Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates’ Post

It usually takes no more than about ten minutes into any conversation for me to bring up Robert Moses (the subject of Robert Caro's seminal biography "The Power Broker"). I'm that obsessed, and it's been six years since I read it. (If you know the book, you probably get my obsession.) Moses's career is a fascinating case study in amassing, consolidating, and wielding power. Unfortunately he did much more harm than good--arguably, he dealt a blow to not just NYC but to all American cities, arresting an urbanization that might have blunted white Americans' most racist tendencies and forestalled the climate crisis. So it's really lovely to read about the work of Rosa Chang, something of an anti-Moses, and her visionary work, in yesterday's New York Times. I got to meet Rosa a few months ago through our kids' high school. She took a few of us on the most amazing walking tour of the somewhat blighted area near the school, just on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, where she envisions NYC's next great public space, Gotham Park. It's an immense and comprehensive plan, and Rosa is just one person. Yet, thanks to her vision and persistence, she really might succeed in her quest to make Gotham Park happen. It's an excellent article (link below), and I hope you read and are inspired by it. But I think the article misses an important aspect of Rosa's success: she's been able to work at a systems level; really, at an even higher "system of systems" level, seeing how to *connect* disparate NYC bureaucracies, like the Department of Transportation, the NYPD, the Parks Department, and our fractious elected officials. This is truly a Robert Moses-level superpower--only she's exercising it in for public good. Makes the New Yorker both proud and hopeful. Might be of interest if you're into #ServiceDesign, #SystemsThinking, #InformationArchitecture, #PolicyDesign, or other systems-level sorcery...

Join RDG’s Charlie Cowell, AICP, Scotney Fenton and Michelle Sacco Cunliffe as they present an introduction to historic guidelines at the Preserve Iowa Summit on June 7. Historic design guidelines ensure that the quality and integrity of neighborhoods and downtown districts are not lost. Whether for residential neighborhoods or commercial districts, historic design guidelines can be a useful tool for educating residents or can be used as a "how-to" guide for historic preservation commissions. Further action includes these guidelines in the regulatory standards for city staff and planning commissions. https://ow.ly/ETM950RPktj

Discover the power of public space as a solution! Reimagining the Civic Commons recently showcased how Lexington's public spaces, including the Gresham Smith-designed Town Branch Commons and Charles Young Park's SPLASH!, can play a pivotal role in addressing a city's social, economic and environmental challenges. Read the full article on Medium that details four key lessons from Lexington's approach to thoughtful and sustained investments in public spaces:

More housing now.

The planning skill set is useful in leading communities too

Mixed-Use Zoning ++ better planning policy and codes >> "Through mixed-use zoning, the creation of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and better public transport, we can improve the lives of young people. Envision a new norm for American children, where they can more easily create friendships and interact with the broader world. With our lives becoming increasingly entrenched in the virtual world, it’s more important than ever that we create neighborhoods that make connecting with people in the physical world easy." learn more at https://lnkd.in/etMsRzrQ

In New York City, four iron monkeys, once part of the decor at Riverside Park's Ten Mile River Playground, have been removed to a storage yard on Randall’s Island, a stone's throw from where Robert Moses, the influential yet contentious parks commissioner, once wielded his power. This action followed the resurgence of interest in a segment of Robert Caro’s 1974 biography "The Power Broker," which scrutinizes Moses' urban planning decisions, suggesting the monkeys were a racist affront to the predominantly Black neighborhood. The book accuses Moses of implementing urban planning strategies that discreetly marginalized African American and Puerto Rican communities, including the allegation that he designed low overpasses on the Southern State Parkway to restrict these communities' access via bus to suburban amenities and beaches like Jones Beach. The controversy surrounding the iron monkeys and Moses' broader legacy highlights a complex debate about urban planning's role in shaping racial and social landscapes. However, the article challenges the straightforward interpretation of the monkeys as a symbol of racism. It points out that similar decorations are found in a playground in a predominantly White neighborhood, suggesting a different intent behind their placement. Furthermore, the supposed shackles on the monkeys are speculated to represent the rings children play with in playgrounds, not chains. This interpretation is bolstered by the historical demographic composition of West Harlem during the 1930s, which contradicts the assertion that the playground was situated in a predominantly Black area. The discourse around Moses, including the design of parkway overpasses to potentially limit minority access to certain public spaces, illustrates the intricate ways in which infrastructure can embody and perpetuate social divisions. Yet, this account is met with nuanced perspectives that challenge the simplicity of labeling Moses' actions as solely motivated by racial prejudice. His contributions to New York's public spaces and infrastructure are undeniable, though his legacy remains marred by allegations of racial discrimination. The fate of the monkeys, amidst this reevaluation of Moses' impact on New York City, emphasizes the ongoing dialogue about historical memory, urban planning, and social justice. Their removal from Riverside Park reflects not just a moment of controversy but a broader reconsideration of the symbols we maintain in our public spaces and the histories they represent. #RobertMoses #UrbanPlanning #SocialJustice #NYCHistory #PublicSpaces #ThePowerBroker #Infrastructure #RacialEquity #LegacyReevaluation

The latest update!

The January/February issue of Texas Architect is now online! In this issue, we study the nature of “third places” and their role in our communities. We explore the urban conditions of Texas cities and how they contribute to, and often hinder, a sense of neighborliness. We then examine the many functions that new libraries are assuming to support healthier, more resilient communities. Finally, we dive into some of Texas’s most iconic cultural hubs — our public swimming pools — to understand what led to their establishment and, in some cases, their demise. Also in this issue: community centers in Austin, Houston, and Dallas; the National Juneteenth Museum, the Children’s Bereavement Center in Uvalde; a photo essay by Herman Ellis Dyal, FAIA; window and door products; review of “Why Public Space Matters” by Setha Low; and more. Read the new issue: https://lnkd.in/dNV8V8fa #texasarchitect #texasarchitects #architecture

I found this picture in an office in Restoration. It is Franklin Thomas, Restoration’s, first President and CEO and Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm. What are they looking at and what are they planning: 1. What does the future economic landscape for our people look like for Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights? 2. How do we build an inclusive political landscape for the Black and Brown agenda for all of Brooklyn? 3. How do we make sure we are represented in corporate board rooms and what does a run for Congress (and President) look like? What do you think?