History & Precedents

New York and the surrounding regions historically began as Dutch settlements. The inspiration for this project is based on Dutch methods of ecological engineering, as well as balancing architecture, infrastructure, power, and green space.
The Dutch polder - a method of utilizing low-lying land through planning and infrastructure - takes on a new urban form where valuable land utilized as 9th street is converted to community green space with a focus on community and sustainability.

Closing 9th Street to Vehicles

In contrast to previous planning ideas, and with so many available streets for vehicular traffic, this proposal seeks to eliminate cars and trucks completely from 9th street, and return the space to the community. Alternate routes can be provided for vehicles to use parallel to 9th street.

Precedents for closing streets to vehicular traffic can be found in several locations: The “Summer Streets” of New York, the European riverside promenade of “Paris Plages”, as well as the current proposal to close Market Street to vehicles in the City of San Francisco.

Organizational Principles

The planning retains existing road widths and proportions in the longitudinal direction of 9th street for municipal elements and pedestrian circulation, and extends lot lines in the crosswise direction for community elements. The grid that results from these site specific lines can then be utilized as an urban landscape grid, capable of accommodating a variety of green, ecological and community-based functions.

Biological Infrastructure

Infrastructure has, typically, referred to man-made, non-organic structures and resources controlled and maintained by municipal authorities. In this proposal, the focus is to create biological infrastructure: bosques, allées, meadows, gardens, local agriculture, aquifers and swales which are maintained by the city in the longitudinal direction of 9th street.

Power and Water

As part of the visual identity of the Park Slope community and as an attempt to create a self-sufficient power network, wind turbines are installed along the length of 9th street.

Water is allowed to run to the center of the street where it is collected in a swale, remediated and stored in urban aquifers and in water towers. Community waste water is processed in a living machine which utilizes biological filtration to purify black water and gray water.

Community Participation

Gardens, plots of land, pedestrian friendly streets, parks for relaxation and enjoyment, and areas for public expression and participation are all part of the elements in the proposal. In addition, the width of the street provides the approximate distance to accommodate a soccer and sports field.

Agriculture, People and Animals

Small agricultural plots are provided for community food production and can provide seasonal, local produce for the residents in the community for a small operating fee to be paid as a tax.

Animals, both wild and domesticated are allowed to return to the urban environment, both as a symbolic gesture and as a means of civilizing and creating humane spaces for people to co-exist with nature. Among these proposals are the deer park, the aviary, and a zoological garden.