Pedal Power

Besides sailing, the pedal power is perhaps the most eifficent form of transportation for human kind.  Around New York City, I am starting to see this new form of public transportatoin known as pedicab.  Maybe in the near future, we will see more after Mayor Bloomberg in 2007 vetoed a bill that limited the number of pedicaps on the streets.  Overall, I think the numbers of the three-bicylces should increase because they assist in cutting emissions and minimize the ever increasing traffic congestions in a city that has enough cars.

- Leonardo Bentham

Banksy Loves New York City

The utlra secretive artist  Banksy strikes in Soho.  He is a graffiti artist known for creating very clever works of art in England. Obviously, he has crossed the pond and bestowed us with some excellent work.  It would be great to encourage more public art by artist in New York City with the endless supply of building walls – close to one million edifices.

Location:  Grand & Wooster Corner 

-Leonardo Bentham

Obama Litter

On November 4^th, 2008, our great nation voted for Barack Obama.  Many seem proud of this accomplishment.  I am elated! But I am starting to have a problem with the Obama litter in the urban environment. No disrespect to our President elect but his face or his propaganda is plastered on every New York corner.  While visiting Philadelphia, I also witnessed this level of admiration for Obama.  He became the new Che Guevera! I even saw an Obama sale down in Soho.  Does this level of visual adulation change voter’s minds?  At least for myself, I think these public displays forced me to think of the candidates on a more constant basis.  Although, I am not a fan of public advertising but have to concede this level of political enthusiasm being displayed in our urban environment leads to great conversation which fuels us to be better informed.  Obama 08!

Public Bedroom in MTA Facility

Every day, I walk by a bed that rests in a MTA facility.  A homeless New Yorker has decided to erect a simple bed frame that elevates their body of the dirty floor.  If the individual is not resting their head, the public bed is usually nicely made. I am amused at the site but it quickly leads to me to think of the unfortunate issues of this individual.  How long has this person resorted to this type of living?  Does this person have access to social programs to improve their lifestyle?  The MTA Connections is an outreach program that provides services to homeless individuals who utilize their facilities.  Unfortunately with the current economic  climate, I think homelessness will increase in our urban areas.

 

Second Stimulus Package

 

Our politicians are considering a stimulus package that focuses on ramping up the nation’s infrastructure.   Besides the financial meltdown that has engulfed New York City, another slow burning fire is our aging infrastructure.  The symptoms are quite evident from subway flooding to the Queen’s blackouts.  The first stimulus package will address the financial community.  But for the City to retain its financial dominance the infrastructure problem has to be addressed.  For New York City,  this second stimulus package is crucial because recent statistics point to an unfortunate trend that unemployment is substantially increasing for our citizens.  With no clear solution in sight, hopefully, a  stimulus package that creates infrastructure jobs will assist the City during these difficult times.

Access RI

We are AccessRI; an urban planning studio commissioned by New York State Senator Jose Serrano to conduct an accessibility study for Roosevelt Island. The goal of our studio is to identify and address the key access issues of the Roosevelt Island community in a community-based plan. The accessibility plan will address transportation on and off the island, but will also consider the community’s access to government, health, emergency services, retail and recreation.

Link to location: http://accessri.blogspot.com/

 

Airtrain → JFK

 

A couple of days ago, I found myself at Jamaica Station for an hour.  I spent some time taking pictures and admiring the modern construction of the station.  Then I saw the empty Airtrain zipping to JFK airport. Through the planning grapevine, I have heard that this transportation link is underutilized by New Yorkers.  It seems like such of a waste of 1.5 billion dollars.  One article pointed out that problem stems from lack of signage on subway maps.  I also suspect that the location of Jamaica Station in Queens does not make it enticing to some New Yorkers.  Whatever the cause, the transportation link is more convenient than grabbing a taxi.  It drastically cuts down on travel time to JFK airport.  Underneath, I have provided a link about the Airtrain → JFK.

http://www.mta.info/mta/airtrain.htm

- Leonardo Bentham