In this new video by WIRED, Gregg Pasquarelli of SHoP Architects and Vishaan Chakrabarti of Partnership for Architecture and Urbanism discuss the biggest changes that they would make to New York City. Covering everything from public green space to transit infrastructure, the two speak at length on the Big Apple’s planning and how it compares to other massive metropolitan cities around the world. Major changes they suggest include the separation of Central Park into two large strips, for example “West Side” and “East Side” Park, with industrial areas on the outside edge and residential/commercial areas located between them.
“Gramercy Park and Washington Square Park – these are tiny little pocket parks,” says Pasquarelli, “If I was the Master Planner in 1780, I’m not sure I would’ve had a single, central park.”
Other radical moves include the outlawing of public vehicles, citing their use of up to 40% of street space that could be better allocated, and the moving of Madison Square Garden to create a more accommodating Penn Station.
“New York City’s biggest mistake was the demolition of Penn Station,” says Chakrabarti, “Not only because we lost a beautiful, beautiful train station, but because it was really the beginning of our disinvestment in infrastructure.”
See the full video, along with another one on NYC’s infrastructure here.
