Lower East Side and Sustainable City Principles

Abstract

This chapter aims to determine the extent that the planning of the Lower East Side (LES) neighborhood addresses Sustainable City Principles (SCPs). The LES is one of three selected case study Manhattan neighborhoods (of nine studied neighborhoods over three New York boroughs). The chapter firstly provides a historical background to the LES, including results of an on-ground author survey of the neighborhood. Three key Sustainable City Principles (SCPs) (as adopted in Chap. 2) are then introduced, including: Heritage Protection; Housing Provision: and, Open Spaces Allocation. Current development in the LES is then examined using the three SCPs as a guide The LES neighborhood needs and issues are also examined (under the three SCPs). This examination is centered on the annual profile report completed by the Manhattan Community Board 3 (containing the LES) for the City Council. A LES case study redevelopment project (e.g. Seward Park Urban Redevelopment Area) (SPURA) is then selected. The SCPs are addressed for this case study and conclusions drawn. Finally, an overall conclusion is drawn on the extent that the planning of the LES addresses the SCPs. With this conclusion, it’s noted that comments are made in the final chapter (after examining all neighborhoods) on the extent neighborhood planning in New York addresses SCPs. It’s also noted that the final chapter will comment on neighborhood planning addressing SCPs in any city or urban area (chapter also references futurists and planning theorists as introduced respectively in Chaps. 1 and 2).