. As results in the city to achieve its purpose of having no automobiles within its vicinity. This article also mentioned Liberland must minimize while using renewable energy to maintain original appearance. In addition to ensure the sustainability and operations of this green city, professionals are engaged to promote entrepreneurship through crowd funding.

I strongly agree that the idea of city’s populace agglomerated around the transit with various amenities and recreational spots that’s walkable from public transits to reach is an effective way to create a city without automobiles.

In my opinion, this idea of eliminated automobiles have improved not only their air quality but also the overall livability of residents crowded center areas. And the corresponding raised use of public transportation has given subways, monorails and buses running on clean-burning natural gas a new lease on life. In fact city will be covered with pedestrian path and bicycle, citizen can choose to travel by bicycle or foot may experience numerous healthy benefits to their physical fitness. For instance is reduce the stress and anxiety of traveler on a daily basis while improving self-perception and mood. Commuting is a potential source of stress and its process totally reflect to the mood of the day so it would be great that commuting perceived as a relaxing or transitional time between home and work life, which can also be about enjoying pleasant landscape, nature and wildlife. Active commuters by public transits or foot have shown higher levels of satisfaction, less stress, more relaxation and a sense of freedom than car drivers.

Beyond the health benefits of physical activity, there are some others benefits such as reduce in accident and traffic congestion. On the other hands, people may able to build their communities, more opportunities to interact and socialize with each other along the way to work or other destinations. Public transport transitions could reduce the carbon impact and local air pollution contribution of individuals. Having said that, there are some effect of traffic related air pollution on mortality such as lung cancer and respiratory infections. This is due to the exhaust gas from the passenger cars are extremely risky for people’s health. Therefore, the function of algae as bio-reactors are used by some power plant to reduce CO₂ emissions of city. With the help of algae, I trust that all residents will be able to enjoy their better life quality in such a friendly green environment.

In conclusion, it is a long journey to build up a city powered by algae and without automobiles. I would like to highlight that cycling infrastructure investment should be paid much attention such as protected bicycle lanes, tunnel and bridges. Moreover, I believe that with the design of algae on building itself, it might become a sustainable solution for energy production in urban areas.

References

Car free cities: Pathway to healthy urban living. Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen, Haneen Khreis

http://www.ademloos.be/sites/default/files/gezondheid_docs/Car%20free%20cities.pdf

Submission 2 : Summary - Reader Response

In this article (The idea of a city without automobiles, driven by algae, is being considered by a certain soi-disant “micronation”), by Adele Peters stated that a team of libertarians had thought of a scheme to establish a micronation between Croatia and Serbia, which was known as “Free Republic of Liberland”, operating without automobiles and driven by algae. Due to the scarcity of land space, the city’s neighborhoods will be layered such that the land will be used efficiently, while the city itself expands. The architectural plan also stated that in order to light up the city, Algae will be used for covering undersurface of platform, it can grow without sunlight and transformed into power. Especially most suitable at horizontal surface layer looks to be outstanding home for the growth of algae. Furthermore, city’s populace will be agglomerated around the transit with various amenities and recreational spots that only require a short walk from public transits to reach. As results in the city to achieve its purpose of having no automobiles within its vicinity. This article also mentioned Liberland must minimize while using renewable energy to maintain original appearance. In addition to ensure the sustainability and operations of this green city, professionals are engaged to promote entrepreneurship through crowd funding.

Submission 1 : The Importance of English for Me

In the globalized world today, English is one of the widely spoken languages around the world. English has become primary source of communication that allows us to share our ideas and thoughts with others. For me as engineering student, writing in English is vital because engineering is one of the largest fields of study in the world and many works of research and studies are recorded in English. Especially my mother tongue is not English, mastering English is even more important, not only for my scholastic life but also for prospective career.

In fact if we do not learn English, we are isolating ourselves away from almost half of the world’s knowledge. Having said that, writing in English is a task that definitely required in university. As engineering student, I would be assigned numerous projects and assignments. Therefore, good writing English skill is necessary to allow us get excellent results or grade especially would be greatly applicable to module of Effective Communication. In my opinion, the most important issues that I want to highlight is the computer software such as “Windows”, “Microsoft Office”, and “Internet Explorer” are mainly written in English, and these programs are the basic vital software in order to produce spectacular reports and assignments for students.

On the other hand, English is being adopted by international companies from various countries. With the good knowledge of English, students are able to find high quality job and upgrade themselves at the same time. Being able to speak and write in English overcomes communication barriers between people from various countries. As a result, the percentage of dealing or cooperating with foreign companies will be getting higher. In a nutshell, English language fluency is a significant aspect of an engineering student’s academic life and future career.