Times Square belongs to the tourists. How can we remodel this space so that it is a better experience for the locals, as well as a cleaner experience for the visitors? This must be studied in several scales - streetwise, it still must retain the current appearance of neon lights layered over itself. Individually, the pedestrians are constantly avoiding other people and taxis. What can be done in order to help this situation, not only during New Years, but any time of the year?
Can you even imagine how different it would look with the park in between the buildings?! Would Times Square lose its "charm" with such a drastic change? You would almost need to study the sociology of the locals vs. the tourists in order to know how successful this could be.
If someone lives close to Times Square, they should embrace the grittiness of it.
ReplyDeleteSomething drew your sister there in the first place... She can keep Manhattan maps handy for visitors and mark where her apartment is - when they come, they get a map and a "have fun/be safe" message from her.
Love your sketches - very fun!
haha...locals with never embrace times square, but it's an interesting design challenge. I spent a NYE in times square back in college and I would not recommend it!
ReplyDeleteFun conceptual ideas....Are there architects/projects that you like or are interested in that do these kinds of large scale urban restructurings that you think are successful....and why? [Yes, I ask the hard questions and push....I know you expected that :)]
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm not sure there is a specific city that I think has successfully restructured, but the city that comes to mind when I think of a complete restructuring is Taipei, Taiwan. Some would argue, though, that Taiwan was not successful because of the fact that it has become OVERbuilt. I do like urban studies, but I would rather study something more nearby so that I could have firsthand experience with the spaces. There's only so much you can do with map reading and photo watching. I feel that walking through spaces is most important research of urban studies, and it is not done enough.
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