Preservationists say that there are better ways to use buildings along Brooklyn's industrial waterfront than to demolish them.
"'Demolition is incredibly wasteful,' [Lisa Kersavage, the director of advocacy and policy at the Municipal Art Society] said. 'In New York City, 60 percent of our waste stream is demolition and construction debris which is significantly higher than the rest of the country, and we have to ship our demolition debris to other mid-Atlantic states.'
Andrew H. Kimball, the president and chief executive of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, talked about job creation in the 300-acre Navy Yard between the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, which at its peak employed some 70,000 workers. In the last seven years, 2,000 jobs have been created in the former navy complex - where ships like the Maine, the Missouri and the Arizona were built – is now home to artists and furniture makers, entertainment companies, green and light manufacturing companies."
"Industrial jobs pay 25 to 30 percent more than service sector jobs. 'This stabilizes our community,' he said. 'Obviously we've got to continue to not rely as much as we do today on Wall Street.'"
FULL STORY: Preserving New York’s Industrial Past
Former Brooklyn Sugar Refinery Reopens as All-Electric Office Tower
A historic building was reimagined as a 15-story office tower powered by renewable energy.
Bitter Irony Behind Brooklyn’s Sweet Domino Sugar Sign
A new feature on the Brooklyn waterfront is a reminder that Domino Sugar has made several unsavory appearances in the history of Puerto Rican communities.
Field Operations-Designed Domino Park In Brooklyn Reviewed
The long-anticipated Domino Park, located in front of the former Domino Sugar refinery on the East River in Brooklyn, was designed by James Corner Field Operations (JFCO).
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research