« Handicapping the Kelo Case is a Difficult Call | Main | N.Y. Jets Out, PILOTs In? »
June 13, 2005
How Can New York Get Its Groove Back
The NY Times
After last week's fatal blow to the West Side Stadium, the Times asked prominent New Yorkers about what NYC's next steps should be. Apparently no one asked Bruce Ratner, because his development scheme for Prospect Heights Brooklyn is not on anyones radar (though Donald Trump whines about "contextual zoning" and community boards).
Philip K. Howard, chairman of the Municipal Arts Society, makes the case that the City should rethink the way it deals with Land Use issued since the current process results primarily in one-developer-driven megalopolises like Ratnerville.
Today, however, instead of investing in public buildings the government tries to cut corners and generate financing for projects like the Moynihan rail station by selling zoning rights so that public buildings and parks find themselves in the shadow of oversized private development. This approach also leads to single-developer schemes with super-blocks and large plazas, which destroy the organic vitality of the city. Their public space is too calculated and cold. Just as important as placing a higher priority on public buildings and parks, we must ensure that private development is set in the traditional street grid, so that it is easily adapted for new uses as the economy and city evolve.
Posted by lumi at June 13, 2005 8:19 AM