The Bushwick Community Plan process is being lead by the members of the community, but has still provoked controversy over issues of gentrification and displacement.
"After almost four years at the task, the Bushwick steering committee for rezoning and its supporters are preparing a framework plan to be debuted this September while facing protests from activists concerned about displacement and unaffordable housing in predominantly low-income communities," reports Sadef Ali Kully.
The Bushwick steering committee is working with technical assistance from the Department of City Planning, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Department of Buildings to craft the Bushwick Community Plan.
Among the ideas included in the plan in its current state: downzoning on side streets, new density on transit corridors, and new density on specific main streets in the neighborhood.
"If the proposal garners the support of the local Council members and de Blasio administration, then it will begin moving through the environmental review process and the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) through which rezonings are approved, amended or rejected," according to Kully.
FULL STORY: Bushwick Plan’s Unveiling Nears Amid Tension Over Possible Rezoning
Zoning Changes Stay Controversial in Brooklyn Neighborhood
Despite a rare level of community participation in a neighborhood planning project in Bushwick, a recently proposed draft neighborhood plan was met with criticism in an initial public hearing earlier this week.
Opinion: It's Time to Rezone Gowanus
As the New York City Council considers a controversial plan for the Gowanus neighborhood in Brooklyn, Moses Gates calls on the city to pass "one of the best and most inclusive community planning processes in recent times."
Planning via Zoom: Legal Scrutiny for Pandemic Realities in New York City
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Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
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Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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