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public space

It’s almost impossible to adequately protect soft targets like public gatherings.
Jun 5

How We Can Better Protect Crowds From Terrorism

Because physical security can only do so much, communities have a role to play.
By Robert R. Friedmann
Sep 18

The High Line Like You’ve Never Seen It Before

Cody S. Brothers, in a new photo essay, scales the Highline
By Cody S. Brothers
Rendering of Pier 55 by Heatherwick Studio.
Sep 17

The Case Against a ‘Billionaire’s Island’ in the Hudson

The Hudson River Park Trust’s deal allowing media mogul Barry Diller to erect a “Billionaire’s Island” theater at Pier 55 in Chelsea—instead of reconstructing Pier 54, as the Trust told New York State’s legislature it would—is a bad idea and one that was hatched in secrecy. Contrary to the Observer’s recent editorial in support of the plan to plunk down a 2.7-acre platform in an area designated as an estuarine sanctuary, the Trust has turned its back on public participation, misled the state in seeking approval for the project, failed to identify the public funding necessary to build and maintain the park and allowed private interests to determine the future of public resources. The City Club, a nonprofit which has a long history of preserving the quality of life in our city, is suing to require the project to undergo a proper environmental review and be approved by the State Legislature after an honest and robust disclosure of the project plan. The Trust staff and Mr. Diller’s representatives planned this project in secret for two years and then pushed it through in a two-month lightning round of public review.
By Tom Fox
Basement. (Hernán Piñera/flickr)
Jul 20

Going Underground: As Land Prices Rise, New York Institutions Seek Subterranean Space

By Kim Velsey
If you build it, how will you pay for it? (Maya Palmer)
Dec 28

Kimmelman Cautious on Libertarian Parks

By Matt Chaban
Shoulder to shoulder on Fifth. (Getty)
Dec 7

Forget Bike Lanes—We Need More Sidewalks

By Matt Chaban
This'll do. (City Review)
Dec 5

We Need More Zoning

By Matt Chaban
Protest art!
Nov 15

Why Do Vendors Get Tents in Parks and Not Occupy Wall Street?

By Matt Chaban
Jul 10

Recycling Street Waste

By Steve Cohen
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