New York

The Science, and Art, of Navigating a Crowded Sidewalk
Like a school of fish navigating the ocean depths or a mass migration of wildebeests, pedestrians follow fundamental laws of swarm behavior when making their way through crowded sidewalks. Alexandra Horowitz explains the laws of the herd.
Brooklyn to Apply Lipstick to Elevated Expressway Pig
Nicole Anderson discusses plans to create a "funderpass" to "ameliorate the awkward neighborhood divisions caused by the BQE." Are a catchy name and new amenities enough to mend the tear in the city fabric caused by the elevated expressway?
Apps for Hailing Cabs Cause Controversy in NYC
NYC's Taxi and Limousine Commission approved a pilot program for apps that will allow users to request a yellow taxi ride on their smartphones rather than having to “raise [their] arms toward oncoming traffic” the old-fashioned way.
Even 'Starchitects' Need a Good Pitch to Win
'Starchitects' compete for prime real estate in New York City, and selling their stuff isn’t as easy as one might think. See four famous architects in action as they pitch designs for a new office tower on Park Avenue.
History of Urban Activism Told in New York's East Village
The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space opened Saturday on Avenue C near 10th Street. It's a tribute to the East Village's history of activism from the 1988 Tompkins Square Park riots to recent conflicts over community gardens, squats, and bicycle use.
NYC Rezoning Threatens Historic Buildings
New York's Municipal Arts Society has released a list of 17 historic buildings it believes are threatened by the Bloomberg administration's plans to re-zone a significant portion of the area surrounding Grand Central Terminal.
Screened Subway Platforms Ruled-Out for NYC
The front page photo, "Doomed" on the New York Post on Dec. 4 of pushed subway rider, Ki Suk Han attempting to lift himself from the tracks as a train approaches has captivated many - yet a proposal to prevent it from repeating it is doomed as well.
How New York Failed Its Neediest After Sandy
In an expose that many have been clamoring for since the days immediately following Sandy when stories of people stranded in NYC's public housing came to light, the Times explores how NYCHA and the city were unprepared for the storm's aftermath.

NYC Bike-Share Gets Delayed Again
On Friday, New York City announced yet another postponement for the launch of its long-awaited bike-share program. While faulty software was reportedly the cause for the initial delay, Superstorm Sandy can be blamed for the most recent problems.
One of New York's Most Important Landmarks Plots its Own Destruction
A new column by eminent critic Ada Louise Huxtable is cause enough to pay attention. When the topic is a controversial plan to irreparably alter one of NY's most important landmarks - the New York Public Library - it's your duty to read on.
Invest in Public Transit to Slow Climate Change
Reflecting on the significance and impact of Superstorm Sandy, Bill McKibben and Lawrence J. Hanley propose a 3-step process focused on mass transit that America should pursue to promote community development, public health and the environment.
Bloomberg Backs Beachfront Rebuild
In a speech Thursday, Mayor Bloomberg laid out his strategy for rebuilding a stronger, smarter New York in anticipation of future natural disasters.
Sand Dunes Prove Their Worth Along the NY Shore
Surfers, local businesses and residents alike rallied against kicking in $7 million for an Army Corps of Engineers plan to elevate beaches and erect sand dunes in Long Beach, NY six years ago. Post-Hurricane Sandy, most regret this choice.
NYC's Real Estate Market Continues to Feel Sandy's Effects
Alexei Barrionuevo looks at how New York's real estate market has been impacted by the severe blackouts and flood damage from Hurricane Sandy. How long will the market for certain areas continue to feel Sandy's effects?
Re-imagining the Fiscal Architecture of Our Cities
For Michael A. Pagano, local municipalities went awry in designing fiscal systems during the 20th century by fabricating what he refers to as “a crazy quilt of local revenue.” He proposes some possibilities for getting cities back on track.
NYC Mayor: Bring Payphones Into the 21st Century
With 11,000 payphones scattered across New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is asking techies to design a payphone that will meet modern communication needs.
Millennials: They Came, They Saw... They Stayed?
According to Haya El Nasser, cities across America have succeeded in attracting young professionals for over a decade. “They came, they played, they stayed,” she writes. But, she asks, will these Millennials stick around as they age and have kids?

World's Tallest "Lego" Tower to Rise in Brooklyn
An agreement between Forest City Ratner and NYC's labor unions has cleared the way for the construction of Atlantic Yards's next phase. The 32-story prefabricated apartment building will be the tallest of its kind in the world, reports Matt Chaban.

How Robert Moses Put NYC's Poor in Sandy's Path
Recently a destination for luxury development, New York's waterfront has historically been home to the city's poor. When Sandy inundated these vulnerable populations, it "looked like a perverse stroke of urban planning," writes Jonathan Mahler.
Mini-City Breaks Ground in New York
Today in New York City, developers and public officials broke ground on the $15 billion Hudson Yards redevelopment project. Jason Sheftell reports on the milestone day and includes some stunning renderings of the project's components.
Pagination
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.
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