Project Overview
The PSPS Fall 2014 studio client was Make the Road New York, a community-based organization that builds the power of Latino and working class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. We worked with the organization’s staff and members to address planning concerns in preparation for a rezoning of the neighborhood by the Department of City Planning.
From a sewer and energy infrastructural point of view, Bushwick lies in a critical geography were both systems are under increasing stress. Combined sewer outfall NCB 015, discharges into Newtown Creek over 300 million gallons a year and is considered to be “serving” one of the largest sewershed populations in the city (over 180,000 people). Moreover, Con Edison is seeing increasing demand on their Brooklyn Ridgewood network (part of the Brownsville substation) and predicting summer overloads for 2016-2017. In July 2014 ConEd released a request for information (RFI) seeking vendors with capability to deliver energy demand side management solutions. If future rezonings are to allow for an increase in density, innovative solutions are required to address both water and energy infrastructural systems. Recommendations for this studio were based on green infrastructure storm water management solutions, control over distributed energy resources and activation of public open space, among others.
To see a full list of recommendations, visit project website: www.prattbushwickstudio2014.wordpress.com
Improving Quality of Life
A vibrant community is closely associated with the type of activities developed in its public spaces. At the same time, vitality and authenticity of these public spaces is closely intertwined with the sense of belonging, memory and culture of the community. We consider crucial the need to activate the public spaces in Bushwick and its ability to produce civic purposes without the traditional and oversized machinery used for urban space creation. We propose the implementation of performative public spaces; cityscapes that promote environmental health, social equity, and economic development for Bushwick’s community.
Open Space Existing Conditions
Effective open space serving the community is 26 acres (2.8% of total lot area). NYC Department of planning sets as a goal a ratio of 2.5 (acres per 1,000 residents).The effective ratio for Bushwick is 2.3, below the 2.5 city planning goal. Most of the neighborhood is served within reasonable walking distance (0.25 miles) from open space. However, young population (>35) is underserved by active space (recreation and sports) and older population (<35) is underserved by passive space. Lack of maintenance and poor quality of public open space is perhaps a larger concern. Many spaces are completely absent of landscaping, have rudimentary playgrounds and only offer limited amenities for active recreation.
Pratt PSPD Studio - Sustainable Communities
Timeline: August - December 2014
Reviewers: Stuart Pertz, Eddie Bautista and Ron Shiffman (Associate Professors)
Team: Yasmeen Abu Al Saud, Lise Lamatia and Hannah Atlas
My role: Physical Survey, GIS analysis, report writing and conceptual drawings
