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August 29, 2010
Our Cities Ourselves: 10 Principles for Transport in Urban Life (and the AY contradiction)
Atlantic Yards Report
Norman Oder takes a look at issues urban planning.
A nifty exhibition,Our Cities Ourselves, is on view until September 11, 2010 at the Center for Architecture in Greenwich Village (Mon-Fri: 9am to 8pm; Sat: 11am to 5pm).
It shows ten architects' treatment of potential changes in ten world cities--nearly all in developing nations.
Accompanying the exhibition is a publication titled "Our Cities Ourselves: 10 Principles for Transport in Urban Life," written by internationally famous Danish urbanist Jan Gehl and Walter Hook, Executive Director of the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).
"Cities of the twenty-first century should be lively cities, safe cities, sustainable cities and healthy cities," said Gehl in a news release. "All of these qualities can be achieved if we embrace these ten principles, which means putting people first."
The principles and Atlantic Yards
Notably, two of the ten principles of sustainable transport don't quite work when it comes to Atlantic Yards.
The project would not have "small-size, permeable buildings and blocks" that enhance pedestrian life, as suggested above. In fact, it would create two superblocks.
And while the project would involve density around transit, as suggested at right, that won't necessarily make it a desirable urban district, given the level of density intended, the parking included, and the attendant traffic.
Read the full blog post to see the complete listing of 10 Principles for Transport in Urban Life.
NoLandGrab: An exhibit like "Our Cities Ourselves" might elicit groans from those who realize how a great opportunity for urban planning was lost when Atlantic Yards was approved by the state.
Posted by steve at August 29, 2010 9:52 AM