39 In terms of the classroom, when I was in school, I was discouraged from thinking about anything, pragmatic or real world because it was going to somehow limit my creative imagination. But I think education has changed a lot. Students now learn a lot more about practical and pragmatic things. I feel like I was done a small disservice by being led to believe that real world circumstances were anti-intellectual or anti-creative. I think we can find some of the most interesting creative and intellectual problems to think about within real world constraints. My experience on the Planning Commission means that I talk to my students a lot about zoning and regulation and policy. Knowing those things is part of being a good, responsible designer. Professional Responsibility Wes Hiatt Are you inspiring others, within your professional networks, to get involved in planning commissions where they are, or to think about relational work or regulatory change? Ellie Abrons I wish I was inspiring other people to do it! I don’t know that I am. It’s reminding me that when I applied, I reached out to a colleague who had been on the commission years prior, and they said to me, “Don’t do it!” Their issue was that the commission has no authority over or even influence on the design. So we are often in a position where we have to vote affirmatively for something that meets all the regulatory requirements but in terms of design, is really awful. That was a conflicted space for this person and they hated doing it. I view that tension a bit differently, so while it’s a bummer, it doesn’t keep me up Small City Housing • Interview • Ellie Abrons 40:27 42:07
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