Growing power

Rachel Kauff talks about her contribution to the Near Future exhibition.

Design Trust for Public Space and a dozen of other NYC-based civic design organizations, including Gehl Institute, The Horticultural Society of New York, Institute for Public Architecture, Municipal Art Society, New Yorkers for Parks, PAU, Project for Public Spaces, Regional Plan Association, Street Plans, Transportation Alternatives, Van Alen Institute, and WXY Architects, recommend seven steps to ensure that our civic commons are available for public engagement and dialogue.

I recognize that learning virtue through public transit is a luxury. Because it is a choice, I have the freedom to engage it in a way that does not significantly impact my livelihood. For example, I am not dependent on a timely bus to get me to my job on time, so that I can keep my job; thus, I have the luxury of learning patience through an imperfect bus system. There are, however, many who do not have this freedom, which is all the more reason for those of us with this privilege to opt for taking public transit. Patience, courage, and empathy are all important virtues that help us become effective advocates for better systems that serve all people. In our insular world of cars and social media, we need to learn and practice these virtues in our public sphere. For many of us, riding the bus could be one small step.

– Heathcote Williams, “No Borders”

Sidewalk Wi-Fi!!

Finding the Value of a Vacant Lot by Tapping Into Neighborhood Memory (via nextcityorg)

Sennett, R.,2007. (A flexible city of strangers)