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May 5, 2005
The Return of Urban Renewal
Dan Doctoroff's Grand Plans for New York City
by Susan Fainstein
Harvard Design Magazine
NOLANDGRAB MUST READ. This article provides a quick historical overview of urban planning in NYC and the Mayor's ambitious planning goals. It goes on to examine the largest and most controversial plans (including Brooklyn's own boondoggle, BAY) and reviews the advantages and shortcomings of each.
In the first phase of the federal urban renewal program, opponents of projects that would destroy communities and small business were similarly excoriated for being unconcerned with the public interest. It was only later, when it became evident that benefits did not always trickle down, communities were destroyed, cleared land lay vacant for decades awaiting a developer, and “marginal” businesses that frequently laid the groundwork for the next wave of innovation were uprooted that the dangers of “great plans” became fully appreciated. By now many of these lessons have been forgotten as a new generation of architects and planners has come along seeking to imprint their visions on New York's landscape. The pendulum has swung to the other side rather than resting at a point where comprehensive planning can occur within a context of humility, flexibility, and democratic participation.
Posted by lumi at May 5, 2005 8:39 AM