Pspd newsletter spring_2010

multipliCITY
Newsletter of the Programs for Sustainable Planning and Development
Issue 3, Spring 2010

WELCOME
Looking Back to Look Forward
Asia. In our own city, the planning vitality, and social justice – which
emphasis is still on zoning and comprise our definition of sustain-
large-scale projects, rather than on ability. New research in the de-
livability and problem solving. The partment includes the sustainable
architectural style – with its em- master plan for Long Island and
phasis on form and technology – is work for a court-appointed moni-
akin to brutalism with nice materi- tor fighting exclusionary zoning in
als (glass instead of concrete). Westchester.

In honor of the 50th anniversary, It is part of a 50 year continuum in
and so as to explore this dichot- which we have, in my view, re-
omy, students are publishing In- mained the most dynamic, mis-
tractable Democracy with oversight sion-based, and innovative plan-
Friends, faculty, and students: from Professors Eve Baron and Ron ning program in the City of New
Shiffman. This publication takes York, and the most unique in the

T he City and Regional Planning stock of where we have been, and nation. Here’s looking forward to
Program turns 50 this year. it provides clues as to where we the next 50 years.
Something happened 50 years ago are going. New and distinguished
that is worth taking note of. alumni, current students, faculty, John Shapiro
and ten of our eleven past chairs Chair, 2008 to Present
It was the 1960s. Robert Moses provide articles that demonstrate
and other master builders were at the breadth of our interests. To
their peak. People like Paul Davi- order a copy, send a $20 check
doff (who founded Hunter’s plan- made out to Pratt Institute with multipliCITY
ning program), Ron Shiffman (who GCPE in the subject line – our Newsletter of the Programs for Sustainable Planning and Development
Issue 4, Summer 2010

founded the Pratt Center), and mailing address is at the back.
Jane Jacobs (who has inspired
generations of planners) took up This newsletter, multipliCity, is
the good fight for communities that part of a larger story for the City
were being run roughshod over. and Regional Planning Program
Advocacy planning was one of a as it looks forward to the next
series of social movements arguing 50 years. We have enriched our
for change from stodgy politics and relationship with the Environmen-
top-down misinformation. tal Sustainability Program, the
Historic Preservation Program,
Fifty years later and we are again and the Facilities/Construction
in a period of reform. A community Management Program, and now
organizer is president. Commis- enjoy a seamless relationship with
sioner Sadik-Kahn has brought the Pratt Center. All of the studios
alternative transportation to the cited in the newsletter, for exam-
fore in our metropolis. The city is ple, were cross-disciplinary with
enriched by a slew of community- students and faculty from at least
based organizations, local devel- two of the programs, if not three. Cover: A mid-century photograph
opment corporations, and civic In addition, two of the studios were of Pratt Institute’s Higgins Hall,
organizations. And Jane Jacobs is in connection with Pratt Center which houses the School of Archi-
everyone’s patron saint – including projects and priorities. All of the tecture and the PSPD (Courtesy
many who don’t understand it. studios, and our courses in gen- Pratt Archives).
That said, Robert Moses has been eral, emphasize community prob-
lem-solving and bottom-up policy Above: Higgins Hall as it is today.
rehabilitated and reincarnated in The summer 2010 issue will feature
grand plans, most particularly in making to address the challenges
of the environment, economic papers and speeches delivered at
the 50th Anniversary Conference,
which was held May 14-15.

Programs for Sustainable
Planning and Development Spring 2010 | 1

A Green Light District for the Southside Global Perspectives:
Fall 2009 Sustainable Development Studio International Approaches
to Planning, Sustainability,
Preservation & Design
by Alex Sommer, CRP

During their professional careers,
planners and designers often have
the opportunity to work in different
countries, cultures, and contexts.
The PSPD is happy to be able to ac-
commodate and expand its inter-
national course portfolio, providing
unique experiences to its students
and alumni, as well as students
and professionals from the New
York City metro area. In the last
Southside Green Light District six months alone, the program has
Community Wellness Plan conducted an intensive participa-
tory planning studio in Goa, India
Draft for Discussion
by Beth Bingham, CRP tors (the Green Line). The Green and an exploratory seminar in
December 17, 2009
Line functions much like the Pov- Sao Paulo, Brazil. This summer,

I nAmabile //fall semester,/ students from
the Bingham / DeBlieck /Epp Harari
Houston Mahase / O’Connell / Vasquez
erty Line in expanding a resident’s weare offering a seminar in Istan-
Pratt’s Planning and ESM pro- right to know the overall quality bul, Turkey and a studio in Berlin,
grams partnered with El Puente, a of their community conditions Germany, with more international
Brooklyn-based community rights in contrast to others. The Green courses in upcoming semesters.
institution, to develop the South- Line establishes the baseline upon
side Green Light District Plan for which the success of the recom- As the PSPD formalizes its interna-
the fall 2009 Sustainable Devel- mendations outlined by the Green tional course offerings, its faculty
opment Studio (Plan 653-02). El Light District can be measured. is developing a strict pedagogy
Puente came to the studio course, to ensure that curriculums and
taught by Ron Shiffman, Mercedes Personal health, community participants adhere to Pratt’s policy
Narcisso and Stuart Pertz, with health, and our planet’s health are of sustainability and participatory
a vision for the Southside of Wil- all so intricately entwined that true planning. PSPD clearly recognizes
liamsburg, Brooklyn that aspired to community development cannot the potential for conflict and is con-
reduce the carbon footprint of the happen without considering these scious of the need to avoid intel-
entire community, while creating a pieces in concert. The ambitious lectual colonialism when entering
community standard for measuring goal of the Green Light District a community offering “help.” PSPD
the wellness of the neighborhood. Plan is to dramatically enhance all only organizes courses in locations
of these components of wellbeing to where faculty know a strong net-
The resulting plan is a roadmap make the Southside the most sus- work of grassroots organizers and
for creating a local demonstration tainable urban neighborhood in the educators, and where local actors
project that responds to emerging country – physically, economically, have invited them in.
local and national policy initiatives and socially – by the year 2020.
and empowers the community by With a shrinking globe and interna-
engaging every family and/or indi- As El Puente’s founder Luis Gar- tional issues hitting close to home,
vidual in achieving the objectives of den Acosta put it, “This is an ex- planners and designers cannot
El Puente’s Green Light District. periment, focusing on the develop- ignore the importance of gaining a
ment of the entire community from global perspective.Pratt’s ethos of
The new plan for the Southside a wellness perspective, home by ‘bottom-up’ planning and sustain-
consists of two parts: a community home, building by building – en- able design meshes just as well
wellness plan (the Green Light Dis- gaging the community inch by inch with community development here
trict) and a strategy for developing in the Southside, and further.” in Brooklyn as it does in neighbor-
community-level wellness indica- hoods around the world.


PSPD Goes International
Sustainable Development Studio in Goa, India

Above, the Pratt team is pictured with Goa College of Arhcitecture students and
the Sarpanch of Agonda Panchayat Jovi Fernandes. At right, a student generated
ownership map of the Panchayat of Agonda.

by Meenakshi Varandani, AICP, LEED AP, for the Panchayats (local governments formed at the village level), to
RA, Visiting Assistant Professor write their respective Development Plans. It identifies current challenges,
growth projections, and sustainable development goals for the State of
I n January 2010, the Panchayat of
Agonda, in the southern Taluka
of Canacona, India hosted a four-
Goa. Constitutional Amendments intended to correct some ‘top-down’
governance practices empower the Panchayats with an assigned set of
responsibilities that include proposing Development Plans for adoption.
day Sustainable Development Par-
ticipatory Planning Workshop Stu- As a poster child for ‘Incredible India,’ Goa is promoted as a tourism desti-
dents from Pratt’s City & Regional nation. It is scenically situated between the Sahyadri Hills to the East and
Planning and Environmental Sys- Arabian Sea to the West. With its coastal villages, paddy fields and hospita-
tems management programs devel- ble people, it is seen as a place of happiness and celebration. Unfortunately,
oped and facilitated this workshop Goa is also a victim of its own popularity. Infrastructure has not kept up
with students from Goa College of with rampant development, and tourism has brought with it undesirable
Architecture (GCA). The team re- social and environmental ills. This awareness figures strongly on resi-
ceived consultation and support dents’ minds and gives them cause for alarm. In spite of limited resources
from the Council for Social Justice and training, Panchayats have stepped up to take on their responsibilities.
and Peace (CSJP) represented by
Father Maverick Fernandes, and Students can be a resource for small communities and in return get valu-
from Agonda Panchayat, represent- able practical experience. Pratt has a strong orientation towards com-
ed by the Sarpanch (elected head of munity planning and sustainable development that lends itself well to a
the Panchayat) Mr. Jovi Fernandes. grass-roots participatory process. Interaction with the local community
was a meaningful experience. Working together in teams, the students
Recent news in Goa has included also formed new international ties and gained cross-cultural appreciation.
passionate debates on elements
of the Regional Plan 2021 for Goa Agonda may be one of the first coastal villages to push back against
(RP 2021) which was presented a speculative real estate market, which poses an ever-present threat
in 2009 for public comment and to the village’s character and environment. Residents made clear
adoption. These discussions re- at the onset that they are determined to protect their natural environ-
veal strong sentiments and deep ment and maintain the place as a “village”. Talking about sustainability
concerns about the implications and achieving a balance between environmental conservation,
of proposed new developments in
Goa. RP 2021 provides a platform (Continued on next page)


(Continued from previous page) New Course Spotlight
social equity and economic develop- Transportation: Pedestrians & Bicycles
ment was like preaching to the choir. by Michael Flynn & Andy Wiley-Schwartz, Visiting Assistant Professors

To collaborate internationally, Pratt, In New York City, streets make up over a quar-
GCA, CSJP and Agonda Panchayat ter of the land area and provide over three
held five web-meetings between quarters of the publicly accessible open space.
September and December of 2009. We all use them every day, whether walking to
These were important for establish- the train or a store, riding the bus or a bike,
ing a relationship and to ensure driving, or just hanging out. Nearly fifty years
there would be no surprises for the ago, in The Death and Life of Great American
community in Agonda. It also al- Cities, Jane Jacobs wrote, “Streets and their
lowed the Pratt team to hear directly sidewalks, the main public places of a city, are
from leading professionals in Goa. its most vital organs. Think of a city and what
comes to mind? Its streets.”
The Pratt team would gather at
7:00 a.m. in Brooklyn and a group However, in spite of the central role they play
in Goa would stay late. Students in our lives, streets have received relatively
researched sustainable develop- little attention in our society – from planners, academics, advocates, or
ment practices on selected top- from the public. In the decades since Jacobs wrote those words, streets
ics, shared their findings at the have come to be seen as conduits through which to funnel increasing
workshop, and drew out people’s amounts of traffic and transportation.
knowledge of their place, list-
ing concerns and possible solu- After five decades of trying ceding over their street space to accommodate
tions, leading to recommendations. the ever growing volumes of automobile traffic, U.S. cities have recently
begun to discover the importance of more thoughtful street design. Cities
The participatory workshop in it- are learning to shift priorities to emphasize safety, efficiency, sustainability
self was a deliverable. Through and livability, and to appreciate the resulting economic, environmental,
an interactive process, the stu- social and health benefits for residents.
dent facilitators assisted Agonda
to: have a shared understanding New York City has become a leader in this new movement to reimagine
and a common ground, establish urban streets. In a few short years, New York has rolled out numerous in-
a vision, and develop preliminary novative designs and programs, begun rebalancing street space, published
recommendations for incorpora- detailed reports, and established an unprecedented set of street design
tion into a Development Plan. The guidelines. New bike lanes and public spaces are popping up citywide,
Development Plan will be prepared programs such as Bus Rapid Transit and the Plaza Program are emphasiz-
by the Panchayat in the future. ing community-led planning, and designs are incorporating green features
never before used in the city, such as for reducing stormwater runoff.
CRP student Alex Sommer offered
his reflections from the workshop. This fall, PSPD students had the opportunity to learn first-hand how to
He said, “The studio was an ex- develop more walkable, bikeable streets as part of a 1-credit mini-course
ample of how not only govern- on sustainable transportation. This course was led by two New York City
ment officials, but also residents, practitioners who have been deeply involved in New York City’s pioneering
are taking part in a new model efforts. Andy Wiley-Schwartz is an Assistant Commissioner for Planning &
of participatory planning outside Sustainability at the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT),
of New York City. Stakehold- and Michael Flynn, a Pratt alumnus, has served at DOT for nearly five
ers, with the help of the Pratt years, where he has planned, designed and implemented numerous plaza,
team, are rethinking their roles bike lane, and safety projects. Both are co-authors of the recently released
in the development process. No New York City Street Design Manual (www.nyc.gov/streetdesignmanual).
longer sitting on the sidelines,
residents are practicing their In the course, students gained a holistic understanding of pedestrian and
rights to not only develop a vi- bicycle planning, from key principles of safety, access, and public space
sion for their community, but usage, to the details of design and data collection, to methods for measur-
also guide and control developing success. This course allowed students to give streets back their right-
ment for generations to come.” ful place as our cities’ front yards and doing Jane Jacobs proud.


Taking a New Road on Coney Island Ave
Fall 2009 Land Use Planning Studio

by Jonathan Martin, Associate Professor Professor Jonathan Martin and
Visiting Assistant Professor Alison

I n September 2009, students Schneider and Georges Jacque-
from the Pratt Institute’s Grad- mart of BFJ Plannings, Inc., with
uate City and Regional Planning help from Rob Lane of the Regional
program were charged with creat- Plan Association. The result was
ing a conceptual plan for Coney Taking a New Road: A Conceptu-
Island Avenue, between Cortelyou al Plan for Coney Island Avenue.
Road and Prospect This plan en-
Park, in Brooklyn. This plan envisions Coney Island visions Coney design. These recommendations
The goal was to Island Avenue included:
build upon com- Avenue as a multi-modal con- as a multi-
munity resources nector rather than a thoroughfare; modal connec- 1. Facilitate Economic Develop-
and strengths, and a vibrant commercial corridor tor rather than ment by supporting local busi-
address identified a thoroughfare; nesses and providing opportuni-
rather than a service road; a com-
weaknesses. a vibrant com- ties for new businesses to develop
munity meeting space rather mercial corri- along the corridor through the
Students met with than a border; and a home for the dor rather than creation of an automobile repair
the client, the many communities, cultures and a service road; and service vocational training
Church Avenue a community center, a local business incuba-
peoples that live in the area.
Business Improve- meeting space tor, and expanded retail, mixed
ment District (BID), rather than a use and commercial zoning.
to identify goals of the conceptual border; and a home for the many
plan, and undertook a compre- communities, cultures and peo- 2. Green the Corridor by provid-
hensive analysis of the area’s his- ples that live in the area. ing street trees and plantings, a
tory, demographics, transporta- landscaped center median, and
tion options, land uses, zoning, With these visions in mind, stu- new open space in the form of
urban design and economic con- dents made proposals for eco- “pocket parks” to create an invit-
ditions. Students then worked nomic development, transporta-
under the guidance of Associate tion, zoning, land use and urban (Continued on next page)


Greening the Construction and
(Continued from previous page) Facilities Management Program

EMS Coordinator Jaime Stein leads a discussion on sustainability in Constrution
and Facilities Management.

by Helen Rubinstein, EMS private sectors on how the Pratt
Programs’ existing courses and

T oday, nations, cities and busi-
nesses are confronting the
challenges posed by climate change.
curriculum should be expanded,
enhanced and/or modified to meet
industry needs and to make our
In NYC, for example, we know that graduates competitive in the new
buildings account for 80% of green- “sustainable ” marketplace.
-ing, more sustainable aesthetic
house gas emissions and reducing
along the corridor. our dependence on fossil fuels will The initiative was financed by a
require new innovative planning, grant from the Fund for the Im-
3. Promote Traffic Calming development and management provement of Postsecondary Edu-
through the use of traffic medians, strategies. Certainly the work done cation from the US Department of
lane reconfigurations, on-street in the Construction and Facilities Education. The event was failiatated
parking, bus bulb-outs, bollards Management (CM/FM) profes- by Professors Eva Hanhardt and
and crosswalk pavers to create a sions will play a crucial role in the Carol Reznikoff, CM/FM Chair
safer environment for pedestrians, development and implementation Harriet Markis, and Environmental
promote walkability and provide of a new “green and sustainable” Systems Management Coordinator
sufficient capacity for vehicular economy. Pratt Institute’s Facilities Jaime Stein, along with significant
traffic. Managment program is committed input from graduate student, Helen
to developing a “state of the art” Rubinstein.
4. Employ the Streetscape by curriculum that incorporates the
rebuilding the streetwall, adopt- knowledge and tools that leaders in The event is part of a larger effort
ing design standards for storefront the Facilities Management field feel on behalf of the Facilities Manage-
design and signage, and installing are critical when addressing this ment department, and others, to
street furniture to create a more challenge. incorporate sustainability into the
hospitable and inviting environ- curriculum. Some proposed means
For this reason, the Pratt CM/ to do so are: to keep up with trends
ment for people and businesses.
FM department held a roundtable in sustainable issues, raise knowl-
event, called the “Greentable Dis- edge and understanding of green
While each of the proposals above cussion,” on the subject of specific certifications and methods and best
(and others in the Plan) address- educational and re-training needs practices, and also to encourage
es a particular issue, they are not in the field of Facilities Manage- and increase FM student enroll-
mutually exclusive. Plan success ment. On January 21, industry ment in PSPD electives.
requires that these initiatives work professionals and Pratt faculty
collectively to build an environment came together to discuss the skills The effort follows the growing trend
that is more conducive to pedestri- that today’s graduates will need to of “greening the curriculum” in
anism and successful business. be successful in the field. The goal various other educational institu-
of this event was to solicit expert tions as well as by the International
advice from both the public and Facilities Management Association
(IFMA), which accredits the FM
program.

Reviving Sacred Space: Preservation Students
Contribute to Restoration of LES Synagogue
by Michael Owen & Melissa Umberger, HP

T he Eldridge Street Synagogue,
constructed in 1887 on Eldrige
Street in Manhattan’s Lower East
Side, provided a compelling project
for Historic Preservation students
this year.

Over the past 20 years, the syna-
gogue has undergone a $20 mil-

Photo courtesy of Tara Kelly
lion restoration that replenished

Photo by Kate Milford
its splendor and intricate details.
It will culminate this fall with the
installation of a new stained glass
window designed by artist Kiki
Smith and Pratt Professor and
architect Deborah Gans. At left, the Eldrige Street Synagugue on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. At right, a
preliminary rendering of the Eldrige Street Synagugue’s new window design by
Originally designed by Peter and artist Kiki Smith and Pratt Professor and architect Deborah Gans.
Francis William Herter, the syna-
tory should be preserved? How women’s gallery, paint program,
gogue was one of the first con-
should the missing rose window stained glass and lighting. During
structed in the LES by Eastern
be replaced? Should it be re- the second half of the project, the
European Jews during the height
placed? students researched architectural
of immigration. Upon its comple-
influences, creative examples of
tion, the façade featured an amal-
In 2009, Amy Stein-Milford, Depu- adaptive reuse, and preservation
gamation of Moorish, Gothic and
ty Director of the museum, cre- projects that make use of green
Romanesque flourishes.
ated an opportunity for graduate technology.
By the mid 1930s, only a vestige
students to work collaboratively on
of this once thriving congregation
designing a new architecture tour The final aspect of the restora-
remained as Jewish immigrants
of the synagogue with the goal of tion was the treatment of the rose
relocated to the Upper West Side,
addresing the preservation issues window. Following a painstaking
the Bronx, and Queens. Addition-
that the synagogue has faced in its review process, the decision was
ally, a great rose window on the
past and to convey to the public made to commission a new window
east façade was lost and replaced
the motivations behind the deci- that would incorporate pre-existing
with glass brick sometime in the
sions that were ultimately made. imagery from the synagogue. The
1940s. By the mid 1950s, due
design by Kiki Smith and Deborah
to diminishing funds and rising
Tara Kelly, Project Director and Gans will reflect a new vision, one
maintenance costs, the congrega-
recent graduate of the Historic that suggests the museum’s move-
tion shut the doors to the main
Preservation program, worked ment forward, while demonstrat-
sanctuary and began to practice in
with HP students from Colum- ing its connection to its past. The
a small chapel at the lower level.
bia University, the University of museum is a center of learning for
Pennsylvania, and Pratt Institute, new generations of visitors and is
The recent renovations have left
including Michael Owen, Me- very much alive today as it was
the leadership of the Museum at
gan Ricks, Catherine Stutts, and when it opened its doors in 1887.
Eldridge Street with new challeng-
Melissa Umberger. This team has
es: How does a museum present
spent the past year researching The launch of the new architec-
a site to visitors while maintain-
and interpreting physical elements tural tour will coincide with the
ing a sense of the sacred for the
of the synagogue such as the fa- installation of the east window in
existing congregation? What
çade, streetscape, sacred elements, early fall 2010.
portions of the synagogue’s his-


COMMENTARY
Smaller but Stronger Cities
by Alan Mallach
for the foreseeable future. Detroit more like a region in miniature,
contains 40 square miles of vacant with nodes of high activity and ar-
land and 35,000 to 40,000 vacant eas of little or no population in be-
buildings. Almost half of the parcels tween. From a planning perspec-

Photo courtesy Alan Mallach
in Youngstown are vacant lots or tive, these cities’ land mass tends
abandoned buildings. These cities to divide into three types of area:
and their counterparts have large
areas where scattered occupied • The core is the heart of the eco-
houses sit amidst acres of vacant nomic city, the mixed-use area
land and gaping, empty houses. which contains the central func-
Many of the people who still live tions and most important eco-
in these houses are elderly hom- nomic assets of the city such as
I n the last couple of years, a ma-
jor change has taken place in
how planners have begun to think
eowners, trapped by their poverty
and by the reality that their house
universities and medical centers.

has, quite literally, no value. There • Neighborhood clusters are the
about the old industrial cities of
are eight census tracts in Buffalo – city’s predominately residential
the nation’s Rust Belt like Cleve-
where nearly 16,000 people lived in neighborhoods which still contain
land, Detroit or Youngstown. For
2000 – where not a single home pur- a relatively intact urban fabric and
one thing, we are paying them more
chase mortgage was made in 2007. enough market activity to sustain
attention; for another, we are start-
them as vital functioning communi-
ing to think about what long-term,
This is not the total story. These ties, or to restore them to that status.
sustained population and job loss
cities have universities like Case
really mean for a city, how to start
Western Reserve or Carnegie-Mel- • Residual spaces are the re-
making plans that reflect that real-
lon, medical centers like the Cleve- maining areas within the city’s
ity, and to ask whether a city can
land Clinic, historic neighborhoods, boundaries, the spaces between
be smaller and at the same time
world-famous art museums, beau- the city’s core and its neighbor-
stronger and more sustainable.
tiful lakes and rivers. They have hood clusters, which are no lon-
vital, thriving neighborhoods like ger sustainable as centers of either
There is no question that these cities
Allentown in Buffalo or Tremont population or economic activity.
are shrinking. Detroit has gone from
in Cleveland; they have many oth-
nearly 1.9 million people in 1950 to
er neighborhoods, though, where For the shrinking cities to find a
barely 750,000 today. Cleveland,
the fabric is fraying and the area sustainable future, they need to
Buffalo, Gary, St. Louis and many
is struggling against the forces of concentrate on using their assets
others have all lost over half of their
decline. Many of these neighbor- to build a new economy to replace
peak population. This is not a short-
hoods, like Buffalo’s West Side, the old industrial one, shoring up
term blip, but a long-term trend,
have dedicated citizens and organi- their still-vital neighborhoods, and
reflecting the triple whammy of the
zations like the West Side Commu- thinking about new ways of using
national migration to the Sunbelt,
nity Collaborative, who are fighting the residual land. In Detroit, Dayton
the suburbanization of our metro
to hold their ground and reclaim or Youngstown, that could be one-
areas, and the deindustrialization of
their community. Sadly, as the third or more of the city’s land area.
cities that were once manufacturing
foreclosure crisis and the recession What do you do with hundreds
powerhouses. In most cases, these
deepen, more such neighborhoods or thousands of acres of vacant
cities’ loss of jobs and population is
may be losing than gaining ground. land in a city that already has far
still going on, not leveling off. What
A city that rebuilds on the basis of more houses, stores, office build-
does this mean for these cities?
a far smaller population is likely ings and factories than it will need
to look very different from what it for decades to come? Some of the
They have huge amounts of vacant
looked like 60 or 80 years ago. In- most exciting thinking going on in
land and buildings for which no de-
stead of the traditional continu-
velopment use is likely to emerge
ous urban fabric, it is likely to look (Continued on next page)


(Continued from previous page) talk about shrinking streets, and stronger is a radically new planning
sewer and water lines, but a lot paradigm, a different way of look-
these cities focuses on that ques- harder to do in reality. Reconfigur- ing at planning in a country where
tion. Cleveland has started an ini- ing urban land is expensive. With we have traditionally assumed that
tiative called Re-Imagining a More thousands of derelict properties in planning was about growth and
Sustainable Cleveland – a part- need of demolition, and thousands where to put the houses, shop-
nership of city government, uni- of sites contaminated by decades of ping centers and highways that the
versities, CDCs, and foundations industrial use and urban pollution, growth machine demanded. For
which have come together to think simply cleaning up abandoned ar- people practicing planning today, or
creatively about the city’s vacant eas in Detroit or Buffalo may cost entering it over the next few years,
land. With funds from a local foun- hundreds of millions of dollars. the opportunity to engage with this
dation, the initiative recently gave Helping even a few dozen people issue is one of the most exciting
community groups 56 mini-grants to move into more stable, livable and meaningful challenges on offer.
to try different greening strategies neighborhoods could cost millions.
on vacant parcels around the city, No one knows where that money Alan Mallach, senior fellow of the National
from orchards and vineyards to is going to come from, just as – de- Housing Institute and the Brookings Insti-
phytoremediation and stormwater spite talk about the green economy tute, is the author of many works on hous-
management. In Detroit, people are and alternative energy sources – no ing and planning, including Bringing Build-
looking at how to jumpstart urban one really knows how these cities ings Back and Building a Better Urban
agriculture at a commercial scale. will be able to build new, sustain- Future: New Directions for Housing Policies
able economic engines to offer their in Weak Market Cities. He served as direc-
Planning is about people and re- residents decent jobs and incomes. tor of housing and economic development for
sources, though, not just about Trenton, N.J. from 1990 to 1999. He joins the
land uses. Cities are messy things. Nobody said it would be easy. The City & Regional Planning program to teach
As they shrink, they do so irregular- idea that a city can grow smaller but a course on “Shrinking Cities” this summer.
ly. People still live even in the most
devastated sections of these cities.
While some of them want to move, Planning and Preservation Students Visit Baltimore
others, like the woman in the last
house on an otherwise vacant block by Lauren Radin, HP
in Detroit who told a reporter “I re-
fuse to move unless the Lord says In March, Pratt’s City & Regional Planning
so,” want to stay put. The days of and Historic Preservation students visited Bal-
urban renewal, when government timore, a funky, historic and certainly one of a
simply told people to get out, are kind mid-Atlantic city. The student organiza-
Photo by Dorret on flickr

long gone. Cities will have to make tions chose this destination because changes
their case, and get their citizens on there over the last decade were of interest to
board. It can be done; between 2002 both programs. The thrust of development has
and 2005 Youngstown city officials, led to revitalization in urban planning, particu-
larly on the waterfront, but it has still managed
working with faculty and students
Perlman Street, Baltimore. to maintain its historical roots.
at Youngstown State, reached out
to thousands of local residents as
The visit began with a visit to Hampden, a John Waters-esque neighborhood known for its meat-
they put together a plan based on loaf, beehives and all things 50s. We then took a walk through a more desolate neighborhood,
the proposition that Youngstown which felt like a deserted downtown. The next day, we explores the neighborhood of Canton,
was a smaller city, and that it had which is currently undergoing revitalization different than the inner harbor. It is next to the wa-
to plan for that reality rather than terfront and has been able to maintain an industrial aesthetic of large warehouses with low den-
for its one-time growth aspirations. sity row houses surrounded by an Olmstead-designed park. The unpretentious character of the
neighborhood makes it attractive and it is easy to see how this could become the next victim of
Resources are another problem. gentrification.
Shrinking is fiscally painful. With
fewer taxpayers and taxpaying By the end of the trip, we all agreed that it is easy to see how the recent changes in Baltimore
properties, shrinking cities find came to fruition. With the advantage of being on the waterfront, developers chose to completely
themselves in an increasingly tight re-create the inner harbor area in the most hygienic and family-friendly way. As you go farther
fiscal bind, unable to provide decent inland, the tourist becomes scarce and abandoned buildings are abundant. Despite this, the city
services for their citizens, let alone has pockets of renowned architecture and thriving areas. It will be interesting to see how this city
invest in their future. It’s easy to fares in the future as its revitalization continues.


Pratt Takes it to the Streets
Atlantic Yards Ground Breaking Ceremony Protest

Photo by Ryan Cunningham
Photo by Gigi Salomon
At left, CRP student Janice Moynihan joins the protest with “Reverend Billy” Talen. At right, protestors hold signs depicting
Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, among others.

by Ryan Cunningham, CRP cluding protestors who gathered and affordable housing in the
that day, as well as over 50 civic project through community

On March 11, stallingwoes,to
eral years of
after sev-

lawsuits and economic
due
groups, more then 7,000 peti-
tion signers, and 4,000 regular
housing group ACORN are no
longer considered “valid” under
donors to Develop Don’t De- the contract because ACORN
developer Bruce Ratner broke stroy Brooklyn, an organization no longer exists. Third and
ground on his $4.9 billion formed to oppose the develop- perhaps most important is the
Atlantic Yards development in ment. use of government funding in
Prospect Heights. If fully built, the project for the purposes of
the new development will in- The general sentiment was best generating highly profitable rev-
clude 19 residential towers, as expressed by the chants over- enues for the city’s wealthiest
well as an arena (currently set heard at the protest: “Shame while displacing and destroying
to open in 2012) that will house on you! Shame on you!” uttered an existing community. We see
the Brooklyn Nets NBA team. to the passing dark Cadillacs, this happening all over NYC, so
Ratner has employed the power BMWs, and Mercedes. That this comes as no surprise, but
of eminent domain to take prop- sentiment captures the frustra- ultimately that doesn’t make it
erty from neighborhood resi- tion and anger with this proj- right.
dents and businesses for the ect, due to three main issues:
development. First, eminent domain, used to The protestors that were preset-
take (or steal) peoples’ homes nt aren’t against progress and
I joined a group of neighbor- against their will, is normally development. However they are
hood residents activists, and only applied for developments against the destroying of com-
other Pratt students, to peace- that provide public uses and munities, the seizing of homes,
fully protest the groundbreak- needs, not so that the govern- and the blatant ignoring of the
ing ceremony for the “Soul of ment may take privateland and residents whose lives are being
Brooklyn.” give it to a private developer for turned upside. Protestors would
his/her own benefit. Second, welcome development, if it took
There are several factors that the promises that the developer into account their thoughts,
have united the opposition, in- made to provide low income feelings, desires and needs.


Eavesdropping on a Conversation with
CLUI Director Matthew Coolidge
can have access to it. Categories
to search under include: trans-
portation, water, cultural, in-
dustrial, mining, waste, military,
nuclear and R&D (or one can
search by state or keyword).

Coolidge spoke about specific
genres of sights including; mili-
tary training grounds, automo-

Photo courtesy Matthew Coolidge
bile test tracks, sunken villages,
erosion, lines of site, and a proj-
ect being done on our very own
Hudson River (to name a few). In
“Up River: Points of Interest on
the Hudson from the Battery to
Troy,” the cultures that reside
Matthew Coolidge and the CUI travel the country in search of “unusual and exem-
along the river are examined
plary land use conditions.” (this work was also published
in a book entitled Upriver). The
by Marin Schloss, CRP to find “unusual and exemplary Hudson is rich in history, from
land use conditions.” its early transportation uses and

M atthew Coolidge, the found-
er and director of the Cen-
ter for Land Use Interpretation
CLUI looks at land by character-
artistic inspiration through to-
day’s more modern and changing
istics such as use, nodal point, uses. He pointed out the quar-
(CLUI), has a passion for his zone and theme. An example is ried mountains along the river
work that captivates a room. I the Gulf Coast and its oil cul- that, from one side, seem per-
was lucky enough to be one of ture. CLUI’s research is often fectly whole, yet when seen from
the “chosen few,” in this case 1 compiled into photo exhibits, on the other are gutted and barren
of 12 students who were in- display at their base in Culver
vited to sit in on an interview for City, California, and a variety Photographs by CLUI relay im-
BOMB magazine while Debora of mobile units. They put to- ages of our country; from un-
Gans, architect and Pratt profes- gether educational bus tours, touched to completely abused
sor, interviewed Mr. Coolidge. for “hands on proximity,” of our sites, everything is laid bare and
BOMB magazine, a quarterly nation’s deserts, waterways, and is used as a vehicle for thought.
publication that cuts out the cities, and other unusual spots The images allow us to look at
middle man and publishes such as the Los Angeles garbage our own country, and see how
“conversations” between visual dump. Coolidge noted that the we have choosen to develope
artists, writers, composers, di- tours to the dump fill up very our land. CLUI’s projects and
rectors and architects (and other quickly, which he attributes to imagery are objective, and by no
creative professionals), recorded the, “human psyche’s Freudian- means do they wish to direct or
this interview that will be avail- esque attraction to its waste persuade thoughts- just facilitate
able for all to hear (on their products.” He commented that and encourage them.
website) and read. Their interest people don’t usually think about
in CLUI is understandable - the boring places, thus the reason Thank you to Matthew Coolidge
organization does fascinating they’re boring, until we actually and the Center for Land Use
work. Matthew and his team use explore them. The research done Interpretation, BOMB magazine
the United States as their play- at CLUI is stored in a database and Deborah Gans.
ground, navigating the country on their website so the public


Class Notes
JOAN BYRON of the Pratt Center SIGNE NIELSEN, a professor at RON SHIFFMAN,
received the 2009 Civic Lead- Pratt and one of the founding a board member
ership award from the Rudin principles at Matthews Nielsen to the Center
Center for Transportation Policy. Landscape Architecture firm, for Living Cities,
Mrs. Byron recently spoke on was recently named part of the has an essay,
a panel at Wagner: NYU called, West 8 team for the recently entitled “Beyond
“State of the City 2010: Trans- commissioned Governors Island Green Jobs to
portation Access for the Under- Master Pan. The City and the Green Economic
served and Underrepresented.” State together released the Gov- Development
This year’s State of the City ernors Island Park and Public and Qualitative
event brought many different Space Master Plan, a compre- Sustainable Development: Seek-
voices to the table from City of- hensive design for 87 acres of ing a New Paradigm,” in What We
ficials, agencies and advocacy open green space, rejuvenating See: Advancing the Observations
groups to highlight transporta- existing landscapes in the Na- of Jane Jacobs, a recently pub-
tion access issues facing the un- tional Historic District, trans- lished collection of original essays
derserved and underrepresented forming the southern half of by leading thinkers that honors
in New York City. the island, and creating a 2.2 the late Jane Jacobs. The book
mile Great Promenade along the is a timely reflection of renowned
waterfront. Matthews Nielsen urbanist-activist Jane Jacobs
GITA NANDAN principle of expect to begin the next phase life’s work. Ron was also quoted
thread collective along with part- of their design work in mid- in the New York Times article
ner Elliott Maltby- Recently won summer. In addition, Matthews “Despite Much Rezoning, Scant
the prestigious New York State Nielsen’s proposals for Hunts Change in Residential Capac-
Council for the Arts, Architecture Point Landing and West Point ity” by Kareem Fahim published
Planning + Design award. The Foundry Preserve have been se- on March 21, 2010. In addition,
NYSCA funding will support the lected as “pilots” to test the Sus- Professor Shiffman participated
realization of a master plan and tainable Sites Initiative, ASLA’s in the Residential, Commer-
schematic designs for the Added answer to LEED for site design. cial, Institutional and Industrial
Value farm and construction of Signe was also a panelist on Buildings sector Technical Work
the Red Hook Center for Sus- the April 18th “On the Water’s Group for the Climate Action Plan
tainability and Culture. Edge: NYC Waterfront” at the process for New York City. Please
ASLA. On April 27th Signe was visit the website at www.nycli-
on a panel for the official release matechange.us for additional in-
Graphic courtesy of thread collective

[plants]
of the Sustainable Site Design formation. On May 6th Shiffman
Manual and discuss its relevance will be the Keynote speaker for
+
+

[five borough farm] + +
to the Green Codes Initiative of the Salzburg Congress on Urban
+ +
+
the Mayor’s Office of Sustainable Planning and Development in
[people] [added value] +
+ +
Design. She will also be speak- Austria, lecturing on “Beyond the
+ +
+
ing on another panel on May 3 Urban Myth of the Post-Industrial
+
+

[places]
called, “Architecture, Art and City.”
+
Landscape,” discussing whether
lines are blurring among these Faculty, Students and
disciplines (to be held at the AIA Alumni: Please stay in touch,
Center for Architecture). and tell us what you’re doing
these days! E-mail anything
and everything to Lacey Tauber
at: ltauber@pratt.edu


SPOTLIGHT Award
Kate Zidar Recipients
PLANNING CONVOCATION AWARDS DEPARTMENTAL PLANNING AWARDS

American Institute of Certified Community-Planning Award:
Planners Outstanding Student ALLISON RICHARDS
Award: ELLYSON GOETZ
Commitment to Environment
American Planning Association Planning Award:
Metro Chapter Outstanding NATASHA DWYER
Student Award:
ANUSHA VENKATARAMAN CRP First-Year Outstanding
Student Award:
Commitment to the Profession ALEXIS ROURK
Award: ALISON SCHNEIDER WILLIAM CABRESE
An EMS professor who started the TOKUNBO ANIFALAJE
North Brooklyn Compost Project, Outstanding Merit Award:
which is now in its 6th year, has tak- MOLLY SLEVIN EMS First-Year Outstanding
en on a very large project: NYC’s com- Student Award:
bined sewer overflows (CSOs). Kate
Excellence in Academic TYLER CARUSO
Zidar helped to develop Minds in the
Gutter, an open design call for sub- Achievement Award:
missions of ideas for managing storm- JAMES CARRINGTON HP First-Year Outstanding
water runoff from NYC roadways and Student Award:
sidewalks. The project explored what ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS SEAN MICHAEL CONWAY
agencies and individuals are thinking MANAGEMENT CONVOCATION
about and working on with regards AWARDS HISTORIC PRESERVATION
to better managing urban runoff. The
first viewing of the Minds in the Gut- Outstanding Merit Award: CONVOCATION AWARDS
ter designs took place on Earth Day at DIANA HARARI CHEREM Outstanding Merit Award:
the Museum of the City of New York. MELISSA A. UMBERGER
Deborah Marton, Executive Director Excellence in Academic
of the Design Trust for Public Space, Achievement Award:
moderated a panel discussion about Excellence in Academic
MEGAN HOUSTON Achievement Award:
the submissions, featuring some of
the competition’s jurors, exhibiting MEGAN E. RICKS
designers and representatives of the
S.W.I.M. Coalition. At Pratt this sum-
mer, Kate is teaching a Design/Build Pratt Green Week 2010
course that will be a direct follow-up
Sustainable Pratt hosted a series of exhibitions,
to the Minds in the Gutter exhibit.
Students will work with Kate to review
films, forums, and lectures as part of its fourth an-
the winning designs, research loca- nual Green Week from March 29 to April 3, 2010.
tions for implementation, and work All Green Week events took place on the Brooklyn
through the regulatory and permitting Campus and were free and open to the public. For
processes to get the designs in the the complete Green Week 2010 schedule, please
ground. Professor Zidar is also lead- visit www.sustainablepratt.org. Sustainable Pratt
ing the site selection on a US Forest is an organization of Pratt’s faculty, administra-
Service grant with Newtown Creek Al- tion, and student body that works to integrate
liance, Riverkeeper and Gaia Institute sustainability into the Institute’s curricula, opera-
to locate a green infrastructure capi- tions, and programs. Sustainable Pratt and Green
tal project within the Newtown Creek Week 2010 are co-chaired by Interior Design Pro-
drainage area. fessors Carol Crawford and Tetsu Ohara.


Attention Alumni!
Thesis Library The Pratt Planning Alumni Mailing List
The City and Regional Planning
Association is Revived! The Pratt Institute Planning Stu-
Program is transferring all alumni dent Association (PIPSA) is put-
theses to the Pratt Library, and Under the leadership of two ting together an active directory of
many are missing! If you still have alumni, Alison Cordero and all PSPD graduates.
a copy, please send it and a one- Nancy Campbell, the associa-
paragraph summary to: tion kick started its membership If you’re an alum, please send
drive at the department’s 50th your name and e-mail address to:
electronic (preferred): Anniversary party on May 14. info@prattplanning.org
ltauber@pratt.edu The role of the association will be
tri-fold. The first is to strengthen If you know an alum, please do us
via mail: Pratt Planning and PSPD net- the favor of forwarding this news-
Lacey Tauber works through the generations. letter to your friend or colleague.
Assistant to the Chair The second is to work with the There are presently e-mail records
PSPD, Pratt Institute Pratt Institute Planning Student for only 10% of our alumni!
200 Willoughby Avenue Association (PIPSA) to connect
Brooklyn, New York 11205 current and past students to job
and internship opportunities as
We are creating two collections of well as mentorship. The third
theses. Paper copies will be pro- is to raise funds for the program
duced, bound and available at the to recruit and support students
Pratt Library. Electronic copies of all backgrounds – economic,
will be available at the PSPD of- geographic, ethnic, and racial. To
fices: Higgins Hall, 61 St. James get involved with the Alumni As-
Place (Room 206). sociation or to receive updates on
its activities, please e-mail: Planning and Development
prattplanningalum@gmail.com Pratt Institute
Mentorship Program 200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
Have you considered becoming a Donations most welcome.
mentor in your field? Feel free to indicate how you www.pratt.edu
would like the money spent:
The Pratt Career Services office Eric Allison
maintains an online mentorship 1. General use. Historic Preservation
system that students and alumni 2. Paid interns at the Pratt eallison@pratt.edu
can use to get in touch about Center for Community
career-related questions and op- Harriet Markis
Development, The Municipal
portunities.
Art Society, the New York In- Facilities Management
Don’t think you have the time? dustrial Retention Network, hmarkis@pratt.edu
The program offers flexible levels and other civic and commu-
of involvement. You can determine nity organizations. John Shapiro, Chair
the number of contacts you want City and Regional Planning
3. For $20, order a copy of In-
per month or even advise solely johnshapiro@pratt.edu
tractable Democracy, cel-
via email. Plus, you can opt out of
the system when you need to and ebrating 50 years of Pratt
Jaime Stein
then return later. planning.
Environmental Policy
Make checks payable to Pratt and Sustainability
To register, go to:
Institute with GCPE in subject. jstein9@pratt.edu
myinterfase.com/pratt/mentor
Newsletter design, editing and reporting by Tyler Caruso


Pspd newsletter spring_2010

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