Debate Over Public Access In WTC Designs

New York has a dismal record of making 'private' public spaces accessible. The new WTC designs would also make public spaces difficult to access.

1 minute read

December 21, 2002, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"As inspirational as the imagined public spaces may be, the record on privately provided spaces in New York City hasn't exactly been encouraging... A 1961 zoning law allowed developers in New York City to build extra stories on buildings in return for providing public space, usually at and around the base of the buildings. But Kayden, a professor at the Harvard Design School, found that many of the spaces had been roped off or built on, in violation of the original development agreements."

Thanks to Anthony Flint

Read the full story: Public access a point of debate with WTC designs

Friday, December 20, 2002 in The Boston Globe

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