Pspd Newsletter Spring 2011

MULTIPLICITY
ISSUE 6, SPRING 2011

Jaime Stein

Introduction

I
n a conversation at our 2010 Holi- students, faculty and community have
day party, Water Quality Systems collaborated on adaptation and resil-
professor, Paul Mankiewicz, and I iency plans for our most vulnerable wa-
were enjoying the excitement of the end terfront communities. Studios tackled
of semester and discussing the stellar rising tide in Red Hook, economic and
company that we share within PSPD’s social resiliency on the Sunset Park wa-
faculty. “Guild” was the descriptor Paul terfront, and sustainability planning for
used. A fitting name for the concentra- a coastal community near Goa, India.
tion of practicing architects, designers, A Friday evening lecture series has
planners, advocates and scientists we been initiated focused on the sustain-
represent. All unified in our belief in able waterfront; I hope you will join us.
social justice and our pursuits of inno-
vation within our respective fields. Indeed, our most recent curricular
innovations are centered within the
It is in this spirit that I write the science, design and policy of “green
introduction to our PSPD Spring 2011 infrastructure.” Green infrastructure
Newsletter, focusing on and illustrat- represents the hybridization of our
ing faculty and student interests in and buildings and sidewalks to enable
innovation with regard to water. From stormwater capture, mitigate combined
comprehensive watershed and sewer outfalls, increase biodiversity,
waterfront planning to grass-roots water and cool our cities. In addition to
quality advocacy and green hosting the Department of Environmen-
infrastructure design, our faculty and tal Protection’s Green Infrastructure
student pursuits are having a major Community Grant workshop February
impact on both the City and State’s 28th, we are developing, along with the
management of one of our most Institute’s Center for Continuing and
precious natural resources, water. Professional Studies, a professional Spring 2011
certificate in green infrastructure. We
The program I direct, Urban Environ- will continue to explore research grants CONTRIBUTORS
mental Systems Management, explores for interested faculty and students. I Carter Craft
the nexus of environmental science, encourage you to follow our research Toby Snyder
design and policy within our City’s and progress toward innovative solu- Jaime Stein
management of solid waste, energy and tions related to water management. Ira Stern
water. Our faculty is leading the charge • Jaime Stein is the Academic Coordinator for Laura Stinger
on water-related issues that are further Urban Environmental Systems Management. Meg Walker
exacerbated by the impacts of climate Kate Zidar
change. We do so with an unwavering
Cover Photo: Carter Craft
intent on addressing the challenges of
Climate Change. For over a year now
PROGRAMS for
SUSTAINABLE PLANNING
2 and DEVELOPMENT

Ira Stern

The Green Infrastructure of the
NYC Water Suppy

The Ridgewood Reservoir on the border between Queens and Brooklyn near Bushwick has been a contentious site between the community, who largely wants it pre-
served and trails restored, and the Parks Department, who has plans to fill it in and turn it into ballparks. For more info on the community preservation effort visit:
http://ridgewoodreservoir.blogspot.com/. Photo: dogtooth77 (Flickr)

U
sually, when the NYC Water components to enhance supply’s stabil- in lost communities include a host of
Supply is described, there tends ity, performance, and longevity. While stormwater swales and vegetated buffer
to be a focus on the thousands it is well understood that the water- zones that require constant upkeep.
of miles of water mains, hundreds of shed itself is comprised of natural and Hydropower facilities were constructed
miles of tunnels, stone waterworks managed areas that produce the clean at the outlet of tunnels that move water
buildings, dams and spillways, and water that New York City is known for, from one reservoir to another.
industrial-sized treatment facilities. there are significant City owned assets
This ‘grey’ infrastructure is critical to of green infrastructure that are operated A major component of the 1997
delivering water to half of NY State’s and maintained on a daily, albeit quiet, Watershed Agreement was to increase
population and is the target of a sig- basis. the original buffer lands through land
nificant proportion of the City’s capital acquisition into the watersheds them-
budget. This green infrastructure includes selves. Protecting land permanently
reservoir buffer lands that include and keeping it in its natural state is
However, the water supply is as de- forestland, fields, wetlands, and a more reliable strategy than control-
pendent on its ‘green’ infrastructure riparian areas along streams. Large ling pollution on developed areas. In
components as it is its vital pipes and earthen dams that create the reservoirs addition, although forestland in any
valves. Besides the land acquired for need to be maintained in grass cover, state is better for water quality than
the reservoirs themselves, the engi- burrowing animals need to be con- developed land, research has shown
neers that designed the water supply trolled and drainage systems main- that vigorously growing forests provide
system, beginning in the mid 1800’s, tained. The roads and bridges that better nutrient uptake than a mature
incorporated a variety of critical green the City built to replace infrastructure forest. Diversity of species and age of

3

(Continued from previous page) design of City engineers. It would take passion I have for the environment
the basic elements of good land use and the creativity it takes to work with
the forest protect against pestilence and planning and a ‘roll up your sleeves and communities on difficult situations. I
extreme weather. These factors lead to get to know your neighbors approach’ to want the students to be prepared for
planning and management strategies to implement an effective program. While this challenge, as my professors at Pratt
‘maintain’ this critical piece of green some may call this is an did for me, and, as a result, I enjoy
infrastructure. oversimplification, as a person who was seeing them develop their own careers
‘on the ground’, I can say that until and bring Pratt values to their work. •
On a landscape level, the ecosystem relationships were developed between Ira Stern is a Regional Manager at the NYCDEP
Bureau of Water Supply, a PSPD alumni and
function of natural and managed lands upstate and downstate people, the
member of the faculty.
are dependent on the actions and be- beginning of trust and cooperation (that
havior of people since all land is owned has lasted 15 years so far) would not
by some entity – public or private – and have occurred.
all land is classified for tax purposes
one way or another. This means that I was lucky enough to lead a watershed
green infrastructure is dependent planning division in NYC Depart- Project for
on people and communities and the
dynamic relationships and motivations
ment of Environmental Protection that
was given responsibility to protect the
Public Spaces
of the individual and the collective. watershed through the development and Spring Training
Protecting land permanently and keeping it in its natural state is a more Hosted by the PSPD
reliable strategy than controlling pollution on developed areas.
April 28-29
Learning about watersheds and the implementation of voluntary water- Streets As Places
rivers and landscape they depend on is shed programs to purchase priority
fascinating, but it pales in comparison lands, develop stream management
to the people and community dynam- plans and restoration projects, pro- May 5-6
ics that determination the form and duce infrastructure plans and build How to Turn a Place Around
function of the landscape. Facilitation, wastewater treatment plants and
compromise, listening to all perspec- stormwater projects, work with farm-
tives, getting the right stakeholders ers and forest landowners to do pollu- May 20-11
together, and dealing honestly and tion prevention plans and implement How to Create
openly were key to making progress on best management practices. We relied Successful Markets
protecting what is essentially a shared on local capacity building and imple-
resource. While the watershed supplies mentation, peer to peer education,
the lifeblood to a great City, 75% of focused on multiple objectives, and June 9-10
the watershed land is owned by private created local non-profit organizations Placemaking:
individuals. Whose rights are more (funded by the City) to deliver many Making It Happen
important? of these programs. Pratt taught me to
trust the power of good process and to
My experiential education at Pratt (MS rely on the inherent ability of people All courses will take place at
CRP ’85) prepared me well for the chal- to work out solutions when recogniz- the Pratt Manhattan Campus
lenge of working for NYC beginning ing the benefit of mutual objectives.
at 144 West 14th Street
in 1995 just when the City needed to
settle lawsuits with watershed commu- Teaching at Pratt has enabled me to (between 6th and 7th Aves)
nities and develop a watershed protec- reach a cherished level of profes- in New York City.
tion plan that met the requirements sional development since I benefit
of the EPA for Filtration Avoidance. greatly from the energy, knowledge,
The green infrastructure was in place and experience of my students. It
For questions, please contact
thanks to the stewardship of watershed motivates me to keep current in my Dana Kitzes at
residents, farmers, forest landowners, field and provides an outlet for the dkitzes@pps.org.
60 towns and 8 counties, as well as the
PROGRAMS for
4 and DEVELOPMENT

Meg Walker well-known Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame, the Cleveland Browns Stadium
Planning for Diversity on the and the Great Lakes Science Center,
and a smattering of boats around the

Waterfront: The PPS Experience
underused Voinovich Park, the water-
front is dominated by port uses. The
Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port

T
Authority is planning to move its port
he world’s most appealing urban Makai waterfront, a 200-acre state-
activities east of the downtown so that it
waterfronts, from the Coney owned property near the downtown that
can develop its extraordinary 100 acre
Island Boardwalk to Sydney Har- formerly housed light industry. To kick
property. PPS worked with Ehrenkranz
bor and Vancouver’s Granville Island, off the process, an advisory council was
Eckstut and Kuhn Architects on the
are truly accessible, public environ- created from among the many cultures
master plan for the site, developing a
ments that attract a broad cross section that make up the local community, with
program of uses for its new public
of people, diverse in age, race and cul- native Hawaiians taking the lead, to
spaces.
tural background. Yet, new waterfront formulate guiding principles for the
developments and parks in many cities, project. The group’s #1 principle states
In reaching out to dozens of stakeholder
including New York, too often appeal that Kaka’ako should be a Community
organizations, including a variety of
to only one age group or socioeco- Cultural Gathering Place that will
cultural arts entities and immigrant
nomic sector, or worse, become private “celebrate the intertwined cultures of
groups, we learned that Cleveland-
enclaves that serve only the people who the community by ensuring a welcom-
ers identify with their neighborhoods
live there. How can we avoid the pit- ing gathering place for a broad cross-
-- separate villages that house homo-
falls of exclusivity, particularly in a city section of people diverse in age, income
geneous populations --and rarely with
that already struggles with social and and ethnicity.” Consistent with this
the city at large. Furthermore, the
ethnic tensions, and cultural insularity? goal, participants in the planning pro-
city functions like a donut with noth-
Project for Public Spaces (PPS) helped cess recommended that the waterfront
ing in the middle, since the downtown
to plan a number of urban waterfronts include an outdoor multi-cultural festi-
– although blessed with magnificent
recently where the communities’ goals val space for Honolulu’s diverse ethnic
architecture -- has lost much of its
included putting the public first and communities, educational facilities that
strength as a retail and cultural cen-
celebrating pluralism. Here are some communicate the cultural history of
ter. The lakefront suffers from the
principles we have gleaned from these the area, and a local food and cultural
same fate: tourists may go to the Rock
experiences. market place stocked by local farmers,
and Roll Hall of Fame, but rarely do
fishers and traditional craftmakers.
residents venture down there. Out of
MAKE PUBLIC GOALS
our interviews and public brainstorm-
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE CREATE A SHARED
ing workshops emerged a new vision
Honolulu’s Kaka’ako Makai Waterfront COMMUNITY VISION
for the waterfront: flexible plazas, parks
Urban waterfronts are too valuable to Cleveland’s Downtown Lakefront
and esplanades where all Cleveland-
become the domain solely of a private Unlike a master plan, a community
ers can mingle, and where different
developer or a single user group; they visioning process does not lock a proj-
cultures can share their foods, music,
belong to all the people. Private devel- ect into a prescribed solution. It is a
dances and performances throughout
opment is not unwelcome, but the best citizen-driven initiative that outlines
the year, indoors and out. And we
solutions for revamping waterfronts put a set of goals–ideals to strive for–that
challenged the City to start achieving
public goals first. Community engage- set the stage for people to think boldly,
this dream immediately, with program-
ment – and, ultimately, local owner- make breakthroughs, and achieve new
ming and partnerships that activate the
ship and pride – depend on this basic possibilities. Because a vision is adapt-
underused piers and parking lots right
premise. able and can be implemented gradually,
away, even before the planning for the
starting with small experiments, it often
new district is completed, in order to
Hawaiians are ensuring that this prin- becomes more powerful through time
build excitement for the shared vision
ciple is born out in practice on their as public enthusiasm for making bold
of a waterfront where everyone feels
Honolulu waterfront. PPS is part of changes gains support.
welcome.
a team of planners and designers that
is working with the Honolulu commu- Cleveland’s Lake Erie waterfront lies
nity on a master plan for the Kaka’ako at the heart of the city. Except for its

5

(Continued from previous page) serve the broadly diverse population to son River waterfront may do more to
identify ten different public destina- economically revive the city than just
CREATE MULTIPLE MULTI-USE tions that they would like to see on the building luxury residential towers.
DESTINTIONS waterfront and how they could assist in
Yonkers Hudson River Waterfront programming them to serve their needs. In his 2007 report, entitled “E Pluribus
PPS has found that an effective way to Local theater and music groups that Unum: Diversity and Community in the
propel a visioning process is to set a lack space saw the potential of flexible Twenty-First Century,” Robert Putnam,
goal of creating ten great destinations outdoor performance areas; the Parks the author of Bowling Alone, writes:
along a waterfront, an idea we call the Department would like an outdoor skat- “Tolerance for difference is but a first
“Power of Ten.” This focus on des- ing rink; a canoeing club identified a step. To strengthen shared identities,
tinations, rather than “open space” or safe harbor for educational programs; we need more opportunities for mean-
parks, enables a genuine community- the African-American youth center ingful interaction across ethnic lines
led process to take root. Residents, wanted to run recreational programs for where Americans (new and old) work,
businesses, community organizations its kids around a Great Lawn; the Hud- learn, recreate, and live.”
and other stakeholders identify the son River Museum envisions galleries
key public destinations. The same exhibiting local artists on the ground Water, like food, is a magnet for ev-
principle is applied at each destination floors of residential buildings; and, the eryone, a social leveler. The natural
to come up with a list of ten activities Bezak Environmental Center wants attraction of being near the water, of
resulting in a wealth of things to do that more shoreline space for its ecological touching it and, even better, of get-
broadens the appeal of the destination, studies. By constantly emphasizing ting onto it draws young and old, of
encouraging round-the-clock use. that riverfront public spaces are for ev- all races and cultures. Our waterfront
eryone in Yonkers, not just the people public spaces offer one of the best
In our work on Yonkers’ Hudson River who live in the new condo towers, and opportunities for the “meaningful
waterfront (for the Point Street Landing that they could be flexibly-designed so interaction across ethnic lines” that
project with Perkins Eastman Archi- that they can be shared by a number Putnam describes if we plan for it from
tects), we stressed the need to create a of local partners, we helped the City the beginning and sustain it over time
wide range of public destinations on the understand what a tremendous commu- through the continuing involvement of
waterfront to counter the privatization nity-building asset its waterfront could a wide range of partners.• Meg Walker is
that could potentially result from the be. Increased tax revenues are not a Vice President at the Project for Public Spaces.
large amount of residential develop- the only benefits that can be reaped. For more information, go to pps.org
ment planned. We asked community Rebuilding the pride and identity of the
groups and non-profit organizations that Yonkers around its spectacular Hud-

A sketch of the envisioned Cleveland Lakefront Promenade by Ehrenkranz Eckstut and Kuhn Architects

PROGRAMS for
6 SUSTAINABLE PLANNING
and DEVELOPMENT

Kate Zidar

Minds in the Gutter

Newtown Creek, which borders Queens and Brooklyn, was the site of the Design/Build ESM course. Photo: Verbunkos (Flickr)

C
ombined Sewer Overflow is is a looming problem, extremely dif- opportunities in the gutter, coming from
everybody and nobody’s ficult to solve through “conventional” a diverse array of sources. Minds in the
problem. During a rainstorm means, that requires and expansion of Gutter launched on Earth Day, April
in New York City, the storm drains in their current skill set. 22, 2010 at the Museum of the City of
the street essentially shunt the total New York with a viewing of the designs
volume of local weather into the same Where all of these viewpoints have and a panel discussion about the proj-
set of pipes as our toilets. When the an opportunity to come together is ect, featuring some of the competition’s
combined system fills up with rain, the the Stormwater Infrastructure Matters jurors, exhibiting designers and repre-
overage – a frothy mix of human waste, (S.W.I.M.) Coalition, an alliance of over sentatives of the S.W.I.M. Coalition.
runoff from roadways and any form of 70 groups dedicated to ensuring swim- In the year since its launch, Minds
litter imaginable - is released directly mable waters around New York City in the Gutter has traveled to multiple
to local water bodies, without treatment. through natural, sustainable stormwater professional conferences and served as
This is happening almost every time it management practices. Through policy, a curriculum for formal and informal
rains at the waterfronts New Yorkers education, outreach, implementation educational events, including Pratt
utilize for employment and recreation. and monitoring, S.W.I.M. members con- Institute. Minds in the Gutter inspired
We might see (or smell) some evi- tribute to the collective understanding a 2010 summer design/build course on
dence of a CSO overflow where float- of how CSO pollution can be reduced stormwater in the Urban Environmental
able garbage collects via currents or while providing environmental benefits Systems Management program. Using
is quarantined behind floating booms, upland through Green Infrastructure. the city and campus as a classroom,
but you basically need to be peering this course explored stormwater man-
over the bulkhead at a known outfall (in Last year, the S.W.I.M. Coalition agement as a planning, policy, design
the rain, at low tide) to know for sure if launched Minds in the Gutter, a call for and social justice issue. Students
CSO overflows are happening. submissions to anyone — professionals, gained exposure to local current events
students, the general public — with involving stormwater management, the
From a planning perspective, this is an ideas for managing stormwater run- broader Green Infrastructure move-
elegant (yet completely gross) illustra- off from New York City roadways and ment, and hands-on experience with
tion of infrastructure carrying capac- sidewalks, and an exploration into how planning and implementation of proj-
ity. From the perspective of boaters, agencies, communities and individuals ects currently underway. For their final
open water swimmers and fishermen, are working on these issues. The jury projects, students created concepts for
it’s a stinky mess they might witness brought leaders from city government, stormwater management interventions
up close, raising serious public heath academia, urban pedagogy and state- on multiple sites within the Newtown
concerns. For community gardeners level green infrastructure planning to Creek sewershed. • Minds in the Gutter lives
and urban farmers, rain is a cherished the table to consider the submissions. online at www.mindsinthegutter.org, and was
created with the support of NYC Environmental
resource to be carefully stored, not The 15 designs that were selected for
Fund. Kate Zidar is a PSPD graduate and mem-
squandered down a drain. For policy the exhibit showcase a broad range of ber of the faculty.
makers, regulators and engineers – this physical and environmental
7

Toby Snyder, LEED

Building the Ground it proposed reclamation of approximate-
ly 150,000 square meters of land.
Thomas McKnight, Senior Vice
President of Development at the NYC
Economic Development Corporation,
recently took note of the project and
asked, “If they can do all of that land
reclamation in Copenhagen, why can’t

M
ark Twain once advised, “Buy A case in point is FXFOWLE’s award we do it here in New York?” Puzzled,
land, they’re not making it winning entry, City Regenerative, in I began researching land reclamation,
anymore.” No doubt he was an international competition for the which has been practiced around the
aware of the sky-rocketing cost of land Nordhavnen district, currently a con- world for centuries, from the creation of
in the rapidly urbanizing world of the tainer port and cruise ship terminal, in farm land in Holland and of city neigh-
Industrial Revolution. Although well- Copenhagen, Denmark. Our vision for borhoods in Miami to airports around
traveled, perhaps he was not familiar the 200-hectare waterfront site con- the world. Recently, however, the U.S.
with the practice of land reclamation, in nects urban infrastructure, extends the has viewed it with greater suspicion
which shallow bodies of water are filled existing waterway, weaves open space than Denmark has. I found that physi-
in to create developable and/or arable through a series of neighborhoods and cal geography, economy, history, and
land. Essentially, they are still making commercial nodes, and sets a new stan- culture contribute to the differences in
it. dard for low-carbon consumption. And, shaping our respective policies.

City Regenerative - FXFOWLE’s vision for urban planning and innovative architectural strategies to
house 40,000 residents, create 40,000 jobs, and provide access for 40,000 bicycles.
PROGRAMS for
and DEVELOPMENT

The Nordhavnen peninsula today, with the city center of Copenhagen in the distance.

to land reclamation. Both the U.S. and competition site. The Danes discovered
UNEQUAL GEOGRAPHY Denmark protect wildlife habitat with that a large population of green toads
Physically, one of the greatest threats regulations that limit or prevent land (bufo viridis), protected by the Euro-
to reclaimed land is the water around reclamation, dredging, pier construc- pean Economic Community Habitats
it. In general, areas with dramatic tion, and shoreline reconstruction. Directive, had established themselves
tidal changes, such as the northeastern Since enacting the Endangered Species in the shallow ponds at the end of the
United States, are more vulnerable to Act in 1970, many U.S. construction Nordhavnen peninsula. Essentially, as
inundation and erosion than areas with projects have been stopped or delayed. long as sufficient measures were taken
small fluctuation, such as the Oresund, The most famous case is perhaps in to create new habitats elsewhere on
the strait that separates Denmark from protecting the snail darter fish (percina site, the toads and their ponds could be
Sweden. Furthermore, climate induced tanasi) from the Tennessee Valley Au- moved.
sea level rises are predicted to increase thority’s construction of the Tellico Dam
non-uniformly around the globe; the (constructed only after being delayed ECONOMIC REALITY
Oresund should experience less in- through injunctions that were argued Few development authorities can gen-
crease than the U.S. Atlantic coast. The before the Supreme Court). Such mea- erate the funds to reclaim land. In most
threat of inundation is greater here as sures are not uniformly applied—much U.S. cash-strapped municipalities, pri-
well, which, due to its particular ocean depends on the specifics of each spe- vate entities with small capital reserves
and wind currents, suffers hurricanes, cies and habitat. A new pier in the East own the majority of land. Conversely, in
storm surges, and floods more frequent- River at the Northside Piers project in Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Dubai, South
ly than the well-protected Oresund. Williamsburg was stymied following a Korea, and Hong Kong, each govern-
In fact, in 500-years of practicing moratorium that prohibited disrupting ment owns a majority of the land—pri-
land reclamation Copenhagen has not the river bed and shoreline during the vate property is often held in 99-year
recorded a single flood. fish mating season. land leases. While these well-financed
cities draw on national capital reserves
Approaches to indigenous wildlife also Contrast our approach with the Danes’ for urban projects, the resulting re-
differentiate our respective approaches treatment of the species found on the claimed land represents a

9

(Continued from previous page)

smaller share of the government’s total
property portfolio. In recent years, land
reclamation projects have occurred
where low-cost flat land is scarce—
Foster + Partners’ Hong Kong Inter-
national Airport (9.4 km2 reclaimed),
Renzo Piano’s Kansai International Air-
port (10 km2) in Osaka, most of Tokyo
Bay (249 km2) or Bahrain (410 km2), for
that matter, all the Palm developments
in Dubai—and the resulting land value
would be profitable.

Historically, the United States prac- A park created from reclaimed land in “City Regenerative.”
ticed land reclamation more often than take place where enough “cutting” preserved as pure and untouched.
it does today, examples include: the balances it. This was the case in the
Back Bay and Logan Airport in Boston 1970s when 1.2 million cubic yards Copenhagen’s population is very
(1,800 acres reclaimed); much of the were excavated from the World Trade conscious of its role in constructing
San Francisco harbor; the Port of Center site and ’dumped’ at the Battery the landscape. A much longer shared
Providence and East Providence, Park City site in the Hudson River. The civic history dates as far back as the
Rhode Island; and the 92-acre Battery Nordhavnen project in Copenhagen can Vikings and Romans. Copenhagen has
Park City in New York; as well as much only now be realized as a result of the built up its harbor over time, from the
of Lower Manhattan. The post-war increased construction activity taking construction of the Citadel at the city’s
period of suburban sprawl, which place around the city, most notably the heart and the fortification of Slotshol-
greatly spared Copenhagen, has done massive highway tunneling under the men to the creation and expansion of
more to proportionally reduce the Oresund harbor. the Nordhavnen Peninsula itself. With
value of U.S. waterfront sites, making such a long history of continuously set-
it unlikely that any reclamation proj- CULTURAL SPECULATIONS tling the land, it is nearly impossible to
ect could generate comparative value. Stating that all reclamation projects conceive of “pure” land in Denmark or
When high-value land does warrant get a green light in Copenhagen and consider the forces of development as
threatening.

Perhaps the U.S., with its sprawling
metropolitan regions, labyrinthine
property laws, infrastructural fragmen-
tation, and jurisdictional redundancy,
can shift its policies to a simpler, yet
more nuanced, understanding of how
Historical growth of the Nordhavnen peninsula over the last 400 years, with the best to fit into the American landscape.
“City Regenerative” proposal for the next 45 years. Not that we should simply adopt Danish
practices, but we should take a more
added expense, the common practice is a red light in the U.S. oversimplifies holistic approach towards deciding
to build up rather than out. Skyscrapers it. Americans often regard their cities where to develop land and where to
are not common at all in Copenhagen; as constructed out of a wilderness on preserve it. The value of Twain’s quote
rather, the Danes developed a high- “virgin” soil from an often mysterious may yet prove to be prescient advice,
density mid-rise urbanism. and unknown natural world. This has not as a rapacious investment strategy,
led our development to assume either a but as a reminder of the scarce and pre-
The soil and fill needed for reclamation frontiersman-like “battle against cious resource we should not squander
projects, depending on their scale, is nature” or its inverse corollary, or exhaust. • Toby Snyder is a designer for
enormous, and “filling” can only deference to sacred land to be FXFOWLE and a PSPD faculty member.

PROGRAMS for
and DEVELOPMENT

Carter Craft often side-by-side. In many ways these

Break Through the Surface,
activities complemented each other,
and they may yet again.

Here’s How When faced with your next waterfront
design or development opportunity,
think about the following aspects of
your site: bottom condition, water
depth, water quality, movement, and the
water’s edge. Historic maps will give
you some ideas, but in an estuary so
dramatically altered by human ingenu-
ity and intervention, there is no sub-

T
stitute for doing your own investigating
hink about any new waterfront What most of today’s waterfront devel-
firsthand – or at least up to your knees.
development you’ve seen re- opments seem to do best is to keep peo-
cently. There was probably a lot ple from making contact with the actual
BOTTOM CONDITION
of glass, carefully selected to accentu- water. This is unfortunate and unneces-
The condition of the bay-, creek- or
ate the reflections off the water or catch sary. Unfortunate mainly because water
river bottom will show you a number
the color of the sky. An interesting light quality in urban rivers, harbors and
of useful things. Rocky bottoms will
fixture, reminding you that modern bays has improved so dramatically in
tell you there’s probably a lot of wave
aesthetics almost always change – or at the last four decades since the passage
and wake action there. The finer grain
least our tastes do. Nearest the water’s of the Clean Water Act. It’s unnecessary
silts get washed away by the currents.
edge there was a railing, finished in because with a little more consideration
If there’s silt or even muck there then
brushed metal and likely topped by of the natural characteristics of the
you might have some options. Calm
a dense hardwood not native to North water, and just a touch of imagination,
waters are ripe for some human connec-
America. It may even have won some every new waterfront development can
tion. The finer silts here can help hold
award, but it’s relationship to the water help us all reconnect to what historical-
roots for submerged plants or inter-
is probably nothing more than a visual ly was the most vibrant harbor and port
tidal grasses. Muck can swallow your
connection. That’s not just unfortunate, in the western hemisphere. This harbor
shoe, but at the same time not provide
it’s wrong. is historically a place where recreation
enough structure for plantlife to take
and commerce have long coexisted, and
hold. The best of all worlds is sand, it
provides some structure, it’s uniform
and easy to handle, it’s generally clean,
and it’s easy on the feet.

As you head farther away from the
shoreline, you’ll start to find a different
bottom condition at different distances.
For instance, at East River State Park
in Williamsburg you can see the sand
up near the high water line, and heavier
rocks farther. Depending on the size
of your site you may be able to create
different zones of water-related activ-
ity: a mooring area there for sailboats, a
kayak launch here, even some spar-
tina marsh along the edge if it can be
protected both from wave action and
human interference. Pay close attention
to the slope of the bottom – along the
many shipping channels in and around
You CAN Get There From Here: Each year NYC Swim hosts the Brooklyn Bridge swim, where hundreds
of swimmers negotiate the tides and currents for 1 kilometer in the East River. Photo: Carter Craft

(Continued from previous page) matter of hours. Unless you know the the Port. Add to this amount the almost
tide cycle quite well it can be hard to 5-foot tidal variation and suddenly its
New York it is not unusual to find some even plan an activity in certain areas. clear why boating doesn’t always work
steep drop-off not at all far from shore. For boats, water depth is also very everywhere we might hope.
No one likes to get in over their head if important. Every vessel has a dimen-
they’re not ready for it. sion known as “draft.” This is the depth Sailboats deserve a special mention.
of the boat’s hull or structure below the Many have a fixed, often deep keel.
WATER DEPTH water line. For something lightweight This is the part of the hull which ex-
At waterfront sites in New York City, like a kayak, the draft can be just a few tends deep down into the water to help
the most important thing to keep in inches. For a small motor boat plan on maintain the boat’s stability while in
mind about water depth is that it 1-2 feet. For a water taxi it might be rough seas or heavy wind. If your sail-
boat has a centerboard - a removable
or pivoting part of the keel that can be
When faced with your next waterfront design or development opportunity, raised up or removed in shallow waters
think about the following aspects of your site: bottom condition, water depth, –it can dock just about anywhere in
water quality, movement, and the water’s edge. the harbor. However, if your sailboat
has a fixed keel then you’ll have to be
changes: the ocean’s tides have a dra- 3-5 feet, depending on the design of much more careful. If you are at the
matic influence throughout the water- the boat. For many of the larger dinner dock at low tide and the bottom condi-
front zone. As the North Atlantic Ocean and party boats the draft could be 7-10 tions are fine grain silts, you might have
sloshes back and forth between North feet and for working tugs plan on 8-15 some scuffing or minor damage to the
America on the east and Europe on the feet. If the vessel is ocean going then keel. But if that bottom condition at
west, the level and the height of the the draft can be much larger. Surging low tide is rock or stone, or the water is
water rises and falls almost 5 feet every and stormy seas demand a deeper keel just too shallow, it’s possible that your
six hours throughout much of NYC. But to help keep the ship upright. Large keel could get wedged, and function
in places like the Upper East River, commercial ships are in a league of like a pry bar pushing your sailboat up
along the south Bronx, northern Queens their own. Most of the modern con- against or away from the dock. This can
and western Long Island Sound, where tainer ships have a draft of 45-50 feet be very dangerous- both for the struc-
the tidal influence is more complex, the or more. This issue of draft is what is tural integrity of the vessel as well as
level of the water can rise and fall close driving the largest dredging project anyone trying to get on or off the boat.
to eight feet with every cycle. This ever in this Port; the US Army Corps of
variation happens because when the Engineers is now in its 2nd decade of a
tide is coming in ocean water first starts $1.3 billion plus project to deepen all
pushing westward through Long Island of the primary shipping channels into
Sound, along the coast of New England.
Soon the High Tide reaches the area The Water Beckons: the Harlem River has a number of opportunities
around the Throgs Neck and Whit- to better connect land and water activities. Photo: Carter Craft
estone Bridges. Meanwhile, the same
surge of the Atlantic has also been
pushing in along the south shore of
Long Island and enters the Narrows. As
the tide moves up through the Harbor,
it can enter into the Kills around Staten
Island, go up the Hudson, or up the
East River Thus, along the Upper East
River for much of the day the tide is
pushing in from both directions.

Water depth is critical for two reasons.
For human use, what may look like an
attractive wading beach in the Inner
Harbor at low tide will disappear in a

PROGRAMS for
and DEVELOPMENT

Oyster Cove at Pier 101 on Governors Island is home to many water-based programs, including those of the Downtown Boathouse and the Urban Assembly
New York Harbor School. The NYC School Construction Authority is renovating an adjacent building to become an oyster hatchery, boat maintenance shop,
and SCUBA program support space for the School. Photo: Carter Craft

MOVEMENT wedge beneath the Hudson’s salt-free Looking at all these factors above:
Most importantly, keep in mind the water flowing out on top. The water’s bottom condition, water depth, water
Harbor’s water is almost always moving. particular movement in any location quality, movement and wind it is clear
Just the wind can have such a dramatic therefore isn’t just influenced by the that planning for the waterfront is just
influence on the water’s flow speed and tide, but also it’s temperature and salt as complex as planning for the land.
direction that it alone warrants a much content. Thus a ship that has a draft of Just as important but not discussed in
longer article. But basic geography 20 or 30 feet may actually be dealing this article is the issue of water quality
and physical form play large roles too. with a current pushing them along 25 – the physical, biological and chemical
Where the river or bay is broad like a feet below, while at the surface of the makeup of the water itself. It’s a very
wide pool the rate is slower. Where the water the tide is working against their dynamic environment and our vision
waterway is constricted and narrow the vessel. Think for a minute what these for it ought to be as well. As our water
pace is much more rapid. The efforts conflicting forces might do if you were quality continues to improve its impor-
to capture tidal energy in the estuary trying to move sideways, which you tant to remember we must try also to
are concentrated along the East River often need to when docking a boat. find the balance between human use
where the water is the fastest-moving and enjoyment and the ecological func-
current anywhere in or near New York tions needed to support the biodiversity
City.   But just as the tide rises, so THE WATERS EDGE that defines any healthy environment,
the currents speed up and then slow If you ever find yourself in a situation particularly an urban one. Though our
before the tide starts to fall. That period where you can’t make headway against nation’s politics offer us little hope that
when the current seems to stop – when the wind or the tide, chances are you such a balance exists, the fact that this
the tide is turning – is called “slack” will look for some place to wait for estuary remains home to virtually all
tide.  Slack tide is when many sensi- conditions to change, or to tie up, go the native species of fish that dwelled
tive in-water activities get scheduled. get coffee or even come back tomorrow. here before European settlement make
The annual swim under the Brooklyn This is when the unfortunate reality it clear we are blessed with a biologi-
Bridge and the docking of many cruise of our inflexible edges will strike you. cally rich environment. We owe it to
or container ships are all scheduled at There just aren’t many places to get out. ourselves and future generations to
or near slack tide so as to minimize the It’s hard with a boat – but even harder create new connections to and into the
potential influence of the tide on the if you ever find yourself in the water water that can help us create syn-
activity that needs to happen.   looking for a place to get out. The best ergy between human use and natural
models for today are probably the ones function, or at least a better balance
Ask any Harbor Pilot about the move- used here years ago: staircases, ramps, than the industrial revolution has yet
ment of the water and he or she may and floating docks or barges. Ladders achieved. • Carter Craft teaches Waterfront
give you a long treatise reminding you are needed at regular intervals to help Planning in the PSPD. He is USCG-licenced
Captain and principal of Outside New York, a
that colder water coming in from the swimmers and scuba divers to get in
consulting firm specializing in programming,
ocean sinks below warmer water flowing and out, in areas where those activities education, infrastructure design, and events.
down the river. Ocean water is saltier are taking place.
as well, causing it to come in like a

13

Laura Stinger

Improving the Resiliency of
Coastal Communities

S
unset Park, a community-of-
color on the waterfront is par-
ticularly vulnerable to the effects
of climate change. A recent editorial
published in the journal, Environmental
Justice, explained the uneven impacts
of climate change this way, “Climate
researchers report that vulnerable com-
munities, even in the most prosperous
nations, will be the first and worst hit.
In this country, the most impacted areas
will be communities-of-color, Indig-
enous Peoples, and low-income com-
munities that are socio-economically
disadvantaged, disproportionately
burdened by poor environmental qual-
ity, and least able to adapt. They will
be the first to experience extreme heat
events, respiratory illness, vector-borne
infectious diseases, food insecurity, and
natural disasters.”

In the Sunset Park studio led by Ron
Shiffman, Mercedes Narciso, Ellen could not only weather the effects of polluting infrastructure to be sited near
Neises, Eddie Bautista, and Stuart climate change but slow them and help the water and homes with little or no
Pertz, our client, the environmental protect the community from them. environmental review. As the residents
justice community organization of the community are already burdened
UPROSE (United Puerto Rican Sunset Park is a coastal neighbor- by the Gowanus Expressway, a freeway-
Organization of Sunset Park), posed to hood in Brooklyn, south of Red Hook like Fourth Avenue that cuts them off
us the mandate to create a holistic plan and north of Bay Ridge. The diverse from the waterfront, a waste transfer
to create community resilience in the community of, among others, Puerto station, multiple brownfields, and a
face of climate change. Our approach Rican, Mexican, Chinese, and Pales- severe lack of public space,
to resilience was broad, and neces- tinian residents runs upland from the environmental justice is of the utmost
sarily so, encompassing urban design, waterfront to the park that carries its concern.
community capacity building, land- namesake. The waterfront is a working
scape design, economic development, waterfront and is a source of employ- Sunset Park has been the subject of
affordable housing, disaster planning, ment for residents, 20% of Sunset Park many planning endeavors. There is a
and city and regional policy. We looked residents walk to work. The waterfront 197-A plan, a Greenway plan, a Vision
into ways to foster economic resilience, is a significant maritime industrial area, Plan from the Economic Development
resilience of the built form, tenure and an SMIA, and as such has special zon- Corporation, and the new Waterfront
security for long term residents, a resil- ing that is meant to keep manufactur- Revitalization Plan. All these plans
ient culture, and a diverse and healthy ing in the area but has the unfortunate vary in their commitment and innova-
waterfront and open space network that and dangerous side effect of allowing tion to raising the quality of life for
PROGRAMS for
and DEVELOPMENT

Sunset Park residents, but they share
one thing in common, they were made
before it was clear that the effects of
climate change must be a main thread
woven through any look at a waterfront
community, especially one with pollut-
ing infrastructure in a storm surge zone.

We knew that any initiative must be
led by the community and therefore
empower and strengthen the commu-
nity, as UPROSE has been doing for
decades. After a disaster, it has been
shown again and again that an affected
community that had a strong and well-
established social network recovered
faster, with more residents returning,
crucial services up and running again
in a shorter time, and in some cases,
improved facilities compared to pre-
disaster. Thus many of our recom-
mendations went beyond land-use and
looked to build and support the vibrant
networks that already exist in the area;
an informed group of activist youth, a Previous Page and Above: Images from the final presentation and report by the Sunset Park Studio
lively tradition of street vending and
entrepreneurship, strong community with programming and events. the industrial sector
organizations, and an active street life. D Innovative ways to help small, green B Making sure the new park at bush
Taken as a whole, we knew that our manufacturing thrive on the waterfront: terminal uses local vendors.
recommendations must simultaneously E A community kitchen for vendors 3 Support for continuing environmental
raise the economic capital, the social to develop ideas, upscale production, health and justice:
capital, and the built capital while hav- and cut down on sanitation violations. A Using the bay ridge salt flats which
ing a strong framework for ensuring that Designed as a closed-loop system, the lie just off the coast of Sunset Park as a
long-term residents are not displaced building would also house large-scale wave attenuation buffer, utilizing ecol-
by gentrification. composting, a wholesale produce dis- ogy restoration and oyster reefs.
tributor sourcing from upstate farmers B Building a ecology center for youth
Our recommendations laid out a and transported via the Hudson to the environmental education on the wa-
greener and stronger Sunset Park and waterfront rail barge connection, a roof- terfront; including oyster cultivation,
included: top farm, and a wash cut and bag facil- wetland construction, water testing, soil
1 Innovative ways to create more open ity, providing jobs and fresh produce for testing, urban agriculture.
space and manage storm water: the NYC school system. 4 Housing and rights of tenure:
A A backyard farming network with 2 Innovative ways to build capacity and A Using the TIL program, convert
resource and knowledge sharing, work- social capacity: foreclosed properties into affordable
days, all connected to emergency food A A foreign language teaching coopera- housing co-ops.
distribution. tive. B Collaborate with local community de-
B Raised bed food production and a lo- B A mobile health clinic. velopment corporations and innovative
cal vendors market on a former brown- C Connecting the elderly population design-build firms to create housing
field. with the rest of the community through where the future residents participate
C Green waterfront connector streets an intergenerational video project in the design, building, and mainte-
running upland all the way to the water documenting their history and stories. nance of the buildings. • Laura Stinger
and featuring bio-swales, extended tree 3 Innovative economic development: is a second year student in City and Regional
pits, and pedestrian-only weekends Planning.
A Sustainable materials management in

15

Landmarks
about the landmark with just a single agriculture, then mechanized it and
tap. It’s designed for students doing added fertilizers and chemicals, we are
field work, architects, historic preser- now on the cusp of the third agricul-

West (and East, vationists, urban planners, and even
tourists and anyone else curious about
tural revolution: growing food in urban
areas, using less land, water and fossil
New York’s rich architectural history. fuels, while applying fewer chemicals.
North, South) The app has been featured on the New
York Times’ City Room Blog as well After a fascinating time travel through
as DNAinfo.com. He has also created the invention of primitive and modern
versions for Boston and San Francisco. agriculture–with all their advantages
Currently, it is built for the Palm Pre or and problems–Dr. Despommier, a
Pixi, but an iPhone version is coming microbiologist, lifts us into the coming
soon. • Learn more at www.spatialityapps.com world of high-rise farming. In new or
refurbished buildings, farmers of tomor-
row will grow all kinds of food that we
Gelvin Stevenson can be eating the next day.
Book review of The Vertical Farm
by Dr. Dickson Despommier The illustrations are lively and infor-
2010, Thomas Dunne Books mative; the style is easy and friendly;
$25.99, 320 pages
and the message is compelling: we eat
better and the eco-sphere can heal
Future Farming itself and once again provide all those
wonderful services–carbon
sequestration and clean water, to
mention two–that it used to do. So while
you’re reading “The Vertical Farm”-
and it is truly a must-read–contemplate
all those advantages, and taste that

T
he ubiquity of smartphones has fresh food. • Gelvin Stevenson teaches Envi-
ronmental Economics in the PSPD.
begun to start to weave their way
into the urban fabric, and a new,

Upcoming
readily accessible layer of an
“augmented reality” is beginning to
emerge. Prior to the development of
these devices, history was marked
geographically by staid plaques hiding Facilities
L
roadside and in the bushes. Now we ooking for a solution to food scar-
are able to tune into the wavelengths
of history as easy as pressing a few
city, excessive chemicals on our
foods, too much energy used in Management
Program
buttons on the devices already in our growing and transporting food, nutrient
pockets. runoff, the disappearance of low skilled
jobs in urban areas, and food that just
PSPD GIS instructor Steven plain doesn’t taste very good? Then
Romalewski has developed a mobile welcome to the vertical farm revolution, Thursday, April 14, 2011
Development as a Contact Sport
app called Landmarks: New York. It and the foundational book on Vertical Robert Sanna, Exec VP & Director,
lists the official landmarked buildings Farming by the movement’s leading Forest City Ratner Companies
near you anywhere in the 5 boroughs, light, Columbia University Professor Atlantic Yards as a development scenario has all
providing details such as when the Emeritus Dickson Daniel Despommier. the hallmarks and the travails of current property
issues. Anecdotes about policy, costs, procedures,
landmark was designated, if it’s in a
marketing and the ultimate goals will elucidate
Historic District, thumbnail photos, and “The Vertical Farm” is a tour de force the story of this new Brooklyn landmark. 6:30 PM,
Wikipedia links. You can view each of the promise of this latest agricultural Room 213, Pratt Manhattan.
location on a map, and email details revolution. Just as humans developed

PROGRAMS for
and DEVELOPMENT

Nancy Campbell and Anna Peccianti as usual, was engaged in the planning Redemption with Carsten Paludan-
of the event and had volunteered to co- Müller
Alumni Updates chair the newly reformed PPAA. In the
last 10 months, she has had a remark-
April 15: Redefining Artistic Advocacy
with Aaron Levy
able recovery that has her speaking and April 29: New York State Climate Ac-
writing more clearly every day. tion Plan with Alan Belensz
An event will be held in Alison’s honor,
helping to raise funds for Trinity Hu- CONNECT WITH PPAA ONLINE
man Services Center (140 Montrose Av- Pratt Institute Alumni Association has
enue, Brooklyn, NY 11206) on Sunday, recently launched it’s new and
April 3rd at 2pm. A raffle will be held enhanced website: alumni.pratt.edu.
to help support Alison’s family with the The new site features an online direc-
medical costs they have incurred. For tory, alumni news and networking
more information contact Yadhira Deras groups. The site will also help alumni
(THSC) at 718-388-3176 or Rolando take advantage of benefits including
Guzman (St. Nicks) at discounted membership to Pratt’s ath-
rguzman@stnicksalliance.org. letic facility and free entry to some city
museums.
PSPD SPRING LECTURE SERIES
Last month, Programs for Sustainable To make this experience valuable, we
Planning and Development launched need your help. Please visit to alumni.
its Spring Lecture Series. This compel- pratt.edu to log into Pratt’s online
ling series features local leaders and alumni database and make sure that
Allison Cordero leading a public workshop.
Photo: PPAA internationally renowned practitioners the Institute has your most current
discussing and debating current plan- contact information, preferred email ad-
ALUMNI INFO
ning, preservation and environmental dress and any personal or professional
Alison Cordero (Class of 1991) has a
topics. Lectures have been contempo- accomplishments you’d like to share.
long history in serving the communi-
rary and compelling and audience dis- Once you’ve logged-in to the site,
ties of North Brooklyn. Starting at
cussion has been lively and engaging. please find the Pratt Planning Alumni
St. Nick’s Alliance in 1984 as a Pratt
Please mark the series in your calendar Association (search “Groups” on the
Institute intern, Alison has served as
and be sure to share it with friends and left hand side), created just for PSPD
the Deputy Director for Community
colleagues in New York City. alumni. PPAA will disseminate as all
Preservation since 1997. Her nearly
We look forward to seeing you there! relevant news for PSPD alumni through
30 years of service to the Greenpoint-
Reception 5:30; this group.
Williamsburg community is undeterred.
Lecture 6:00;
As Frank Lang, Housing Director at St.
Q+A 7:00 We would also encourage you to con-
Nick Alliance attests, “Alison’s big-
nect with PPAA on our LinkedIn page.
gest strength is her consistent desire to
Pratt Manhattan Campus Our group name is “Pratt Planning”.
work in a collaborative manner with all
144 West 14th Street, New York We look forward to seeing you online!
facets of the neighborhood to coordinate
Room 213 (Unless otherwise noted)
and build consensus toward an advo-
RSVP prattpspd@gmail.com
cacy agenda.”
April 1: Vision 2020 Comprehensive
As some of you may know, Alison Click here to visit our LinkedIn page.
Waterfront Plan with Mike Marrella
experienced a stroke in May 2010 just
April 8: Cultural Heritage: Roots,
as the department was preparing to
Relations, Rationales, Rights and
celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Alison,

What is PPAA? The Pratt Planning Alumni Association (PPAA) aims to invigorate our dynamic
alumni network to bring the benefits, resources and expertise to alumni and to current
students. To provide PPAA with financial contributions or volunteer time, please email PPAA
Co-Chairs Nancy Campbell and Anna Peccianti at prattplanningalum@gmail.com.

17

AAKRITI, the journal of the Goa College for
Architecture, wrote an article about the experience

Accomplishments of Pratt’s studio on the coast of India. The studio wil
be covered in full in the summer issue of
Multiplicity. Click here to read the article.

In December, Eddie Bautista was a part of Lee Miller, ‘13, a joint-degree student at the craft Requests for Proposals to redevelop to the
the White House’s first panel on Environmental Pratt Institute and Brooklyn Law School was area, while continuing to consult with the Com-
Justice. He spoke on the Healthy Communities awarded the American Planning Association’s munity Board.
and Place-based Initiatives panel and requested (APA) Daniel J. Curtin, Jr., Planning Law Fel-
federal assistance to support local efforts by City lowship. The APA’s Planning Law Division Eric Allison spoke at the Neighborhood Pres-
officials and NYC-EJA members to reform the awards the Fellowship to one student annually ervation Center co-sponsored by the Historic
Significant Maritime Industrial Area’s designa- to foster greater interest in the study of land use Districts Council, discussing the new book
tion found in the NYC Waterfront Revitalization planning and its interrelationship with the law. he co-authored with Lauren Peters, Historic
Program. The recipient advocates for thoughtful planning Preservation and the Livable City. The book
by preparing articles on land use for publication, serves as “a guide to how historic preservation
Joan Byron was a part of a panel discussion, assisting in the APA’s educational programs and can enhance the economic and environmental
Roads to Nowhere: Public Works in a Time of the solicitation and review of session proposals sustainability of cities and towns.
Crisis. The panel was co-sponsored by the Pratt submitted by Planning Law Division members
Center and the Regional Plan Association as for the annual National APA Conference. Sciame Construction sponsored this se-
a part of the Musuem of the City of New York’s mester’s OSHA-10 certification classes. This
on going Urban Forum series on New York Adedayo Ologundudu put together a forum at event was held at the Sciame offices in Lower
Infrastructure. Columbia University as a kick off event for the Manhattan.
non-profit he has founded, the Global Environ-
Steve Jones from McGraw-Hill construction mental Management Foundation. Additionally A book that included a contribution from Ron
shared research findings with Construction and he serves as Associate Lecturer and Research Shiffman, What We See: Advancing the Observa-
Facilities Management students on how BIM is Fellow within the Department of Quantity Sur- tions of Jane Jacobs, has been named one of the
transforming building design, construction and veying, School of Environmental Technology at top books of 2010 by re:place Magazine. It was
operation, with profound implications for future Federal University of Technology in Akure, Ni- also recently listed as one of the ten best books
Construction Managers. geria, and is Chief Priest of the Yoruba culture. of 2010 in urban planning, design, and develop-
ment by Planetizen.
Ned Kaufman will give the keynote speech
at the Looking Forward Symposium being put Nadine Post, Editor at ENR, lead a discussion Jaime Stein was a speaker at the second instal-
together by Historic New England and Roger in project delivery systems and BIM at Pratt lation of the NYC Future Metropolis events
Williams University. The event is to take place Manhattan in January, as well as other forms of put on by Solar One, a Green Energy, Arts,
on the 1st of October, 2011. collaborative delivery. The “lean” construction and Education Center located in Stuyvesant
initiative, specifically the Lean Construction Cove Park. She spoke on the subject of Green
Institute, was reviewed. Infrastructure.

In January, Manhattan’s Community Board 3 PSPD and the Consulate General of the Federal
approved a set of guidelines to redevelop six Republic of Germany co-sponsored a discussion
acres of largely vacant City-owned property on at the Center for Architecture in December with
the Lower East Side – one of the largest tracts Englebert Daldrup and Peter Zionicky, authors
of such land remaining in Manhattan – collec- of the book, Large Scale Project in German
tively known as the Seward Park Urban Renewal Cities: Urban Development 1990-2010. In this
Area. Over the past 40 years, efforts to rebuild work, the authors examine nineteen large-scale
on the sites, which were originally raised as projects that have been undertaken over the past
part of an urban renewal scheme, have been twenty years. They discussed a few of these proj-
immobilized by strong community disagreement ects, focusing on Hamburg and Stuttgart, and
over what should be built there, and for whom. whether these efforts have indeed contributed to
Since April 2010, the City has been working the ‘renaissance of the European city.’ The book
with a designated CB3 committee to create a is available for order on Amazon.
plan that represents a good compromise between
divergent community voices. The meetings have
been facilitated (and the guidelines drafted) by
PSPD’s Chair John Shapiro, PSPD Professor
EDITORIAL
William Calabrese
Eve Baron, and Simon Kawitzky, a recent Geoffrey Dyck
SAVE THE DATE! graduate. As approved, the guidelines call for
Saturday, April 16 11am - 6pm more than 800 units of housing, approximately
Re:Construction: Rebuilding Dialogues, a sym- half of which will be affordable. Also called for CHAIR
posium on diversity sponsored by PIPSA and are substantial amounts of retail, commercial, John Shapiro
and community space, as well as public open
LEAP will be taking place in Higgins Hall. space. The City intends to use the guidelines to

PROGRAMS for
and DEVELOPMENT

Pspd Newsletter Spring 2011

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