Context is everything

Abstract

What comes to mind when most people think of New York is the city's famous skyscraper skyline. Few are aware of a very different New York - a city of low-rise neighborhoods where thousands of middle-income families make their home. But, although the lower density areas encompass almost half of the city's land area, they have, in the past, often been ignored by local politicians. Last year, recognizing the concerns of the lower density neighborhoods, the Board of Estimate adopted a comprehensive amendment to the zoning resolution dealing with many of their needs. The changes were based on a widely (but not universally) praised study by the city planning department. Our study and the report based on it deals with a subject of vital concern throughout the country: how to provide new housing opportunities while preserving the character of older neighborhoods. In addition, the methodology of the study and the zoning solutions we came up with should be useful to planners in other communities. -Author