by: Jessica Sheridan Assoc. AIA LEED AP
It’s tough to compress a year full of architectural events, discussions, projects, and exhibitions into a brief commentary, but two major themes permeated 2007 for me: sustainability and big development.
Aided by Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030, “green” spread beyond simply architectural discussions. Currently, task forces are gathering data on each “key dimension” — land, water, transportation, energy, air, and climate change. In addition, the U.S. Green Building Council expanded its LEED certification program; all city-funded projects now have LEED requirements; the NYC Building Codes were overhauled and now include more sustainable provisions; the NYC Green Schools Guide was implemented to provide a point system for schools when going green. And now, President Bush has signed a law to dramatically reduce U.S. energy consumption over the next 25 years (see Around the AIA + Center for Architecture).
On the other hand, Robert Moses made a big comeback this year with the three-part exhibition, Robert Moses and the Modern City at the Museum of the City of New York, Queens Museum of Art, and Columbia University, and the release of Robert Moses and the Modern City: The Transformation of New York (W.W. Norton), co-edited by Hilary Ballon, the exhibitions’ curator, and Kenneth T. Jackson. Arguing that Moses is more a product of his time rather than a self-serving, inconsiderate developer, Moses supporters came out of the woodwork, daring perhaps for the first time since the 1960s, to criticize Jane Jacobs (see “Balancing Great American Cities: Its Form AND Content,” by Gregory Haley in the 03.20.07 issue of e-Oculus). Of course, Jacobians did not take the criticism sitting down. In retaliation, the Municipal Art Society hosted the Jane Jacobs and the Future of New York exhibition at the Urban Center alongside the “Can One Woman (Still) Make a Difference?” lecture series (N.B.: their answer is yes).
Looking forward to 2008, revitalizing the Moses/Jacobs debate may prove useful — or instigate future conflict — as large-scale development permeates the cityscape. Atlantic Yards and Ground Zero are pressing forward. Manhattanville and the West Side Rail Yards are beginning to gain momentum. The Yankees and Mets will get new stadiums. A finalist was chosen to develop the first phase of Governors Island (See this issue’s “Rhetorically Speaking: Island Hopping“). The first leg of the High Line is slated to open this summer. Who knows what will happen to Astroland Park at Coney Island? Not to worry, though, as all of the developments incorporate green design in accordance with PlaNYC 2030.
As someone who admires Jane Jacobs, and those whom she influenced, I hope 2008 will see an end to partnerships between one large developer and their one, large architecture firm. Examples of many firms teaming up in conglomerates, such as New Housing New York (Phipps Rose Dattner Grimshaw) and Governors Island (West 8/Rogers Marvel Architects/Diller Scofidio + Renfro/Quennell Rothschild and Partners/SMWM), make me optimistic that humanity is possible at these large sites. But knowing how influential big money is in this city, I remain reserved.