New York has a dismal record of making 'private' public spaces accessible. The new WTC designs would also make public spaces difficult to access.
"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
FULL STORY: Public access a point of debate with WTC designs

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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.
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