,
13 tweets,
13 min read
Read on Twitter
It’s hard to believe this was ever a place for cars. The most interesting thing about the #TimesSquare transformation in New York by @MikeBloomberg @JSadikKhan & @citiesforpeople — it wasn’t sold as “place-making.” It was about TRAFFIC WORKING BETTER.
There’s lots of reasons why New York’s Bryant Park is one of the best people-places anywhere. But my favourite reasons are the many diverse well-defined “sub-spaces” as you walk around it; the massive number of moveable chairs; & the big beautiful shade trees on a hot, sunny day. 
What is successful urbanism? If there’s a lot of people in a “public space” (it’s not actually public), is it a good place? New York’s new Hudson Yards development has been criticized by many urbanists, & defended by some, so I needed to see it myself. It raised many questions:
Let’s be honest — in North America there hasn’t really been that many examples of truly outstanding city-building in the last few decades. New York’s High Line is a bold exception — a powerful people-magnet, a marvel of vision & design that enhances, reveals & connects the city.
About to enjoy my 50th birthday present to myself in New York — here at Broadway’s #ShubertTheatre to watch my favourite book growing up, To Kill A Mockingbird, turned into a @RealAaronSorkin & @Jeff_Daniels play. Not going to lie — never been so excited about a live performance.
What do you think of New York’s so called super-tall, super-thin “needle towers” overlooking Central Park? How are they so tall? Up to 1/4th of floors might be unoccupied/“mechanical” space, & a loophole in the zoning says those floors aren’t included in the height measurements!
Should have said building size measurements, not specifically height measurements.
Want new life & energy for some of your older parks? My friend @mitchell_silver & I discussed an exciting example over dinner: "Fountains of the Fairs" at #FlushingMeadowsCoronaPark will be transformed from reflecting pools into a water play oasis starting after the 2019 US Open.
If you’re interested in truly cutting edge architecture, there’s no firm doing more around the world than #BIG led by my friend @BjarkeIngels. Thanks Bjarke & @kaiuwebergmann for the tour & great discussion on projects around the world at your New York/Brooklyn office today.
If you can’t tear down your waterfront freeway (yet), put smart things underneath them to help enliven your waterfront. Like this example along the East River waterfront in New York City.
Interested in the transformation (& yes, gentrification) of once-gritty urban neighbourhoods, with the many related opportunities & challenges? Then #DUMBO in Brooklyn is a fascinating place. Altho it’s expensive & can feel sanitized, many of the design moves are people-friendly.
The wonderful walkable human-scale created by townhouses (& the trees — don’t underestimate those trees) that make up #Brooklyn neighbourhoods like #BrooklynHeights are thankfully still the inspiration for many new “#MissingMiddle” (what I call #GentleDensity) neighbourhoods.
Where there are normally cars, each summer there are people, chairs, bikes, food, art, games, fitness classes & more in Manhattan’s Garment District when it becomes an “urban garden.” Seems like a good trade to me. #citiesforpeople #newyorkcity #NYC
