Rethinking the urban landscape and providing spaces to escape the concrete jungle is a gift for those of us who live in large, vertical cities.
The High Line
New York City’s #TheHighLine has become one of the major attractions for natives and tourists alike. Snaking up the west side, from the Meatpacking District to 34 Street near 11 Avenue, The High Line is a public park built on an historic, elevated freight rail line and is a great example of how cities can repurpose industrial spaces to house beautiful plantings and artwork, and provide activities for the community and beyond.
The Lowline
#TheLowline has been long in development. The concept is similar to The High Line: To provide more green spaces in congested cities. Specifically, in an underground park – the proposed Williamsburg Bridge Trolley Terminal – allowing a respite to dense urban environments. The Lowline Lab, which has now closed, served as the laboratory for horticulture and lighting experiments. The projected opening for The Lowline is 2021.
The Centerline
In the middle, literally in the medians of Park Avenue, comes #TheCenterline. The wide median strips have typically been populated with seasonal plantings or sculptural installations. Beyond The Centerline competition has been sponsored to creativity challenge participants to imagine outside-the-box concepts to dramatically rethink the dynamic of the existing urban landscape. Developing the area running down the middle of Park Avenue from 46 to 57 Streets would help to invigorate the surrounding commercial district.
The Centerline competition deadline has ended. Some of the submissions are wild and worth a complete look on the website. Judgement day is 12 march 2018. Stay tuned.
Now you have the high and the low of urban reimaginings. If the Beyond the Centerline competition’s winning project moves forward, NYC will have gained one more oasis to enjoy.
Top High Line image: Flickr Teri Tynes under CC BY 2.0; The Lowline image © 2017 Janet Giampietro; The Centerline competition images © 2018 Beyond The Park Avenue Centerline Contest
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