It is undeniable that many people fear for the the future of urban cities across America. Changes are dynamic: they occur instantaneously, uncontrollably. Despite the uncertainty of the future, people have been taking initiative to propose solutions to possible problems of the future. Issues such as job loss, inequality, homelessness, and pollution are addressed and solved in innovative projects across America. Although several projects take place in one area of the country, they can be reconstructed and applied to other areas across the nation.
“What is affordable housing?” is a seemingly simple question to ask. But not many NYC residents know how to go about answering that question. The Affordable Housing Toolkit, created by the Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP), is a project that educates communities about affordable housing in a clear and concise manner. This project was created through strong civic participation and engagement. Design professionals, educators, advocates, and policymakers collaborated together on this project in order explain complex policy and planning issues to the community. Specifically in 2010, the CUP worked with the grassroots organization, Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence, and graphic design teams MTWF and IntraCollaborative to visually present NYC affordable housing policies and programs and their availability. The complex urban housing problem of affordable housing is depicted in an actual toolbox and in an online interactive online map. Instructions are included in the toolkit and online on how to run a workshop about affordable housing. This allows various organizations to educate hundreds of people about affordable housing in NYC with ease.
Chinese and English Rent Regulation Rights foldout posters are currently distributed throughout Chinatown. They depict common scenarios between the neighborhood’s tenants and their landlords in easy-to-understand illustrations, suggesting ways to deal with situations that may arise from complex rent-stabilization laws. For example, Chinatown tenants would be able understand their rights as residents as they face pressure from landlords to vacate as neighborhood property values increase. This project benefits residents of NYC who do not speak or read English fluently.
photograph by Lynlia Tso
Diabetes and diet-related disease are at an all-time high nationwide. In order to address this issue, Fresh Moves Mobile Markets is a project designed to deliver locally-grown organic and sustainable foods throughout the city of Chicago.The Fresh Moves bus serves as a mobile market, making community stops throughout the week at public locations including schools, health clinics, and community centers, where residents can purchase locally-sourced fresh produce. This project, created by Architecture for Humanity Chicago and the local nonprofit Food Desert Action brings fresh produce to the 500,000 Chicago residents living in neighborhoods that are classified as food deserts-neighborhoods with limited access to healthy, fresh food. Because of the project the number of low income Chicagoans without access to fresh fruits and vegetables have decreased by forty percent. The Fresh Moves’ website lists its hourly schedule, and the mobile market not only sells produce but also offers classes on cooking and nutrition. The organizers are documenting the impact of Fresh Moves to support the possibility of improving the project in Chicago or replicating it in other cities.
This project should be replicated in New York City as a way to improve the health of NYC residents. In this metropolitan area, it is easy to eat convenient, fast food at an affordable price. Healthy, organic, local options are sold at a price that is not affordable to city dwellers that already spend a huge amount of their income on housing. The Fresh Moves Mobile Markets would be highly beneficial to city dwellers without access to healthful food at a low price.
photograph by Lynlia Tso
Nuestro Lugar Productive Public Space is a project designed by Kounkuey Design Initiative, Desert Riderz and Desert Resecreation District, North Shore Leadership Committee, and the residents of Eastern Coachella Valley’s North Shore.
It is the first and largest symbol of community-driven change for the largely Latino seasonal farmworker community of Eastern Coachella Valley’s North Shore. A barren, 5-acre parcel is transformed into a multi-functional desert garden, offering farmers’ markets, entrepreneurial training, art programs, and a community-designed newspaper. Part of a larger mobility plan for those without reliable means of transportation, the low-cost, low-tech Biciteca bike-share program ensures access to the new public space; bikes are refurbished by local youth at Desert Riderz bike cooperative.
This project is a good project for suburban areas across America. However, it would not be a good fit for the urban environment of New York City due to its limited spacing.
photograph by Lynlia Tso
https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/visits/vpfgc/112396613/
https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/visits/vpfgc/112396599/
https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/visits/vpfgc/112396619/
