Van Alen Institute and Urban Design Forum Expand COVID-19 Response Initiative ‘Neighborhoods Now.’

 

 

 

Guidelines: NYC Parks Department Requirements on Gatherings. Images courtesy Van Alen Institute and Urban Design Forum

The Urban Design Forum and Van Alen Institute today announced the expansion of Neighborhoods Now, a COVID-19 response initiative that connects New York City’s hard-hit neighborhoods with coalitions of architects, designers, engineers, lawyers, and planners providing pro bono expertise. From February to June 2021, Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE)and Think!Chinatown, Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association, and Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc) will lead community working groups in Chinatown, the East Village and Lower East Side, and the South Bronx. Each group aims to convert underutilized outdoor spaces as sites for local programming and cultural revitalization. The Forum and Van Alen have granted each community partner $10,000 to implement these strategies, and will provide additional fundraising support as funds become available. Since April 2020, initiative has assisted more than 100 restaurants, small businesses, and cultural organizations.

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Union Square Partnership unveils 14th Street District Vision Plan 2021

 

 

Rendering via Union Square Partnership with design partner, Marvel. 14th Street, Looking West

Union Square Partnership kicked-off 2021 with a transformative plan for the Union Square-14th Street area, concentrating on five key improvements with a focus on accessibility, district-wide connectivity, and substantial increases in public open space.

Save the date, Tuesday, January 26th for the virtual launch event. Let’s take a look at a few of the renderings.

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‘Care for Hudson Square’ Unveils Winning Design by WIP Collaborative!

 

 

 

WIP Collaborative’s Restorative Ground proposal for King Street in Hudson Square. Image Credit: WIP Collaborative and Urban Design Forum

Care for Hudson Square is a recovery initiative aimed at reinvigorating the Hudson Square neighborhood. Small and M/WBE design firms were invited to submit proposals for an interactive street installation that would help reactivate the public realm. The Urban Design Forum, Hudson Square Properties, and Hudson Square Business Improvement District announced the winner of their “Care for Hudson Square” design competition in September 2020 ~ WIP Collaborative.

Now, in July of 2021, the Hudson Square winning design project has been unveiled, with the restorative ground streetscape completed.

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