Steven Stern explores New York's Newtown Creek through the eyes of Mitch Waxman, a self-taught historian and unlikely devotee of the aquatic wastedump-turned-Superfund site.
The bustling factories of old New York began spewing toxic waste into Newtown Creek at least a century and a half ago. Just within the last 100 years, the city's industry has spilt over 17 million gallons of oil into the currentless estuary – "more than the Exxon Valdez," Stern points out – topping the surface of the water with a 15-foot thick layer of "black mayonnaise". And Mitch Waxman, an amateur historian from nearby Queens, can recount in harrowing detail the evolution of businesses and practices that made it so.
"Formerly a comic-book artist and writer, Mr. Waxman earns his living doing photo retouching out of his apartment in Astoria," Stern explains. But after suffering a heart attack at the age of 39, Waxman began exploring the city on foot as a way to maintain his health. By 2009, he developed a morbid fondness for the creek, which he documents on his blog, The Newtown Pentacle.
His curiosity led him on an investigative search for a clear picture of the creek's history, "through countless solitary walks and countless nights poring over obscure archives." In the process, Waxman has made allies with environmental advocates, who look to him as the creek's resident historian, and taken on a role as a tour guide for the Newtown Creek Alliance.
"Mr. Waxman calls the area a 'municipal sacrifice zone,'" Stern writes - "the urban equivalent of the bomb test sites of Nevada."
FULL STORY: Your Guide to a Tour of Decay
New York City's Kosciuszko Bridge Getting Demolished
Traffic-plagued Kosciuszko will soon be replaced, and some commuters are celebrating its demise.
The Triboro Line Has New Life as the 'Interborough Express'
A proposed transit line that would connect three New York City boroughs not named Manhattan has new, powerful political support.
Manhattan Traffic Spreading to Other Boroughs
New travel patterns and an increased reliance on delivery services and ride-hailing are creating more congestion in New York's outer boroughs.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)