Keep it up study on Feb 8th in 2014

안녕하세요. 여러분 Alex.. 입니다..이번주는 토픽이 많이 늦었네요.. 죄송.. 합니다.. 그럼.. 스터디에서 보아요..^^  Topic 1. Urban design that improves citizens’ wellbeing  Curitiba, a mid-sized city in southern Brazil, became the latest example of sustainable urban planning worldwide with its innovative and strategic urban renovation. Its innovative transport system has been a source of inspiration for neighboring cities such as Bogota, Colombia and Mexico City, and also for Seoul.  Today’s urban design aims to enhance the wellbeing of citizens, improving urban infrastructure and make neighborhoods more interconnected, according to Kim Seung-hoy, an architecture professor of Seoul National University and head of architect firm KYWC Architects.  “Future cities should become more compact. It’s important to improve development without sprawl,” said Kim. “And urban design should function as a tool to improve lives of citizens, not be used for the sole purpose to beautify the city.”  “Urban design was something used to raise the competitiveness of the city at a global level, which often caused conflicts with individual citizens for the sake of their wellbeing. But now the purpose of the design changed ― something that will directly contribute to enhancing the lives of citizens,” said Han Jung-hun of the design policy division of the Seoul Metropolitan City Government.  “What we are focusing on is urban design that addresses crime prevention, upgrades recycling methods and transforms each community into safer places full of vitality,” said Han.  “Design is something that is easily judged by viewers. But sometimes, the design that looks so familiar to your eye could remain dull and boring in the end. The design that is unfamiliar and something futuristic evolves,” said Oh.  Question 1. Which city is good example of urban design, and why? 2. What is the main purpose of the urban design? 3. Which city has been most impressive for you? and why? 4. What do you think of urban design in Seoul or your city? Are you satisfied with your city functionally and aesthetically? 5. Have you ever heard of the term 'landmark'? If yes, Why don't we talk about famous landmark around the world? and Seoul?(landmark ; 어떤 곳의 상징이 되는 것, 예를 들어 한강의 63빌딩 등) 6. The goverment(Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs) spend huge amount of money for urban design even though local goverments are struggling for lack of budget such as Welfare, educatioan, etc, is it appropriate? (ex:4 major rivers project, Han River Renaissance). 7. What is your ideal type of city? What type of city or town do you want to live?(Describe detail scenery)    Topic 2. Men motivated by co-worker salaries                New research shows that men are not just motivated by money, but also by how much more or less they earn than their colleagues. Traditional thinking was that men were only interested in the size of their pay packets.  New findings from a study at the University of Bonn reveal that men are also concerned about how much their peers are getting. The research is published in this month’s edition of the journal Science. Researchers put 38 male volunteers under the microscope.  The men had to perform simple tasks so that scientists could analyse the activity in the “reward centre” in their brain. They played a game in which they received payments depending on how well they did. They were also told how much money the other men were getting. The researchers discovered a lot more brain activity with the men who knew they were beating their rivals. Lead scientist Dr Bernd Weber said he now wants to conduct a similar study on women. He wants to gauge whether they too are motivated by their peers’ earnings and not just individual success. It is not yet clear how the new findings will affect the workplace. There is a possibility that worker productivity could increase with the introduction of a system that created competition.  Sales staff have long been in competition with each other to win bonuses. Human resource officers may now look at this research to find ways of bringing a sense of competitiveness to offices and perhaps schools. However, this may have a negative impact in the workplace if rivalries turn sour with jealousy. One company CEO, Jackie Baxter said: “It’s a balancing act between keeping harmony in the office and encouraging workers to be more efficient.”  Question 1. What motivates you in the workplace? 2. How much of a motivating factor is money for you? 3. Do you care about how much your colleagues are getting? 4. How often do you think about the size of your pay packet and wish it was bigger? 5. How important is it for you to beat your rivals? 6. What things are much more important in life than money? 7. Do you think men and women look at money differently? 8. Which sex is more competitive, men or women? 9. Would rivalries and jealousies increase efficiency?